Hong Kong will continue to make every effort to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Singapore, in particular in the areas of green and digital economies and other emerging industries, leader of the special administrative region said on Friday.

John Lee Ka-chiu said this when he met with visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies of Singapore Heng Swee Keat.

Lee said Hong Kong will give full play to its role as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder", thereby contributing to the promotion of mutually beneficial economic growth between the country and Singapore

Noting that the two cities have long enjoyed a close relationship, Lee said Singapore has consistently been Hong Kong's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with their trade in goods amounting to HK$394.7 billion ($50.36 billion) in 2023.

The Hong Kong chief executive expressed his gratitude to Singapore for its continued support for the SAR’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with a view to making greater contributions to regional cooperation and creating impetus for growth in Hong Kong.

Pointing out that China-Singapore relations have been upgraded to an All Round High Quality Future Oriented Partnership last year, he said that under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.

Hong Kong will give full play to its role as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder", thereby contributing to the promotion of mutually beneficial economic growth between the country and Singapore, Lee added.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong; Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip and Consul General of Singapore in Hong Kong Ong Siew Gay were also present during the meeting.