GPS 2026 highlights the city as a ‘bridge for exchange’ and regional growth driver ahead of this year’s Apec meeting in Shenzhen
The Global Prosperity Summit 2026 (GPS 2026) highlighted Hong Kong’s expanding role in international and regional cooperation both within China’s Global Governance Initiative as well as Apec, ahead of a meeting of the bloc’s economic leaders in neighbouring Shenzhen later this year.
The two-day event, which ran from May 19 to 20, brought together global leaders and renowned experts in Hong Kong to exchange insights on issues affecting the city’s future and global prosperity.
Ambassador Han Zhiqiang, vice-president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, outlined Hong Kong’s key role in facilitating international exchanges in his keynote address, where he laid out the vision of China’s Global Governance Initiative.
“Hong Kong, as an international metropolis connecting China and the world and bringing together Eastern and Western cultures, is not only a major hub for finance, trade and shipping, but also an important bridge for exchanges between civilisations,” he said.
The Global Governance Initiative – unveiled during the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation last September – was China’s response to the needs of the world, Han said, as he outlined its three key messages: strong solidarity, upholding multilateralism, and a future of fairness and justice.
“Geopolitical conflicts continue to flare up, development gaps are widening and global challenges are emerging one after another,” Han said. “These developments have made reform and improvement of global governance an urgent task for all countries and peoples.”
“As we all advance towards a brighter future of a community with a shared future for humanity, China is ready to work with the international community to ensure that the Initiative takes root and yields fruitful outcomes.”
Marking its third consecutive edition, GPS 2026 was co-organised by the Savantas Policy Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the intergovernmental forum of 21 economies within the region hosted by China this year, took centre stage during a fireside chat between Regina Ip, the founder of GPS and chair of the board of governors of the Savantas Policy Institute, and Professor Li Kaisheng, vice-president of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.
Source: News - South China Morning Post
