More positive steps needed to improve Hong Kong-US ties, John Lee says, adding sanctions have affected efforts to promote city
- Chief Executive John Lee says he despises ‘unreasonable’ sanctions on him, describing them as form of bullying
- ‘I hope that for the sake of economic development and regional cooperation, proactive actions can be taken to promote positive developments,’ he adds
More positive steps should be taken to improve Hong Kong-US ties, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said, adding sanctions imposed on him by Washington have affected efforts to promote the city.
Lee on Tuesday said he despised the “unreasonable” sanctions on him, but stressed that Hong Kong would play an active role in fulfilling the agreements struck between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden at the Apec summit in San Francisco last week.
“I hope that for the sake of economic development and regional cooperation, proactive actions can be taken to promote positive developments [between Hong Kong and the US],” Lee told reporters before his weekly meeting with the key decision-making Executive Council.
During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Xi and Biden agreed to work together on the emerging field of artificial intelligence and controlling the drugs trade, while also resuming military-to-military communication.
Finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po represented Lee at the Apec leaders’ meeting as the chief executive said he could not attend the forum due to “scheduling” issues, despite receiving a personal invitation.
Calling the meeting between Xi and Biden a “positive development” in Sino-US ties, Lee pledged that Hong Kong would do its part to actively implement measures to aid progress.
‘Scheduling issues’ to keep Hong Kong leader John Lee from Apec summit in US
But Lee noted that trade always involved two parties and any exchanges required participation by both sides, adding the US had greatly benefited from the trade surplus with Hong Kong and commercial activities would help both sides.
“We will put in a great effort, and if the other party acts unreasonably and resorts to bullying, the responsibility lies with them,” Lee said.
Official US data shows the country’s trade with Hong Kong amounted to about US$56.2 billion in 2022, comprising US$38.9 billion in exports and US$17.3 billion in imports.
Asked whether he thought the US sanctions on him would be lifted, Lee said: “I personally despise the so-called sanctions, which are unreasonable and a form of bullying.
“If sanctions are imposed on the chief executive, of course it will definitely affect government-to-government communication and to a certain extent it will also affect promotional activities.”
Finance chief will tell ‘true stories’ about Hong Kong at Apec summit: John Lee
Lee said finance chief Chan had achieved three goals with the Apec meetings: promoting Hong Kong’s strengths and opportunities, building friendships and establishing positive relations between the city and other parts of the world.
The finance chief also had a four-minute chat with Xi on the first day of the leaders’ meeting last Thursday.
Upon his return to the city, Chan said he had updated Xi about Hong Kong’s economic and social situation, including steps taken to lure talent and companies, during their conversation in San Francisco. Xi also deeply cared about Hong Kong, Chan added.
Derek Yuen Mi-Chang, a political affairs commentator, said Lee’s remarks about US sanctions reflected how he personally felt, as the city leader well knew the penalties would not be lifted.
“But his calls for more positive actions to enhance ties were made in response to the message conveyed through the Xi-Biden meeting,” he said. “He cannot avoid doing it.”
Ultimately, the sanctions on Lee would have only a minimal impact on efforts to promote Hong Kong as other top officials could also carry out his agenda, Yuen argued.
