HONG KONG - Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday met with Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot to exchange views on boosting bilateral cooperation.

Noting that Belgium is one of Hong Kong's major trading partners in the European Union, Lee expressed confidence that the two sides will advance collaboration in areas such as economic and trade investment, innovation and technology (I&T), and people-to-people exchanges.

Overseas enterprises, including those from Belgium, can use Hong Kong as a platform to tap into the mainland market and other Asian markets by leveraging its professional and high value-added services, highly market-oriented business environment and low and simple tax regime, said Lee.

Lee recommended Northern Metropolis, a new engine for Hong Kong's economy, as a destination for Belgian companies to set up offices so that they can combine Hong Kong's robust research and development capabilities and vibrant I&T ecosystem with their technologies, talent pool and industrial chain resources.

Prévot is scheduled to visit China from April 27 to May 1, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.