CE Hails Fruitful Hainan Trip

Chief Executive John Lee on Friday said his three-day visit to Hainan had yielded a lot of "fruitful gains", including meeting political and financial heavyweights and joining the world's largest free-trade agreement.

Lee spoke to reporters after attending the annual Boao forum in Hainan which concluded on Friday.

Wrapping up his trip, Lee said the talks in Hainan convinced him that Hong Kong is moving in the right direction.

"It makes me firmly believe that Hong Kong is heading towards the right path, which means that we have to develop our economy while also maintaining a stable, safe and peaceful environment. We have to integrate into the nation's development, but also consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre," he said.

Lee said he had signed Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, a trade pact which accounts for one-third of the world's population and about 30 percent of global GDP. He noted that it would bring significant business opportunities to the SAR.

The CE also said Premier Li Qiang's speech during the Boao opening ceremony had motivated him to boost the city's competitiveness by leveraging its position as a gateway to the mainland and the rest of the world.