Exclusive | Hong Kong should work with mainland China to host ‘Belt and Road Games’, Regina Ip says

Top government adviser says city must also reposition itself in new geopolitical landscape and tap emerging markets such as Middle East

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Regina Ip gives a keynote speech at the Post’s Redefining Hong Kong conference. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 4:14pm, 9 Aug 2024Updated: 1:08am, 10 Aug 2024

Hong Kong should work with neighbouring mainland Chinese cities to host an inaugural “Belt and Road Games” to help strengthen ties among more than 100 countries in the China-centred trade network, a top government adviser has said.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the government’s key decision-making Executive Council, said on Friday that the city should also tap emerging markets such as the Middle East while repositioning itself in a new geopolitical landscape by helping the country find common ground globally.

Delivering a keynote address at the Post’s Redefining Hong Kong conference, lawmaker Ip said the Belt and Road Initiative gave the city a “convenient entry point” to other markets and that she had urged the government to help host a sporting competition bringing together member countries.

“I have recommended to the chief executive that Hong Kong should work in conjunction with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area to host the first Belt and Road Games, [which can be] just like the Commonwealth Games,” said Ip, who is also the chairwoman of the New People’s Party.

“Riding on its stunning achievements in the Paris Olympics, Hong Kong should take the lead in using mega events in sports to build friendships, strengthen connectivity, spur innovation and stimulate growth.”

The Commonwealth Games, established in 1930 as the British Empire Games, are open to 74 nations and territories and have been staged in Australia, Canada, England, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.