Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) has submitted a request to renew the seven-year lease of its premises in Central, well before the tenancy agreement is due to expire in January 2023.

The FCC had informed authorities in December last year it would be interested in remaining at its current premises, club president Keith Richburg said on Monday, adding that the government property agency and Information Services Department had told them the request was being processed.

“I am optimistic because I heard [Chief Executive-elect] John Lee Ka-chiu the other day saying that Hong Kong is open for international business again, and he wants to welcome the international community back to Hong Kong,” Richburg said after a forum hosted by the club.