HONG KONG, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Sept. 11 that as the Belt and Road Initiative enters its next "golden decade," Hong Kong, benefiting from the principle of "one country, two systems," enjoys both China's advantages and global advantages, and can play a key role in jointly building the Belt and Road.

Lee made the remarks in his speech at the ninth Belt and Road Summit held in Hong Kong that day. He said Hong Kong is a highly open and internationalized city and, as a "super connector" and "super value-adder," can provide world-class infrastructure and professional services to promote trade.

Lee said Hong Kong has long been an international trade center and a staunch supporter of free and multilateral trade. Over the past decade, Hong Kong's trade with Belt and Road economies other than the mainland has increased by nearly 60 percent, and these economies account for 43 percent of Hong Kong's external trade. These figures reflect the enormous potential and prospects of jointly building the Belt and Road.

Lee said innovation and technology is a core area for Hong Kong's future development and will also be Hong Kong's main role in jointly building the Belt and Road in the future. Hong Kong is working with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to develop innovation and technology, pooling the R&D capabilities and advanced manufacturing capabilities of the cities to unleash new quality productive forces.

Lee said the three-runway system of Hong Kong International Airport, which is expected to begin operation before the end of this year, will support Hong Kong in building an "Air Silk Road" and promote trade among Belt and Road partners.