Chief Executive John Lee said on Thursday that the SAR is committed to deepening regional economic cooperation with members of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade agreement.

In a video speech played at a forum, Lee said the territory will boost resilience and adapt to challenges as an open economy that champions free trade and multilateralism.

He noted that the SAR has already signed free trade agreements with 20 economies around the world.

"We have also signed investment agreements with 32 economies. The latest edition is Türkiye, with whom we signed a new IPPA (Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement) this week. We are negotiating an FTA with Peru. Meanwhile, we are also in active negotiations with Bahrain, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on investment agreements," he said.

"These would provide Hong Kong enterprises with better market access, as well as more thorough legal protection."

The CE said the SAR has also signed memoranda of understanding on cultural cooperation with more than 10 Belt and Road countries.