HONG KONG — The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 9–10, concluded with more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements, alongside new projects and deals valued at over US$3.1 billion. The event drew 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).
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. A special focus on ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East highlighted emerging opportunities and Hong Kong's unique position as a "super connector" and "super value-adder."
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasized the BRI's collaborative spirit: "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, securing over 250 MoUs and agreements in policy coordination, trade, investment, and connectivity.
The summit introduced three new chapters: GoGlobal, Central Asia, and Middle East. The GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking overseas markets, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters showcased regional investment opportunities. "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," said Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau.
A newly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialization capabilities, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international education hub. The debut Dialogue for Future session promoted think-tank exchanges on Asia-Pacific co-operation. Through the Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones, over 300 investment projects were showcased, and more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings were arranged, connecting enterprises with potential partners.
For businesses in Long Beach and the surrounding area, the summit's outcomes signal expanded opportunities in global trade, investment, and partnerships. The record-breaking deals and focus on emerging markets like ASEAN and the Middle East could open new avenues for local companies seeking to diversify supply chains, access capital, and collaborate on green technology and AI. As Hong Kong solidifies its role as a gateway between East and West, Long Beach businesses can leverage these connections to enhance resilience and drive growth in an evolving global economy. For more information on Hong Kong's initiatives, visit https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/.
