Apec finance chiefs' meet 'perfect prelude to summit'

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui said on Friday the Apec Finance Ministers' Meeting that concluded in Hong Kong on Wednesday was the "perfect prelude" to the leaders' summit in Shenzhen next month. He told RTHK's Backchat programme that Hong Kong and Shenzhen have plenty of room to work together – making it a great opportunity to showcase both China's stabilising role and Hong Kong's part in driving regional cooperation. "Even though this is really a China Apec year this year, but at the same time, Hong Kong plays a critical role as an accelerator of regionalisation," Hui said. He pointed out the finance ministers' meeting was the last in a series of ministerial meetings before the leaders' summit and that a joint statement had been reached among delegates – a breakthrough in an increasingly divided geopolitical landscape. "So, it's indeed a very good occasion for us to showcase not just the China voice as a stabiliser but also Hong Kong's element as an accelerator of regionalisation in this increasingly divided world," Hui said. "Hong Kong, being part of Asia and at the same time a financial centre of Asia, needs to have a stable Asia." Delegates, Hui said, agreed to work more...