{
  "id": 6377214,
  "title": "HK a 'gateway for Belt and Road economies': CE",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/hk-a-gateway-for-belt-and-road-economies-ce",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T03:37:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1869368-20260909.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chief Executive John Lee stated on Wednesday that Hong Kong was broadening its Belt and Road network, emphasizing that the city could assist participating nations in accessing the mainland and expanding their presence in global markets. During a speech at the 11th Belt and Road Summit, Lee, which attracted more than 6,000 government leaders and high-profile professionals from over 70 countries, highlighted that Hong Kong benefited from China's support while preserving international connectivity, and was renowned as a global hub for finance, trade, and logistics. He further explained that rooted in their rich history of cultural exchange, the Belt and Road Initiative is not a static map but a collaborative plan for the future, with Hong Kong embodying this vision at the crossroads of East and West, where capital, talent, businesses, and opportunities intersect. The Chief Executive also reported that his recent visit to Central Asia had yielded promising outcomes, with Central Asian firms opting for Hong Kong listings and anticipating the commencement of direct flights between the region and the SAR in January. Lee emphasized that these achievements exemplify the efficacy of a hub-to-hub cooperative model, enabling Hong Kong to act as a gateway to Belt and Road economies, the Chinese mainland, and global markets. In exchange, the visited countries collaborate with Hong Kong, fostering a connected network of hubs that augment regional strengths through enhanced connectivity and unlock new opportunities. Lee further elaborated that Hong Kong serves as a springboard for mainland enterprises to expand overseas and for global firms to enter the mainland market. He also mentioned that the city welcomed students from all over the world, including those from Belt and Road nations, while fostering cultural exchanges. Lee concluded by stating that the 11th Belt and Road Summit would see the signing of over 60 government agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), alongside business MoUs and transactions valued at more than US$3.1 billion from Belt and Road partners.",
  "summary": "Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday said Hong Kong had been expanding its network along the Belt and Road, adding that the city could help countries who had joined the initiative to enter the mainland and expand their reach in global markets. He made the remarks during a speech at the 11th Belt and Road Summit – a two-day event in Wan Chai that gathers more than 6,000 government leaders and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "HK a 'gateway for Belt and Road economies': CE",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/hk-a-gateway-for-belt-and-road-economies-ce-6377355",
        "published": "2026-09-09T03:37:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}