An architect of China's ambitious "One Belt, One Road" trade strategy yesterday advised Hong Kong to do more to match Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's expectations for the city to become the nation's "super connector". Ou Xiaoli, counsel for the National Development and Reform Commission's Department of Western Region Development, said he was "sceptical" about Hong Kong's ambition to form the bridge between the mainland and the rest of the world, because many countries along the "One Belt, One Road" corridors did not do business in the Western style that the city was accustomed to. He was speaking at the South China Morning Post 's China conference shortly after the chief executive pledged at the same forum to turn the city into a super connector in Beijing's big leap outward plan. "The thinking is ideal," Ou said. "The question is whether it can be achieved. I am sceptical about it." READ MORE: Hong Kong firms urged to take advantage of opportunities in Central Asia as part of 'One Belt, One Road' strategy Unveiled in 2013 by President Xi Jinping , "One Belt, One Road" has two legs: the New Silk Road Economic Belt linking China and Europe, and the Maritime Silk Road linking it to Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. The plan is seen as the Chinese version of the Marshall Plan, a post-second world war initiative by the United States to aid Western Europe. It seeks to boost Chinese exports to other Asian countries and Europe amid domestic problems with overcapacity. It is also being used to counter the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement covering 12 countries but excluding the mainland and Hong Kong. At the forum, Leung said Hong Kong, a global trade and financial hub, was already in a position to enable many mainland enterprises to gain first-hand experience before they went overseas and found new partners. "That's hardly surprising," he said. "Hong Kong is a global trade and financial hub and a super connector linking mainland businesses with the world." He added that Hong Kong's strengths were its rule of law, independent legal system, low and simple tax regime, free flow of information, diverse talent pool and world-class infrastructure. While acknowledging the city's edge, Ou said that it would not be as effective in central Asia. He suggested Hong Kong should join forces with provinces such as Guangdong to delve into new markets and set up industrial parks with a focus on creative and innovative industries. READ MORE: ‘One Belt’ infrastructure investments seen as helping to use up some industrial over-capacity "The ways of doing business and systems in many of the countries along 'One Belt, One Road' are more similar to that of the mainland and Russia," Ou said. "Hong Kong should not go solo in its 'One Belt, One Road' developments, but should form partnerships." On planning an industrial park overseas, he said Hong Kong could refer to a mega industrial park in Malaysia called Iskandar, which serves as a springboard for foreign investors in the region in sectors such as tourism, education, financial services, manufacturing and logistics. PricewaterhouseCoopers senior partner Frank Lyn said Hong Kong could first serve as a financial platform to provide services such as financing, company registry and foreign exchange for firms.