Chan: Türkiye’s story is defined by what it builds, not just protects

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan praised Türkiye’s advances in innovation, technology and industry at a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Türkiye to mark the Republic’s 103rd anniversary. Chan said trade between the two sides reached $2.3 billion last year.

Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, attended a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Türkiye in Hong Kong to mark the Republic’s 103rd anniversary and delivered a speech. The consulate shared Chan’s remarks: “Türkiye’s story is not only about what it protects; it is also about what it builds in innovation, technology and industry.”

According to the speech text published by the Hong Kong government, Chan congratulated the government and people of Türkiye on behalf of the Hong Kong government and welcomed Consul General Emirhan Yorulmazlar, who took up his post about a month ago. Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong, also attended the reception.

Consul General Emirhan Yorulmazlar, Paul Chan and Hua You at the reception

“Two places where East meets West”

Chan said that although Hong Kong and Türkiye differ in many respects, they are places where East meets West and cultures interact. He said goods trade between the two sides reached $2.3 billion last year, an 8.8 percent increase, while trade in services grew by an average of 16.5 percent annually from 2020 to 2024.

Chan stressed that the Double Taxation Agreement and the Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, which took effect this year, would give companies confidence. He recalled that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye signed a memorandum of understanding on financial technology in June. Chan said Türkiye was an important link in the Belt and Road Initiative and that Hong Kong could help Turkish companies access opportunities in mainland China and Asia.

Photos: Hong Kong Government, Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Hong Kong

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