The 11th Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme "Advancing High-Quality Development • Embarking on a New Journey," the Summit brings together more than 100 government officials, business leaders and professionals from Belt and Road countries and regions to explore new opportunities, promote cross-regional trade and industrial matching, and accelerate concrete outcomes.
Multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed on the first day, spanning finance, professional services, industry and construction, and involving organisations from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar and Uzbekistan. More agreements are expected, transforming connections into tangible collaborations. The Summit underscores Hong Kong's critical role as a two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas and international companies entering the Mainland market. As John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, noted, Hong Kong's GoGlobal Task Force has assisted over 300 Mainland enterprises, and since 2022, high-level delegations have explored 13 Belt and Road countries, delivering over 250 MOUs.
The event features new thematic zones, including the "GoGlobal Connect" zone, and dedicated Central Asia and Middle East Chapters to spotlight emerging market opportunities. These initiatives support enterprises in going global and leverage Hong Kong's professional services. The Summit also includes project investment sessions covering more than 300 investment projects and over 800 one-to-one business matching meetings, facilitating cross-regional partnerships. The exhibition zone hosts over 120 exhibitors, with new zones for universities, green tech, and specific regions.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, emphasised that diversification is a necessity, not a choice, and that the Belt and Road Initiative is more relevant than ever. He highlighted ASEAN, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America as regions with the greatest growth potential. The Summit also introduced the ASEAN Market Day, a new flagship event under Belt and Road Week, to help Hong Kong companies, particularly SMEs, deepen their understanding of ASEAN markets.
The Summit's importance lies in its ability to foster international cooperation and facilitate business partnerships amid global trade uncertainties. By connecting government and business leaders, it advances high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and regional economic integration. The focus on emerging markets such as Central Asia and the Middle East reflects a strategic shift to diversify trade and investment, which is crucial for sustaining growth and resilience. The signing of numerous MoUs and agreements demonstrates tangible progress, while the new initiatives provide platforms for enterprises to expand globally. As a key commercial platform, Hong Kong continues to leverage its unique strengths to connect the Chinese Mainland with global markets, reinforcing its role as a super connector and super value-adder. For more information, visit the Belt and Road Summit website and the HKTDC website.
