2001 - 2005

A delegation visit to the U.S., led by Mr. George Yuen, Chief Executive of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, included leading members from Hong Kong’s government and public bodies, such as Mr. Thomas Woo, Council Member of the Better Hong Kong Foundation; Mr. Daniel R Fung, Chairman of East-West Strategic Development Commission; Ms. Sarah Monks, Director of Communication, Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Ms. Pricilla Law from Invest Hong Kong, as well as representatives from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, and the Pacific Basic Economic Council (PBEC), an international organisation whose headquarters is in Hong Kong. The visit included over twenty-five high-level meetings in New York City and Washington, DC, with influential American audiences, including senior representatives from both the U.S. Administration and Congress; leading financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Standard & Poor’s, HSBC USA, Citigroup Inc., and New York Stock Exchange; prominent think tanks including Asia Society, Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, National Committee on U.S.–China Relations, and mainstream media, like Forbes, Fortune Magazine and The Washington Post. The delegation had meetings with The Asia Society and the Guggenheim Museum, organisations which were interested in Hong Kong’s cultural development. The delegation also met with the Chinese Ambassador to the Unites States, Mr. Yang Jiechi, who especially wished to convey his best regards to the people of Hong Kong. The main purpose of the visit was to provide an annual update to American opinion leaders and interested parties on Hong Kong’s latest socio-political situation, economic outlook, and other issues of mutual interest. The delegation, in particular, highlighted two upcoming events, the Grand Opening of Disneyland and the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Meeting, which they believed would put Hong Kong in the international spotlight. The delegation also briefed the American participants on various aspects of Hong Kong developments, like constitutional development, educational reform, cultural development projects and environmental protection. Mr. Daniel R Fung, as the Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority, noted that Hong Kong was well positioned to be a regional broadcasting hub. Meeting with Cato Insitute Visit to New York Stock Exchange

The Better Hong Kong Foundation and the U.S.-Asia Institute organized a visit by a Congressional Staff Delegation from 19 to 21 August, 2002 – the 50th to China and the 20th to Hong Kong. Since its inception in 1995, the Foundation has worked closely with the U.S. – Asia Institute in promoting a better understanding between the U.S. and the Hong Kong SAR. The delegation visit to Hong Kong was an important event for the U.S. – Asia Institute and also demonstrated the strong partnership between the two organizations. The delegation had been in China from August 12- 18, 2002 before arriving in Hong Kong. During their visit, meetings were scheduled with key members of the SAR Government and business leaders. The Congressional Delegation included 10 high-ranking Congress and Senate staff. Through sharing their personal observations and experiences, they hoped to foster a greater understanding of China and Hong Kong, through discussions and meetings with key HKSAR policy makers and members of the business community. The delegation also examined Hong Kong’s “one country two system” mode of administration in respect to the rule of law, freedom of the press, clean government, and an efficient and effective open market. They also took time to meet people and visit places on their own, so as to have a first-hand experience of the way and quality of life in Hong Kong. Meeting with Trustee Dr. Ronnie Chan (the middle) Meeting with Hong Kong Secretary for Justice, Ms. Elsie Leung (third from left)

The Foundation continues to reinforce Hong Kong’s standing as a prominent business centre on the world map by visiting and updating American opinion-leaders and interested groups on Hong Kong. The delegation, led by Mrs. Nellie Fong, Chairman of the Executive Committee, included Foundation Trustee, and Group Managing Director of Lam Soon (Hong Kong) Ltd., Mr. Jim Tsao; Senior Counsel Mr. Daniel Fung; Hong Kong Productivity Council Chief Executive Mr. Thomas Tang; Goldman Sachs Managing Director Dr. Fred Hu; Wilkinson & Grist Consultant Ms. Anne Chen; and Salon Films. Managing Director Mr. Fred Wong. The delegation visited Washington D.C., New York and Los Angeles. Delegates presented the United States administration, congressmen, business leaders, think tanks and media with the latest political and economic situation of Hong Kong, and its investment outlook – especially against the background of China’s imminent accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Delegates also met with the top management of key U.S. corporations, including Citibank Vice Chairman, Mr. Bill Rhodes; Goldman Sachs Vice Chairman Mr. Robert Hormats; Standards & Poor’s President, Mr. Leo O’Neil; and Fortune Digital President, Mr. John Needham. The delegation also visited Nasdaq, Disneyland and Universal Studios. Lunch meeting with Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, Mr. Timothy Hauser   Meeting with Senator Daniel Inouye