For Immediate Release
Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of CPC Central Committee, welcomed a high-level business delegation from Hong Kong, led by Betty Yuen, Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on 9 November. The delegation included members of the Chamber’s General Committee, committee office-bearers and representatives from international chambers of commerce in Hong Kong.
During the meeting, Xia acknowledged the Chamber’s important role in promoting Hong Kong’s economic and trade development over the past 162 years. He also recognized its contributions to the city’s prosperity and stability, as well as facilitating the country’s economic development, especially in the finance field. Going forward, he said Hong Kong would proactively invest in innovation and technology development to dovetail with the country’s high-quality development.
Xia stressed that the Central Government values Hong Kong for its important role and immense added-value that it generates for the nation with its international expertise and in developing professional services, such as finance, law, logistics and talent, etc. He expressed optimism about Hong Kong’s future development and highlighted three points.
First, he has full confidence in Chief Executive John Lee and his governing team. Second, he has full confidence in the advantages of “one country, two systems,” which the wider business community in Hong Kong has always supported and foreign firms in Hong Kong leverage for long-term growth. He reiterated that there is no need for foreign investors to worry about any changes to the business environment in Hong Kong. Last, but not least, the Central Government remains positive about the outlook for Hong Kong and will continue to provide unwavering support for the long-term growth and prosperity of the city.
During the two-day trip, the delegation called on leaders of various government ministries and departments including: Wang Ping, Director General of the Third Bureau of the United Front Work Department of CPC Central Committee and Secretary General of the China Overseas Friendship Association; Fan Shijie, Director General of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, Ministry of Commerce; Pan Jiang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of the National Development and Reform Commission; Zhang Shaogang, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; Long Guoqiang, Vice President of the Development Research Centre of the State Council; and Yuen Wai Yin, Deputy Director of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing. Both sides discussed and shared views on current economic issues in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Members also visited the Exhibition Center of the Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone in Beijing and met with enterprises in the zone. They also exchanged ideas with representatives from Hong Kong Professionals (Beijing) Association and the Hong Kong Association of China Business in Beijing.
Media inquiries: Please contact Mr Jonathan Man at 2823-1229 / jonathan@chamber.org.hk