Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiuLee Ka-chiu speaks at a press conference at the Central Government Offices on February 3, 2023. ANDY CHONG CHINA DAILY Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiuLee Ka-chiu begins his eight-day visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates UAE on Sunday with a star-studded delegation and a tight schedule for exchanges and promising opportunities.
Lee's first overseas visit this year aims to promote the city on all fronts to actively seek its global roles in post-pandemic development.
The Saudi government has been very positive for interactions, Lee told reporters at a briefing on Saturday. Lee left Riyadh on Saturday with several high-ranking officials and over 30 high-level representatives from various sectors.
Prior to leaving Hong Kong, Lee said he would meet with high-ranking local government officials, business leaders, and visit local enterprises, attend forums and exchange activities on Hong Kong's latest developments and investment and business opportunities.
As successful economies, Saudi Arabia and UAE were chosen as Lee's first overseas visit after Hong Kong resumed cross-boundary travels with the Chinese mainland in view of their visions and blueprints in finance, innovation and technology, infrastructure and logistics.
Lee said that Hong Kong's strengths are in line with their development visions and demands, and that it can widen its collaboration with Middle East countries.
In particular, Lee is expected to introduce Hong Kong's strengths as a global center for finance, trade and logistics, assets management and risk management and its rich pool of professional talent, such as project management, architecture design, engineering and supply chain.
Hong Kong is attempting to become the international innovation and technology hub and a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, unlocking endless potential and opportunities for collaboration on all fronts with the Middle East economies, Lee explained.
Lee expressed his confidence in the trip for bringing Hong Kong rich opportunities.
Xi's trip is useful in deepening Saudi Arabia and the UAE's understanding of Hong Kong's strengths, particularly about the city's role as the gateway to the mainland market, which is appealing and enjoys worldwide attention, Lee said.
Lee said he will promote Hong Kong's unique advantage of having strong support from the central authorities and being closely connected to the world.
Lee believes that Saudi and the UAE will consider coming to Hong Kong for investment.
The Middle East region is a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, which has entered its 10th year this year, since it was brought up in 2013 and is a proactive effort by the city to promote the initiative.
After a media briefing later today, the delegation will attend the Saudi Arabia-HK Investment Forum and a gala dinner for Chinese New Year. Lee will wrap up his visit on February 11.