The 11th Belt and Road Summit, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 9–10, 2026, concluded with more than 60 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral co-operation agreements, alongside new projects and deals valued at over US$3.1 billion. The event attracted over 6,200 political and business elites from more than 70 countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and beyond, according to the press release.
Hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since 2016, the summit remains the premier platform for Hong Kong's participation in the BRI. This year's theme, "Advancing High-quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey," facilitated discussions on trade and commerce, legal services, green technology, logistics, artificial intelligence, and new quality productive forces. The focus on emerging opportunities in ASEAN, Central Asia, and the Middle East underscored Hong Kong's unique role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder."
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee emphasized Hong Kong's strategic position: "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." Lee has led high-level business delegations to 13 Belt and Road countries, resulting in over 250 MoUs and agreements covering policy coordination, trade and investment, and expanded connectivity.
New features at the summit included three 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 markets, while the Central Asia and Middle East chapters invited local officials to share investment opportunities. "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," said Algernon Yau, the HKSAR Government's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.
Additionally, a freshly integrated University Zone highlighted Hong Kong universities' R&D strengths and technology commercialisation capabilities across the BRI region, reinforcing Hong Kong's status 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 event also showcased over 300 investment projects and arranged more than 800 one-on-one deal-making meetings through its Project Investment Session, Belt and Road Deal-Making, and Exhibition Zones.
For global businesses, this summit signals expanded opportunities in emerging markets and underscores the importance of diversifying supply chains amid geopolitical shifts. The substantial MoUs and agreements demonstrate tangible commitments to cross-border collaboration, potentially driving economic growth and innovation in participating regions. As Hong Kong continues to facilitate these connections, stakeholders can leverage its platform to access new markets and partnerships. More information about Hong Kong's initiatives can be found at https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/.
