The Third Asian-African Women's Development and Cooperation Forum was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Oct 31. The forum has been relocated to Hong Kong from Beijing. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The Hong Kong government attaches great importance to women's development and support for women, John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the special administrative region, told a forum on Oct 31.

He made the remarks by video link at the Third Asian-African Women’s Development and Cooperation Forum, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Hong Kong’s former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the event and proposed three significant reasons for relocating the forum to Hong Kong

Lee noted that the forum brought together political, business, and women's affairs leaders from Asia and Africa to discuss the key issue of advancing global women's development. He extended a warm welcome to all the guests on behalf of the Hong Kong government.

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Lee also mentioned that the 13th National Women's Congress, which was held last week in Beijing, united and highlighted the strength of women to contribute to the great cause of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation.

The forum brought together numerous female political leaders from Asian and African countries, as well as ambassadors to China, under the theme "Carrying Forward the Spirit of the Silk Road, Working Together for the Future”.

The event offered an invaluable opportunity for female leaders from Asia and Africa to convene, engage in discussions, and collaborate on a meaningful mission. It also showcased the united strength of Asian and African women on the global stage.

To mark this year’s 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, organizers relocated the forum to Hong Kong from Beijing.

The move, which also showcased Hong Kong's role as a major gateway to the world, was undertaken by the Hong Kong Federation of Women, the Women Empowerment & Development Society in Asia-Africa, and the Beijing Yaoyang Foundation.

Hong Kong’s former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the event and proposed three significant reasons for relocating the forum to Hong Kong.

First, its theme relates to the BRI; second, its global nature combines the strengths of Asia and Africa to promote the exchange and interaction of valued peoples between the two places; and third, it affirms the development of women in Hong Kong in recent years and encourages women's associations and groups, Lam said.

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Pansy Ho, the chair of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, spoke to the event via video link.  

A roundtable titled “Women’s Strengthen for the Development of Hong Kong” was attended by Guinea’s Ambassador to China Aminata Koita, Honorary President of the Hong Kong Federation of Women Maggie Koong May-kay, and Hong Kong Legislative Council Member Priscilla Leung Mei-fun.

Other attendees included GX Foundation CEO Emily Chan Ying Yang, former chair of the Central Conservatory of Music Guo Shulan, Vice-chair of Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Clarie Ku Ka Lee, and Vice-President of Tianjin Fohoway Group Zhi Qun.

Contact the writer at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com