Having high-powered CEOs and wealthy tycoons on board can be a real highlight when state or local leaders travel overseas in search of new markets and business opportunities.

US President Donald Trump created an extra buzz recently on his state visit to China when he took along with him a delegation of billionaire business executives with a combined net worth of about US$1 trillion.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu understands how it works, which is why he has been leading business delegations on overseas trips ever since he took office in 2022. After various visits to countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East, his most recent trip was to Central Asia to build partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

What made it special this time was his decision to include representatives from two major local media organisations and key media owners in his delegation.

As unprecedented as this was, it also underscored the significant difficulties Hong Kong’s media industry is facing in these economically, geopolitically and technologically challenging times.

Lee pledged in his 2025 policy address to help the local media cultivate markets beyond Hong Kong, but he also promised “not to interfere in what they do”, expressing his trust in their “high standard” of professionalism. It makes sense for the overseas expansion of local media to be considered an important part of Hong Kong’s efforts to enhance its status as an international city.