Economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East remain strong and will continue to flourish despite ongoing regional conflicts, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday.

The special administrative region raised its outbound travel warning for Israel and Iran to its highest “black” level last week, and advised residents to avoid visiting the two Middle East countries that have been embroiled in a protracted military conflict.

Lee said the Immigration Department had received requests for assistance from 21 Hong Kong residents in the two countries as of Monday, but 20 of them have left the area.

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The SAR authorities will stay in touch with the other person and will provide help if needed.

Lee emphasized that despite the tension, economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East will endure, citing the cooperation and exchanges in recent years between the two regions that have deepened with more investments, as well as closer interactions among their people.

Lee led a business delegation, comprising Hong Kong and Chinese mainland entrepreneurs, on a four-day visit to Qatar and Kuwait last month. The trip has boosted the city’s ties with countries in the Middle East, with 59 memoranda of understanding and agreements signed. The pacts covered various fields, including the relaxation of visa policies for Hong Kong visitors to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Lee had also made official visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in February 2023 -- a few months after he assumed office.

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He said stability and security, including the safety of funds, investments and properties, are Hong Kong’s advantages and competitiveness, pledging that the SAR government will step up cooperation with the Middle East.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com