Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun (left) and CEOs of multinationals at the headquarters of the bank in Beijing, June 7, 2015. [Photo: China Daily]

Hong Kong will soon become a new member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), AIIB president Jin Liqun said on Sunday.

Singapore-based newspaper Zaobao reports that Jin made the remarks at a press conference for AIIB's first annual meeting of the board of governors, adding that Hong Kong has already submitted an application.

Hong Kong's inclusion in AIIB has been under discussion recently, as the membership means more opportunities for Hong Kong.

Bank of China Hong Kong senior researcher Wang Chunxin thought Hong Kong could have many roles to play in the promotion of "Belt and Road" projects. These include:

- as a major international financing platform

- as an investment partner

- guiding inland enterprises

- facilitating RMB internationalization

- contributing talents

The annual meeting, opened last Saturday in Beijing, was attended by over 600 representatives.

Twenty-four countries, which had submitted applications previously, attended the meeting.

Applicant states or regions may officially join the organization in early 2017, after the AIIB opens its doors once again at the end of September.

The AIIB is an international financial institution proposed by China, aiming to support infrastructure projects in Asia. The bank is an open organization and all economies are welcome to join.