China Committee expanding relations with Mainland officials; feeding members information on business opportunities

China's entry into the WTO will result in far-reaching changes within the business environment in China, China Committee Chairman Stanley Hui said at this year's AGM.

"It is expected that the economic situation in the Mainland will have progressive changes and development in the new century," he said. "We believe that, in this new era of China's economic development, Hong Kong will enjoy numerous opportunities and develop to become the leading regional and international hub for China."

To help Chamber members grasp these opportunities, the China Committee proactively advised the Chamber on various China-related business issues, and organised events for members to obtain first-hand, pertinent information on the Mainland market.

These included a conference in January 2000 to release the Chamber's report on "China's Entry into the WTO and the Impact on Hong Kong Business." As of the end of 2000, over 1,200 reports had been sold.

"We also assisted the Chamber develop closer connections with Chinese officials," Mr Hui said. "Last year, meetings with many major VIP visitors were arranged, including Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) Vice Minister Sun Zhenyu; MOFTEC Vice Minister Long Yongtu; Dalian Party Secretary Bo Xilai and Beijing Mayor Liu Qi."

The committee also organised a series of outgoing missions. These included the committee's annual Beijing visit in January, a study mission to Huizhou, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Zhaoqing in May, and a delegation to Xiamen for the 4th China Fair for International Investment and Trade in September.

Developing the western region ranks high on China's economic development agenda, and on the committee's work. Last year, the committee led a study mission to Xian, Lanzhou, Dunhuang and Urmuqi in early August, and another one to Sichuan and Chongqing in October.

To complement the missions, a training seminar on "Attracting Foreign Funds in China's SOE Reform" was held in cooperation with the China Enterprise Confederation and CCPIT. This seminar was also offered to SOE managers from Central and Western China.

Another major China event was the "China Business Conference 2000," held in December. Speakers from the United States, Hong Kong, the Mainland and Taiwan shared with participants their insights on business opportunities brought about by China's imminent entry into the WTO and the Mainland's western development strategy, Mr Hui said. B

B