Merlin Swire (fifth from left, back row) and fellow delegates at the Global CEO Council summit hosted by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (sixth from left, front row).

In June, Merlin Swire, Deputy Chairman and CEO of John Swire & Sons Limited, met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the fourth roundtable summit of the Global CEO Council at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Attended by the Presidents and CEOs of 15 multinational corporations, the themes of this year's summit were the opportunities and challenges of China's 13th Five-Year Plan. Mr Swire shared his views on the role of Hong Kong as a "super connector" in the One Belt One Road initiative, and discussed the significance of the aviation industry in enhancing connectivity between China and the rest of the world. The summit also saw the business leaders visit the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and meet with its President, Mr Jin Liqun.