Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam (4th L) and Thailand's deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak (4th R) cut a ribbon during the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Bangkok, in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Feb. 28, 2019. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) was inaugurated in Bangkok on Thursday for deeper economic and trade relations and cooperation. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

BANGKOK, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) was inaugurated in Bangkok on Thursday for deeper economic and trade relations and cooperation.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said the establishment of the Bangkok office is a clear and compelling statement of the importance of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to Hong Kong.

The Bangkok office is the third ETO established by the Hong Kong SAR in ASEAN region after Jakarta and Singapore.

Lam expected the office to play the role of facilitator to connect businesses and organizations between Hong Kong and Thailand, and serve as a catalyst to take the cooperation of both sides to new heights and fresh directions.

Somkid Jatusripitak, Thailand's deputy prime minister in charge of the country's economy affairs, said Thailand aims to use Hong Kong as a gateway to China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

He said Thailand expected more investment from the Greater Bay Area.

On Thursday, Lam also met Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.