Belt and Road Initiative could bring Hong Kong practical benefits: financial secretary

In his weekly blog, Paul Chan Mo-po cites a wide range of projects in which Hongkongers are participating in Beijing’s ambitious development strategy

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Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po during a corporate event at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 10:27pm, 21 May 2017Updated: 11:19pm, 21 May 2017

The “Belt and Road Initiative” is definitely not just empty talk or a political slogan but a blueprint that could bring practical benefits to Hong Kong, the city’s financial secretary said.

In his weekly blog on Sunday, Paul Chan Mo-po cited a wide range of projects in which Hongkongers were participating as examples of how the city could export its talent and seize opportunities that come with Beijing’s development strategy.

Chan was among a 30-strong delegation of local officials, business leaders and professionals attending the two-day Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing last weekend.

“During a panel session on financial connectivity, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying explained in detail how Hong Kong could take advantage of the unique one country, two systems principle and become China’s international financial hub,” he wrote.

Apart from finance, Hong Kong also showcased talent in its accounting, legal, engineering, management and architecture sectors, the financial chief said.

Chan also tried to silence sceptics who argued the “Belt and Road Initiative” was merely a political slogan and irrelevant to Hong Kong.