The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 9–10, 2026, attracted over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions, underscoring Hong Kong's pivotal role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The event witnessed the signing of more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements, with the total value of these MoUs, along with new projects and deals finalised before and during the Summit, exceeding US$3.1 billion. This substantial outcome highlights the Summit's effectiveness as a premier platform for international business and investment, and signals strong global confidence in Hong Kong's capacity to facilitate cross-border collaboration.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, the Summit continues to serve as a key vehicle for Hong Kong's participation in and contribution to the BRI. HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasised the city's unique advantages, stating, "Hong Kong, as a place where East meets West, is where capital, talent, businesses and opportunities converge. In addition to strengthening our relations with traditional partners, Hong Kong continues to expand our network of friends along the Belt and Road." His remarks reflect Hong Kong's strategic intent to deepen ties with both established and emerging markets, leveraging its position as a global financial hub.
Under the theme "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," discussions spanned trade and commerce, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence and new quality productive forces. A special focus on ASEAN, Central Asia and the Middle East underscored Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder." The Summit introduced three new special chapters: the GoGlobal Chapter, Central Asia Chapter and Middle East Chapter. The GoGlobal Chapter provided a one-stop platform for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking overseas expansion, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters allowed local officials and business leaders to share investment opportunities.
Mr Algernon Yau, the HKSAR Government's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, noted the broader context: "In light of the shifting geopolitics, rising trade protectionism and the reshaping of global supply chains, businesses going global is no longer simply an option; it is an increasingly important strategy for Chinese Mainland enterprises to diversify risks, strengthen resilience and pursue new growth opportunities." This perspective highlights how the Summit addresses pressing economic challenges by fostering diversification and resilience.
Beyond deal-making, the event featured a newly integrated University Zone to showcase Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities across the Belt & Road region, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. A debut Dialogue for Future session promoted think-tank exchanges on "The Belt and Road Initiative and Asia-Pacific Co-operation in a Changing Global Landscape." The Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones showcased over 300 investment projects and arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings, facilitating concrete connections between enterprises and potential partners.
Mr Lee has led high-level business delegations to 13 Belt and Road countries across ASEAN, the Middle East and Central Asia, resulting in over 250 MoUs and other agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, expanded connectivity and support for companies. These efforts underline Hong Kong's focus on opening new markets, forming new partnerships and advancing regional co-operation.
The Summit's outcomes carry significant implications. They demonstrate Hong Kong's enduring value as a gateway between China and the world, even amid geopolitical tensions and supply chain realignments. The emphasis on new chapters for Central Asia and the Middle East signals a strategic pivot toward high-growth regions, potentially reshaping trade flows and investment patterns. For Chinese Mainland enterprises, the platform offers a vital springboard for internationalisation, helping them mitigate risks associated with trade protectionism. Moreover, the integration of university research and think-tank dialogues points to a broader vision of sustainable, innovation-driven development. As global economic uncertainties persist, the Belt and Road Summit reinforces multilateral co-operation and Hong Kong's indispensable role in fostering mutually beneficial development. For more information on Hong Kong's initiatives, visit Brand Hong Kong.
