Chief Executive John Lee on Friday said his government is doing everything it can to strengthen ties with members of Southeast Asia's Asean bloc. This includes the planned opening of an Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur. The SAR already has such offices in Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta. Speaking at a summit, the CE said connections don't just focus on trade, but also shared values and cultural links between Hong Kong and Asean members. "The Hong Kong SAR government is doing everything in our power to build on our long-term promise with Asean," he said in the speech. "Hong Kong has long been an open economy, a world city built on free trade. And we are eager to expand our regional co-operation and uphold multilateralism in international trade." Lee also renewed calls for the SAR to be allowed into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), more than two and a half years after it applied to join. "Given our role as the 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' between the mainland and economies worldwide, Hong Kong is primed to bring singular and significant value to RCEP and its members," he said. "We are ready and fully prepared to join RCEP, to play an active role in realising regional integration and creating opportunity for all concerned." The chief executive also stressed that Hong Kong is the only city in the world with a China advantage and a global advantage, and the only common law jurisdiction within the country.
