Last month, Hong Kong’s bustling energy bore witness to how the historic concept of silk routes has evolved into a modern network of global cooperation.
The 10th Belt and Road Summit, held from 9-12 September and organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), attracted 6,200 participants from over 70 countries and regions.
The true measure of the event’s success was in the volume of concrete agreements forged within its halls. A record 45 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, a mix of government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships. Over 800 one-to-one project matching meetings were also arranged, showcasing Hong Kong’s strengths as a super connector and super value-adder in dealmaking, and reinforcing its role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“Celebrating a decade of connectivity and collaboration, the 10th Hong Kong Belt and Road Summit reaffirms our commitment to global partnerships, sustainable development, and shared prosperity,” said Chamber Chairman Agnes Chan.
The agreements extended from Mainland China and ASEAN nations such as Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand, to emerging markets of the Middle East, including Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, as well as nations such as Australia, Germany, Hungary and the United States. This mosaic of partnerships highlighted a shifting global economic centre of gravity, with Hong Kong situated at its core. One such agreement, signed between HKTDC and Invest Oman, seeks to promote bilateral economic cooperation and knowledge exchange, creating a bridge for new opportunities between the two economies.
“Positioning itself as a leading super-connector, Hong Kong showcased its unique value proposition at the Summit,” said Edmond Yue, the Chamber’s Belt and Road Convenor and member of the General Committee. “Its strengths in international finance, professional services, legal arbitration and risk management were prominently displayed as essential tools for de-risking projects and attracting global capital.”
Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Asia, Africa and Middle East Committee, added that the summit highlighted promising prospects for infrastructure investment and trade. “The event allowed me to connect with people from around the globe and emphasized BRI’s commitment to driving sustainable development among participating nations,” he said.
Beyond the broader agreements, the summit also facilitated partnerships with social impact that speak to the initiative's evolving focus. An example was a joint venture between Indonesia’s Chickin PTE LTD and Hong Kong’s LINKTA Technologies, which will apply advanced agricultural technology to Indonesia’s poultry market. The venture focuses on developing technology to support efficiencies across the entire value chain, helping farmers combat critical issues like feed waste and mortality rates to increase profit margins.
The summit’s role as an international matchmaker was further highlighted by an agreement between Australia’s Planex, Germany’s ESCP Business School, Hong Kong’s Carbon Offset Association and the United States’ Arx Veritas. The collaboration will focus on developing ESG and carbon credit trading education in Hong Kong, a move that directly reinforces the city’s role as a hub for green finance and carbon expertise in the Asia Pacific region.
The expanded exhibition area, hosting over one hundred and twenty exhibitors, included a new ASEAN Zone, showcasing the latest multi-sector projects from the region. New thematic sessions focusing on major infrastructure projects in Thailand and Saudi Arabia, along with a dedicated Middle East and ASEAN Market Focus, were introduced to great acclaim, sharpening the focus on the world’s most dynamic emerging economies.
The conversations shaping such cooperation were fostered at the highest levels. The special address session featured Santiphap Phomvihane, Minister of Finance for the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Ferry Irawan, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Coordination of State-Owned Enterprises, and Gim Huay Neo of the World Economic Forum. Critical exchanges continued with the Annual Roundtable, connecting Hong Kong, the Mainland and international organizations to promote further information exchange and multilateral cooperation.