CE to visit 3 ASEAN states

Chief Executive John Lee will lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation on a visit to three Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, including Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, starting July 28.

The Chief Executive’s Office made the announcement and pointed out that the delegation’s goal is to introduce Hong Kong’s strengths and latest developments to political and business communities, with a view to exploring business opportunities and establishing more extensive connections and networks.

Noting that ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner, Mr Lee said the bilateral trade in goods between Hong Kong and ASEAN reached US$144.6 billion last year, accounting for nearly 13% of the city’s external merchandise trade, showing substantial economic potential in these emerging markets.

This is his third visit to ASEAN countries since he took office, demonstrating the importance attached by Hong Kong towards co-operation with ASEAN, Mr Lee added.

Apart from Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and other senior officials, the delegation comprises some 30 high-level representatives from various sectors covering industry and commerce, financial services, transport, logistics, innovation and technology, and tourism.

Mr Lee will visit Laos on July 28 and 29 and depart for Cambodia in the morning of July 30. On the afternoon of July 31, he will head to Vietnam.

During such visits, the Chief Executive will meet local political and business leaders to introduce Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “one country, two systems”, and promote the opportunities, economic and trade connections as well as the broad business prospects that Hong Kong can bring to ASEAN.

Additionally, he will tour local enterprises and major infrastructure projects to explore collaboration opportunities.

Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on the evening of August 2.

During his absence, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will be Acting Chief Executive. During Mr Yau’s absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.