The 10th Belt and Road Summit opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. This milestone event, themed "Collaborate for Change • Shape a Shared Future," convened over 90 key officials and business leaders from 16 Belt and Road countries and regions, focusing on advancing multilateral cooperation and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
On the first day, 33 Memoranda of Understanding were signed, involving countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, and the UAE. These agreements cover multiple sectors including finance, infrastructure, and technology, demonstrating the Summit's role in fostering tangible business cooperation. The event's significance lies in its ability to transform the Belt and Road Initiative into concrete economic partnerships that drive regional growth and connectivity.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee emphasized the city's unique position as a Belt and Road hub, stating that Hong Kong serves as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" for high-quality collaborations worldwide. Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, noted that the Summit has become a cornerstone event supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, having gathered key government and business voices for dialogue and collaboration over the past decade.
The Policy Dialogue session, titled "Embracing Emerging Opportunities in Times of Economic Uncertainty," featured government officials from Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan. They discussed the latest Belt and Road policies and opportunities for multilateral economic cooperation, highlighting how businesses can navigate global economic challenges. Additional sessions included the Business Plenary on ASEAN growth opportunities and the Keynote Luncheon focusing on regional cooperation through concrete business partnerships.
This year's Summit introduced new features including Signature Belt and Road Projects Sessions and a Middle East & ASEAN Market Focus segment. The project investment sessions showcase over 300 investment projects, with more than 800 one-to-one matching meetings expected. The exhibition area features five zones: ASEAN Zone, Hong Kong Zone, Global Investment Zone, InnoTech Zone, and Mainland Zone, each highlighting specific opportunities and innovations. For more information, visit the official Summit website.
The event's outcomes underscore Hong Kong's critical role in facilitating infrastructure, trade, and financial connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative. With continued support from mainland China and international partners, the Summit reinforces Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center while driving high-quality development along the Belt and Road.
