The 6th Belt and Road Summit, co-organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and themed with “Driving Growth Through Fostering Regional and International Trade”, was held online on 1 September, 2021. Gao Yunlong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC) and chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), attended the opening ceremony via video and delivered a keynote speech.

Gao Yunlong pointed out that since the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward eight years ago, it had played a positive role in deepening international cooperation, promoting economic growth and improving people’s livelihood in countries and regions along the Belt and Road and had become the broadest and largest platform for international cooperation in the world. Hong Kong has made full use of its unique advantages in international finance, trade and professional services to play an important role as a “super connector” for developing the Belt and Road. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 supports Hong Kong in building a functional platform for developing the Belt and Road, which fully demonstrates the country’s trust and support for Hong Kong.

Gao stressed that the global economic recovery was currently facing severe challenges. The concerted efforts of all countries in the world is necessary to defeat the epidemic, restore trade normality, stabilize economic growth and eventually seek common development. First, we should uphold openness and cooperation and promote regional and global trade liberalization and facilitation. We need to seize the opportunities presented by the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and expand broader space for economic and trade cooperation. In the course of international trade and investment cooperation, enterprises should further strengthen risk assessment and situation analysis, adhere to market-oriented principle, improve their ability to make scientific decisions and conduct international operations, and strive to improve quality and efficiency. Second, we need to pursue innovation-driven development to build high-quality new engines for the Belt and Road. We should vigorously promote the building of the digital Silk Road, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of cross-border e-commerce, smart cities, telemedicine and education, and smart manufacturing, improve the environment for innovation, build an innovation ecosystem, and boost the digital, networked and intelligent development of industries. Hong Kong should leverage its own advantages to integrate regional resources, build the Belt and Road innovation cooperation platform of high quality, strong capabilities, sound environment and dynamic institutions, and promote collaboration in scientific and technological innovation. Third, we adhere to the concept of green and low carbon to lay a solid foundation for sustainable development. We should actively implement the concept of green development, strengthen cooperation in green infrastructure, green energy and green finance, integrate the concept of sustainable development into all aspects of project selection, implementation and management, and promote green and low-carbon development along the Belt and Road.

Gao said that the ACFIC would continue to strengthen exchanges and contacts with industrial and commercial federations in countries along the Belt and Road, deepen exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong, and work with all parties to jointly promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road.
   

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Haopeng, chairman of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Ning Jizhe, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, Liu Guangyuan, the Commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, HKTDC Chairman Lin Jianyue, and Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, attended the opening ceremony and made speeches.

Co-organized by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, the Belt and Road Summit aims to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages as a “super connector”, explore the huge economic development potential brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative, and provide a platform for business cooperation. Five sessions have been held since 2016.