CIIE 2023: Hong Kong leader John Lee pursues stronger economic ties with Shanghai, saying the two cities complement each other

On his first trip to Shanghai since becoming Hong Kong’s leader, Lee said both cities can play a complementary role in spurring tech innovation

Lee met the top two officials in Shanghai to discuss cooperation in the fields of technology, finance, education and youth development

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the Invest in China Summit at CIIE on Sunday. Photo: Handout

Published: 8:30am, 6 Nov 2023Updated: 12:22pm, 6 Nov 2023

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has urged the strengthening of economic ties between Shanghai and Hong Kong as he envisions building world-class technology start-ups by tapping talent pools in both cities.

On his first visit to mainland China’s commercial and financial hub since becoming Hong Kong’s top official in July 2022, Lee expressed confidence in the prospects of creating synergies between both cities to bolster technological innovation.

“Hong Kong has our own advantages in nurturing start-up firms because the city is attractive to global talent,” Lee told reporters on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Sunday. “Shanghai also has its own advantages in luring talent. I think the two cities can play a complementary role to each other in spurring technological innovation.”

Lee and Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po arrived in Shanghai on Saturday for the expo, the world’s largest import trade fair that kicked off on Sunday. Lee plans to return to Hong Kong on Monday.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (right) seen siping tea while chatting with a representative of a Hong Kong exhibitor at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5, 2023. Photo: Daniel Ren

On the weekend Lee met the top two officials in Shanghai, Communist Party secretary Chen Jining and Mayor Gong Zheng, to discuss cooperation in the fields of technology, finance, education and youth development.

“We hope to establish some platforms to encourage innovation in both cities,” Lee said. “In the finance sector, our cooperation is also of benefit to both sides.”

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