GYEONGJU, the Republic of Korea – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Saturday that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, under the central authorities’ coordination, will do its best to support Shenzhen hosting next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
At the APEC chairmanship handover session of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, on Saturday, President Xi Jinping announced that the southern Chinese mainland city will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2026. It will be the third time for China to host the meeting, following Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014.
The Hong Kong leader told a news conference he was “thrilled” to hear that the next APEC meeting will take place in Shenzhen. “Our relationship is very close. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will do its best to support and cooperate with all possible arrangements that will be of help to holding the meeting.”
RELATED ARTICLES
- Lee invites Asia-Pacific leaders to leverage HK's gateway role
- APEC: Officials, experts highlight HK's potential for AI governance
- Yau: HK for deepening APEC digital cooperation to foster growth
- APEC members bank on HK’s ‘superconnector’ role in free trade network
Lee believes the central government will consider the whole arrangement of different setups, and refer to relevant guidelines when formulating the preparatory arrangement. “The HKSAR government is fully prepared to support such an arrangement.”
The CE noted the importance of the Gyeongju Declaration adopted by all the 21 APEC member countries and regions in emphasizing economic cooperation, connectivity and building resilient supply chains.
He also outlined the achievements he had made by attending the APEC conference, represented by enhanced ties with Asia-Pacific economies, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea, as well as international organizations like the International Monetary Fund.
On Saturday morning, Lee held brief conversations with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei during the economic leaders’ retreat meeting.
David Wu Jun, vice-chairman of Deloitte China, said he valued Hong Kong’s attendance at APEC as the city is the super-connector and strategy gateway for the nation as a whole.
He said Hong Kong’s legal, accounting and financial regulatory systems are an important infrastructure for developing financial services and professional talents that will definitely benefit the country’s high-quality development on a larger scale.
Deloitte will support Hong Kong in continuing to maintain its strategic and competitive advantages, Wu said.
Geffory Kao, Hong Kong’s alternate representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council, said Shenzhen’s hosting of APEC offers valuable opportunities for the SAR to promote itself.
For instance, some APEC participants might also visit Hong Kong due to the city’s strong aviation network and convenient access to the mainland.
Kao said the SAR can capitalize on its geographical advantages to highlight its business environment and tourism appeal.
Ida Xue and Yang Han contributed to the story.
Contact the writer at williamxu@chinadailyhk.com
