Jointly organized by the Better Hong Kong Foundation (the Foundation), Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) and Shanghai Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (SCPPC), the Forum on “Economic Transformation and Development of Shanghai and Hong Kong in the Global Financial Crisis” was successfully held on 19 December 2008 in Shanghai. This was organized in an effort to better encounter the global financial crisis and to strengthen the cooperation between Shanghai and Hong Kong. Around 200 experts, scholars, government officials and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and the Mainland attended the Forum. The Forum was supported by Shanghai International Economic Exchange Foundation.
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan together with SCPPC Chairman Mr. Feng Guoqiang and SASS President Prof. Wang Ronghua officiated at the Forum’s Opening Ceremony. Prof. Lau Siu-kai, Head of Central Policy Unit of Hong Kong SAR Government and Mr. Zhang Guangping, Deputy Director-General of China Banking Regulatory Commission Shanghai Branch delivered their keynote speeches on “Challenges arising from U.S. economic crisis and economic transformation of Hong Kong” and “Financial crisis and regulation in Shanghai and Hong Kong” respectively.
To facilitate discussions, four sessions with themes on “Impact of financial tsunami on the economic transformation of Shanghai and Hong Kong and the way forward”, “Economic transformation of Shanghai and Hong Kong: challenges, paths and inspirations”, “Economic transformation of Shanghai and Hong Kong, and interaction within the region”, and “Financial crisis and interaction between Shanghai and Hong Kong” were set up. 12 invited speakers including Mr. Kwok Kwok-chuen, former Government Economist and Honorary Senior Research Fellow of University of Hong Kong; Mr. Antony Hung, Asia Pacific Global Wealth Management Head of Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd; Dr. Zhou Bajun, senior research fellow of China Everbright Holding Co Ltd; Prof Francis Lui of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Prof. Tuan Chyan and Prof Linda Ng of Chinese University of Hong Kong; Dr. Thomas Chan, Head of China Business Center of Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr. Qiao Yide, Secretary of Shanghai Development Research Foundation, etc, shared their views on the topics. The Foundation’s Executive Director, Miss Karen Tang was one of the moderators and Foundation’s Council Members Ms. Winnie Ng and Mr. Albert Ip participated in the Forum.
In conclusion, Dr. Zuo Xuejin, Executive Vice-President of SASS appreciated the speakers and participants for sharing their insights of which would be consolidated and presented to related authorities in due course. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Li Liangyuan, Deputy Chairman of SCPPC thanked the organizers, speakers and participants for their efforts made to the Forum. He hoped that the economic cooperation and development between Shanghai and Hong Kong could be further enhanced and strengthened. After the Forum, the Foundation hosted a dinner for the organizers and speakers at the Xintiendi Club.
Prof. Wang Ronghua, President of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
The Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan delivering his opening remarks
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony
Around 200 experts, scholars, government officials and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and the Mainland attending the Forum
(L to R) Mr. Ronnie Chan (Executive Committee Chairman of the Foundation), Mr. Feng Guoqiang (Chairman of Shanghai Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) and Dr. Zuo Xuejin (Executive Vice-President of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences) at the opening ceremony
(L to R) The Foundation’s Council Member Mr. Albert Ip (Manager Director of Investments of Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd), Mr. Alfred Tsai (Manager Director of Investments of Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd, the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, and Mr. Antony Hung (Asia Pacific Global Wealth Management Head of Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd)
Mr. Ronnie Chan and Ms. Ding Zhijian (Committee of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese Affairs of Shanghai Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference)
Prof. Lau Siu-kai (middle), Head of Central Policy Unit of Hong Kong SAR Government and Mr. Zhang Guangping (right), Deputy Director-General of China Banking Regulatory Commission Shanghai Branch delivering their keynote speeches and answering questions on the floor
Mr. Kwok Kwok-chuen (2nd left) (Honorary Senior Research Fellow of University of Hong Kong/Former Government Economist), Dr. Zhou Bajun (3rd left) (Senior Research Fellow of China Everbright Holding Co Ltd) and Prof. Xu Mingqi (4th left) (Deputy Director of Institute of World Economy and research fellow of SASS) delivering their speeches and answering questions on the floor. Dr. Thomas Chan (1st left) (Head of China Business Center of Hong Kong Polytechnic University) as the moderator of the session
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms Karen Tang is one of the moderators
(L to R) Dr. Zuo Xuejin, Mr. Kwok Kwok-chuen, Mr. Li Liangyuan (Deputy Chairman of SCPPC), the Foundation’s Council Member Ms. Winnie Ng (Director of the Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd), Ms. Ding Zhijian and the Foundation’s Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang at the closing ceremony
(L to R) Group photo of Prof. Linda Ng (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Ms. Karen Tang, Prof. Tuan Chyan (Chinese University of Hong Kong) and Prof. You Anshan after the dinner
