Belt and Road Summit marks a decade of deals as Hong Kong eyes new chapter of collaboration

This year’s Summit focuses on new market opportunities and reaffirms Hong Kong’s position as a bridge for policy dialogue and investment across Belt and Road economies

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The 10th Belt and Road Summit will bring together key officials and business leaders from Belt and Road countries and regions and feature in-depth discussions on the immense opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative across a wide range of sectors. (Pictured is the 9th Summit held in 2024)

Published: 5:17pm, 5 Sep 2025Updated: 5:53pm, 5 Sep 2025

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Co-organised by the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 10th Belt and Road Summit will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 10-11.

Bringing together over 90 speakers from 18 Belt and Road economies, this year’s two-day programme continues a ten-year run of policy dialogue, business exchange and investment matchmaking under the theme “Collaborate for Change • Shape a Shared Future”.

Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said the Summit’s 10th edition comes at a critical juncture for the global economy and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). “The Belt and Road Initiative has been put into practice, turning an idea into action and a vision into reality,” he said.

Commerce Secretary Algernon Yau says the Belt and Road Initiative has moved from vision to action, with Hong Kong playing an active role in its development.

“Since 2013, Hong Kong’s merchandise trade with Belt and Road countries and regions has grown by nearly 80 per cent, 3.2 times the rate of our overall external trade, reaching about US$280bn.” He added that the Summit provides a platform to raise awareness across sectors and communities and to “help them capture Belt and Road opportunities”.

Since its inception in 2016, the Summit has hosted more than 700 speakers from over 30 countries and regions, facilitated over 5,400 business matching meetings and supported more than 2,000 investment projects across infrastructure, green development, finance and technology.

New features this year include a roundtable on sustainable development, sessions focused on signature projects, regional spotlights and a youth-oriented track. And immediately after the Summit, more than 20 related activities will also take place across the city.

Expanding Hong Kong’s platform

“As one of the world’s most important platforms for exploring Belt and Road opportunities, the Belt and Road Summit has successfully promoted regional connectivity and economic development,” said Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC

“We remain dedicated to deepening this international cooperation platform and turning the Initiative’s vision into tangible partnerships and achievements.”
Through its global network of 51 offices and its outbound business missions, the HKTDC aims to continue channelling opportunities through Hong Kong, while strengthening ties with fast-growing regions.

Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC, says the Summit reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector and value-adder in fostering Belt and Road collaboration.

Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road at the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, said this year’s format reflects a more outward-facing, community-engaging model. “We will embrace changes and promote greater collaboration at the Summit,” he said.

Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road, says the 10th edition brings new elements to engage more sectors and strengthen public participation.

High-level sessions and regional spotlights

The Summit will open with welcome remarks by Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, followed by an address from Chief Executive John Lee.

A keynote speech will be delivered by Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, before the programme transitions into the Policy Dialogue, chaired by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau, with participation from regional ministers including Malaysia.

The Keynote Luncheon, under the theme “Building a Connected World with Green and Digital Innovation”, will feature remarks from Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, and Chen Liang, Chairman of China International Capital Corporation.

Business plenaries and project showcases

A particular focus this year is placed on the Middle East and ASEAN, two regions playing an increasingly important role in Hong Kong’s external engagement.

The Day 1 business plenary, “ASEAN: Unveiling New Opportunities for Growth and Collaboration”, will be chaired by Dr Victor K Fung, Chairman of Fung Group, and include perspectives from Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A; Antony Leung, Chairman of Nan Fung Group; and Zeng Qi, Vice President of CITIC Group, on new growth corridors.

Scheduled for Day 2, the session titled “Exploring Frontiers in New Markets and Industries” will be chaired by Professor KC Chan, Chairman of WeLab Bank, and feature Elton Chan, Director of Jardine Matheson; Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Group; Wang Chaoyou, President of Dongchao Technology Group; and Gansha Wu, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of UISEE Technologies (Beijing).

Deal-making and investment matchmaking

Another key feature remains the Belt and Road Deal-Making platform, which will run on-site and continue online from September 15-16 that enables curated one-on-one project matching sessions.

These meetings are designed to connect investors with infrastructure owners, developers and service providers across priority sectors including energy, natural resources, urban development, transport and innovation.

A new segment titled “Middle East and ASEAN Market Focus” will also be introduced to showcase high-potential projects from two of the fastest-growing Belt and Road regions. A parallel feature, “Signature Belt and Road Projects”, will present noteworthy initiatives that exemplify Belt and Road cooperation in action.

Separately, the Project Investment Sessions will bring together more than 300 live investment opportunities, supported by an expanded Exhibition Zone featuring pavilions dedicated to ASEAN, Mainland China, innovation, and Hong Kong’s global investment ecosystem.

The Summit will also be complemented by the Belt and Road Global Forum Annual Roundtable, taking place on September 12, followed by the broader Belt and Road Week programme to be held citywide.