Apec meeting showcases HK's role as a bridge: FS

Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Sunday said hosting the recently concluded Apec Finance Ministers' Meeting carried multi-layered significance for Hong Kong. The two-day event wrapped up in the SAR on Wednesday. Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, Chan said many participants came from the political and business sectors, allowing them to see and understand Hong Kong first-hand and observe how the city serves as a bridge connecting the mainland and the rest of the world. He pointed out that there are many areas for collaboration and new market opportunities for the SAR’s professional services sector. “Through communication and exchanges, we understand their needs better. For example, many countries need infrastructure, and infrastructure needs investment, professional services, and even operational management. Some enterprises want to enter the mainland market. We told them that in these areas, they can collaborate with Hong Kong,” he said. The financial secretary stressed that it is difficult for Apec member economies to reach a consensus given their differing political stances, development stages, and needs. Hong Kong will strive to seek common ground while respecting differences, Chan said, aiming to maximise room for collaboration wherever possible. Edited by Tony Sabine