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Editorial
Hong Kong cements superconnector role with wave of belt and road deals
The city has become central to the Belt and Road Initiative’s evolution from infrastructure projects to digital and hi-tech connectivity
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Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
The Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong last week is tangible proof that 13 years after the initiative’s launch, the city has become central to its evolution from infrastructure projects to comprehensive connectivity and hi-tech platforms. More than 6,000 participants from over 70 countries attended, signing upwards of 60 commercial agreements and memorandums of understanding exceeding US$3 billion. These are evidence of sustained confidence in Hong Kong’s unique capacity to bridge mainland China’s innovation and capital with emerging markets.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu correctly framed the city as a “two-way springboard” – linking mainland enterprises with overseas markets while connecting international firms to Chinese opportunities. His visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in June yielded seven MOUs, while Hong Kong outlets signed eight additional agreements in Kuala Lumpur last month. These show how diplomatic groundwork translates into commercial partnerships.
The summit showcased media institutions embracing their connector role. The South China Morning Post hosted the inaugural China Conference: Central Asia in Astana, Kazakhstan, this month, then co-organised Thursday’s Belt and Road Summit panel examining artificial intelligence adoption across participating economies.
Lee’s coming policy address will continue government support for local media expanding into belt and road markets to expand readership beyond Hong Kong. This marks the second consecutive year such initiatives have featured in the chief executive’s blueprint, reflecting recognition that credible storytelling requires institutional capacity and international networks.
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