B: Congratulations on your win! What inspired you to stand for election, and how does the role align with your work at the Chamber and your values? 

JL: Thank you! I am deeply honoured to have this opportunity to serve both the business community and the public. My inspiration stems from a guiding belief: “One generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade.” I have benefited from the strong foundations laid by my predecessors, and now it is my turn to give back.  

My professional journey has been shaped by resilience and adaptation. Right after secondary school, I faced the 1990 Asian Financial Crisis and had to help with the family business. I studied at night school to earn a university degree, eventually building a manufacturing company. From the 2008 financial crisis to the Covid pandemic, each wave brought growth and learning, and I benefited directly from supportive Government policies. I understand entrepreneurs must keep ideals while evolving, which is why, at 49, I moved into green tech.  

For seven years, I served as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Chamber’s Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee, leading delegations abroad to new markets. My decade-long involvement with the Chamber has shown me that there is still room to do more. I am committed to expanding practical support for our members and ensuring their voices shape policy.  

B: What are your top priorities for the upcoming term? 

JL: The Chamber serves enterprises of all sizes – a true microcosm of Hong Kong’s economy. My top priority is to listen to members’ challenges and establish regular channels to collect feedback to formulate concrete legislative proposals. 

Second, I aim to unify the business voice and promote Hong Kong globally. A key focus is telling Hong Kong’s story. In fact, success stories from foreign-invested companies and long-standing business families are among our most compelling messages abroad. 

Third, I will champion diversity and an international perspective. The Chamber brings together foreign-invested, Mainland‑funded and local companies across various industries. This diversity is vital to the Chamber. I will work to attract investment and talent while urging more overseas delegations across both traditional and emerging markets.  

B: How do you plan to advocate for Hong Kong businesses, especially SMEs, within LegCo? 

JL: Advocating for SMEs, the backbone of our economy, is at the core of my mandate. I plan to focus on two key areas: improving policy effectiveness and ensuring genuine representation. 

On policy, I will work to safeguard essential schemes like the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme and principal moratorium arrangements and push for clearer application processes for grants. 

A practical hurdle is administrative complexity. I have heard from companies that applied for exhibition funding, only to face such lengthy approval times. Many SMEs lack dedicated staff to navigate these procedures. Therefore, I will strongly advocate for streamlined administration to make it far easier for enterprises to access the support they need.  

B: How can Hong Kong’s appeal to international professionals be enhanced to grow its talent pool? 

JL: To maintain Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial and business hub, attracting and growing a global talent pool requires a forward-looking strategy. 

Robust support in housing, healthcare and schooling will help talent settle and build a life here. Streamlined visa approvals and easier recognition of foreign qualifications will remove barriers for skilled professionals. 

Regular updates to the Talent List will ensure alignment with global economic and technological trends, addressing manpower gaps while driving industrial diversification.  

Recent initiatives, such as HKUST’s new medical school, which combines innovation with education, reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a biomedical hub and attract overseas scholars. Furthermore, it is essential to educate and upskill local talent, which is a long-term investment in our city’s future. 

B: How do you envision strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors? 

JL: Effective partnerships are essential for translating policy into tangible progress. The government provides the policy framework and resources, while the private sector contributes crucial market knowledge, agility and innovation.  

This conviction comes from personal experience. My company has partnered with the Government to develop solar-powered manhole covers, demonstrating how startups and research firms can inject new technology into public utilities. It is this model of outcome-oriented partnership that I want to champion. 

B: What role do you see for the Chamber in driving greater integration with Mainland markets? 

JL: The Chamber acts as a vital bridge, positioning Hong Kong as the preferred gateway for international firms entering China and the region. This role includes providing timely market intelligence and policy briefings to close information gaps. The Chamber also facilitates partnerships through forums, missions and sector-specific matchmaking.  

Advocacy is another priority: gathering members’ cross-border challenges, whether in customs, financial connectivity or professional services, and presenting these to both governments to support smoother integration. At the same time, we must help Hong Kong firms expand into the GBA while supporting Mainland companies in leveraging our city to go global. 

B: Amid global uncertainties, what steps will you champion to bolster confidence and secure Hong Kong's role as a leading financial hub? 

JL: As a “super connector,” Hong Kong plays an indispensable role in times of uncertainty. Strengthening this role requires a strategy that builds internal resilience while amplifying global positioning. 

Domestically, confidence begins with a robust business sector, especially SMEs. Enhanced support schemes, easier financing and practical tax incentives will help businesses grow and strengthen industries like retail and catering, which directly influence sentiment and spending. 

Externally, Hong Kong must maintain a stable, predictable policy environment to give investors long-term certainty. Market integrity should be reinforced through transparency, investor protections and efficient dispute resolution. At the same time, economic diversification through innovation and green finance is necessary for future-proof growth. 

B: How do you intend to engage Chamber members and the broader business community in shaping your agenda and ensuring their voices are heard? 

JL: To ensure my agenda reflects the challenges of the business community, I will participate in Chamber committee meetings to understand industry-specific concerns and translate practical suggestions into legislative and policy initiatives.  

Members’ voices must also be heard directly in the legislative process. When key topics arise in LegCo, I will advocate for inviting Chamber representatives and industry experts to share insights. Beyond Hong Kong, I will work with the authorities to include more business leaders in global forums.  

B: Looking ahead, what is your vision for Hong Kong’s business landscape over the next decade? 

JL: I am confident about Hong Kong’s prospects over the next decade. My family and I are deeply committed to this city, and we will remain here because I cannot imagine a better place to build our future. This confidence is rooted in the unique advantages of “one country, two systems,” which give Hong Kong unparalleled connectivity to the Chinese Mainland while preserving its global outlook and open business environment. 

At the heart of this vision is the Northern Metropolis, which will redefine Hong Kong’s growth model. Positioned next to Shenzhen’s innovation hub, it will become our primary engine for innovation and technology, while offering integrated urban living via housing, cultural amenities and green spaces. 

This momentum aligns with national strategy. The 15th Five-Year Plan reinforces Hong Kong’s role as an international financial, shipping and trade centre while supporting its rise as an I&T hub. With the Government and businesses working hand in hand, we will attract global talent and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a gateway to the world.