The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held in Hong Kong from September 9 to 10, concluded with more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements signed, with a combined value exceeding US$3.1 billion. The event attracted over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions, underscoring Hong Kong's pivotal role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and fostering global economic partnerships.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, the summit remains the premier platform for business and investment under the BRI. This year's theme, "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," facilitated discussions on trade, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new quality productive forces. The focus on ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East reflects a strategic push to diversify markets and deepen regional co-operation.
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasized Hong Kong's unique position, stating, "Hong Kong, as a place where East meets West, is where capital, talent, businesses and opportunities converge. In addition to strengthening our relations with traditional partners, Hong Kong continues to expand our network of friends along the Belt and Road." Lee has led high-level delegations to 13 Belt and Road countries, resulting in over 250 MoUs and agreements covering policy coordination, trade, investment, and connectivity.
The summit introduced three new special chapters: the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter, and Middle East Chapter. The GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking overseas expansion, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters showcased investment opportunities with local officials and business leaders. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau noted, "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."
A newly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international education hub. The debut Dialogue for Future session promoted think-tank exchanges on the BRI and Asia-Pacific co-operation amid a changing global landscape. The Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones featured over 300 investment projects and arranged more than 800 one-on-one meetings, facilitating concrete business connections.
The summit's outcomes signal Hong Kong's enduring value as a "super connector" and "super value-adder," driving mutually beneficial development across Belt and Road markets. For more information about Hong Kong's role in the BRI, visit Brand Hong Kong.
