Hong Kong, July 10 (AseanAll) — On July 10,2024, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China, John Lee met Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn to exchange views on strengthening connections with ASEAN member states, according to Hong Kong Government News Network.
While welcoming Mr Kao's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation, Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong has maintained close trade and economic ties with ASEAN, which has long been Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner.
John Lee emphasised that since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN, the trade and investments between the two sides have recorded significant growth with the bilateral trade in goods between Hong Kong and ASEAN amounting to US$144.6 billion last year.
Mr Lee pointed out that Hong Kong will continue to promote the co-operation between the city and ASEAN on trade and investments.
The Chief Executive thanked Mr Kao and ASEAN member states again for their continued support for Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
He added that he looks forward to maintaining communication with the ASEAN secretariat on relevant issues and soliciting support from other stakeholders for Hong Kong to join the RCEP as soon as possible.
Furthermore, Mr Lee stated that he hopes to visit different ASEAN member states in the future to further strengthen Hong Kong's ties with them, taking co-operation with ASEAN to a new level.
Also attending the meeting were Hong Kong Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau.
According to ASEAN Secretariat,Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China, Hon. John Lee, on the sidelines of the CGCC World Chinese Entrepreneurs Summit. They reiterated the strong commitments of ASEAN and Hong Kong, China in elevating their economic and people-to-people relations through increased collaboration and engagements in areas of mutual cooperation such as digitalisation, sustainable development, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
