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South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's John Lee seeks closer ties in meeting with EU officials
Hong Kong's leader has sought to deepen ties with the EU in a meeting with the bloc's representatives, saying the city will remain a free port despite growing protectionism globally. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday that he had hosted a lunch attended by Harvey Rouse, head of the Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macau, as well as 15 consuls general from the bloc's member countries. The gathering served as a platform for direct dialogue and an exchange of views, with a focus on exploring new avenues to enhance economic, trade and development cooperation, Lee said in a social media post. He emphasised Hong Kong's unique position as a 'superconnector' and 'super value-adder', citing its low and simple tax regime, world-class infrastructure, diverse and multicultural talent pool, and broad spectrum of professional services. These attributes made the city an 'ideal gateway between East and West', Lee said. He also extended an invitation to businesses globally, including those from Europe, to 'explore the vast array of opportunities' both in Hong Kong and mainland China. The lunch took place amid simmering US-China tensions, even as the two countries reached a deal during high-level talks in London on tariff cuts, rare earth exports, Chinese students attending US universities and a trade-war truce signed earlier in Geneva. The latest agreement is subject to final approval by the presidents of the two countries. The United States and China have been engaged in an escalating tit-for-tat tariff war in recent months, with the levy on Chinese goods at one point reaching 145 per cent.
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong and EU find common ground, but with a striking difference
Hong Kong and the EU have pledged to strengthen ties in areas such as decarbonisation, even as the bloc's top representative to the city said they would continue to critique the financial hub in a 'constructive manner'. Advertisement Delivering a pair of opening remarks at an event on Friday to mark Europe Day, both Harvey Rouse, the head of the European Union Office in the city, and Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stressed the two sides' long-standing ties amid global challenges. Chan said that opportunities for cooperation between the EU and Hong Kong were 'long-term and far-reaching'. He said the city was keen to cooperate with the EU in decarbonisation, highlighting opportunities in technology partnership, green finance and climate risk disclosures. Hong Kong could also serve as a strategic gateway for European firms looking to enter the mainland Chinese market, while the city was a global leader in asset and wealth management, he said. Advertisement 'Let us work together to seize that promise for our economies and our people,' Chan said. 'May our long-standing ties continue to flourish.'
