Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that he encourages more trade between Hong Kong and the United States, adding that he is an advocate for free trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said a meeting of Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden during the Apec summit was a positive sign, and Hong Kong will do its part to help implement what was discussed.

Lee said the SAR and US are important trading partners.

“The US has been enjoying one of the biggest returns in bilateral trade between Hong Kong and the US, and I think that should be something that the US should pay serious attention to because trade will benefit people of both places and of course, we see the trade surplus goes very much to the US side,” he said.

“So I will, together with my team and government officials, continue to promote trade relationships between Hong Kong and other economies, whether it is in this region, new markets, Europe, or the US.”

Lee also said that Financial Secretary Paul Chan successfully achieved his three goals during his time in San Francisco last week: explaining to the world Hong Kong's advantages and opportunities, building friendships and relationships, and establishing cooperation.