CE continues to attend APEC meetings in Vietnam (with photos/videos)
********************************************************************
In the morning, Mrs Lam attended the APEC Women Political Leaders Roundtable, which aims to strengthen the ties amongst women leaders in the Asia-Pacific region. At the meeting participated by the President of Chile, Ms Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ms Jacinda Ardern, Mrs Lam shared with the women leaders her governing experience and the work on the promotion of equal opportunities for women.
In the afternoon, she attended a session of the APEC CEO Summit during which President Xi Jinping delivered a speech. She also took part in the Dialogue with APEC Business Advisory Council in which members discussed issues including deepening of regional economic integration through free trade and globalisation, optimising the benefits of the internet and digital economy, and facilitating micro, small and medium enterprises' access to international markets.
Attending the APEC Informal Dialogue with ASEAN Leaders, Mrs Lam said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Hong Kong has been leveraging on its unique advantage under "One Country, Two Systems" to strengthen its status as an international trade and business centre. Noting that ASEAN is a crucial market to Hong Kong, she said she hoped that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be signed between Hong Kong and ASEAN within days will further strengthen bilateral economic ties and facilitate the trade in goods and services, and investment, taking the regional co-operation to new heights. She also said that with the support of the Central Government, Hong Kong will take an active role in the Belt and Road Initiative.
During the day, Mrs Lam held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Vietnam and Thailand.
Mrs Lam thanked Vietnam and Thailand for their staunch support during the negotiations on Hong Kong-ASEAN FTA. Congratulating Vietnam on its successful hosting of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders' Meeting at the meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, she expressed the hope that the government of Vietnam would facilitate Hong Kong enterprises to invest in Vietnam and Hong Kong tourists to visit the country, and enhance ties between the two places on various fronts. At the meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha, Mrs Lam said that the HKSAR Government plans to set up an Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Thailand, the third Hong Kong ETO in ASEAN, after Singapore and Indonesia, to foster closer ties with Thailand. She said she hoped that the Thai government will render necessary assistance to enable its operation as soon as possible. She also said she looked forward to enhancing economic and trade relations of the two places through regular dialogues at the senior level with the Thai government, and promoting exchanges between non-government organisations of the creative industries in the two places.
In the evening, Mrs Lam attended a Gala Dinner hosted by Vietnam for leaders of various economies and watched cultural performances.
Ends/Friday, November 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 23:45
Issued at HKT 23:45
NNNN
