A post-trip press conference was held on 3 July 2008 to brief members of the media about the main issues dealt with during the delegation’s stay in the U.S. Members of the delegation shared their observations and experiences gained from the trip at the press conference.
Ms. Karen Tang said that the theme of this year’s trip was “Hong Kong: an ideal place to live and to invest”. “We meant to share the strategic position and value of Hong Kong to China and to the region, especially with its well established core value and system and its proximity to the Mainland” explained Ms. Tang.
Mr. Daniel Fung commented that, “The upshot of our full and frank discussions over five days is that the United States have no burning issues with regard to Hong Kong and acknowledge that our governance, economy and rule of law after reversion to Chinese sovereignty have all been a remarkable success, although they will look with interest at our democratic development after 2017. As for China, the United States recognize that Sino-U.S. relations constitute the single most important strategic bilateral relationship in the world of the 21st Century. The conclusion reached by consensus with our interlocutors at the end of our weeklong mission is that, despite challenges in many areas including trade, currency, the environment, security including energy security, human rights, IPR protection, democracy and the rule of law, Sino-US relations will not merely remain stable but will continue to deepen, including deepening into strategic cooperation (including energy security and green tech), and the incoming US President Elect will likely govern from the center.”
Mr. James Thompson shared that, “I felt that our dialogue with numerous influential people in New York and Washington helped us relay the importance of Hong Kong’s position in the relationship between China and the United States. I came away from our trip with strong feelings that there is a keen understanding among America’s most influential ‘movers and shakers’ that the world is focusing on China as we enter the Asian Century. Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, I have confidence that trade and political relations with the United States will remain strong.”
The Foundation’s Council Member Mr. Joseph Yu expressed that he was glad to participate in this meaningful trip. He looked forward to more dialogues like these in the future. The Foundation’s Council Member Ms. Winnie Ng, who has already participated in the Foundation’s delegation to the U.S three times, believed that, “the Beijing Olympics marks a watershed in the development of China and an opportunity to further boost the international stature of Hong Kong”. The Foundation’s Council Member Dr. Gerald Chow further explained that, “China’s rise has always been complex and evolving. As it promotes an export-based economy while maintaining domestic stability in today’s flattened world, it is often faced with many daunting challenges. U.S.-Sino relations, in particular, have never before been in a delicate balance with strong nationalistic sentiment on both sides. With the coming U.S. election and perhaps, a more engaging foreign policy towards China with the new administration, this relationship can grow ever stronger through Hong Kong’s role in working as a bridge between these two great nations. That Hong Kong will continue to maintain a special place in the future of China is without question; but it is perhaps more compelling to imagine the possibilities of Hong Kong’s role in a world where China’s influence has never been greater.”
Delegation members attended the post-trip press conference: (L to R) Foundation’s Council Member Mr. Joseph Yu, Mr. Daniel Fung, Foundation’s Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang and Mr. James Thompson