John Lee promises ‘high-quality’ experience for Apec finance meeting guests

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to provide guests attending this month’s Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting with a “high-quality” experience, as the city works closely with Beijing to assist delegations with the registration process.

About 500 guests, including finance ministers and senior officials from the 21 member economies, are expected to attend the annual meeting on October 20 and 21, which will be hosted by Hong Kong for the first time at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Asked whether US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would attend the summit, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday only that the Ministry of Finance in mainland China was handling attendee registration.

“The Hong Kong government will continue to maintain close communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Finance to assist the delegation in completing the registration procedures,” Lee said ahead of the Executive Council meeting.

“The government will fully support the Ministry of Finance’s work and provide the delegation with a high-quality conference experience. We will make further announcements when there are updates.”

Lee added that beyond the official sessions, the government would host a welcome dinner, seminars and visits for delegations, vowing to organise the meeting well.

He said this year’s meeting would continue discussions from previous sessions, focusing on the global and regional macroeconomic and financial situation, fiscal policies supporting livelihoods and development, financing for digital infrastructure, and advancing inclusive finance.

The gathering would also strengthen exchanges and cooperation among finance officials of Apec member economies, Lee noted.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said earlier that authorities would put in place security arrangements, including contingency plans for potential terrorist attacks, and would safeguard hotel, venue and transport security, given the expected attendance of many ministerial-level officials.

He also pledged to minimise disruption to residents’ daily routines.

The gathering will be the first Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States last month, during which the two countries agreed that their leaders would support each other in hosting the Apec forum and the G20 summits later this year.

The annual Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held in Shenzhen in November.