Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second right), meets Senate President of the Philippines, Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri (second left), in the city on May 27, 2023. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui (first right) also joined the meeting. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday met with Senate President of the Philippines, Juan Miguel Fernandez Zubiri, who is visiting the city, to exchange views on matters of common interest. 

The Hong Kong leader said the special administrative region and the Philippines have maintained close exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment and finance. 

Hong Kong is an important trading and investment partner for the Philippines and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he said. 

Lee encouraged more Philippine enterprises and talents to develop in Hong Kong and make better use of the SAR’s professional services and internationalized business environment for expanding into Mainland markets, including that of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Hong Kong is continuing to strive for early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Lee said, expressing his gratitude to the Philippines for its support in Hong Kong's bid for accession.

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, also joined the meeting.