Entering a new decade of the Belt and Road Initiative, the digital "Silk Road" was poised to scale new heights, with innovation and transformation in cross-border payments being the key to expanding cooperation among BRI partner economies. To harness the opportunities brought by the digital era, the Belt and Road Forum themed “Digital Economy & Payment Settlement” was held on December 5, 2024, at Conrad Hong Kong.

The Ng Teng Fong· Sino Group Belt and Road Research Institute of the Hong Kong Chu Hai College, the Silk Road Economic Development Research Center, and the Maritime Silk Road Society jointly hosted the “Belt and Road Forum 2024 · Digital Economy & Payment Settlement” with the following details:

• Date: 5th December 2024 (Thursday)
• Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Venue: Conrad Hong Kong, Admiralty, Hong Kong
• Language: English
• No. of audience: 250
• Opening remarks: The Hon John KC LEE, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
• Welcoming remarks: Mrs. Regina Ip, Co-Chair, Maritime Silk Road Society
• Keynote speech: Prof. Yong Shi, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Director of CAS Research Center on Fictitious Economy & Data Science
• Panel discussions:
  1. “Cross-Border Payments Fueling the Accelerated Growth of Global E-Commerce”
  2. “The Development and Implementation of Web 3.0 in Hong Kong”
• Votes of Thanks: Mr. Lam Kwong Siu, Chairman, Board of Governors, Hong Kong Chu Hai College

The organizers consistently held BRI forums on specialized topics related to global BRI development trends since 2017, with participation from former Chief Executives of the HKSAR. This year, the Belt and Road Forum Committee was honoured to have the Hon John KC LEE, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, participating in this annual event. Our presence was greatly appreciated among 300 distinguished guests, including prominent business leaders from Hong Kong, mainland China, and overseas, Consul-Generals, government officials, entrepreneurs, and academics.