The SAR government on Wednesday clarified that Chief Executive John Lee did receive a personal invitation to the Apec talks.

In response to media enquiries, the government said "The Chief Executive, John Lee, had personally received the invitation from the United States to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held from November 15 to 17 in San Francisco, United States”.

The administration confirmed on Tuesday that the SAR had received an invitation to the summit, but Lee would not be going due to scheduling conflicts. Meanwhile, Financial Secretary Paul Chan would attend the meeting on Lee’s behalf.

The Chief Executive is one of a number of SAR officials under US sanctions, which Beijing has condemned as illegal.