Hong Kong leader pitches city as ‘ideal gateway’ to East at high-powered meeting with EU envoys
- City’s low tax regime, free flow of capital and business-friendly environment can help EU tap markets in mainland China and rest of Asia-Pacific region, John Lee says
- While EU has raised concerns over national security law, analysts note bloc remains crucial economic partner for Hong Kong given poor ties with US
Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to strengthen ties with the European Union, telling diplomats and other high-powered officials attending a lunch that the city remains the “ideal gateway between East and West” for companies seeking to expand in the region.
Political analysts noted Hong Kong needed to maintain strong trade ties with developed countries given global economic headwinds and the EU remained more approachable than the United States, which has yet to decide whether Lee will be allowed to attend an Apec summit in November.
In a social media post on Thursday, the city leader elaborated on the key messages he delivered to Thomas Gnocchi, who leads the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau, and 13 other consuls general from the bloc’s member states.
“Hong Kong continues to be the ideal gateway between East and West,” Lee told the attendees of the lunch, held twice a year. “We offer abundant opportunities to overseas countries.”
The city’s low tax regime, free flow of capital and business-friendly environment would help the EU to tap the vast markets of mainland China, including the Greater Bay Area along the southern coast, and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, he said.
“We value our close trade and investment relations with the EU and will work with the EU Office and consuls general to strengthen our ties,” he added.