Hong Kong’s leader John Lee calls for stronger economic, trade ties with Thailand in meeting with country’s prime minister
- City leader says he hopes Hong Kong and Thailand can maintain their close relationship during meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin
- Lee expresses gratitude to the country for supporting Hong Kong’s early entry into world’s largest free-trade deal
Hong Kong should strengthen economic and trade ties with Thailand, as well as maintain its close relationship with the nation, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said during a meeting with the country’s prime minister on Monday.
“Hong Kong can serve as an important hub connecting mainland China with other economies and make contributions to promoting regional economic development to achieve mutual benefits,” Lee said in the meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
The chief executive, who attended the gathering with other top city officials, had expressed hope that Hong Kong and Thailand could maintain their close relationship and bolster economic and trade cooperation between the two places, according to a government spokesman.
Lee met former Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha last November while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Bangkok. During his meeting with Thavisin at Government House in Central, he congratulated the new leader on becoming the country’s 30th prime minister.
The chief executive in November sought Thailand’s support for the city’s early entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free-trade deal.
During Monday’s meeting, Lee expressed his gratitude to the country for supporting Hong Kong’s early accession to the agreement, according to a government spokesman.
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The meeting comes as Lee continues to work to expand Hong Kong’s role in Southeast Asia, with a string of new trade agreements signed with other countries this year.
Hong Kong was the fourth largest investor in Thailand in 2022, with foreign direct investment of almost US$550 million. Bilateral trade also reached just under US$20 billion in the same year.
Also in attendance at the meeting were Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing; Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun; Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung; Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah; and Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip Man-kuen.
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“He is here to promote Thailand and encourage us to invest in Thailand,” Chan told the Post. “He is very familiar with Hong Kong [and] as a businessman he comes here regularly.”
Thavisin met Chan alongside several prominent figures on Sunday, including Hospital Authority chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling, Trade Development Council head Peter Lam Kin-ngok, business tycoon Allan Zeman and HSBC group executive Surendra Rosha.
“Since [Thavisin] is from the business sector, he is very aware of the capital market and the role of Hong Kong,” Chan added. “He welcomes investors to invest in Thailand and he will help to facilitate a business-friendly environment to welcome investors.”
Thavisin co-founded one of Thailand’s largest real estate developers Sansiri in 1988, becoming a property tycoon and billionaire.
He assumed office as the prime minister of Thailand in August this year and is said to have a close relationship with predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra.
