Senior Hong Kong and mainland government officials and top business leaders are among 30 speakers offering insight into the latest trends and strategies of Chinese enterprises breaking away from the economic doldrums to go global in a South China Morning Post forum today. In his keynote speech at the full-day annual China Conference, dubbed “Go global, how Chinese enterprises are accelerating growth,” Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Hong Kong would link China to the rest of the world as the country pushes forward its policy to revive the land and maritime Silk Road. Leung reiterated the city's role as China's "super connector". "Many mainland enterprises gain first-hand experience working in Hong Kong before they go overseas. They also find new partners in Hong Kong," he said. "That's hardly surprising. Hong Kong is a global trade and financial hub and a super connector linking mainland businesses with the world." Leung said many mainland Chinese companies are expanding their investment overseas, investing US$123 billion last year, a growth of 14 per cent. This made China the world's third largest source of foreign direct investment, 60 per cent of which went to Hong Kong in 2013. Leung added that Hong Kong's strengths are its rule of law, independent legal system, low and simple tax regime, free flow of information, diverse talent pool and world-class infrastructure, which help mainland companies go global. Also known as "One Belt, One Road," the policy to promote infrastructure development, trade and cultural exchange in Eurasia was launched by China's President Xi Jinping in 2013. READ MORE: Number of non-local firms setting up shop in city hits new high, says Invest Hong Kong In his speech, The National Development and Reform Commission’s Department of Western Region Development Counsel Ou Xiaoli said the mainland’s outbound investments would exceed that of inbound this year as the One Belt One Road trade strategy pulls the engine of growth. He said in the forum that last year’s outbound investments stood at a record of US$183 billion, about US$5.8 billion short of last year’s inbound investments. INFOGRAPHIC: One Belt, One Road “Outward investments have a very good chance to outgrow inward investments this year,” he said. Ou said the central government was pressing ahead with the next stage of work – connecting countries along One Belt One Road through infrastructure and boosting overseas investments. “Some countries are located very close to each other, but more aviation and land links are needed,” he said. China has since signed agreements with many countries such as Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The strategy connects the mainland and Europe through the New Silk Road Economic Belt, and with Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe through the Maritime Silk Road. There are 65 countries located along the two trade corridors. READ MORE: Hong Kong firms urged to take advantage of opportunities in Central Asia as part of 'One Belt, One Road' strategy The experts were to evaluate the impacts and opportunities arising from Chinese enterprises going global as well as map out strategies on overcoming teething issues and lifting competitiveness in expanding overseas. Also on the agenda: a look at how China’s game plan for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank shapes the world’s political, economical and social dynamics. Panel discussions were to shed light on fast-growth sectors, namely technology and renewable energy. A focus was to be on technology development as a power tool Chinese privately-owned enterprises adopt to conquer new markets. In addition, the forum was to examine how the mainland gradually shifted to renewable energy sources to achieve sustainable growth. For more updates on the conference, please see www.scmp.com .