Noting that the mainland market has been essential for Hong Kong's sustained stability and prosperity in the past two decades, Chow said it was important to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China to reinforce people's confidence in the "one country, two systems" principle.

"Obviously China offers tremendous business opportunities for both Hong Kong and international businessmen, so I think they obviously are quite comfortable to operate through the Hong Kong platform in assessing the Chinese market," he said.

"I think our integration with the mainland economy will continue. We'll continue to serve as the gateway to the Chinese mainland and also to other Asian markets," he added.

Currently, nearly 60 percent of the mainland's outbound investment goes through Hong Kong, which serves as a "very useful and effective conduit for the two-way business between China and the rest of the world", he said.

Chow believes Hong Kong's role as a gateway will be further strengthened as the central government pushes forward the Belt and Road Initiative that aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

On one hand, Hong Kong offers many professional services that can help companies invest or become involved in Belt and Road projects, he said. On the other hand, Hong Kong is a global financial center, and many projects planned as part of the Belt and Road infrastructure network will need financing, and Hong Kong will be able to help, said Chow.

Hong Kong is also the place where East meets West, he added. "We'll be able to serve as the conduit for the exchanges between countries from the Belt and Road regions."

Xinhua

(HK Edition 07/01/2017 page4)