HONG KONG — The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 9–10, concluded with more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements signed, according to a press release. The total value of these agreements, along with new projects and deals finalized before and during the Summit, exceeds US$3.1 billion. The event attracted over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and beyond, exploring opportunities for mutually beneficial development.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, the Summit remains the premier business and investment platform for Hong Kong's participation in and contribution to the BRI. Under the theme “Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey,” business and government leaders discussed co-operation across trade and commerce, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new quality productive forces.
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.” Lee has led high-level business delegations to explore opportunities in 13 Belt and Road countries across ASEAN, the Middle East, and Central Asia, delivering over 250 MoUs and other agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, expanded connectivity, and support for companies.
The Summit featured three newly-added special chapters: the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter, and Middle East Chapter. The GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for exchange and matchmaking for Chinese Mainland enterprises looking to tap new markets overseas, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters invited local officials and business leaders to share investment opportunities. HKSAR Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau noted: “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.”
A freshly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and their capabilities in technology commercialization 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.
The Summit's outcomes underscore Hong Kong's role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder,” facilitating trade and investment flows across Belt and Road markets. For businesses, the agreements and networking opportunities open new avenues for expansion, particularly in ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East. As global supply chains evolve, the Summit's focus on diversification and resilience offers a timely platform for enterprises to mitigate risks and seize growth opportunities. For more information about Hong Kong's role in the Belt and Road Initiative, visit Brand Hong Kong.
