Paul Chan: Welcomes AIIB's establishment of an office in Hong Kong; Hong Kong will continue to support infrastructure projects of AIIB members.

Local time yesterday, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po continued his visit to Doha, Qatar, participating in a series of events at the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and met with representatives of governments and financial institutions from multiple countries to exchange views on infrastructure financing, digital public infrastructure, investment, and economic cooperation. At a roundtable meeting, Paul Chan Mo-po spoke on how the AIIB can deepen and expand its support for member economies. He pointed out that enhancing climate resilience and developing digital infrastructure have become urgent needs for all economies, and that to translate these development needs into concrete projects, full-cycle project planning and execution capabilities are just as indispensable as funding support. Paul Chan Mo-po said that Hong Kong, China will continue to support the AIIB in assisting members with the preparatory work for infrastructure projects, creating favorable conditions for project financing and smooth implementation, and helping to achieve development goals. He also welcomed the AIIB's establishment of an office in Hong Kong, and stressed that Hong Kong will actively support its work, leveraging its advantages as an international financial center and in professional services to promote regional infrastructure and sustainable development. At a seminar titled "Digital Public Infrastructure as a Driver for Building Resilient Economies," Paul Chan Mo-po delivered a keynote speech. He noted that the rapid development of artificial intelligence brings new opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of digital public infrastructure. Hong Kong, China is actively promoting the application of artificial intelligence in public services and various economic sectors, and supporting innovative development by improving computing power, data, and digital infrastructure support, as well as enhancing artificial intelligence literacy across society. At the same time, the SAR government will strengthen cybersecurity, protect data privacy, and improve artificial intelligence risk governance, so that citizens and businesses can use new technologies with confidence and share in the fruits of digital economic development. During the annual meeting, Paul Chan Mo-po met with Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, to exchange views on strengthening cooperation between the two places in trade, investment, finance, and infrastructure development. He also met with Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank, to discuss jointly promoting bilateral trade, supporting the development of startups in both places, and strengthening investment cooperation in venture capital. In addition, he met with Danny Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Financing and Sustainable Development at HSBC, to discuss infrastructure financing and related cooperation opportunities. In the evening, Paul Chan Mo-po attended the AIIB annual meeting members' dinner hosted by Qatar, the host country, and exchanged views with representatives from governments, multilateral development organizations, financial institutions, and the business sector from various places. It is reported that Paul Chan Mo-po concluded his visit late last night local time and departed for Hong Kong, and is expected to arrive in Hong Kong this afternoon Hong Kong time.