HONG KONG - John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on Wednesday thanked Thailand and appealed for its continued support for Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The HKSAR government looks forward to further strengthening cooperation with the Thai government in such areas as trade and commerce, investment as well as culture to achieve mutual benefits, Lee said when meeting with visiting Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

The HKSAR and Thailand have close relations with frequent economic and trade exchanges, the chief executive noted. 

Chief Executive John Lee encouraged Thai companies to make good use of Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to explore the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area market and participate in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative

Thailand is the fourth-largest trading partner of Hong Kong among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while Hong Kong is also one of major trading and investment partners of Thailand. 

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In 2023, total merchandise trade between Hong Kong and Thailand amounted to about $19 billion, Lee said.

Both sides have a close relationship in people-to-people cultural exchanges. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand launched a service for cross-border QR payments at the end of last year to provide visitors from both places with a safe and convenient cross-border retail payment means. Lately, a series of Thai-themed events took place in Hong Kong and were widely welcomed by local people and the Thai community in the city, Lee added.

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He also encouraged Thai companies to make good use of Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to explore the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area market and participate in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.