Hong Kong gets central backing to join RCEPCommerce Minister Wang Wentao, addressing the sixth Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong via video link, said the ministry will support Hong Kong in conducting free trade agreement negotiations with other countries, playing a role in Asia-Pacific economic cooperation and further enhancing its position as an international financial, trade and shipping center. The summit is being held on Wednesday and Thursday.
The RCEP, the world's largest free trade deal, comprises 15 Asia-Pacific economies: the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
They have been pushing for the RCEP agreement to take effect next year.
Wang said that supporting Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative is an important measure taken by the country to carry out high-level opening-up. It is also a significant way for the mainland and Hong Kong to complement each other and achieve common growth.
The ministry will continue to implement policies and measures in commercial sectors to support the growth of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, encourage Hong Kong companies to participate in major exhibitions on the mainland, and enhance the convergence of rules in key areas such as the Shenzhen Pilot Demonstration Zone and Hainan Free Trade Port, he added.
NextInsight
a hub for serious investors
