Amid the ongoing trade war between China and the United States, the Hong Kong authorities have in recent years closely followed Beijing's central policies, actively expanding into the economic and financial markets of ASEAN and the Middle East. To strengthen ties with ASEAN, the Hong Kong government plans to establish its fourth economic and trade office in the region in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
Official broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong reported on the 9th, quoting 'Belt and Road' Commissioner Nicholas Ho, that the Hong Kong government plans to set up its fourth economic and trade office in ASEAN, in Kuala Lumpur. In the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong currently only has economic and trade offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Ho also said that they will continue to lead delegations to visit ASEAN, the Middle East, and Central Asia, seeking concrete projects and business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises, assisting SMEs in finding partners, expanding networks, and lowering the barriers to going global.
According to reports, last month Ho led a delegation to visit Indonesia and Malaysia, signing 21 memoranda of understanding with local enterprises and organizations. He said that Hong Kong will cultivate the ASEAN market in depth and target Indonesia's capital relocation plan and Malaysia's railway projects, stating that Hong Kong can assist in their development and operation.
In 2016, then-Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying established the 'Belt and Road' Steering Committee, later setting up related offices and appointing a commissioner specifically responsible for expanding 'Belt and Road' business opportunities.