Ladies and Gentlemen,

The central government attaches great importance to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and its role in the national strategy. We will support Hong Kong in building on its existing strengths and exploring new advantages, support closer exchange and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, and support Hong Kong in expanding economic and trade ties with the world.

Hong Kong, for its part, also needs to take a more active part in the national development strategy. I noticed that during this year's annual NPC and CPPCC sessions, many NPC delegates and CPPCC members from Hong Kong contributed their ideas on Hong Kong's role and participation in the Belt and Road development.

The Chief Executive and the SAR government regard the participation in the Belt and Road development as a major opportunity for Hong Kong's development, and have introduced many policies. There are also lively discussions on this topic in the Hong Kong society.

I hope that Hong Kong, with a broader mind and vision, would fully seize the major opportunities of the Belt and Road, link its own development with the Belt and Road, and further bring out its own advantages. The central government will support Hong Kong in playing an active role in the following aspects:

First, respond to the Belt and Road, and build a platform of comprehensive services. We support Hong Kong's agencies and professionals in offering accounting, design, consultancy and other professional services to the Belt and Road.

We support Hong Kong's efforts to build a center for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia Pacific, in order to provide legal and arbitration services to the Belt and Road.

We support Hong Kong in developing high added-value shipping industry, and building a multi-functional shipping center for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. And we support Hong Kong companies in leveraging their competitiveness in research, development, management, innovative industry, marketing and logistics, and participating in real economy cooperation such as production capacity cooperation along the Belt and Road. This will help secure Hong Kong's competitiveness in international division of labor.

Second, facilitate capital flows and promote RMB internationalization and the development of the Belt and Road investment and financing platform.

We will encourage mainland companies to use Hong Kong's platform to offer more low-cost capitals for the Belt and Road. We support Hong Kong in strengthening its position as a hub for global offshore RMB business, and develop RMB business along the Belt and Road.

We support Hong Kong's assistance in investment, financing, asset management and other financial services for infrastructure projects, so as to widen the financial channels for the Belt and Road. And we support Hong Kong in offering insurance and reinsurance services for the Belt and Road to offset and reduce risks.

Third, promote cultural exchanges for greater mutual understanding among the people along the Belt and Road. We support different forms of cultural and educational cooperation between Hong Kong and the countries along the routes, and the development of a platform for personnel exchange.

We support friendly and closer people-to-people exchanges between Hong Kong and the cities along the Belt and Road.

We encourage Hong Kong's business associations, social groups, think tanks and other organizations in organizing research, promotion, training, study tours and other events related to the Belt and Road. These exchange and cooperation will help increase mutual understanding among the peoples along the Belt and Road.

Fourth, deepen cooperation with the mainland and jointly develop markets along the Belt and Road. We support Hong Kong in fully tapping its advantages as the center in multiple areas, deepening cooperation with coastal provinces and cities in professional services and talents with global vision, and elevating cooperation through innovative models.

We encourage Hong Kong to work with inland provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in developing overseas businesses, build a multi-level form of cooperation at different parts of the value chain, and jointly explore markets along the Belt and Road.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is the first year for the implementation of China's 13th Five-Year Plan, and an important year for the Belt and Road development. "A huge tree that fills one's arms grows from a tiny seedling; a nine-storied tower rises from a heap of earth."

This summit in Hong Kong is of great significance for building consensus for cooperation along the Belt and Road. I hope that all forum participants, as outstanding representatives from countries along the Belt and Road, will fully participate and share your wisdom in the following activities, to contribute to the joint effort for Belt and Road development.

Finally, let me wish Hong Kong greater achievements in its participation in the Belt and Road development, and wish this Summit a complete success. Thank you!