Chief Executive John Lee led a high-level Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation to attend the CEO Conference of the third Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing today, where he also delivered a speech at the conference's plenary meeting.

Jointly organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the State Council's State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission and the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, the CEO Conference was attended by over 1,200 government and business leaders as well as eminent representatives from the business, trade and professional sectors from Belt & Road countries and regions, to share their insights on contributing to the high-quality development of the Belt & Road in achieving common development and prosperity.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Lee said that the number of regional headquarters set up in Hong Kong by Belt & Road counterparts between 2017 and 2022 had doubled from 83 to 168, representing a growth of more than 15% per annum on average.

Hong Kong's direct investment in Belt & Road countries up to 2021 had also increased 70% from US$70 billion to US$120 billion, featuring an average annual growth of nearly 15%.

The total remittance of renminbi for cross-border trade settlement had more than doubled from RMB3.9 trillion to RMB9.3 trillion, registering a growth of over 18% per annum on average.

The Chief Executive pointed out that these figures eminently reflect the immense growth potential of the Belt & Road countries as well as the role of Hong Kong as a participant, facilitator and beneficiary of the Belt & Road Initiative.

Looking ahead, Mr Lee pledged that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to proactively integrate into the overall development of the country and live out the Silk Road's spirit of “win-win co-operation” by working hand in hand with Belt & Road countries and enterprises to pursue development and share the fruits of success.

At the conference, three projects on investment and technical co-operation involving Hong Kong enterprises totaling more than US$450 million were included in the project signing ceremony.

A total of 44 Hong Kong delegates attended the conference this time, an increase of one-third compared to the previous event, reflecting the significant role of Hong Kong as the functional platform for the Belt & Road Initiative. Amongst them are a number of young entrepreneurs and professionals who will be providing the future impetus of development under the new chapter of the Belt & Road.

In the evening, the Chief Executive attended a welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping for guests attending the third Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Mr Lee and Financial Secretary Paul Chan will attend the forum's opening ceremony tomorrow morning.