John Lee promises ‘high-quality’ experience for Apec finance meeting guests

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to provide guests attending this month’s Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting with a “high-quality” experience, as the city works closely with Beijing to assist delegations with the registration process.

About 500 guests, including finance ministers and senior officials from the 21 member economies, are expected to attend the annual meeting on October 20 and 21, which will be hosted by Hong Kong for the first time at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Asked whether US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would attend the summit, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday only that the Ministry of Finance in mainland China was handling attendee registration.

“The Hong Kong government will continue to maintain close communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Finance to assist the delegation in completing the registration procedures,” Lee said ahead of an Executive Council meeting.