John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), left Hong Kong on May 10 for a five-day trip to Qatar and Kuwait with a trade delegation, the first time that mainland entrepreneurs have joined a Hong Kong trade delegation on an overseas visit.

The visit was aimed at strengthening ties with the Middle East in finance, trade, investment, and innovation technology, among other areas, and promoting Hong Kong's cooperation with local political and business communities.

The delegation comprises over 50 representatives, including more than 30 leaders from Hong Kong's business and professional sectors and over 20 entrepreneurs from mainland provinces such as Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong in finance, trade, infrastructure, innovation technology, energy and logistics.

The visit marked Lee's second trip to the Middle East since taking office as the HKSAR chief executive.