The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, in Luxembourg yesterday (July 13, Luxembourg time) continued to attend the Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

     In the morning, Mr Chan attended an AIIB seminar on connectivity and co-operation between Asia and Europe and held a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Mr Liu Kun.

     Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the Central Government for its long-standing support for Hong Kong in making good use of its status as an international financial centre in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative. He said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will fully participate in and contribute to the development of the Initiative.

     He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to encourage the Mainland and other Belt and Road economies to leverage on Hong Kong's strengths, and the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will remain committed in promoting financing and investments of infrastructure projects.

     Mr Chan also said that the Hong Kong SAR Government welcomed the Ministry of Finance's issuance of Renminbi (RMB) sovereign bonds in the city, as this reinforces Hong Kong's status as the global offshore RMB business hub.

     In addition, both sides exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland on the finance front, implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong's participation in AIIB's work.

     In the afternoon, Mr Chan joined an AIIB Governors' Official Session, followed by a meeting with the AIIB President, Mr Jin Liqun. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong will continue to play a proactive role in the AIIB.

     Mr Chan will depart for Hong Kong today (July 14, Luxembourg time) and will land in the afternoon on July 15 (Hong Kong time).

Ends/Sunday, July 14, 2019
Issued at HKT 9:00

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