HONG KONG — The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 9 to 10, concluded with over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions participating, according to a press release from Media OutReach Newswire. The event, hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, remains the premier platform for business and investment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
During the two-day summit, more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements were witnessed. The total value of these MoUs, together with new projects and deals finalised before and during the summit, exceeded US$3.1 billion. This underscores the summit's role in facilitating tangible economic outcomes and strengthening international partnerships.
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasized Hong Kong's unique position, stating: "Hong Kong, as a place where East meets West, is where capital, talent, businesses and opportunities converge. In addition to strengthening our relations with traditional partners, Hong Kong continues to expand our network of friends along the Belt and Road." Under the theme "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," leaders discussed cooperation in trade, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new quality productive forces.
The summit focused on emerging opportunities in ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder." Mr. Lee has led high-level business delegations to 13 Belt and Road countries, delivering over 250 MoUs and agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, and expanded connectivity.
New this year were three special chapters: the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter, and Middle East Chapter. The GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking overseas markets, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters featured local officials sharing investment opportunities. "In light of the shifting geopolitics, rising trade protectionism and the reshaping of global supply chains, businesses going global is no longer simply an option; it is an increasingly important strategy for Chinese Mainland enterprises to diversify risks, strengthen resilience and pursue new growth opportunities," said Algernon Yau, the HKSAR Government's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.
A newly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities across the Belt & Road region, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. The summit also introduced a debut Dialogue for Future session, promoting think-tank exchanges on "The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Co-operation in a Changing Global Landscape."
Through the Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones, the event showcased over 300 investment projects and arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, helping enterprises connect with potential partners. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
This summit matters because it demonstrates Hong Kong's pivotal role in facilitating global trade and investment amid geopolitical shifts. The deals signed could spur economic growth, create jobs, and enhance connectivity across Belt and Road markets. For businesses, it signals new opportunities in emerging regions, while for the world, it promotes multilateral cooperation and development. As trade protectionism rises, such platforms are crucial for maintaining open dialogue and fostering resilient supply chains.
