Experts and scholars discussed Hong Kong's achievements and opportunities over the past two decades at a forum and photo exhibition held at Columbia University on June 30, marking the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

"Tremendous opportunities are arising from the Belt and Road Initiative for Hong Kong," said Ralph Chow, regional director for the Americas of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

"Hong Kong is actively participating in this initiative and will offer support regarding policy coordination, facilitate connectivity, trade and investment, financial integration and cultural exchange," he said.

Besides the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Initiative will also bring new opportunities for Hong Kong in areas such as innovation, technology and financial and professional services.

"The development of the Greater Bay Area will enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness and improve Hong Kong's economic cooperation with other cities in the region and its infrastructure development," said Sean Xia, president of the US-China Advanced Institute for International Business.

"Hong Kong plays a significant role in the world political and economic arena," said Chow. "Over the past 20 years, its role has become even more important."

With the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Hong Kong has been serving as an international trade hub and shipping center, ranking prominently among the world's freest economies.

"Hong Kong's GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 3.2 percent from 1997 to 2016," said James Chieh Hsiung, a professor of politics at New York University.

The photo exhibition on display tells the story of Hong Kong's changes and improvements by capturing scenes of contemporary streets and buildings and contrasting them with pictures of the same locations 20 years ago.

Lei Cheng, China's deputy consul general in New York, and New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton also attended and addressed the forum, congratulating Hong Kong on its sustained prosperity, stability and impressive achievements since its handover to China.

Zhang Ruinan contributed to this story.

China Daily