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Kahon Chan

Hong Kong’s leader will promote the city’s role as a connector to the vast mainland Chinese market during his nearly week-long trip to three Southeast Asian nations with an emphasis on people-to-people exchanges.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday also pledged to lobby for the city’s accession to RCEP, the world’s biggest free trade agreement, as he visited member nations Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
“[We will] strengthen communication and networks at a government level,” he told reporters just before leaving the city for the Laotian capital.
“I will meet with local leaders to introduce Hong Kong’s economic development and opportunities, and will continue to strive for their support in our application to join RCEP.”
The city applied to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in January 2022 and its request is currently being reviewed.
“We will also introduce what we can offer, including professional services, our experience, our networks and how we can lead them to enjoy Hong Kong’s opportunities and also enter the mainland market,” Lee said.
The chief executive also said his delegation, which includes more than 30 representatives from various sectors, would promote people-to-people exchanges on topics such as tourism, education, talent and young people.
Further details on the discussions would be revealed throughout the trip, he added.
Lee left for Laos on a Vientiane-bound flight operated by Hong Kong Airlines, part of a once-a-week service that acts as Hong Kong’s only direct aviation link with the country.
The chief executive is expected to meet top Laotian officials the day after he arrives.

His only full day in the country’s capital will include visits to a local secondary school and two projects with Chinese involvement – the Saysettha Development Zone, located northeast of Vientiane, and the terminus for the China-Laos Railway.
The rail link between Kunming and Vientiane, launched in December 2021, allows for goods from Thailand and Malaysia to be shipped through the landlocked country via a newly opened rail route connecting Vientiane and Bangkok.
Organisations and businesses from Hong Kong are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding with their local counterparts during Lee’s brief stay in Laos, with the deals covering cooperation in aviation, logistics and industrial developments.
The city’s trade with Laos, the current chair of the 10-member Asean bloc, stood at US$17 million last year – the lowest among countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Lee’s current trip is his third to the Asean bloc since taking office. His previous overseas visit took place last July when he headed to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. He travelled to Bangkok in November 2022 to attend the Apec summit.
The chief executive also led a delegation to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in February 2023 in search of business opportunities.
The city leader will next head to Phnom Penh in Cambodia on Tuesday, followed by Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. He will return to Hong Kong on Friday.


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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong leader to push mainland Chinese market access on visit to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam

Hong Kong is sending a delegation to Vientiane in Laos for the first leg of its Asean trip. Photo: Shutterstock

Chief Executive John Lee (left) speaks to reporters before he leaves Hong Kong on a flight to Laos. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong leader John Lee to visit Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam on third Asean trip in 2 years

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations accounted for nearly 13 per cent of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade last year. Photo: Reuters

Chief Executive John Lee will head off on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Agnes Chan will visit all three countries as part of the delegation. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Still room for Hong Kong-EU cooperation as Asean, Mideast no substitute: outgoing diplomat

Thomas Gnocchi, outgoing head of EU office in Hong Kong, will leave the city next month following a four-year stint. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The diplomat has said the recent launch of a multi-entry five-year permit for foreign nationals with permanent residency in Hong Kong to enter China via self-service clearance channels will facilitate travel. Photo: May Tse

The diplomat has also expressed concerns over the decline in local stakeholders willing to meet with the EU office. Photo: Sun Yeung

John Lee to promote Hong Kong in trip to 3 Asean countries, vows ‘big efforts’ on economy

John Lee addresses the media before attending an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday morning. Photo: Eugene Lee

The Patuxay Monument in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Laos is the current Asean chair and is the first destination on Chief Executive John Lee’s itinerary. Photo: AFP

News

Hong Kong

Politics

John Lee says he will strengthen ties with three Asean countries, and seek support for bid to join world’s biggest free trade pact


John Lee says he will strengthen ties with three Asean countries, and seek support for bid to join world’s biggest free trade pact.
