John Lee meets with AIIB President Zou Jiayi to exchange views on further strengthening regional financial cooperation

On October 19, John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, met with Zou Jiayi, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), to exchange views on further strengthening regional financial cooperation. Christopher Hui Ching-yu, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong, also attended. John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed Zou Jiayi and her delegation on their visit to Hong Kong to attend the upcoming 2026 APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting. He said that the AIIB has consistently supported developing economies in improving infrastructure and promoting sustainable economic development, and that Hong Kong, as a member of the AIIB, actively supports the bank's work. Last month, Hong Kong published its first Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address, continuously consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's financial advantages and strengthening development in areas such as green finance, fintech and offshore renminbi business, which helps support the AIIB's project financing and financial management and promotes the sustainable development of infrastructure in Asia. John Lee Ka-chiu said that Hong Kong is one of the leading international financial centres, ranking first among the world's freest economies for consecutive years and third globally and first in Asia in the Global Financial Centres Index. With a vibrant capital market, top-tier professional services and diversified financial products, Hong Kong can provide flexible funding allocation support for AIIB projects such as carbon neutrality and GREEN ECONOMY transition. The AIIB's issuance of Hong Kong dollar bonds in the city in recent years is a fruit of financial cooperation between the two sides. John Lee Ka-chiu welcomed the AIIB's continued use of Hong Kong's advantages as a financial hub and its mature and well-established bond market to connect with investors worldwide and add value to projects. John Lee Ka-chiu said he was pleased that the AIIB will soon establish an office in Hong Kong with both financing and operational functions, reflecting Hong Kong's role as a gateway connecting the country and the world. He believes the establishment of the office will create more opportunities for Hong Kong's local financial industry and deepen cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will fully assist in the establishment and operation of the office, leveraging its role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to help the AIIB expand its business. He looks forward to the two sides continuing to work hand in hand to strengthen cooperation in areas such as transition finance, technological innovation and talent training, jointly promoting regional economic prosperity.