For first time, Zhang Dejiang spells out how Hong Kong can seize key role in One Belt, One Road
Senior state official highlights four areas for city to focus on in future
Beijing is going all out to bring Hong Kong on board its “One Belt, One Road” trade strategy, with
the nation’s third-highest-ranking leader identifying four key areas for the city to focus on.
In his keynote speech yesterday at the Belt and Road Summit, Zhang Dejiang highlighted the professional sectors, financial services, “people-to-people exchanges” and cooperation with the mainland on developing businesses along the land and sea routes connecting China with the rest of Eurasia.
It was the first time a mainland leader has spelled out details of the city’s role in the trade initiative first announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013.
“The central government ... holds the view that Hong Kong possesses a multitude of unique strengths in the development of One Belt, One Road, and is capable of performing such functions that are of high importance,” Zhang said, addressing a local and international audience.
The state leader who oversees Hong Kong affairs also called on the city to participate in the nation’s development “more proactively” with Beijing’s backing.
At the same time, the local business community is gearing up for the mainland’s “go global” initiative, with major trade bodies looking to undertake more fact-finding trips to 64 countries along the belt-and-road route and organise forums to learn more about the initiative.
Stanley Lau Chin-ho, honorary president of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said they would respond to Zhang’s encouragement by spreading the word through forums and tours.
