APEC finance ministers' meeting opens in Hong Kong; AIIB head met leader a day earlier
In short
The 33rd APEC finance ministers' meeting began in Hong Kong on 20 October, with finance ministers or their representatives from 21 APEC economies due to attend. On 19 October Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (李家超) met Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank president Zou Jiayi (邹加怡), who led a delegation to the meeting.
Read the full story 2 min read
The 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) finance ministers' meeting began in Hong Kong on 20 October, CLS, Yicai, 36Kr and Jiemian reported. Finance ministers or their representatives from 21 APEC economies, heads of international organisations and senior representatives of partners are due to attend. 36Kr and Jiemian attributed the text to CCTV News. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
The meeting is to focus on four topics: fiscal policy supporting people's livelihoods, digital infrastructure financing, inclusive finance suited to local conditions, and exchange and cooperation among young APEC finance professionals. China News Service said the meeting runs on 20 and 21 October and is the first APEC finance ministers' meeting held in Hong Kong. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
Yicai reporters visited the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 19 October and saw flags outside, banners in the meeting hall and staff making final preparations, with registration desks and signs in place. Yicai said this is the third time China is APEC host, with the leaders' informal meeting due in Shenzhen in November, and described the Hong Kong meeting as a financial-track step before it. [ 4 ]
On 19 October Lee Ka-chiu met Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) president Zou Jiayi at Government House (礼宾府) and welcomed her delegation to the meeting, according to his social media post as relayed by Jiemian and China News Service. Lee said it was their second meeting since January this year and that Hong Kong, as an AIIB member, has helped the bank promote sustainable infrastructure development in Asia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Lee said the Hong Kong government welcomes the AIIB issuing more bonds in Hong Kong's bond market to direct international capital to green projects. He said the government fully supports preparations for an AIIB office in Hong Kong, which China News Service said the bank announced plans for last November. [ 2 , 3 ]
Lee also said the government would use Hong Kong's experience as an international financial centre to ensure the meeting's success and would use the occasion to deepen international exchanges. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Outlets describe this as the first APEC finance ministers' meeting Hong Kong has hosted. Yicai described it as a financial-track step ahead of the leaders' informal meeting in Shenzhen in November.
Key facts
- The 33rd APEC finance ministers' meeting started in Hong Kong on 20 October. [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- Finance ministers or their representatives from 21 APEC economies, heads of international organisations and senior representatives of partners are due to attend. [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- The four priority topics are fiscal policy supporting people's livelihoods, digital infrastructure financing, inclusive finance suited to local conditions, and APEC youth finance talent exchange. [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]
- On 19 October Lee Ka-chiu met AIIB president Zou Jiayi at Government House (礼宾府) in Hong Kong. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Lee said the Hong Kong government fully supports the AIIB's preparations to set up an office in Hong Kong. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The meeting runs on 20 and 21 October and is the first of its kind hosted by Hong Kong. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Lee Ka-chiu met AIIB president Zou Jiayi on 19 October and welcomed her delegation to the 2026 APEC finance ministers' meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The 33rd APEC finance ministers' meeting opened in Hong Kong on 20 October, with four priority topics. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Lee said the Hong Kong government supports the AIIB's preparations for a Hong Kong office and welcomes the bank issuing bonds in Hong Kong's bond market. [ 2 , 3 ]
- It is the first time Hong Kong is hosting the APEC finance ministers' meeting. [ 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Outcomes of the meeting The documents describe only the opening and the agenda; none reports decisions or results.
- Timing of the AIIB's Hong Kong office Documents say the AIIB announced the plan last November and that preparations are under way, but give no opening date.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 36Kr published a summary of Lee Ka-chiu's 19 October meeting with AIIB president Zou Jiayi. [ 1 ]
- China News Service reported the meeting and Lee's support for an AIIB office in Hong Kong. [ 3 ]
- Yicai reported from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on final preparations for the meeting. [ 4 ]
- On 20 October CLS and Yicai reported that the meeting was starting in Hong Kong. [ 5 , 6 ]