Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to connect Asean with the Greater Bay Area and build a “powerful and complementary partnership” amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, the city’s leader has said.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made his remarks at the South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026 on Tuesday, which also saw the launch of a new chamber of commerce for the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the city.

The summit brought together government officials, business leaders and institutional investors to discuss emerging areas of cooperation between Asean and the bay area – Beijing’s plan to turn Hong Kong, Macau and nine other southern mainland Chinese cities into an economic powerhouse.

“Together, the two regions have what it takes to form a powerful and complementary partnership, one offering distinct advantages in the troubled waters of ever-changing geopolitics,” Lee said. “Both Asean and the Greater Bay Area are, after all, ocean-facing. Our economies sail the same waters, our ambitions ride the same waves and our prosperity could rise with the same currents.”

“Hong Kong, long a free port, is uniquely positioned to connect the two economic powerhouses. We can enable the smooth flow of trade, investment and innovation, creating opportunities to reward both regions,” he added, noting that “the tide is rising” for both the bay area and Asean.

Asean has emerged as a key partner for Hong Kong as the city seeks new growth areas and to diversify its trading partners.