Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman on Tuesday said youth participation is crucial in ushering the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into a new era.

Zeman is part of the Hong Kong delegation joining the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. He is expected to give a speech at one of the sessions on Wednesday, the second and final day of the event.

He said the BRI is a game changer for Hong Kong, and the city must grasp the opportunity.

“Many countries of course want to do business with China. Hong Kong has the common law system and independent judiciary, all these things that countries really want for safety,” he said.

“It shows the importance that Hong Kong itself looks upon the Belt and Road, and how China really looks upon Hong Kong… because we are the super connector between the world and China.”

He pointed out that it’s now time for the BRI to move forward to the so-called “digital Silk Road” stage, adding that the younger generation has a significant role to play.

“It's a great opportunity for young people to really expand themselves, especially now with China really looking at logistics and technology being something that's really, really the way forward,” he said.

“Many countries, of course, don't need infrastructure, roads, railways, ports to be built anymore. So going forward, they all want technology.”