Hong Kong commerce chief meets Thai, Indonesian counterparts to explore partnership

Hong Kong’s commerce chief has met his Thai and Indonesian counterparts to explore collaboration opportunities ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah on Wednesday afternoon Lima time also expressed gratitude for the two Southeast Asian nations’ support for the city’s potential accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s biggest free trade agreement.

Yau also introduced Hong Kong’s latest developments to Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso, a government spokesman said.

Secretary for Commerce Algernon Yau Ying-wah meets his Thai counterpart, Pichai Naripthaphan. Photo: Handout
Secretary for Commerce Algernon Yau Ying-wah meets his Thai counterpart, Pichai Naripthaphan. Photo: Handout

The city applied to join RCEP in January 2022 and its request is currently under review.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is expected to arrive in Lima on Wednesday night local time (Thursday morning Hong Kong time) for his first official visit to South America to attend the summit.

He will also have the chance to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the conference.

Before his trip, Lee said he would meet with RCEP members in Lima to garner support for Hong Kong to join the world’s largest free-trade pact as soon as possible, while he would also push to deepen economic ties with South America.

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