According to Xinhua News, since its return to China 20 years ago, Hong Kong has been playing an increasingly important role in facilitating business cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.
Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, deputy chairwoman of Indonesia's commerce and industry chamber (KADIN), spoke highly of the role Hong Kong has been playing in promoting the development of the regional economy.
She said Hong Kong, with its sound relations with the Chinese mainland, can help ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, export their products to the Chinese mainland. "Indonesia views Hong Kong as a strategic port for exports to the Chinese mainland," she added.
For Indonesia and other ASEAN countries, relations with Hong Kong have always been mutually beneficial, Shinta said, noting that ASEAN is the second largest trading partner of Hong Kong after the Chinese mainland.
Peter Wong, regional director for Southeast Asia and India of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said it is quite possible that some Chinese companies investing in ASEAN will meet difficulties in legal, labor, cultural and other fields, and Hong Kong, which has a long history of business relationship with ASEAN, can offer consultation and legal services for them.
"Generally, Hong Kong can be a bridge and link for China and ASEAN. Hong Kong will and is able to help Chinese companies penetrate into the ASEAN market," Wong said.
Total trade between Hong Kong and ASEAN reached 105.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, according to data released by the Hong Kong's trade and industry department.
Shinta, who had accompanied Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Hong Kong last month, said that Hong Kong will play an active role in building the Belt and Road Initiative as Chinese investors and their counterparts from countries along the Belt and Road will intensively use Hong Kong's expertise in settling their deals.
She said the Belt and Road Initiative will give full play to Hong Kong's advanced financial, logistic and distribution business. (Source: Xinhua News)
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