Hong Kong will deepen cooperation with other Apec economies at Lima summit: John Lee

City leader will also meet members of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in Peru to bolster bid to join world’s largest free-trade pact

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The entrance of the Lima Convention Center. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit will be held in the Peru’s capital this year. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:27pm, 12 Nov 2024Updated: 3:39pm, 12 Nov 2024

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to make full use of his first official visit to South America to promote the city’s advantages and establish economic ties at the coming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) conference in Lima.

Ahead of his departure on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also said he would meet with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in Peru’s capital to gather support for Hong Kong to join the world’s largest free-trade pact as soon as possible.

“Although Hong Kong and South America already have some economic and trade exchanges, there is still significant room for development,” he said before his weekly meeting with the Executive Council, the city’s key decision-making body, on Tuesday.

“Hong Kong could deepen cooperation with various member economies through the Apec platform, creating development opportunities for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes,” he added, noting that Apec member economies accounted for 80 per cent of the city’s total foreign trade.

Apart from the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 16, which Chinese President Xi Jinping will also attend, Lee will also participate in other related meetings such as the Apec Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests and the Apec Leaders’ Dialogue with the Apec Business Advisory Council.

Chief Executive John Lee speaks at a press conference ahead of his weekly Exco meeting at Hong Kong government headquarters in Admiralty. Photo: May Tse

The city government also said Lee would also have bilateral meetings with leaders of other economies to discuss issues of mutual interest.