The Foundation organized its third delegation to Beijing from 4 to 6 November 2024, enhancing information exchange and complementarity of advantages between mainland China and Hong Kong. Led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, the Delegation met with senior Central Government officials and thought leaders, enjoyed in-depth discussions, and shared ideas on how Hong Kong could better serve the country’s needs with its own strengths. The delegates also shared the missions of the Foundation since 1995 as a NGO composed of business leaders which spares no effort to share the real situations of Hong Kong and mainland China with the international community and foster communications with various sectors through various people-to-people exchange programmes, identifying Hong Kong’s strengths and challenges from the perspective of the business sector as well as consolidating ideas and insights to provide practical and valuable suggestions. Besides overseas visits, the Foundation also invites and receives officials, think tanks and journalists from abroad, and shows them true pictures of Hong Kong and mainland China In partnership with the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, the Foundation co-organizes the Shanghai-Hong Kong Collaboration Forum annually to facilitate in-depth discussions on strategic coordination and collaboration of the two places. To cultivate and strengthen our younger generation’s understanding of China’s development and diplomacy, the Foundation also joins hands with the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government, co-organizing the Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest for more than 16 years. Through the contest, Hong Kong youngsters could deepen their understanding to China and the world and, thus, be better equipped to take part in the future development of Hong Kong and our country.
This year, the delegation was honoured to be received by Mr. Nong Rong, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council. At the meeting, Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Corporate Sponsors Dr. Roy Chung and Mr. Dario Pong, and Council Members Ms. Catherine Leung and Mr. John Lee talked about the core areas that the Foundation has been working on. They shared views on current and forthcoming economic challenges and opportunities that Hong Kong is facing, introduced the overview of Hong Kong’s capital market, and highlighted their insights and experiences gained from various overseas visits to the US, Europe and the Middle East regions, as well as their efforts on attracting foreign investments. They also pointed out the paramount role that Hong Kong should and could play for its motherland, particularly in commodities such as metals, also in testing and certification.
Meeting with Mr. Nong Rong (first row, middle), Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of State Council
We were also honoured to be received by Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Chen was accompanied by Mr. Yang Yirui, the Director of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs. The delegates shared their experience in promoting people-to-people diplomacy and attracting foreign investment in different countries. The representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs encouraged the Foundation to continue dialogues with overseas counterparts to present the true story of Hong Kong and the nation.
(From left to right) Ms. Karen Tang, Vice Minister Chen Xiaodong, Mr. Ronnie Chan and Director Yang Yirui
The Delegation also met with officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, held a seminar with experts of the China Institute of International Studies, and enjoyed dialogues and exchanges with local economic experts and business leaders. Hence, the delegates have gained a comprehensive understanding and up-to-date information of the domestic and international economic outlook, financial policies and future development prospects, as well as international relations, challenges and risks.
Organizations and People Visited
- Zheng Chiping, Director, Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment, National Development and Reform Commission and representatives
- Liu Qing, Vice President, China Institute of International Studies, and experts
- Amy Yuen, Acting Director, Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing
- Peter Ling-Vannerus, Executive Committee Member, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
- Wang Xing, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Meituan
- Chairman Rabbit, renowned political and economic commentator
- Wu Tianhua, Founder, Tiger Brokers
- Li Wenjie, Senior Vice President, KE Holdings Inc cum Director, Beike Research Institute
- Li Gang, Distinguished Research Fellow, National Finance and Development Laboratory (NFDL)
List of Delegates
- Ronnie Chan (Leader)
Executive Committee Chairman, BHKF / Honorary Chair, Hang Lung Properties Ltd
- Adriel Chan
Trustee, BHKF / Chair, Hang Lung Properties Ltd
- Roy Chung
Corporate Sponsor, BHKF / Founder & Chairman, Bright Future Charitable Foundation
- Dario Pong (Deputy Leader)
Corporate Sponsor, BHKF / Executive Director, Shiu Wing Steel Ltd
- Joseph Yu
Council Member, BHKF / Chairman, Roseville Group of Companies
- Y K Chan
Council Member, BHKF / Senior Consultant, AXA China Region Insurance Co Ltd
- John Lee
Council Member, BHKF / Vice Chairman & Co-Head of Asia Country Coverage Global Banking, UBS AG
- Alice Au
Council Member, BHKF / Director & Co-lead of CEO, Asia Pacific, Spencer Stuart
- Clara Chan
Council Member, BHKF / Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Lee Kee Holdings Ltd
- Bosco Law
Council Member, BHKF / Deputy Chairman & CEO, Laws Fashion Group Ltd
- Paul Tai
Council Member, BHKF / Regional Director, Far East, Mainetti (HK) Ltd
- Catherine Leung
Council Member, BHKF / Co-Founder & Partner, MizMaa Ventures Ltd
- Karen Tang
Executive Director, BHKF
