A local scholar said Hong Kong can play a pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a gateway to the mainland and the rest of the world.

James Wang, research director of the Belt and Road Hong Kong Centre, said the SAR is well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from Beijing's multi-billion-dollar plan.

"Between mainland China and the rest of the world, Hong Kong is playing a so-called super-connector's role. In the middle, we have done a lot of this role to facilitate China as well as to benefit ourselves," he told RTHK.

"Hong Kong actually has traditionally more relations with or more trade partners from many Asian countries," he said, adding that the city can play an even bigger role by strengthening ties with countries and regions along the silk road.

Wang, who's also former head of the Geography Department at the University of Hong Kong, said the BRI has not yet fully realised its potentials, due in part to geopolitical tensions.

"We cannot just talk about China's own strategy, because in the past 10 years, we see very substantial changes in the global geopolitics. If we look at the recent Sino-US relationship, the tension is not only between two countries. It goes beyond this and is spreading out to the entire global arena," he said.

Looking ahead, Wang said ongoing tensions between Beijing and Washington could continue to affect the BRI's prospects.