Hong Kong is the host for a Belt and Road summit this week, and the semi-official Global Times made a strong case that Hong Kong, as a meeting ground between mainland China and the world, has a special role. They report: “With nearly 6,000 attendees and over 100 overseas and mainland delegations to the 8th Belt and Road summit in Hong Kong, Hong Kong is back on the world stage, eyeing closer partnerships with regions including the Middle East and Southeast Asia as the year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”
John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region explained: “Hong Kong is a participant, contributor and beneficiary of the BRI. The city, which serves as an important conduit between the Chinese mainland and the world, is expanding cooperation with BRI partners in a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, innovation and technology, and infrastructure development.” He pointed out that more agreements were being signed at this summit than at any other. “These record-breaking numbers are clear and compelling confirmation that Hong Kong has returned to the world’s center stage,” he said.
