Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (right) meets with Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim (left) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 27, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu affirmed his commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Lee made the remarks on Thursday while he and his Hong Kong delegation was in Malaysia for the final leg of its weeklong visit to the region.

After arriving in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, on Thursday, Lee and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met for the first time.

Lee thanked the Malaysian government for extending Hong Kong passport holders’ visa-free entry period from one month to 90 days. The arrangement provides greater entry convenience for Hong Kong residents and will further enhance the connections and mutual benefits between the two places, he said

Lee thanked the Malaysian government for extending Hong Kong passport holders’ visa-free entry period from one month to 90 days. The arrangement provides greater entry convenience for Hong Kong residents and will further enhance the connections and mutual benefits between the two places, he said.

ALSO READ: ASEAN visit: HK enters 15 trade deals with Indonesia

In a social media post, Lee said the Malaysian government is strongly supportive of trade, investment, and tourism development to achieve sustainable growth. This has made Malaysia Hong Kong’s ninth-largest trading partner and third among ASEAN member countries.

A bridge between the world and the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong handled about 9 percent of trade between Malaysia and the Chinese mainland last year, he added.

Lee said he looks forward to establishing closer ties over the next three days, when he and the delegation will continue to share the Hong Kong story with the ASEAN nations’ leaders.

Accompanied by senior HKSAR government officials and 30 representatives from various sectors, Lee embarked on a seven-day tour on Sunday, which also included Singapore and Indonesia. The delegation will return to Hong Kong on Saturday.

ALSO READ: CE leads delegation in Jakarta on second leg of ASEAN tour

During a luncheon hosted by Ouyang Yujing, the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, Lee expressed his gratitude to the embassy for the support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s efforts to strive for early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Addressing a dinner banquet with a Malaysian business chamber later that day, Lee underlined the immense potential for strengthening cooperation between Hong Kong and Malaysia in trade and investment. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta will continue to work closely with the local business community to enhance bilateral relationships.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 27, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

On Wednesday, Hong Kong signed 15 memoranda of understanding and agreements with Indonesian companies and organizations.

One of the documents was signed the Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group and Bakrie & Brothers, one of Indonesia’s foremost corporations focusing on the manufacturing and infrastructure sector.

In an interview with China Daily, Lee George Lam, co-chairman of the HKATG, expressed his belief that the MOUs can inspire the potential for more collaborative opportunities, including joint research and development in space systems and in technologies such as satellite manufacturing, aerospace technology investment opportunities, and setting up a partnership venture in Hong Kong or Indonesia.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (fourth left), meets with Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim (fifth right) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 27, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

During his visit to Malaysia, Lam said he hopes to further develop cooperation on the digital and green economy with local companies and organizations. He also intends to attract Malaysian companies to list or second-list in Hong Kong, making the Hong Kong stock market more international.

Lam said Malaysia has gained momentum in promoting new industries and may have further cooperation with Hong Kong in aerospace in the future.