John Lee to lead delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia in July: report
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is planning to lead a one-week delegation to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia in a bid to deepen ties with Asean member countries, according to local reports.
The group will include senior government officials and local representatives from the financial, technology and professional services industries.
Lee is expected to meet key leaders from the three countries he plans to visit, according to local media outlet.
Hong Kong has been pushing to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a China-backed trade pact that includes Asean nations and is the world’s largest free trade agreement by members’ gross domestic product. Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan are also parties.
China has said it’s been seeking support from other nations for Hong Kong to join the deal.
Hong Kong exited recession in the first quarter of this year as the reopening of its borders revived spending after years of stringent pandemic controls. Lee has said growth for the second quarter is expected to be much better.