HK's strengths can promote Belt & Road cooperation

I had the great honour to represent the Hong Kong Productivity Council as part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation that attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing on Wednesday. To say I am proud would be an understatement, as I learn about the achievements made by our country and its partners in promoting global connectivity, economic cooperation and growth during the first decade of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also heartening to know that Hong Kong has played a pivotal role, and become an important participant, facilitator, and beneficiary of the initiative.

As the initiative progresses over the next decade, it will bring abundant opportunities and greater prosperity to countries and regions worldwide. Hong Kong will play a more prominent role. HKPC is a key facilitator for Hong Kong and the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and new industrialization. The experience of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area is highly valuable for Belt and Road markets such as those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East, which grapple with the common challenges to chart a new course for innovation-driven development.

Over the past 10 years, HKPC has helped many Hong Kong enterprises in a wide range of sectors to explore overseas markets involved in the Belt and Road, providing support in Industry 4.0 technologies (i4.0), FutureSkills training and HKSAR Government funding. These enterprises help spur economic growth in their destination Belt and Road countries and regions, create jobs and training opportunities, enabling local residents to benefit from development driven by the Belt and Road Initiative.

Looking forward, HKPC will follow the vision laid out in President Xi Jinping's speech at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and the eight steps for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. It will continue leveraging Hong Kong's advantages and serving the country's development needs, and will take the following five measures, to make greater contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative.

First, based on Hong Kong's unique advantages, it will promote enhancing Belt and Road connectivity and promote an open, global economy. Asia's World City will enhance its strengths in finance, trade, international legal and dispute resolution, intellectual property, construction, shipping and logistics, and will build new strengths as a global powerhouse in innovation and technology, new industrialization, the digital economy and green development. HKPC will fully support the HKSAR government's efforts on these fronts, so the SAR can tap the new opportunities presented by the country's commitment to enter into free trade agreements and investment protection agreements with more countries.

Second, it will promote new industrialization in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area through innovation and technology, and share its expertise and best practices with countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

As the mainland will lift all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing sectors, the manufacturing industry is in for a boon. HKPC will support more Hong Kong and mainland enterprises to "go global", and attract more top-notch, high-tech enterprises and start-ups from overseas to set up operations in Hong Kong for investment and win-win collaboration. This will create a spill-over effect and help Belt and Road economies to learn from the new industrialization experience of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and pursue high-end, sustainable, smart manufacturing.

Third, HKPC will support Hong Kong to become a green and smart city, helping the Belt and Road go green. It will continue to enhance Hong Kong's edge in green technology, green infrastructure, hydrogen energy, new energy vehicles, and green transportation. It will strengthen collaboration with universities, research institutions, and business associations in participating Belt and Road countries and regions, provide more training programmes, and help Belt and Road markets embrace green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

Fourth, it will facilitate technology and talent exchanges between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road markets, carrying out pragmatic cooperation and strengthening people-to-people ties. HKPC will help more enterprises in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to visit Belt and Road markets, join trade shows, exhibitions, seminars, and business matching activities. We will continue as an active participant in and will support Hong Kong enterprises to join premium trade shows in the mainland, such as the China International Import Expo and the Canton Fair to explore Belt and Road opportunities.

HKPC Academy will deepen collaboration with the Hong Kong consulates of countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and invite heavyweight speakers to share experiences and insights into the latest developments. HKPC Academy strives to increase technology and talent exchanges, including programmes for the younger generations, and at the same time, will offer FutureSkills training to strengthen the talent pool as enterprises consider expansion in the Belt and Road markets.

Fifth, HKPC will leverage Hong Kong's strengths as an international city, bringing together advantageous resources, and contribute to the enhancement of Belt and Road cooperation mechanisms.

China will work with Belt and Road partners to strengthen multilateral cooperation platforms covering energy, taxation, finance, green development and other fields. Hong Kong will play a pivotal role by leveraging its advantages as an international city. HKPC champions international cooperation, especially in the fields of innovation and technology. HKPC and Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Germany, have jointly established the INC Invention Centre in Hong Kong to promote i4.0 and smart manufacturing. HKPC also works with RWTH Aachen Campus, a university in Germany, in the operations of Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Centre. HKPC will continuously strengthen international cooperation, bring international innovation and technology resources to Hong Kong, and contribute to enhancing the international cooperation mechanisms of the Belt and Road Initiative.

As the initiative embarks on the second decade of its extraordinary journey, HKPC will give full play to Hong Kong's unique advantages, support the SAR's better integration into national development, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and make greater contributions to the country's modernization and the aspiration to build an open, inclusive, interconnected world for common development.

The author is chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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