APEC and Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Participation in APEC

Hong Kong joined APEC in 1991. As provided for in the Basic Law, we continue to participate in APEC using the name "Hong Kong, China" (HKC) as a separate and full member after the change of sovereignty. HKC is represented by the Chief Executive and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development at APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and APEC Ministerial Meeting respectively.

The Director-General of Trade and Industry is HKC's Senior Official to APEC and the Trade and Industry Department takes a leading role in HKC's participation in the forum, which includes participation at meetings of various APEC fora, as well as the coordination of other Government Bureaux'/Departments' participation in APEC.

As part of HKC's support and contribution to APEC, the Government has seconded a Senior Administrative Officer to the APEC Secretariat in Singapore to undertake work relating to administration and finance.

HKC's current representatives to APEC Business Advisory Council are Mr Anthony Nightingale (Managing Director of Jardine Matheson Group), Mr Richard Li (Chairman of PCCW Ltd) and Mr Vincent Lo (Chairman of Shui On Holdings Ltd).

Importance of APEC to Hong Kong

APEC provides us with a good opportunity to cooperate with APEC member economies on a wide range of economic and trade issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Given our close economic linkages with other economies in the region, we stand ready to contribute to and benefit from the APEC process.

Over the years, APEC member economies have worked together to take forward facilitation initiatives such as simplifying customs procedures, enhancing business mobility through the APEC Business Travel Card, promoting electronic commerce and establishing mutual recognition arrangements for telecommunications, electrical and electronic equipment, improving ease of doing business, fostering structural reform, etc. Such work can help improve the region's business environment by slashing business costs and time.

Separately, our full and separate membership in APEC is also an example of the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two System" concept, and underlines our autonomy in external trade and economic matters.