Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po speaks at the "China Night" dinner organized by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan 17, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Wednesday underscored Hong Kong’s strengths in linking the Chinese mainland with the rest of the world at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

Hong Kong has been ramping up efforts to play the role of a bridge between the mainland and the world to forge win-win cooperation, alongside the goal of enhancing financial and technology muscle, Chan said in his keynote speech at a luncheon.

Chan also delivered the message that China is a prime business partner for the world given its opening-up and steadily growing economy and will continue to create a strong momentum for the global economy amid the country’s drive for wide cooperation in technology-driven industries and supply chains

He also delivered a message that China is a prime business partner for the world given its opening-up and steadily growing economy and will continue to create a strong momentum for the global economy amid the country’s drive for wide cooperation in technology-driven industries and supply chains.

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According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's GDP grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in 2023, exceeding the government’s official target of around 5 percent and outpacing growth of 3 percent in 2022.

During his meeting with officials from Bahrain, Qatar, and Kazakhstan, Chan said Hong Kong, as a link and platform for promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, can make unique contributions in areas such as fostering regional financial connectivity, expanding trade, and fostering cultural exchanges.

The Middle East and Central Asia have been actively promoting economic diversification and green transformation in recent years, said the finance chief, who also encouraged them to make use of Hong Kong’s financial market to facilitate the development, promotion and financing of enterprises and projects.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po (second left) and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah (first left) meet with Minister of Finance and National Economy of Bahrain Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa (second right) and Minister of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain Abdulla Adel Fakhro (first right)  at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan 17, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Chan, accompanied by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah, also met with officials from Italy and Peru and exchanged views on the current global financial environment, geopolitical situation, and green transformation.

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The five-day forum in the Swiss mountain resort opened on Monday with the theme “Rebuilding Trust”. At last year’s annual gathering, Chan updated participants on the pace of Hong Kong’s post-pandemic recovery, and expressed optimism about the city’s economic growth.