2012 Annual U.S. Delegation
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)
2012.06.20 - 2012.06.25