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EVENT

Delegation

2012 Annual U.S. Delegation

2012.06.20 - 2012.06.25

The Better Hong Kong Foundation (“the Foundation”) completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 20 to 25 June 2012. This year’s delegation was led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Ltd, and joined by four Foundation’s Council Members Mr. Philip Ma, Deputy Chairman & CEO of the Sincere Co Ltd; Mr. Sebastian Man, Chairman & CEO of Chung Mei International Holdings Ltd; Ms. Juliana Lam, Director of AML Group Holdings Ltd and Mr. Leung Wai-fung; and Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang. The Foundation also invited Prof. Liu Pak-wai, Professor of Economics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong as the chief commentator on economic affairs of the delegation.

The main purpose of the delegation was not only to foster a better understanding of the political, economic and social developments in both the United States and Hong Kong, but also shared our observations and views with interlocutors in the United States on how Hong Kong business sector looked at the change in the governing philosophy and the business environment in Hong Kong and Mainland China under the new leadership. The potential of Hong Kong as off-shore RMB center was also highlighted.

The delegation visited the Executive Branch (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Commerce); members of the Legislative Branch (Congressional staffers and former Congressmen); think tanks (The Brookings Institution,  The Heritage Foundation, National Committee on US-China Relations, Foreign Policy Association and US-Asia Institute); a financial institution (Morgan Stanley); a rating agency (Standard & Poor’s); and a university (George Washington University). The delegation also visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington DC.

The delegation was invited to luncheons and dinner hosted by the Embassy of the PRC in the U.S. (Ambassador Zhang Yesui and Minister Yang Zigang), the Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN (Ambassador Li Baodong) and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York (Deputy Consul General Dong Xiaojun).

At a luncheon speech titled “The Business and Economic Environment in Hong Kong and Mainland China under the New Leadership”, Mr. Ronnie Chan talked about his observations on the latest developments in China and the role of Hong Kong. He pointed out that the new leadership of both Mainland China and Hong Kong will be facing a more difficult situation than their predecessors because of the recent international financial crisis, various demands and higher expectations from the society and its people. However, Mr. Chan has confidence on the effort and determination of the new leadership of Mainland China and Hong Kong to address those issues and to sustain a steady growth of economy. Mr. Ronnie Chan asserted that the new leadership of Mainland China would continue its reform and opening up policy, not because of particular personnel but rather because of the “necessity”. Hong Kong under the one country two systems and the gateway to Mainland China will continue to benefit from the growth and development of our motherland. On the other hand, only a healthy and constructive Sino-U.S. relationship will benefit both countries, especially under the volatile international economy. However, it has never been an easy task, especially when the U.S. economy is facing challenges and the President election in November adds to the uncertainty.

On the economic front, Prof. Liu Pak-wai highlighted the economic benefits to the development of Hong Kong into the premier international financial center as the Reminbi becomes an international currency for trading, investment and eventually foreign exchange reserve, a point that is not yet on the radar screen of most of our American host.

Ms. Tang expressed her sincere gratitude to the delegates and all organizations visited for their support in making the delegation a success. This regular updates and dialogue with the business community in New York and among interlocutors inside the Beltway is important in enhancing greater mutual understanding. The Foundation will endeavor to organize these kinds of visit to promote better understanding and collaboration.

Itinerary

Washington D.C.

19 June 2012 (Tuesday)

Dinner Hosted by Minister Yang Zigang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the U.S.A

20 June 2012 (Wednesday)

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office

  • Mr. Bassanio So, Director-General
  • Mr. Kenneth Chan, Deputy Director-General

Brookings Institution

  • Dr. Richard C. Bush, Director, Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies
  • Dr. Jeffrey Bader, Whitehead Senior Fellow in International Diplomacy

The Heritage Foundation Speaking Luncheon: “A Business Perspective on the Chinese Economy” by Mr. Ronnie Chan and Prof. Liu Pak-wai

  • Dr. Edwin Feulner, President, The Heritage Foundation
  • Mr. Robert Pennington, Trustee, The Heritage Foundation
  • Mr. David Addington, Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, The Heritage Foundation
  • Ms. Elaine Chao, Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
  • Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation
  • Dr. Derek Scissors, Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation
  • Mr. J D Foster, Norman D Ture Senior Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
  • Mr. Ervin Yeo, First Secretary, Political Section, Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
  • Mr. Daniel Bob, Senior Fellow, Director for U.S.-Japan Programs, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
  • Mr. Bassanio So, Director-General, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
  • Ms. Oriana Mastro, Fellow, Center for a New American Security
  • Mr. Matt Stumpf, Director, Washington Office, Asia Society
  • Mr. Rudy deLeon, Senior Vice President of National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress
  • Mr. Ali Fisher, Policy Analyst and Manager, China Studies, Center for American Progress
  • Dr. Almarie Munley, Professor, Regent University
  • Mr. Jeremie Waterman, Executive Director, Greater China, Senior Policy Advisor, Asia, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress

  • The Hon Don Bonker (Washington)
  • The Hon William Zeliff, Jr (New Hampshire)
  • The Hon Martin Frost (Texas)
  • The Hon William Hudnut III (Indiana)
  • The Hon Baron Hill (Indiana)
  • The Hon John Tanner (Tennessee)
  • Mr. Peter Weichlein, Executive Director

U.S. Department of Commerce

  • Mr. Craig Allen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Market Access and Compliance
  • Mr. Alain de Sarran, Deputy Regional Director, Office of International Operations-East Asia Pacific
  • Mr. Joshua Wu, International Trade Specialist, Office of the China and Mongolia

Dinner Hosted by Mr. Benjamin Wu, President, USAI

21 June 2012 (Thursday)

Capitol Hill Breakfast Forum with Key Congressional Advisors

  • Mr. Ben Wu, Mr. Robert Jordan, Mr. Al Reyes, Mr. Ben Fishburne, US-Asia Institute
  • Mr. John Sandy, Chief of Staff, Senator James Risch (R-Idaho)
  • Mr. Hunter Ridgway, Chief of Staff, Rep. John Olver (D-Massachusetts)
  • Mr. George Rogers, Counsel, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio)
  • Mr. Scott Shiller, Legislative Director, Rep. Billy Long (R-Missouri)
  • Ms. Bridgette DeHart, Legislative Counsel, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-New York; Secretary Congressional Black Caucus)
  • Mr. Warren Tryon, Deputy Staff Director, House Financial Services Committee
  • Dr. Thomas Lum, Congressional Research Service
  • Mr. Wally Hsueh, Staff Director, Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee

George Washington University

  • Dean Doug Guthrie, GWU Business School
  • Dean Michael E. Brown, GWU Elliott School

Luncheon Hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the U.S.A

  • Ambassador Zhang Yesui
  • Mr. Zhou Jingxing, Counselor

U.S. Department of State

  • Mr. Aubrey Carlson, Director, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs
  • Ms. Amelia Liebhold, Foreign Affairs Officer, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs

Mr. Al From, Founder and Former CEO of the Democratic Leadership Council

New York

22 June 2012 (Friday)

Breakfast Meeting Hosted by Foreign Policy Association

  • Mr. Noel Lateef, President, Foreign Policy Association
  • Mr. James Dougherty, Whitehead Fellow, Foreign Policy Association
  • Mr. Daniel McKevitt, Chief Financial Officer, Foreign Policy Association
  • Mr. Tor Miller, Online Editorial Intern, Foreign Policy Association
  • Mr. Takako Fujiki, Director of Meetings Program, Foreign Policy Association
  • Mr. Walter Bell, Chairman, Swiss Re America Holding Corp.
  • Mr. Edward F Cox, Partner, Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler
  • Mr. Brendan Dougher, NY Metro Region Managing Partner, PwC
  • Mr. Duncan Edwards, President & CEO, Hearst Magazines International
  • Ms. Nina Henderson, Managing Partner, Henderson Advisory
  • Mr. Alex Lari, Chairman, The Claremont Group
  • Mr. Stephen Lari, Principal, The Claremont Group
  • Mr. Thomas Michaud, CEO & President, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
  • Mr. Reed Phillips III, Managing Partner, DeSilva & Phillips
  • Mr. Hugh Roome, President, Scholastic International
  • Mr. Fred Teng, Chairman, Hong Kong Association of New York
  • Mr. Enzo Viscusi, Senior Advisor, ENI S.p.A
  • Mr. Spiros Voutsinas, President, Atlantic Bank

Standard and Poor’s

  • Mr. Paul Coughlin, Executive Managing Director, Global Analytics & Operations
  • Mr. John Piecuch, Director, Communications

Luncheon Hosted by the Permanent Mission of P.R. China to the United Nations

  • Ambassador Li Baodong, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations
  • Ms. Lu Hailin, Spouse of Ambassador Li Baodong

Dinner Hosted by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York

  • Mr. Dong Xiaojun, Deputy Consul General
  • Mr. Zhang Minjing, Consul
  • Mr. Wu Jun, Vice Consul

25 June 2012 (Monday)

National Committee on U.S. China Relations

  • Ms. Jan Berris, Vice President
  • Mr. Jonathan Lowet, Director, Leadership Initiatives
  • Mr. Daniel Murphy, Senior Program Officer
  • Ms. Haini Guo, Senior Program Officer
  • Mr. Daniel Rosen, Partner, Rhodium Group

The Hong Kong Association of New York Speaking Luncheon: “The Business and Economic Environment in Hong Kong and Mainland China under the New Leadership ” by Mr. Ronnie Chan and Prof. Lui Pak-wai

Morgan Stanley

  • Mr. Vincent Reinhart, Managing Director, Chief U.S. Economist
  • Mr. David Lew, Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley

 

 


Luncheon hosted by Ambassador Zhang Yesui (middle)


Speaking Luncheon at the Heritage Foundation


Meeting with former Congressmen


Meeting with representatives of Department of State


Luncheon hosted by Ambassador Li Baodong (middle) and Mrs. Li (on his right)

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