Published: 9:24pm, 27 Oct, 2017 Updated: 2:55pm, 20 Jul, 2018
Chinese President Xi Jinping is to speak at the Boao Forum in Asia on 8 may where he is expected to announce plans to create free - trade ports along China 's coastline , as previously hinted in 2007 . This move would allow greater maritime security . It could also undermine Hong Kong 's reputation as a link between China and the rest of the world .