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The Fifth Belt and Road Summit

Co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 5th Belt and Road Summit was held under the fully virtual mode on 30 November and 1 December 2020. Themed “A Business Vision for Sustainable and Inclusive Future”, the two-day event was signed up by over 6 000 government officials, entrepreneurs and professionals from about 80 countries and regions. Some 700 one-on-one business matching meeting sessions for over 240 projects were arranged. The Summit also staged the first-ever virtual exhibition with over 30 Hong Kong companies showcasing their businesses ranging from banking and finance, infrastructure, professional services to innovation and technology.

Summit highlights

The programme of the Summit includes -

  1. Opening Session;
  2. Policy Dialogue Session – Creating a Healthy, Sustainable and Inclusive Future;
  3. Business Plenary Session – Powering the World’s Recovery through Sustainable and Inclusive Development;
  4. Nine Thematic Breakout Sessions; and
  5. Four Project Pitching Sessions.

(1) Opening Session

Mrs Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR delivered her Opening Address.

Mr Ning Jizhe, the Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Mr Wang Bingnan, the Vice Minister of Commerce; Mr Ren Hongbin, the Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC); and Mr Xie Feng, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR gave special addresses at the Opening Session.

In addition, H.E. Ir. H. Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia graced the event as the keynote speaker and addressed the audience online.

(2) Policy Dialogue Session – Creating a Healthy, Sustainable and Inclusive Future

Mr Edward Yau, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), chaired the Policy Dialogue Session and discussed with senior officials overseas the global policy development and collaboration opportunities being available and in post-epidemic times. He was joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr Péter Szijjártó; the Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia, Dr Jerry Sambuaga; the Undersecretary of the Industry Development and Trade Policy Group of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Dr Ceferino S Rodolfo; the Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh and the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Private Partnership Authority of Bangladesh, Ms Sultana Afroz; and the Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Thailand, Dr Sompop Pattanariyankool.

(3) Business Plenary Session - Powering the World’s Recovery through Sustainable and Inclusive Development

Mr Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR delivered special remarks at the Business Plenary Session. Hosted by Mr Victor Chu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Eastern Investment Group, the panel discussed ways to tackle the ongoing social and economic challenges caused by the epidemic with sustainable and inclusive business solutions.

(4) Thematic Breakout Sessions

  1. Challenges and Opportunities for Belt and Road International Infrastructural Co-operation

    Co-organised with the China International Contactors Association, this session gathered a panel of industry players to share their insights on new opportunities for Belt and Road international infrastructure projects under the new global political and economic landscape.

  2. Fighting the Coronavirus with Innovative Tech and Thriving in a Post-Pandemic World – Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area

    Co-organised with the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, the session was joined by Mr Alfred Sit, the Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR, who delivered welcome remarks. Mr Zhong Nanshan, academician of China Academy of Engineering, Professor of Respiratory Medicine of Guangzhou Medical University and Director of National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Disease; and Professor Yeung King Lun, Professor of Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Division of Environment and Sustainability, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology addressed the audience with keynote speeches. Anti-viral experts and innotech businesses shared at this session their insights gained in the course of fighting the virus with the aid of technology, and ways to take advantage of the ample opportunities brought by the Greater Bay Area development.

  3. Positioning Hong Kong for Deal-Making and Dispute Resolution under the Belt and Road Initiative

    Co-organised with the Department of Justice of the HKSAR, Ms Teresa Cheng, the Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR, delivered welcome remarks at this breakout session. The session highlighted Hong Kong’s strengths and expanding potential in its positioning as a leading international deal-making and dispute resolution centre to serve the Belt and Road investors. 

  4. Resilience of Digital Technologies in the Greater Bay Area – Emerging Opportunities in the New Normal

    Co-organised with Hong Kong Cyberport, this session gathered experts from Hong Kong's digital technology sector to share the latest information related to the Greater Bay Area and the opportunities for the digital technology sector.

  5. Manufacturing and Selling in Belt and Road Markets: Seizing Opportunities from the Economic and Trade Co-operation Zones

    Chaired by Dr Daniel Yip, the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the panel shared first-hand experiences and advice on seizing the opportunities brought by the Mainland’s Economic and Trade Co-operation Zones.

  6. The Future of Green: Sustainable Infrastructure Financing

    Co-organised with the Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the panel of public and private stakeholders along the investment value chain looked into the importance of environment and resilience considerations in green financing and shared best practices and experience.

  7. Hong Kong as a Capital Raising and Financing Centre to Drive Robust and Sustainable Growth of Belt and Road Post COVID-19

    Co-organised with the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council and the Hong Kong Association of Banks, this session looked into how Hong Kong could sustain and strengthen its role as a financing centre for the Belt and Road by unlocking new opportunities for long-term growth and improving resilience to cope with challenges ahead.

  8. Sustaining Hong Kong’s Role as a Risk Management Centre for the Belt and Road Initiative

    Co-organised with the Hong Kong Insurance Authority, this session discussed relevant latest developments of the Belt and Road Initiative and how Hong Kong can sustain its risk management role under the new trend.

  9. Navigating Post-pandemic Belt and Road: Insights from Start-ups and Young Business Leaders

    Organised in association with InvestHK, entrepreneurs of start-ups and young business leaders from various sectors gathered at the session to share their experiences and successes, and discussed ways to leverage Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area business advantages.

(5) Project Pitching Sessions

A total of four project pitching sessions were held online for project owners and interested participants to explore collaboration opportunities on such sectors as innovation and technology; transport and logistics infrastructure; energy, natural resources and public utilities; and urban development.

Last revision date: 30 November 2020