The Foundation successfully completed its visit to Beijing from 6 – 8 November 2023, after the pandemic. Led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, 16 delegates met with senior Central Government officials, experts and scholars to learn more about the national policies towards Hong Kong as well as to share the Foundation’s ongoing works. Before and after the handover, the Foundation as a NGO composed of business leaders spares no effort to share the real situations of Hong Kong and mainland China with the international community and foster communications with various sectors. Besides overseas visits, the Foundation also invites and receives officials, think tanks and journalists from abroad, telling positive stories of Hong Kong and mainland China. To cultivate and strengthen our younger generation’s understanding on the national development and diplomacy, the Foundation together with the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government co-organize the Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest with for more than 15 years. 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 discussion on strategic coordination and collaboration of the two places.
On 6 November 2023, the delegation was honored to meet with Mr. Zhou Ji, Executive Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council who in charge of day-to-day operations. At the meeting, the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Trustee Mr. David Chiu, Corporate Sponsor Mr. Andrew Yao, and Council Members Mr. Dario Pong and Mr. John Lee reported the Foundation’s core activities, especially the insights and experiences gained from various overseas visits to the US, Europe and the Middle East regions. Views on the integration between Hong Kong and mainland China, strengthening collaborations with ASEAN and enhancing the international financial center’s status were shared too.
Meeting with Mr. Zhou Ji, Executive Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council who in charge of day-to-day operations
On the same day, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Nong Rong received the delegation. Mr. Nong said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively supports people from all walks of life in Hong Kong in expanding exchanges and cooperation with other countries and regions, and helps Hong Kong tell the success stories of “One Country, Two Systems”. Mr. Ronnie Chan said the Foundation is willing to give full play to the advantages of people-to-people diplomacy and make greater contributions to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Nong Rong (10th right) met with the delegation, accompanied by Director-General of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Mr. Yang Yirui (8th left)
The delegation also met with senior Central Government officials, think tanks and experts to understand more about the country’s domestic and foreign economic prospects, financial policies and future development as well as discuss the international relations situation and challenges, etc.
Organizations and People Visited
– National Development and Reform Commission
Mr. Zheng Chiping, Director, Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment
– Ministry of Finance
Mr. Yang Yingming, Director, Department of International Economic Relations
– The People’s Bank of China
Mr. Jin Xhongxia, Director, International Department
– The Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing
Mr. Rex Chang, Director
– China Institute of International Studies
Ms. Chen Bo, President
– National Institute of Financial Research, Tsinghua University
Dr. Zhu Min, Chairman
– Caixin Media
Ms. Hu Shuli, Founder and Publisher
– China National Archives of Publications and Culture
List of Delegates:
1) Mr. Ronnie Chan (Leader)
Executive Committee Chairman, BHKF / Chair, Hang Lung Properties Ltd
2) Mr. David Chiu
Trustee, BHKF / Chairman, Far East Consortium International Ltd / Member of the Standing Committee, National Committee of the CPPCC
3) Mr. Dario Pong (Deputy Leader)
Council Member, BHKF / Executive Director, Shiu Wing Steel Ltd / Member of the Executive Committee, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce / Member, Gansu Provincial Committee of the CPPCC
4) Mr. Andrew Yao
Corporate Sponsor, BHKF / Chairman, Hong Kong Shanghai Alliance Holdings Ltd / Deputy to the National People’s Congress
5) Dr. Roy Chung
Council Member, BHKF / Co-founder & Non-Executive Director, Techtronic Industries Co Ltd
6) Mr. John Lee
Council Member, BHKF / Vice Chairman and Co-Head of Asia Country Coverage, Global Banking, UBS AG
7) Mr. Joseph Yu
Council Member, BHKF / Chairman, Roseville Group of Companies
8) Mr. Sebastian Man
Council Member, BHKF / Chairman & CEO, Chung Mei International Holdings Ltd
9) Mr. Thomas Woo
Council Member, BHKF / Executive Managing Director & General Manager, Hsin Kuang Restaurant (Holdings) Ltd
10) Mr. Tommy Hui
Council Member, BHKF / Executive Director & Vice President, Hengan International Group Co Ltd / Member, Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPPCC
11) Mr. Albert Chuang
Council Member, BHKF / Chairman & Managing Director, Chuang’s Consortium International Ltd / Member, Tianjin Municipal Political Consultative Conference
12) Ms. Alice Au
Council Member, BHKF / Partner, Spencer Stuart
13) Ms. Clara Chan
Council Member, BHKF / Chief Executive Officer, Lee Kee Holdings Ltd
14) Mr. Nathan Lee
Council Member, BHKF / Director and Head of Business Development, TR Capital
15) Mr. Paul Tai
Council Member, BHKF / Regional Director, Far East, Mainetti (HK) Ltd
16) Mr. Ronald Chan
Council Member, BHKF / Chief Investment Officer, Chartwell Capital Ltd
17) Ms. Karen Tang
Executive Director, BHKF
The BHKF Delegation to Beijing (L to R): Mr. Andrew Yao, Ms. Karen Tang, Mr. Paul Tai, Mr. Tommy Hui, Mr. Albert Chuang, Mr. Thomas Woo, Mr. Sebastian Man, Mr. Joseph Yu, Mr. John Lee, Mr. David Chiu, Ms. Alice Au, Mr. Ronnie Chan, Mr. Dario Pong, Dr. Roy Chung, Ms. Clara Chan, Mr. Ronald Chan and Mr. Nathan Lee