Hong Kong is seeking to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries, with the city leader meeting leaders from Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Peru.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Friday morning local time in Lima also met representatives of countries including Chile, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia at the Apec Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his bilateral meeting with Lee that the city state and Hong Kong had a long-standing relationship that benefited from learning from each other.
Wong added he hoped both economies could strengthen cooperation and build stronger ties, highlighting the two cities had “many things in common”.
Lee also congratulated Wong on his new role and said the relationship between both sides would reach new heights under his leadership.
The city leader on his social media also thanked Singapore’s support for Hong Kong’s application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s biggest free-trade agreement.
Hong Kong applied to join RCEP in January 2022 and its request is currently under review.
