HK has head start in key areas of B&R cooperation

Chow Pak-chin points out the city has strong historical ties with many countries along the Maritime Silk Road

This won't be the last time you hear about my support for stronger Hong Kong involvement in the central government's Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. If you're wondering why I'm so adamant and long-winded on this particular issue, I suggest you wonder why Hong Kong isn't hopping gladly on the B&R bandwagon yet.

The truth is, Hong Kong enjoys an unsurpassable head start over many mainland cities and neighboring countries in reaping great profits and developmental benefits from the initiative, a remarkable development strategy aimed at promoting economic cooperation among countries along the B&R routes, not least through the free flow and more efficient allocation of economic, infrastructural and professional resources. For the greater good to be co-created and distributed among participating countries and cities, five key areas of cooperation will need to be fulfilled. Firstly policy coordination, which will see participating countries jointly formulating development plans and resolving problems through consultation and mutual policy support. Secondly facility connectivity, which will have participating countries committed to prioritizing areas of construction and connecting infrastructure facilities to enable unobstructed transport via an integrated, well-connected infrastructure network that joins the sub-regions of Asia with other parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. Thirdly unimpeded trade, which will be achieved through participating countries' commitment to resolving issues related to investment and trade facilitation, in order to promote regional economic integration. Fourthly, financial integration, which will be enhanced through coordination in monetary policies and currency exchange. Finally, people-to-people connections, which can be fostered through inter-cultural exchanges and dialogues.

Historically, as an entrepot and important trading hub, there is little room to dispute Hong Kong's experience in cultural exchange with countries in the region and further beyond. Considering constant and close cultural exchange with countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, whether through trade, migration or leisure travel, it is little surprise that we are no strangers to each other's linguistic, cultural and even culinary traditions. We have such a significant population of nationals from countries along the Maritime Silk Road - many of whom are second, third or fourth generation born and raised in Hong Kong - that we have long incorporated their cultures and traditions into our own as an integral part of the cityscape. Case in point - as an Indonesian Chinese born and raised in Hong Kong, I can reassure you that you don't have to go all the way to Indonesia for an interpreter who is well-versed in Indonesian, Malay, English, Cantonese and Putonghua, nor do you have to fly all those hours to Indonesia for an authentic meal, complete with nasigoreng and satay skewers.

Taking advantage of long-established cultural common ground, there are a few things Hong Kong can do to contribute to the B&R Initiative, and be favorably rewarded financially, economically and culturally. Our railway management expertise is a good place to start. The MTR's technical management know-how befitting its 218.2 kilometers of track has been sought to assist with the operation and management of Melbourne's Metropolitan Rail Service in Australia, the Stockholm Metro, Stockholm Commuter Rail and Stockholm Gothenburg Intercity Express Service in Sweden, not to mention the operation of the Beijing Subway Line 4, 14 and 16, Shenzhen Metro Line 4, and Hangzhou Metro Line 1. There is no reason why we shouldn't share and contribute this internationally recognized railway management expertise to the multiple railways that are being constructed or earmarked to be constructed, according to the B&R, to create an unobstructed transport network among countries. And it's not just the management of railway infrastructure where our contribution will prove useful, but also the financing.

Likewise the Airport Authority of Hong Kong, with numerous accolades to validate its governance, has been credited with excellent airport experience for passengers and cargo freight service providers alike. The authority could lend its expertise to the Chinese mainland's construction companies and help shed light on what it takes to build and operate airports that have the capacity to support high traffic in an efficient manner, much as Hong Kong International Airport does.

Needless to say, the sheer scale of infrastructure construction designated by the B&R Initiative can certainly do with expertise from professional industries too. For instance, an architect, whose name I shall leave anonymous here, has for the past decade or so been put in charge of major architectural projects in Mumbai - when he wasn't busy sharing his expertise in Kenya.

With a large pool of skilled and talented professionals in Hong Kong, equipped with cultural understanding and common grounds with participating countries in the B&R, it is a wonder that we aren't seeing more of their involvement in the initiative, which is destined to create a sea-change in the economic, commercial and cultural developments in the region.

(HK Edition 06/02/2017 page1)