Hong Kong can serve as "super connector": Chief Executive

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying Wednesday said China's Belt and Road Initiative offers unprecedented opportunities to all the related territories including Hong Kong, and Hong Kong can serve as a "super connector" between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world.

Delivering a speech at the Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong, Leung said the Belt and Road Initiative spans more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. The initiative offers unprecedented opportunities to all territories, Hong Kong included.

With the combined advantages of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong can serve as a "super-connector," Leung said.

He added, in areas such as finance, investment, professional services, trade, logistics, culture, creativity, innovation and technology, Hong Kong's unique "super-connector" role can bring together the strengths of Belt and Road economies.

He specified that as China's international financial center and the world's China financial capital, Hong Kong is well positioned to meet the growing demand for financial services, including offshore Renminbi services, in Belt and Road regions.

"For infrastructure projects, Hong Kong can provide capital, financial channels, asset management, insurance and re-insurance services, contract management, dispute resolution, legal and other professional services," the chief executive said.

"Hong Kong's professional services are world-class. Our professionals in accounting, legal, dispute resolution, risk assessment, engineering, consulting, project management and many other services are highly regarded for their professional ethics, competence and global outlook.

"Entering a new business environment, investing in large projects, avoiding and resolving commercial disputes, handling negotiations, establishing business models or dealing with property rights and investment protection, you will find that our Hong Kong professionals are ideal service providers for enterprises from both China and Belt and Road regions."

Beyond economic relations, Leung said, Hong Kong looks forward to developing broader and closer people-to-people bonds along the Belt and Road.

"Our world-class universities, together with the use of English as a teaching language, are a big draw for overseas students. We welcome and encourage cultural exchanges and interaction between our young people through scholarships and exchange programs."

Leung said the Belt and Road Initiative is a vast project in scope, scale and diversity. As such, the Hong Kong government is setting up a dedicated Belt and Road office to push forward the plans.

"We will work closely with the central authorities of China and our Belt and Road partners to ensure effective coordination of policies and measures, to identify areas of collaboration and to facilitate timely exchange of information for our common good." Endit