Remarks by CE at media session in Korea (with photo/video)
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The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, satisfied the media in Gyeongju, Korea, this afternoon (November 1) after participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and other associated activities. Following are Mr Lee’s remarks:
Press reporter: Good afternoon, Mr Lee. How were your encounters with President Xi Jinping throughout the APEC top? Existed any essential message on Hong Kong? With Shenzhen being the host city for next year’s APEC top, any strategies and expectations regarding how Hong Kong can co-operate or assist in with the top? Throughout this time, how would you capitalise on the results that you have made throughout your time in Gyeongju? Thank you.
President: President Xi cares quite about Hong Kong. And I was extremely pleased that I might use this chance to report to him the most recent social and financial advancements of Hong Kong. We likewise really a little discussed the political scenario that we’re dealing with. I feel the whole time the genuine care of President Xi for Hong Kong and his strong assistance for Hong Kong. I am extremely grateful for that. He is an extremely caring leader. Each and every time he will be motivating me to continue to do my task well, so I truly thank President Xi for that.
I’m naturally really inspired to understand that APEC 2026 will be kept in our nation – in Shenzhen. We’re delighted, especially when Shenzhen is our extremely neighbouring city. Our relationship is extremely close. The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government will do all our finest to support and co-operate with all the possible plans that will be of aid to the total introducing of the conference. I think that naturally the Central Government will consider the entire plan of various setups of the APEC conference, and likewise will refer to the standards that is set by APEC in regard of the plan for the conference. The Hong Kong Government is completely prepared and will be extremely delighted to be able to take any part to support the plan and the effective conduct of the APEC conference.
You inquired about the accomplishments of my presence at this APEC conference. We have actually made accomplishments in a number of locations. Through the involvement in the APEC conference, we added to the promo of open market and financial combination. Of all, the APEC economies collectively embraced and released the Leaders’ Declaration, which is really essential, due to the fact that its focus on financial co-operation, connection and likewise the structure of resistant supply chains. The Declaration resolves the significance of shared chances and difficulties facing us, and essential objective of “Connect” “Innovate” and “Prosper”
The 2nd accomplishment is that, through the involvement in these APEC conferences and activities, we even more reinforced our ties with the host nation– Korea. Various Secretaries of the Hong Kong SAR Government have actually gone to APEC conferences in the 2 weeks prior to the real top, consisting of the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, and likewise the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Korea is the fifth-largest trading partner of Hong Kong. And the trade has actually been increasing in the rate of 20 percent year-on-year. On tourist, we invited, in 2024, 850 000 visitors from Korea. This is double the figure of the previous year. With the Kai Tak Sports Park opened, we have actually been inviting a great deal of K-pop efficiencies, and we eagerly anticipate inviting more Korean visitors as we have more extraordinary efficiencies. We signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Busan Asian Film School in September to permit Hong Kong filmmakers to take part in an eight-month training course in Busan. The number of flights in between Hong Kong and Busan has actually increased by about 70 per cent year-on-year in October this year, pursuing the boost in the number of exchanges both methods. We likewise opened a brand-new flight path to Daegu in June this year.
The 3rd accomplishment is that we have actually enhanced relations and exchanges with numerous ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations. I had a bilateral conference with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong. We discussed a vast array of concerns that the instant outcomes of the conversations is that there will be a Hong Kong delegation making up Permanent Secretaries to go to Singapore. This will be the 2nd see after the last see in 2023 by Permanent Secretaries from the Singaporean Government. I talked about with the President of Indonesia, and we concurred to check out the possibility of Indonesian cultural and arts delegations checking out Hong Kong to carry out. In concerns to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) which we wish to establish in Malaysia, I’m pleased to be notified that, in the conversation with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, both people are extremely eager and positive that the ETO will function before completion of this year in Kuala Lumpur.
The 4th accomplishment is that we have actually deepened exchanges and co-operation with the Middle East. I consulted with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and we discussed different concerns. He showed that Hong Kong is a really appealing location for financial investments, definitely among the focus locations. And one crucial thing is Hong Kong is a bridge to Mainland cities, so he has actually shown that he will be paying a great deal of attention to the Hong Kong market. We invited that quite.
The 5th accomplishment is that we have actually enhanced exchanges with the worldwide organisation of IMF (International Monetary Fund). I consulted with the Managing Director, and I firstly spoke about Hong Kong’s strengths as a global monetary centre. The IMF did an Article IV Consultation a year before, and verified Hong Kong’s position as the one of the world’s 3 significant worldwide monetary centres and acknowledging the strength and strengths that are in our routine.
We will capitalise on the go to on this celebration, so that we will continue to enhance ties with various economies and likewise follow up a few of the concerns that we raised in the conversation.
(Please likewise describe the Chinese part of the remarks.)