Lee made the comments as he delivered a speech at an investment promotion conference in Ningbo city on the fourth day of his trip to southeastern Zhejiang province.
Lee again lashed out at the “unilateral tariffs” imposed by Washington but expressed confidence that global investors and financial institutions seeking stability amid the tariff war would use the SAR as a springboard to enter the mainland market.
He also noted that the SAR has established a high-value-added supply chain service mechanism at the end of last year to help mainland firms to set up headquarters here as they explore offshore trade and supply chains.
“Hong Kong boasts a comprehensive international trade network and operational experience, multi-talented professionals and world-class professional services,” he said at the conference.
“We will prepare to provide new supply-chain services for mainland enterprises and guide them while they explore emerging markets, and help them break through the blockade imposed by the United States.”
Lee also stressed Hong Kong’s close economic ties with Ningbo, given that Hong Kong is the top source of foreign investment for the Yangtze River Delta port hub while Ningbo firms’ investments in the SAR amounted to more than US$10 billion.
Zhou Ji, executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said Beijing highly values Hong Kong’s strategic role in national development.
Zhou also acknowledged the SAR’s efforts to grow economy and champion free trade.
“In the face of the United States’ unreasonable behaviour, as well as tariff and trade wars, the SAR government has maintained its strategic focus, resolutely safeguarding the global order based on international law, as well as a rules-based multilateral trade system and its status as a separate customs territory under the World Trade Organization’s framework,” he told participants.
“These measures are widely recognised and praised by the international community,” he added.
The event also came as the city’s investment promotion arm, InvestHK, signed cooperation agreements with 12 enterprises in Zhejiang, covering innovation and technology, logistics, commerce, as well as retail businesses.
The SAR has earlier also set up a mechanism to strengthen collaboration with Zhejiang in 13 key areas such as aviation, smart cities and artificial intelligence.
Lee returns this afternoon.
