Edward Yau: Hong Kong is committed to deepening international exchanges and cooperation, expanding areas of diversified external cooperation, and exploring new paths for development together.

On March 26th, at the plenary session of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu stated that Hong Kong will fully utilize the latest cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to continue activating market vitality, promoting the construction of the Northern Metropolis Area and the River Delta Deep Bay Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, and fully promoting the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. At the same time, Hong Kong will continue to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with various countries in Asia, broaden the scope of diverse cooperation, work together to explore new paths of development, and shape the common future of Asia. John Lee Ka-chiu stated that under the principle of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong has the unique advantage of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world, making it the only open economy in the world that enjoys both the advantages of China and the international community. Faced with a complex and ever-changing external environment, Hong Kong has always firmly upheld free trade and multilateralism, resolutely opposed unilateralism and protectionism, continuously enhanced its resilience to resist risks and respond to changes, and has always been the best platform for foreign companies to deepen their presence in the mainland market and for mainland companies to expand overseas markets. He mentioned that in the past years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has been committed to leading the business community to explore different markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, expanding the map of external cooperation; in the future, it will focus on more emerging markets, explore broader development spaces, integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, and deepen international exchanges and cooperation, work together with various countries in Asia, build a solid foundation of mutual trust, deepen openness and connectivity, practice mutual benefit, safeguard peace and stability, help steady growth of the Asian economy, and promote the global economy towards a more inclusive, beneficial, and win-win direction. John Lee Ka-chiu said that as the conflicts in the Middle East escalate and the geopolitical situation remains uncertain, Hong Kong, as a globally recognized safe haven for capital, with a sound financial system and professional service advantages, can provide more high-quality financial services to businesses from various countries, attract global funds, and jointly expand high-quality sustainable development. Given the complex and severe external environment, Hong Kong must stand firm, move forward confidently, firmly grasp the unique advantages of "one country, two systems," strive for economic development, promote integration, actively integrate into and serve the overall development of the country. The national "14th Five-Year Plan" outlines support for accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis Area. Hong Kong will actively promote the formulation of the first "Five-Year Plan of Hong Kong," steadily advance various development projects, deepen reforms with a sense of urgency and determination, nurture and strengthen new productive forces based on the reality of Hong Kong, accelerate the construction of an international innovation and technology center, continuously consolidate and enhance its position as an international financial, shipping, and trading center, and focus on creating an international high-end talent gathering place.