Hong Kong leader John Lee hopes for consistent meetings with top Asean diplomats, as he eyes closer ties

John Lee joins a ‘lively and fruitful exchange’ lunch meeting with consuls general of 10-member Asean bloc

‘We see a strong impetus for economic development and unlimited potential in Asean, which is now the fifth-largest economy in the world’ he says

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Hong Kong’s leader (center) meets with consuls general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Photo: Handout

Published: 9:26pm, 22 Jan 2024Updated: 10:13pm, 22 Jan 2024

Hong Kong’s leader has expressed hopes of building closer ties with Southeast Asia by conducting regular meetings with top Asean diplomats, following an exchange of views with the bloc’s 10 envoys in the city.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday said he had a “lively and fruitful exchange on a wide range of topics” during a lunch with the consuls general of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), including dean Ainatol Zahayu Mohammad.

“Hong Kong and Asean enjoy thriving bilateral trade and economic relations,” Lee said in a Facebook post. “Asean has been our second-largest trading partner for over a decade.

“We see a strong impetus for economic development and unlimited potential in Asean, which is now the fifth-largest economy in the world.”

John Lee says he hopes for closer ties with Southeast Asia. Photo: Handout

Lee said he hoped meetings could take place regularly to consolidate ties with the bloc.