Li Jiachao: Continue to promote the alignment of rules and mechanisms between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, and enhance the flow of people, goods, data, and funds.

On October 31, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Service Trade Fair, stating that Hong Kong will continue to promote the alignment of rules and mechanisms among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and enhance the flow of people, goods, data, and capital. Hong Kong International Airport will work together with Zhuhai Airport to optimize the "Hong Kong-Zhuhai through flight" service, improve the land connection between the two airports, and expand the service to more cities in mainland China. In addition, the first phase of permanent facilities at the Hong Kong International Airport-Dongguan Air Cargo Center will be completed in stages starting at the end of this year, significantly reducing freight costs. Hong Kong is actively pushing for research on the second phase, including introducing more high-value-added logistics and cross-border e-commerce facilities to support the development of national digital trade. John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized that Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping, and trade center, striving to build an international high-end talent gathering place. With a sound legal system and highly open and internationalized business environment, Hong Kong is actively promoting innovation in areas such as digital trade, financial services, and legal services, providing diversified, high-value, and comprehensive professional support for the development of the Greater Bay Area. Under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the Second Amendment Agreement of the Service Trade Agreement has been implemented since March this year. Enterprises in different advantageous service sectors in Hong Kong, including foreign companies established in Hong Kong, can better serve the Greater Bay Area market through the convenient measures provided by the agreement. In his recent Policy Address, John Lee Ka-chiu proposed various measures to strengthen the advantages in financial, shipping, trade, and legal services sectors while actively nurturing industries such as artificial intelligence and data science. As the global trade order reshapes, many mainland Chinese enterprises are actively exploring emerging markets, diversifying business risks, and expanding their businesses. The "Mainland Enterprise Outward Bound Program" proposed in the Policy Address has been formally established to develop diversified plans for enterprises expanding overseas, providing more comprehensive and substantial support. Hong Kong actively aligns with the professional services of the Greater Bay Area and the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority will cooperate with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to establish a $1 billion investment fund to support Hong Kong and other Greater Bay Area enterprises in expanding to Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong will also lead more small and medium-sized enterprises to explore business opportunities in Southeast Asian markets and support their overseas expansion needs. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantages in internal connections and external communications to contribute to the high-quality development of the country and the Greater Bay Area.