Hong Kong is the 'superconnector' for the Belt and Road: official

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The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative covers a vast area of the globe, with a city the size of Hong Kong seemingly "small" in comparison.

But the Special Administrative Region (SAR) can be crucial for the initiative to grow from a concept into a reality, according to Tong Xiaoling, acting commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong SAR.

A picture of Tong Xiaoling, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong plays as the "'super-connector' helping integrate China and the rest of the world", Tong said in an article recently published by Wall Street Journal Asia.

Reasons to believe

She supported her view by mentioning Hong Kong's historical importance to its motherland, and how local people are supportive of the initiative.

"The city has played an important role in the comprehensive reform and opening up of the whole country," she said in the article.

When China initiated the "opening-up" policy in 1978, the country set up a special zone in Shenzhen, which is the mainland's closest city to Hong Kong. Shenzhen has since evolved from a village into one of the mainland's top three cities since then.

The evolution was achieved largely due to the city's ideal location.

As an official dealing with foreign affairs, Tong also witnessed with her own eyes how Hong Kong local people are fond of the Belt and Road.

100 Hong Kong students attending a camp to experience Belt and Road culture in China's Xi'an in September 2015. /VCG Photo

"A number of local business chambers, social groups and media agencies have already paid visits to Belt and Road countries, with my office playing a facilitating role," she said.

Upcoming forum‍

Tong also mentioned the coming Belt and Road Forum, which she thinks "will be a success". The forum will be held in Beijing with the attendance of 29 heads of state and government. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will also lead a delegation to participate in the forum.

Leung Chun-ying speaks at the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on May 18, 2016. /VCG Photo

"There is no reason for Hong Kong to be absent from a national initiative and international project as significant as the Belt and Road," Tong said.