The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held in Hong Kong from September 9 to 10, attracted more than 6,200 political and business leaders from over 70 countries and regions, resulting in over 60 Memoranda of Understanding and bilateral co-operation agreements valued at more than US$3.1 billion. Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government since 2016, the summit remains the premier platform for Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Under the theme "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," discussions focused on trade and commerce, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new quality productive forces. A special emphasis was placed on ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East, underscoring Hong Kong's unique role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder."
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said, "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 13 Belt and Road countries, securing over 250 agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, and expanded connectivity.
This year's summit introduced three new special chapters: the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter, and Middle East Chapter. The GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking overseas markets, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters invited local officials and business leaders to share investment opportunities. 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 newly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities, consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. The summit also debuted a Dialogue for Future session, promoting think-tank exchanges on Asia-Pacific co-operation. Through the Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones, over 300 investment projects were showcased, and more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings were arranged.
This news matters because it demonstrates Hong Kong's continued relevance as a global business hub despite geopolitical tensions. The US$3.1 billion in deals and the expansion into new regions signal opportunities for investors and companies looking to diversify supply chains and enter emerging markets. For the wider world, the summit reinforces multilateral co-operation and could help counteract trade protectionism by fostering cross-border partnerships. As the BRI evolves, Hong Kong's role as a facilitator of capital and talent flows will be crucial for regional economic integration.
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