The financial secretary will do a good job in expanding Hong Kong's "circle of friends" at the Apec meeting in the United States, Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday.

Paul Chan is attending the talks in San Francisco on behalf of the chief executive.

"He has been meeting counterparts from different economies, obviously expanding the circle of friends, and introducing Hong Kong's attraction and potential to his counterparts. And I'm sure that he will do a good job in that regard," Lee told reporters.

"He will be telling Hong Kong stories, true stories, to tell the world how Hong Kong can contribute its strengths, how Hong Kong is a good market for people to come to invest, set up their companies, and also Hong Kong's strength as the conduit between mainland cities and the world."

The financial secretary on Monday attended the Finance Ministers' Meeting, as well as a retreat with international counterparts hosted by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday.

Chan will also attend the Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting later this week.