Hong Kong’s role as a major global centre for commerce remains unchanged amid a trade war, the chief executive told hundreds of tourism leaders on Tuesday as the city played host to one of the largest Chinese tourism summits.
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In his opening speech at the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu affirmed that Hong Kong would continue to be a “major global trading centre” and “a centre of free trade”.
“That’s thanks … to the Hong Kong port in our harbour, to the Hong Kong International Airport, and to our varied and seamless transport links to China, our country,” he told a room of 800 tourism leaders.
“These seamless links, and our singular status as the city where East has long met West, are not going to change.
“In a world beset by trade woes and geopolitical crises, Hong Kong is determined to continue its dedication to free and open trade.
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“This was what also allowed Hong Kong to become ‘one of the world’s greatest centres for tourism.’”
