Exclusive | Hong Kong out to ‘make friends’, grow economy through new networks: John Lee

City will also continue to fight ‘a serious disinformation campaign’ orchestrated by the West, chief executive says

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Chief Executive John Lee has stressed the need for his administration to continue battling negative narratives “head-on”. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:30am, 27 Jun 2024Updated: 4:27pm, 29 Jun 2024

Hong Kong will press on to expand its economic reach by seizing opportunities to create new networks while fighting “a serious disinformation campaign” orchestrated by the West, John Lee Ka-chiu has said, looking ahead to his third year in office as chief executive.

In an exclusive interview with the Post, he identified investment and business potential in Asean, Central Asia and Middle East countries as well as Peru, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum meeting will be held in November and which he will attend, singling out the South American nation as an emerging market less ensnared by geopolitical rivalry.

The city leader stressed the need for his administration to continue battling negative narratives “head-on” in the coming year but also staying singularly focused in pushing Hong Kong’s economic agenda and letting the “truth prevail” about the financial hub.

“The serious disinformation campaign will just go on. It’s not easy. We have very professional liars, thieves, who are all trained up by different governments to steal, to lie, and to cheat you,” he said.

“I, by nature, like making friends. I don’t like making enemies. But I have to defend myself if I’m punched in the face.

“But my top priority is to promote Hong Kong, to make more friends. We work on people rather than [those] governments … by expanding our network, inviting people to come to Hong Kong.”