Apec meeting showcases HK's role as a bridge: FS

Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized on Sunday that hosting the recent Apec Finance Ministers Meeting bore considerable significance for Hong Kong. The two-day gathering concluded in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Wednesday. In a discussion on a Commercial Radio program, Chan stated that numerous attendees represented the political and business sectors, enabling them to witness and comprehend Hong Kong firsthand while observing how the city operates as a bridge connecting mainland China and the global community.

He highlighted the numerous prospects for collaboration and emerging market opportunities within the SAR’s professional services sector. "By engaging in communication and exchanges, we gain a deeper understanding of their requirements. For instance, many nations require infrastructure, which demands investment, professional services, and operational management.

Some enterprises aspire to penetrate the mainland market. We informed them that in these domains, they can collaborate with Hong Kong," Chan explained. The financial secretary stressed the challenge in achieving consensus among Apec member economies due to their diverse political perspectives, developmental stages, and needs. Despite this, Chan affirmed Hong Kong's commitment to identifying common ground while respecting differences, with the goal of maximizing collaboration wherever feasible. Chan's remarks were edited by Tony Sabine.