The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 9 to 10, concluded with more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements signed, according to a press release from Media OutReach Newswire. The total value of these agreements, along with new projects and deals finalised before and during the Summit, exceeded US$3.1 billion. The event attracted over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and beyond, underscoring Hong Kong's pivotal role in facilitating international trade and investment.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, the Summit remains the premier business and investment platform for Hong Kong's participation in and contribution to the BRI. HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasised Hong Kong's unique position, stating, "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."
The Summit's theme, "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," guided discussions on cooperation across trade and commerce, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new quality productive forces. A special focus on ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East highlighted emerging opportunities in these regions. This aligns with Mr Lee's efforts leading high-level business delegations to 13 Belt and Road countries, which delivered over 250 MoUs and agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, expanded connectivity, and support for companies.
Newly added special chapters—the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter, and Middle East Chapter—provided platforms for Chinese Mainland enterprises to explore overseas markets and for local officials and business leaders to share investment opportunities. "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," said Mr Algernon Yau, the HKSAR Government's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.
The Summit also featured an integrated University Zone to showcase Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities across the Belt & Road region, reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international education hub. A debut Dialogue for Future session promoted think-tank exchanges on "The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Co-operation in a Changing Global Landscape." 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 to help enterprises connect with potential partners.
These outcomes matter because they demonstrate Hong Kong's enduring appeal as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" amid global economic uncertainties. The substantial MoUs and deals signal strong confidence in Belt and Road markets, potentially driving infrastructure development, trade flows, and technological collaboration. For businesses, the Summit offers a vital gateway to diversify risks and tap new growth engines, especially as trade protectionism rises and supply chains reshape. For Hong Kong, the event reinforces its role as an international hub for finance, trade, and innovation, which is crucial for its economic resilience and integration with the Greater Bay Area and beyond. For more information on Hong Kong's initiatives, visit Brand Hong Kong.
