FS Reaffirms HK's Gateway Role

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the "How Hong Kong continues to be a gateway to China" webinar to reaffirm to European entrepreneurs that Hong Kong continues to be the unique business bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

In his opening remarks, Mr Chan said Hong Kong's wide-ranging institutional advantages and fundamentals, including the rule of law and judicial independence, free flows of information and capital and a low and simple tax system, have continued to underpin the city as an international financial, trading and commercial centre.

Riding on its formidable strengths, Hong Kong has been exploring initiatives to open up more markets and business opportunities for local and international businesses, he said.

The two national development strategies - the Belt & Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development - offer far-reaching opportunities that would reward Hong Kong businesses and all the companies from Belgium and elsewhere in Europe that work with Hong Kong.

Addressing concerns about the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Chan stressed that the purpose of the National Security Law is to ensure a safe and stable environment for Hong Kong, which is essential for its continued prosperity.

He reiterated that the National Security Law targets only an extremely small minority of criminals who endanger national security.

The National Security Law will not change the high degree of autonomy, judicial independence and rule of law that have long distinguished Hong Kong. The legitimate rights and interests of people and businesses in the city will not be affected.

About 50 participants took part in the webinar which was co-organised by the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Belgium-Hong Kong Society.

The question-and-answer session provided an effective platform for Mr Chan to speak on Hong Kong's experience in tackling the global economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the various supportive measures and forward-looking initiatives launched by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

These measures and initiatives help businesses tide over difficulties and assist enterprises to better grasp business opportunities under the new economic landscape and the new normal of coexistence with the virus.