The Belt and Road Initiative ensures a promising future for Hong Kong, and the city is also seeking out new chances. But what opportunities could Hong Kong seize under the initiative? Well, Hong Kong would act as a “super-connector”. This is how Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has positioned the city. It will focus on what it does best – financing. 

“Hong Kong may not be on the historical Belt and Road roadmap, but Hong Kong is the major gateway to China. In the modern day, Hong Kong is not only a transport gateway or air gateway, but more importantly, Hong Kong is the financial gateway to China,” said Chan Ka-keung, Secretary of Financial Services and Treasury Bureau of the Special Administrative Region. 

Hong Kong will serve a very important position in the Belt and Road, with the obvious focus being the financing requirements for capital investment. 

Meanwhile, mega corporations and financial institutions are expected to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative, but what could small and medium-sized enterprises do if they also want to take a share? Chan suggested small businesses be more innovative, “They can’t just rely on the existing ways of doing business. I think small businesses, they have to think about where their edges are. Secondly, Hong Kong has a big supply of professional expertise, it makes sense for Hong Kong small businesses to work together with those professionals.”

Hong Kong could also use its geographical advantage, helping businesses within the Greater Bay Area to open up new markets along the Belt and Road, which could be a "blue ocean" for Hong Kong. 

“I think the Greater Bay Area plan is unique and dynamic on its own right,” said Chan, “Because we know that Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta area, are one of the most important production houses of new technology and many consumer products.” 

According to Chan, the Greater Bay Area could combine with the Belt and Road, as much of the innovation and technology products would have to find their market in Belt and Road countries. 

“If we can actually get it right, so that the Hong Kong market is serving these companies, then we can both work out a strategic plan to go out together,” explained Chan.

The Belt and Road Initiative has opened up new opportunities for Hong Kong. Big businesses have teamed up to make deals with emerging countries, and they would draw on their experiences to help expand along the Belt and Road.