The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing from October 17 to 18. The Chief Executive (CE), Mr John Lee, will lead a high-level 70-strong Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation next Monday (October 16) to participate in the Forum.
 
     Mr Lee said, "This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI). The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is a key event of our country this year, and an international event at the highest level in promoting the B&RI. With the support of our country, I am honoured to lead the high-level delegation to proactively take part in the Forum to showcase Hong Kong's commitment to contribute to the joint development of the B&RI as advocated by the country."
 
     Led by the CE, official members of the HKSAR delegation include six Secretaries of Departments and Directors of Bureaux, namely the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong. Together with the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Mr Woo Ying-ming; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Dr Stephen Wong; and the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, a total of 11 senior government officials will take part in the Forum.
 
     In addition to senior government officials, the HKSAR delegation comprises 59 members from political and business sectors, public bodies and large enterprises, as well as professional services, innovation and technology, and cultural sectors. The delegation list is available in the Annex.
 
     "The delegation will proactively share with the international community on Hong Kong's strengths on various fronts, including our role as the prime functional platform in promoting the high-quality development of the B&RI, our professional services, as well as our unique advantage of enjoying strong support from the country and being closely connected to the world," Mr Lee said.
 
     Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on October 19. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive. During the absence of Mr Paul Chan, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, will be the Acting Financial Secretary. During the absence of Mr Lam, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, will be the Acting Secretary for Justice. During the absence of Mr Tsang, the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, will be the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs. During the absence of Mr Hui, the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. During the absence of Mr Yau, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. During the absence of Professor Sun, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.
 
     The Executive Council will not convene its meeting on October 17.

Ends/Friday, October 13, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:00

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