Hong Kong Leader John Lee, Eu Officials Meet To Discuss Trade, Cooperation

Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has met European Union representatives to discuss opportunities for cooperation, with the chief executive saying both sides highlighted a shared belief in multilateralism amid increasing tensions and market turmoil.

Ambassador Harvey Rouse, head of the EU Office in Hong Kong, called for both sides to work together, describing the 27-member bloc as a “very dependable partner in an increasingly volatile world”.

Local officials attending the lunch meeting on Tuesday included Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu and commerce minister Algernon Yau Ying-wah.

Representatives from EU member states’ local diplomatic missions included consuls-general from France, Germany, Belgium and Finland, among others.

In a social media post on Thursday, Lee said both sides exchanged views on economic and development issues, enhancing understanding and exploring areas for more cooperation.

“Faced with increasing tensions and market turmoil, Hong Kong and the European Union have a strong consensus on safeguarding multilateralism, supporting organisations that follow international rules, and emphasising open cooperation,” Lee said.

“Hong Kong will continue to work with the EU and other like-minded economies to safeguard free and open trade, strengthen cooperation, build bridges and build a mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation.”

Hong Kong officials and diplomats from several European missions attended the event. Photo: Facebook/ohn Lee

In a separate social media post, Rouse described the lunch as a “constructive and in-depth exchange on EU-Hong Kong relations”.

Rouse said the wide-ranging discussion touched on opportunities in the Northern Metropolis megaproject, cooperation on sustainability and the importance of fostering people-to-people ties.

“We highlighted also concerns in key areas and the importance of embracing Hong Kong’s historic uniqueness as an open and international city where there is full confidence in the rule of law, open debate and the exchange of ideas,” he said.

He described ties between the two sides as a “vital backbone” to Hong Kong’s dynamism and success, noting that the EU bloc comprised the largest non-Chinese foreign business community in the city with more than 1,780 companies.

“Not only is the EU an essential trade and investment partner deeply integrated into the fabric of Hong Kong, but we are also a very dependable partner in an increasingly volatile world,” he said.

“Let’s continue working together closely across the board to further improve conditions for our cooperation.”

As US President Donald Trump’s increasingly unpredictable foreign policy decisions roil global markets and upend traditional partnerships, the EU has been actively building its own strategic autonomy and looking for ways to reduce its dependency on the United States.

Hong Kong, likewise, has been actively seeking to build new partnerships as it navigates the tense geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing.

The EU is Hong Kong’s fourth-largest partner in merchandise trade, which amounted to HK$490.8 billion in 2025, according to official statistics.