The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 9 to 10, concluded with more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding and bilateral co-operation agreements, alongside new projects and deals finalised before and during the event, totaling over US$3.1 billion. The summit drew over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and beyond, exploring opportunities for mutually beneficial development.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, the summit remains the premier business and investment platform for Hong Kong's participation in and contribution to the BRI. The scale of participation and the value of agreements underscore Hong Kong's unique position as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between China and the world, particularly as global supply chains reshape and trade protectionism rises.
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee noted that the BRI is a shared blueprint for the future, rooted in a rich history of cross-cultural collaboration. "Hong Kong, as a place where East meets West, is where capital, talent, businesses and opportunities converge," Lee said. "In addition to strengthening our relations with traditional partners, Hong Kong continues to expand our network of friends along the Belt and Road." Under Lee's leadership, high-level business delegations have explored opportunities in 13 Belt and Road countries across ASEAN, the Middle East and Central Asia, delivering over 250 MoUs and other agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, expanded connectivity and support for companies.
The summit's theme, "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," facilitated discussions on trade and commerce, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence and new quality productive forces. A special focus on ASEAN, Central Asia and the Middle East highlighted emerging opportunities in these regions. Three newly-added special chapters—the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter and Middle East Chapter—provided platforms for Chinese Mainland enterprises to tap new markets overseas and for local officials and business leaders to share investment opportunities.
"In light of the shifting geopolitics, rising trade protectionism and the reshaping of global supply chains, businesses going global is no longer simply an option; it is an increasingly important strategy for Chinese Mainland enterprises to diversify risks, strengthen resilience and pursue new growth opportunities," said Mr Algernon Yau, the HKSAR Government's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. The summit's focus on these regions signals Hong Kong's strategic pivot to deepen ties with fast-growing markets, offering a hedge against traditional market uncertainties.
A freshly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities across the Belt and Road region, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. The debut Dialogue for Future session promoted think-tank exchanges on "The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Co-operation in a Changing Global Landscape." Through the Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones, the event showcased over 300 investment projects and arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, helping enterprises connect with potential partners.
For more information about Hong Kong's role in the Belt and Road Initiative, visit Brand Hong Kong.
