2012 - 2016

The Foundation completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 7 to 10 June 2016. The main purpose of the delegation was to foster a better understanding of the political, economic and social developments in both the United States and Hong Kong. This year’s delegation was led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Ltd. Delegates included Council Members Mr. Thomas Woo, Executive Managing Director & General Manager, Hsin Kuang Restaurant (Holdings) Ltd; Ms. Winnie Ng, Director, The Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd; Mr. Philip Ma, Chairman & CEO, The Sincere Co Ltd; Mr. Sebastian Man, Chairman & CEO, Chung Mei International Holdings Ltd; Ms. Juliana Lam, Managing Director, Julius Industries Ltd; Mr. John Lee, Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Mr. Anson Chan, Chairman & CEO, Bonds Group of Companies and Ms. Rosana Wong, Executive Director, Yau Lee Holdings Ltd; and Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang. (L to R) Mr. John Lee, Mr. Sebastian Man, Mr. Ronnie Chan, Ms. Karen Tang, Ms. Juliana Lam, Mr. Zhu Min (Deputy Managing Director of IMF), Mr. Philip Ma, Mr. Thomas Woo, Ms. Rosana Wong and Mr. Anson Chan The delegation visited the Executive Branch (U.S. Department of State); members of the Legislative Branch (Congresswomen Grace Meng and Judy Chu); think tanks (The Brookings Institution, Cato Institute, Center for American Progress and Council on Foreign Affairs); financial and economic research institutions (International Monetary Fund, Morgan Stanley and Rhodium Group); a rating agency (Fitch Ratings); a university (George Washington University); NGOs (America China Public Affairs Institute, Asia Society, Hong Kong Association of New York and the U.S.-Asia Institute) and media (Barron’s). The delegation was honored that the Embassy of the PRC in the U.S. (DCM & Minister Wu Xi), the Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN (Ambassador Liu Jieyi) and the Consulate General of the PRC in New York (Ambassador Zhang Qiyue) hosted luncheons to welcome the delegation respectively. 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 continue to organize these kinds of visit to promote better understanding and collaboration. (Please click here to view the bios of the delegates.) Itinerary Washington D.C. 7 June 2016 (Tuesday) America China Public Affairs Institute – Mr. Fred Teng, President The Brookings Institution – Dr. Richard Bush, Director, Center for East Asia Policy Studies – Mr. Kenneth Lieberthal, Senior Fellow – Dr. David Dollar, Senior Fellow – Mr. Philippe Le Corre, Visiting Fellow Lunch hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China – Ms. Wu Xi, DCM & Minister (副館長吳璽公使) – Mr. Zhou Jingxing, Chief of the Political Section and Minster-Counselor (Political) – Ms. Fang Hong, Counselor (Political) – Mr. Hu Yumin, First Secretary Cato Institute – Dr. Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow International Monetary Fund – Mr. Zhu Min (朱民), Deputy Managing Director – Mr. Siddharth Tiwari, Director, Strategy, Policy and Review Department – Mr. Alfred Kammer, Deputy Director, Strategy, Policy and Review Department – Ms. Julie Ziegler, Senior Communications Officer, Strategy, Policy and Review Department Dinner hosted by The George Washington University – Ambassador Reuben Brigety II, Dean of Elliott School of International Affairs – Prof. Linda Livingston, Dean of School of Business – Prof. Ben Hopkins, Incoming Director of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies – Ms. Lori Cwalina, Assistant Vice President for Development at the Elliott School – Ms. Elizabeth Mitchell, Assistant Vice President at the School of Business Meeting at the Brookings Institution 8 June 2016 (Wednesday) Capitol Hill Breakfast Meeting hosted by The U.S.-Asia Institute – Mr. Jason Chung, Republican National Committee Director of Asian Pacific American Initiatives – Ms. Christine Chen, Director of Asia Pacific Islander American Vote – Mr. Christopher Nelson, Senior Vice President, Samuels International – Mr. Javade Chaudhri, Partner, Jones Day Law Firm; Trustee, US-Asia Institute – Ms. Julie Chon, Global Head Public Investment Strategy, Perry Capital; Trustee, US-Asia Institute – Ms. Mary Purdy, Senior Advisor, US-Asia Institute – Ms. Mary Sue Bissell, Executive Director, US-Asia Institute Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) Speaking Luncheon hosted by America China Public Affairs Institute Highlighted guests: – Ms. Barbara Franklin, Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce – Ms. Elaine Chao, Former U.S. Secretary of Labor – Ms. Charlene Barshefsky, Former U.S. Trade Representative – Mr. Rudy deLeon, Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense – Mr. Stapleton Roy, Former U.S. Ambassador to China – Mr. Douglas Paal, Former Director of American Institute in Taiwan – Mr. Norm Coleman, Former U.S. Senator from Minnesota – Mr. John Frisbie, President, US China Business Council Center for American Progress – Mr. Andy Green, Managing Director, Economic Policy – Mr. Rudy deLeon, Senior Fellow US Department of State – DAS Peter Haymond, Director, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs – Mr. Alan Brinker, Desk Officer, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs Speaking Luncheon hosted by America China Public Affairs Institute New York 9 June 2016 (Thursday) Breakfast Meeting hosted by Morgan Stanley – Mr. Thomas Nides, Vice Chairman – Ms. Lisa Shalett, Head of Investment and Portfolio Strategies, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Speaking Luncheon hosted by Asia Society for Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration Council on Foreign Relations – Mr. Justin Vogt, Deputy Managing Editor, Foreign Policy Barron’s – Mr. Ed Finn, Editor and Publisher of Barron’s US – Mr. Kopin Tan, Editor, Barron’s Asia Hong Kong Association of New York Gala Dinner for Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration With Mrs. Carrie Lam (4th right) at the HKANY Gala Dinner 10 June 2016 (Friday) Breakfast Meeting hosted by the Hong Kong Association of New York Fitch Ratings – Mr. Dan Champeau, Managing Director, Global Public Finance, Global Infrastructure & Project Finance – Mr. Jack Archibald, Senior Director, Business Development, Public Finance Luncheon Jointly Hosted by the Permanent Mission of P.R. China to the United Nations and Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York – Ambassador Liu Jieyi (劉結一大使), Permanent Representative – Ambassador Zhang Qiyue (章啟月大使),Consul General Rhodium Group – Mr. Daniel Rosen, Partner – Ms. Jeeway Kan, Director of Business Development Ambassador Liu Jieyi (5th right) and Ambassador Zhang Qiyue (6th right) jointly hosted a luncheon for the delegation  

The Foundation completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 6 to 9 July 2015. The main purpose of the delegation was to foster a better understanding of the political, economic and social developments in both the United States and Hong Kong. This year’s delegation was led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Ltd. Delegates included Council Members Mr. John Lee, Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Mr. Andrew Yao, Chairman of Van Shung Chong Holdings Ltd. The Foundation also invited Dr. David Wong, Chairman of Business & Professionals Federation of Hong Kong as the invited expert of the delegation. The Delegation: (L to R) Mr. John Lee, Dr. David Wong, Mr. Ronnie Chan and Mr. Andrew Yao   The delegation visited the Executive Branch (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Commerce); members of the Legislative Branch (Congressional staffers); think tanks (Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Heritage Foundation, Hudson Institute, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-Asia Institute); a financial institution (Morgan Stanley); a university (George Washington University); NGOs (America China Public Affairs Institute and various Jewish associations in New York) and media (Bloomberg). The delegation also visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Washington DC. The delegation was honored that the Embassy of the PRC in the U.S. (Ambassador Cui Tiankai), the Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN (Ambassador Liu Jieyi) and the Consulate General of the PRC in New York (Ambassador Zhang Qiyue) hosted luncheons to welcome the delegation respectively. 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 continue to organize these kinds of visit to promote better understanding and collaboration.   (Please click here to view the bios of the delegates.)   Itinerary   Washington D.C. 6 July 2015 (Monday) Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office –          Mr. Clement Leung, Hong Kong Commissioner, USA –          Mr. Law Kin-wai, Deputy Director-General –          Ms. Beatrice Chiu, Assistant Director-General   Center for Strategic and International Studies –          Dr. Scott Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies –          Mr. Scott Miller, Senior Adviser & William M Scholl Chair in International Business –          Ms. Anna Saito Carson, Director for Corporate Relations   Luncheon hosted by America China Public Affairs Institute –          Mr. Fred Teng, President of ACPAI –          Mr. John Negroponte, McLarty Associates –          Dr. Richard Solomon, Rand Corporation –          Mr. Jeffery Bader, Brookings Institution –          Dr. Douglas Paal, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace –          Dr. Richard Bush, Brookings Institution –          Mr. Vikram Singh, Center for American Progress –          Mr. Charlie Cook, The Cook Political Report   The Heritage Foundation –          Mr. John Fogarty, Vice President, Development –          Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center –          Mr. Kim Holmes, Distinguished Fellow –          Mr. Mike Gonzalez, Senior Fellow, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy –          Mr. Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center –          Mr. Anthony Kim, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Trade & Economics   U.S. Department of Commerce –          Mr. Stefan Selig, Under Secretary for International Trade Luncheon hosted by America China Public Affairs Institute   Dinner hosted by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office 7 July 2015 (Tuesday) Capitol Hill Breakfast Meeting hosted by the U.S.-Asia Institute U.S. Department of State –          Ms. Susan Thornton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs –          Mr. Alan Brinker, Desk Officer, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs   Lunch hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China –          Ambassador Cui Tiankai –          Mr. Zhou Jingxing, Chief of the Political Section and Minister-Counselor (Political) –          Mr. Wang Shiquan, Second Secretary   Hudson Institute –          Ms. Elaine Chao, 24th US Secretary of Labor –          Dr. Kenneth Weinstein, President and CEO –          Mr. John Walter, Chief Operating Officer & Director, Hudson Political Studies Program –          Mr. Christopher DeMuth, Distinguished Fellow –          Mr. Eric Brown, Senior Fellow   Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University –          Prof. Robert Sutter, Professor of Practice of International Affairs –          Prof. Steve Suranovic, Associate Professor of Economics and International Affairs –          Prof. Doug Shaw, incoming Senior Associate Provost for International Strategy –          Ms. Lori Cwalina, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations –          Ms. Meegan McVay, Director of Development   Ambassador Cui Tiankai (middle) hosted a luncheon for the delegation   New York 8 July 2015 (Wednesday) Breakfast Meeting hosted by Morgan Stanley –          Mr. Harold Ford Jr, Managing Director –          Ms. Ellen Zentner, Chief Economist Bloomberg –          Ms. Karen Toulon, Executive Editor, Global Newsmakers – Radio network –          Ms. Bonnie Cao, Reporter, China (based in NY) –          Ms. Sangwon Yoon, Reporter, Emerging Markets – Global Affairs –          Mr. Nathaniel Baker, Reporter, Bloomberg Briefs Luncheon hosted by the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations –          Ambassador Liu Jieyi, Permanent Representative –          Mr. Yao Shaojun, Counsellor –          Ms. Yang Yi, First Secretary, Political Adviser   Dinner Hosted by America China Public Affairs Institute – “Israel, China, United States, and Hong Kong – A Global Perspective” Participants: Leaders (officers and board members) of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation (UJA), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and the Israeli Consulate Meeting with Jewish associations in New York   9 July 2015 (Thursday) Breakfast Meeting hosted by the U.S.-Asia Institute National Committee on U.S.-China Relations –          Mr. Stephen Orlins, President –          Ms. Haini Guo, Senior Program Officer –          Mr. Jonathan Lowet, Senior Director, Leadership Initiatives  Luncheon hosted by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York –          Ambassador Zhang Qiyue, Consul General –          Ms. Liu Yi, Commercial Counselor –          Mr. Guo Zhenguang, Consul   Meeting with National Committee on U.S.-China Relations  

The Foundation completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 24 to 27 June 2014. The main purpose of the delegation was to foster a better understanding of the political, economic and social developments in both the United States and Hong Kong. This year’s delegation was led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Ltd. Delegates included Council Members Mr. Philip Ma, Deputy Chairman & CEO of The Sincere Co Ltd; Mr. John Lee, Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Mr. Andrew Yao, Chairman of Van Shung Chong Holdings Ltd; and Mr. Dario Pong, Managing Director of Ferro Resources Ltd as well as Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang. The Foundation also invited Mr. Johnny Mok, Member of the Basic Law Committee of the HKSAR and Senior Counsel as the invited expert of the delegation. The Delegation: (L to R) Mr. Ronnie Chan, Ms. Karen Tang, Mr. John Lee, Mr. Johnny Mok, Mr. Philip Ma, Mr. Andrew Yao and Mr. Dario Pong The delegation visited the Executive Branch (U.S. Department of State and National Security Council); members of the Legislative Branch (Congresswoman and congressional staffers); think tanks (The Brookings Institution, The Heritage Foundation, Center for American Progress, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-Asia Institute); a financial institution (Morgan Stanley); a rating agency (Standard & Poor’s); NGOs (Asia Society, America China Public Affairs Institute and Hong Kong Association of New York) and media (The Economist, The New York Times and The Washington Post). The delegation also visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Washington DC. The delegation was honored that the Embassy of the PRC in the U.S. (Ambassador Cui Tiankai) and the Consulate-General of the PRC in New York (Ambassador Sun Guoxiang and Deputy Consul General Cheng Lei) hosted luncheons to welcome the delegation respectively. The delegation was also received by the Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN (Ambassador Liu Jieyi) in New York. 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. (Please click here to view the bios of the delegates.) Itinerary  Washington D.C.  24 June 2014 (Tuesday)  Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office –  Mr. Kenneth Chan, Deputy Director-General –  Mr. Bill Wong, Assistant Director-General –  Ms. Crystal Lam, Assistant Director-General The Brookings Institution –  Dr. Richard Bush, Director, Center for East Asia Policy Studies and Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center  –  Dr. Doug Paal, Vice President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace –  Dr. Michael Martin, Specialist in Asian Affairs, Congressional Research Service Capitol Hill Luncheon Meeting hosted by the U.S.-Asia Institute The Heritage Foundation –  Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center –  Mr. Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow, Asian Studies Center –  Mr. Bill Wilson, Senior Research Fellow for Asia Economy, Asian Studies Center –  Mr. John Von Kannon, Vice President and Senior Counselor –  Mr. Mike Gonzalez, Senior Fellow, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy –  Mr. Kim Holmes, Distinguished Fellow U.S. Department of State –  Mr. Kin Moy, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs –  Mr. Joel Wiegert, Hong Kong Desk Officer, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs National Security Council –  Ms. Nancy Leou, Director for China and Korean Affairs Meeting at the U.S. Department of State 25 June 2014 (Wednesday)  Breakfast Meeting hosted by the America China Public Affairs Institute Center for American Progress –  Mr. Vikram Singh, Vice President, National Security and International Policy –  Mr. Rudy deLeon, Senior Fellow, National Security and International Policy –  Dr. Melanie Hart, Director, China Energy and Climate Policy –  Ms. Aarthi Gunasekaran, Research Assistant, National Security and International Policy  Lunch hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China –  Ambassador Cui Tiankai –  Ms. Xu Xueyuan, Political Counselor, Chief of Political Section –  Mr. Wang Qing, Political Section The Washington Post –  Mr. Fred Hiatt, Editorial Page Editor  Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) Ambassador Cui Tiankai (middle) hosting a luncheon for the delegation New York 26 June 2014 (Thursday) The U.S.-Asia Institute Breakfast –  Mrs. Esther Lau-Kee, Trustee –  Mr. Norman Lau-Kee, Trustee –  Mr. David Lew, Trustee –  Dr. Michael Lai, Senior Advisor The New York Times –  Ms. Carol Giacomo, Editorial Board Member Luncheon hosted by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York –  Ambassador Sun Guoxiang, Consul General –  Mr. Cheng Lei, Deputy Consul General –  Mr. Zhang Minjing, Consul –  Mr. Guo Zhenguang, Consul The Economist –  Mr. Matthew Bishop, US Business Editor and New York Bureau Chief –  Mr. Matthew Valencia, Special Assignments Editor –  Mr. Tom Easton, American Finance Editor Standard & Poor’s –  Mr. Curt Moulton, Global Head of the Sovereigns and International Public Finance –  Mr. Todd Whitestone, Managing Director, Sovereign Ratings Asia Society: President’s Forum with Arianna Huffington, Chair, President, and Editor-in-chief, Huffington Post Media Group Meeting at Standard & Poor’s 27 June 2014 (Friday) Breakfast Meeting hosted by Hong Kong Association of New York Morgan Stanley –  Ms. Ellen Zentner, Executive Director and Senior Economist for the U.S. –  Mr. David Lew, Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley Speaking Luncheon hosted by Asia Society: “Hong Kong’s Future: Autonomy and the Road to 2017” by Mr. Ronnie Chan and Mr. Johnny Mok National Committee on U.S.-China Relations –  Mr. Stephen Orlins, President –  Ms. Jan Berris, Vice President –  Mr. David Youtz, Senior Consultant The Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations –  Ambassador Liu Jieyi, Permanent Representative –  Mr. Yao Shaojun, Counsellor –  Mr. Liang Heng Speaking luncheon hosted by Asia Society: “Hong Kong’s Future: Autonomy and the Road to 2017” by Mr. Ronnie Chan and Mr. Johnny Mok

Subsequent to the first delegation to Israel in 2011, the Better Hong Kong Foundation organized another delegation to Israel this year from January 9 to 15. This is jointly organized with Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council (HKYIC). Led by Dr. Roy Chung, Council Member of the Foundation and President Honoris Causa of HKYIC, the delegation met with local government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economy, venture capital companies, companies in high-tech and innovation industries, to learn more about the eco-system and business opportunities of innovation and high-tech industries in Israel. Meeting at Ministry of Foreign Affairs List of Delegates The Better Hong Kong Foundation–  Dr. Roy Chung (Leader of the delegation)   Council Member, The Better Hong Kong Foundation   Co-founder and Non-Executive Director, Techtronic Industries Co Ltd   President Honoris Causa, Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council –  Ms. Karen Tang         Executive Director, The Better Hong Kong Foundation –  Mr. Samson Chan   Council Member, The Better Hong Kong Foundation   Chairman & CEO, Manley Toys Ltd –  Ms. Winnie Ng   Council Member, The Better Hong Kong Foundation   Director, The Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council–  Mr. Raymond Chan (Deputy Leader of the delegation)   President, Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council   CEO, Jing Mei Industrial Ltd –  Mr. Daniel Cheng (Deputy Leader of the delegation)   Deputy Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries   President, Hong Kong Environmental Industry Association   Managing Director, Dunwell Enviro-Tech (Holdings) Ltd  –  Mr. Bobby Liu   Vice President, Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council   Chief Executive Officer, Milton Holdings International Ltd –  Mr. Sunny Chai   Managing Director, Fook Tin Technologies Ltd  Guests–  Mr. Patrick Chan   Director, Lee Kee Group Ltd  –  Mr. Charles Hui   Executive Director & Financial Director, Central Development Ltd  –  Mr. Chi-ho Ng   Chairman, Suga Int’l Holdings Ltd –  Ms. Grace Yu   Executive Director, Head of Business Development, Ultra High Net Worth APAC UBS AG Organizations visited Tel Aviv Weizmann Institute of Science–  Prof. Daniel Zajfman, President–  Ambassador Amikam Levy–  Ms. Sima Tamir, VIP Visits & Missions, Department of Hospitality & Conferences Luncheon Hosted by Weizmann Institute of Science–  Prof. Mordechai Sheves, Vice President for Technology Transfer  Unistream–  Ms. Iris Raff-Ronen, CEO  Ministry of Economy–  Mr. Abraham Gross, Deputy Chief Scientist, Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS)–  Ms. Merav Tapiero, Program Manager, China – Israel Industrial R&D Framework, Matimop (Branch of OCS)–  Mr. Yossi Smoler, Director of Technological Incubators Program, OCS Van Leer Technological Incubator–  Mr. Oren Gershtein, Former CEO StarTau (Tel Aviv University Entrepreneurship Center)–  Mr. Oren Simanian, Founder & CEO  Hutchison Water–  Mr. Ronen Wofman, CFO & Director  Hutchison Kinrot–  Mr. Roy Wiesner, CEO Manufacturers’ Association of Israel–  Mr. Zvi Oren, President–  Mr. Dan Catarivas, Director of Foreign Trade & International Relations–  Mr. Amiram Shore, Chairman, Foreign Trade & International Relations Division–  Ms. Sima Amir, Director, International Business Development, Division of Foreign Trade & International Relations  Dinner hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Israel–  Ms. Gao YanPing, Chinese Ambassador to Israel–  Mr. Dai Yuming, Counselor, Political Section–  Mr. Zheng Ming, Secondary Secretary, Political Section–  Mr. Hu Ming, Counselor, Economic & Commercial Counsellor’s Office Israel Advanced Technology Industry (IATI)–  Mr. Yoav Chelouche, Managing Partner, Aviv Venture Capital and Co-Chair, IATI  The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute–  Ms. Sabine Segal, Deputy Director for International Business Affairs  Xsight Systems (Runway management solution)–  Mr. Alon Nitzan, President & CEO–  Mr. David Ofek, Business Leader, Asia Pacific Odis Filtering Ltd–  Mr. Menachem Ghertner, International Business Development Manager  Israel Diamond Institute–  Mr. Eli Avidar, Managing Director and President, Israel-Africa Chamber of Commerce  Pitango Venture Capital–  Mr. Aaron Mankovski, Managing General Partner Jerusalem JVP Media Quarter (Technology Incubator focusing on media)–  Ms. Fiona M. Darmon, VP Investor Relations & Business Development–  Mr. Omri Cherni, Associate–  Mr. Mark Gazit, CEO ThetaRay Mobileye–  Mr. David Oberman, Director, Sales Department  Ministry of Foreign Affairs–  Mr. Amir Weissbrod, Director, Middle East 4 Department, Center for Political Research–  Mr. Asher Yarden–  Mr. Amir Lati Luncheon Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs–  Mr. Saul Singer, co-author of “Start-Up Nation”–  Mr. Asher Yarden–  Mr. Amir Lati  Yissum (Technology Transfer & IP Company of the Hebrew University)–  Ms. Dana Gavish-Fridman, Director of Marketing  Brainsway Ltd–  Mr. Shmulik Adler, VP of Business Development

The Better Hong Kong Foundation completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 10 to 13 June 2013. A press conference was held on 26 June 2013 to brief members of the local media about the principal issues dealt with during their stay in the U.S. Members of the delegation also shared their observations and experiences gained from the trip. This year’s delegation was co-led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Ltd, and Council Member Dr. Roy Chung, Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Co-founder & Non-Executive Director of Techtronic Industries Co Ltd. The Foundation’s Trustee Ms. Pansy Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Ltd also participated in our program in New York. Other delegates included Council Members Mr. Thomas Woo, Director of Hsin Kuang Restaurant (Holdings) Ltd; Ms. Winnie Ng, Director of the Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd; Mr. Joseph Yu, Chairman of Roseville Group of Companies; Ms. Diana Chou, Managing Director of Sino Private Aviation (HK) Ltd; Mr. Sebastian Man, Chairman & CEO of Chung Mei International Holdings Ltd; Ms. Juliana Lam, Managing Director of AML Group Holdings Ltd; Mr. John Lee, Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Mr. Anson Chan, Chairman & CEO, Bonds Group of Companies as well as Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang. The Foundation also invited Mr. Franklin Lam, Founder of HKGolden50 and Member of the Executive Council as the commentator on economic affairs of the delegation. (L to R) Mr. John Lee, Ms. Karen Tang, Mr. Ronnie Chan, Dr. Roy Chung, Mr. Joseph Yu and Mr. Anson Chan joined the press conference After introducing the delegates to the media, Ms. Karen Tang explained the main purpose of the delegation was to foster a better understanding of the political, economic and social developments in both the United States and Hong Kong. Mr. Ronnie Chan expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Cui Tiankai, Consul General to New York Sun Guoxiang and Deputy Permanent Representative to UN Wang Min for their hospitality to the delegation. Mr. Chan was glad to see that China has been more proactive in reaching out to the local community, from inside the Beltway to Wall Street, which is important in building better understanding and trust between China and the U.S. At meeting with the rating agency, Mr. Chan expressed his worry of another possible global economic crisis as the fundamental problems after the financial crisis have been lingering without much advancement. Mr. Chan also said “Coincide with the Foundation’s visit to the U.S., I am honoured to chair the opening discussion session for the Trade Development Council’s conference in both New York and Los Angeles – Think Asia, Think Hong Kong, which was very successful. The Chief Executive officiated the conference in New York. It was very well attended and the participants were very receptive to the competitive advantages of Hong Kong.”   Dr. Roy Chung was glad to learn that the think tanks generally were very positive in the Sino-US relations after the recent meeting between President Xi Jingpin and President Obama. They were optimistic in the reform and future developments in China, and conveyed that their policy towards Asia did not imply any containment to China. Dr. Chung also said “During our visit, one of the financial institutions has already warned that the economy is at the stage of post-crisis recovery cycle and that there will be tightening financial policy, hence the likely increase in interest rate. It is what we have been experiencing in the past one week.” Dr. Chung continued that “Hong Kong was back to the radar screen of the U.S. and even on the front page of their newspapers as Mr. Edward Snowden was just revealed that he was in HK, on the first day that our delegation arrived.” He said “It might help raise people’s interest towards Hong Kong as Hong Kong was highly regarded by Mr. Snowden as a place with freedom of expression and a place with an independent and reliable legal system.” Ms. Karen Tang thanked the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for their hard work in soliciting the support of the U.S. authorities in granting visa waiver status to Hong Kong passport holders. “We visited 4 congress representatives and expressed our wish of having the visa waiver status and the benefit to their tourism and to facilitating inward investment and hence improvement in their employment”, Ms. Tang said. “We also had meeting with Clinton’s Global Initiatives (CGI) who is exploring to bring back the CGI Asia to Hong Kong in 2014. We welcome and hope to facilitate more international conferences held in Hong Kong.” On behalf of the Foundation, Ms. Tang thanked Mr. Franklin Lam for his presentation and analysis over Hong Kong’s competitive advantages, both with hard figures and a lot of soft factors at many meetings.    Mr. Franklin Lam shared his thoughts on this trip earlier that the meeting at the Heritage Foundation particularly resonated with him as he concurs with most of its belief in the principles of free enterprise, limited government and individual freedom. When they were updated of how our “small government” managed to achieve fiscal surplus of 2-4% in the past four years while the typical western country was suffering deficits of 6-10% in the global economic malaise, they were quick to appreciate how Hong Kong was managing to achieve “inclusive growth” in the past three years when tourism and inflow of other business opportunities had managed to create jobs that benefitted all segments of society especially the lower-skilled. They shared that other countries told them that they wanted to be “like Hong Kong”. Also, in a number of meetings, the uniqueness of a fair and neutral Hong Kong was highlighted. This is very important for an Asian strategy (e.g. choosing an Asian headquarters) as the region is “radicalizing” with resurgence of nationalism in a number of countries. Most of the groups we visited had a good idea of our financial and economic capabilities from the many “muscle indices” (eg IPO’s etc) in the market. Many were surprised just how good our “heart indices” are compared with the rest of Asia. These show that Hong Kong is a truly compassionate and trustworthy society. Mr. Thomas Woo said the Foundation has been visiting big cities including New York and Washington DC to promote Hong Kong and to explain its latest developments since 2005. The Foundation also organizes and receives high-level overseas delegations from political circles, academic institutions, think tanks, enterprises and research institutes to exchange opinions and position on different social issues, through forums and conferences. Such activities are more effective, comparing to official interaction, in building trust and friendship. He believed the Foundation could play an important role not only in assisting our government to fight for the interests of Hong Kong, eg the Visa Wavier Program of the U.S., but also to promote the image of Hong Kong and China as a whole internationally. Ms. Diana Chou noted a marked difference as our Hong Kong pitch was enhanced by the presentation of Mr. Franklin Lam. His research indicated that Hong Kong is not just a financial and trading hub in Asia, but also a city of culture and art where major international events such as Art Basel Hong Kong congregates. It’s the first time she felt perhaps Hong Kong should stand on its own merit as we become a world class city. The success of Hong Kong reflects how well the “One Country Two Systems” works. She hopes Hong Kong people should be constantly reminded and be proud of our heritage and unique geographical location as the super connector to Asia and gateway to our motherland. Mr. Sebastian Man was gratifying to hear that the international community continued to have a positive view of Hong Kong. Of course, they are all well aware of the issues we face, the politics, the economic challenges, etc. On the politics front, while people do feel it is a healthy debate and a natural process towards democracy, it is important that we get our act together soon. In that context, it is good news to learn that the U.S. is working on visa waiver for Hong Kong. However, it is by no means a certainty and in fact, there are still challenges and we are delighted that we were able to put in our words to the people we met as well.   Ms. Juliana Lam was impressed that there are many passionate people running different U.S. organizations and contributing their lives in order to bridge the understanding of the U.S. and China, bonding the two countries together from all kinds of aspects including culture exchange, political view sharing, etc. They are successful leaders and devote themselves to achieve these goals which echo the mission of the Foundation. Mr. John Lee joined the delegation for the first time and said it has truly been an amazing experience during the four day visit to New York and Washington DC. Furthermore, this trip has been particularly memorable as it also coincided with our Honorable Chief Executive’s visit to New York. During our visit, we met with a number of business associations as well as government officials to share our views of Hong Kong and to promote the unique advantages of Hong Kong to further assess potential opportunities in this vibrant city. As the Chief Executive said in his speech, Hong Kong is “a Madison Avenue of the East and a super-connector in linking U.S. firms to markets in the Mainland of China and across Asia”. Hong Kong indeed has many unique advantages and as a Council Member of the Foundation, he hopes to continue to promote the merits and opportunities in Hong Kong. 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.

The Foundation completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 10 to 13 June 2013. The main purpose of the delegation was to foster a better understanding of the political, economic and social developments in both the United States and Hong Kong. This year’s delegation was co-led by the Foundation’s Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Ronnie Chan, Chairman of Hang Lung Properties Ltd, and Council Member Dr. Roy Chung, Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Co-founder & Non-Executive Director of Techtronic Industries Co Ltd. The Foundation’s Trustee Ms. Pansy Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Ltd also participated in our program in New York. Other delegates included Council Members Mr. Thomas Woo, Director of Hsin Kuang Restaurant (Holdings) Ltd; Ms. Winnie Ng, Director of the Kowloon Motor Bus Co Ltd; Mr. Joseph Yu, Chairman of Roseville Group of Companies; Ms. Diana Chou, Managing Director of Sino Private Aviation (HK) Ltd; Mr. Sebastian Man, Chairman & CEO of Chung Mei International Holdings Ltd; Ms. Juliana Lam, Managing Director of AML Group Holdings Ltd; Mr. John Lee, Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Mr. Anson Chan, Chairman & CEO, Bonds Group of Companies as well as Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang. The Foundation also invited Mr. Franklin Lam, Founder of HKGolden50 and Member of the Executive Council as the commentator on economic affairs of the delegation. The delegation visited the Executive Branch (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Commerce); members of the Legislative Branch (Congressmen); think tanks (The Brookings Institution, The Heritage Foundation, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-Asia Institute); a financial institution (Morgan Stanley); a rating agency (Fitch Ratings); NGOs (Hong Kong Association of New York and Clinton Global Initiative) and a university (George Washington University). The delegation also visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Washington DC. During the visit in New York, the delegation participated in “Think Asia Think Hong Kong” conference organized by the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council as well as its Hong Kong Dinner. The delegation was also invited to join the reception hosted by the HKETO New York in honor of the Chief Executive C Y Leung in celebration of its 30th anniversary of establishing its office in New York. After visited Washington DC, seven delegates continued to participate in “Think Asia Think Hong Kong” conference in Los Angeles. They were also invited to the luncheon hosted by the HKETO San Francisco and the opening ceremony and launch reception for “Hong Kong Live” hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board respectively. The delegation was honored that the Embassy of the PRC in the U.S. (Ambassador Cui Tiankai) and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York (Ambassador Sun Guoxiang and Deputy Consul General Dong Xiaojun) hosted luncheons to welcome the delegation respectively. The delegation was also received by the Permanent Mission of the PRC to the UN (Ambassador Wang Min) in New York. 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 New York 10 June 2013 (Monday)  Hong Kong Association of New York Breakfast Meeting with the Honorable C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Morgan Stanley – Mr. Jim Caron, Managing Director, Investment Management – Mr. David Lew, Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley National Committee on US-China Relations – Mr. Stephen Orlins, President – Ms. Jan Berris, Vice President Luncheon hosted by the US-Asia Institute – Mr. Marlon Young, Chairman of USAI – Mr. Norman Lau-Kee, Trustee of USAI – Mrs. Esther Lau-Kee, Trustee of USAI – Mr. David Lew, Trustee of USAI – Ms. Mary Sue Bissell, Vice President & Executive Director, USAI – Mr. Glenn Lau-Kee, President-Elect, New York State Bar Association Clinton Global Initiative – Mr. Robert Harrison, Chief Executive Officer – Ms. Lisa Rickert, Director of CGI International Reception Hosted by the HKETO in honor of the Honorable C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the HKSAR New York Asian Film Festival Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony honoring Mr. Jackie Chan 11 June 2013 (Tuesday) “Think Asia Think Hong Kong” organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council  Luncheon Hosted by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in New York – Ambassador Sun Guoxiang, Consul General – Mr. Dong Xiaojun, Deputy Consul General – Mr. Zhang Minjing, Consul – Ms. Chen Quan, Vice Consul – Dr. Peter Lam, Trustee, The Better Hong Kong Foundation Fitch Ratings – Mr. Douglas Murray, Managing Director, Business & Relationship Management – Mr. Daniel Noonan, Managing Director, Corporate Communications               The Permanent Mission of P.R. China to the United Nations – Ambassador Wang Min, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hong Kong Dinner Hosted by Hong Kong Trade Development Council  Washington D.C. 12 June 2013 (Wednesday) Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office – Mr. Bassanio So, Director-General – Mr. Kenneth Chan, Deputy Director-General – Mr. Bill Wong, Assistant Director-General  Luncheon Hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the U.S.A. – Ambassador Cui Tiankai – Mr. Yu Dunhai, First Secretary & Deputy Chief of Political Section – Mr. Wang Qing, First Secretary The Brookings Institution – Mr. Kenneth Lieberthal, Director, John L Thornton China Center Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL)  Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL)  Asia Society Washington Awards Dinner honoring Mr. Zhang Yesui, Deputy Foreign Minister of People’s Republic of China and Mr. Thomas Donilon, National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama 13 June 2013 (Thursday) Congressman Robert Pittenger (R-NC)  Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL)  Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL)  U.S. Department of State – Mr. Kin Moy, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs – Mr. Joel Wiegert, Hong Kong Desk Officer, Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs Luncheon Hosted by the Heritage Foundation – Dr. Edwin Feulner, Founder of the Foundation and Chairman of Asian Studies Center – Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center – Ambassador Terry Miller, Director, Center for International Trade and Economics (CITE) and the Mark A Kolokotrones Fellow in Economic Freedom – Mr. Anthony Kim, Senior Policy Analyst, Economic Freedom, CITE – Mr. Bryan Riley, Jay Van Andel Senior Policy Analyst in Trade Policy, CITE – Dr. J D Foster, Norman B. Ture Senior Fellow in Economics of Fiscal Policy George Washington University – Dean Michael E. Brown, GWU Elliott School – Dean Doug Guthrie, GWU Business School U.S. Department of Commerce – Mr. Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary for International Trade – Mr. Alain de Sarran, Deputy Regional Director, Office of International Operations-East Asia Pacific – Mr. Scott Tatlock, Deputy Director, Office of China and Mongolia Los Angeles (7 delegates participated)  14 June 2013 (Friday) Breakfast Meeting Hosted by Bingham McCutchen LLP                                     “Think Asia Think Hong Kong” organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Luncheon Hosted by the HKETO in honour of the Honorable Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government  Opening Ceremony & Launch Reception for Hong Kong Live Hosted by Dr. Peter Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board At the Hong Kong Association of New York breakfast meeting with the Honorable C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the HKSAR (front row, 3rd left) Meeting with the National Committee on US-China Relations Luncheon hosted Ambassador Sun Guoxiang, Consul General of the PRC in New York (3rd left) Luncheon hosted by Ambassador Cui Tiankai (6th right), Embassy of the PRC in the USA Meeting with Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL) (middle) Meeting with Mr. Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary for International Trade

In order to have a better understanding on the economic and cultural developments in Taiwan as well as its investment environment and opportunities, the Better Hong Kong Foundation organized the first delegation to Taiwan from 16 – 19 April 2013, visiting Taipei and Taichung cities. During the trip, the delegation has fruitful meetings with the Mayors of the two cities; Honorary Chairman of Kuomintang Mr. Lien Chan; representatives from commercial, industrial and cultural industries; and experts from local think tanks. It is hoped that further deliberations and collaborations could be enhanced after the visit. The delegation was supported by Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong.  List of Delegates: 1) Tan Sri Dato’ David Chiu      Trustee, BHKF / Chairman, Far East Consortium International Ltd 2) Mr. Philip Ma (Leader)     Council Member, BHKF / Deputy Chairman & CEO, The Sincere Co Ltd 3) Mr. John Lee (Deputy Leader)     Council Member, BHKF / Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch 4) Mr. Matthew Lam      Council Member, BHKF / Executive Deputy Chairman, Lai Fung Holdings Ltd 5) Ms. Winnie Chiu      Council Member, BHKF / President & Executive Director, Dorsett Hospitality International 6) Dr. Choi Lung-wai     Council Member, BHKF / President, Goodway Electrical Enterprise Ltd 7) Mr. Thomas Woo & Mrs. Stella Woo     Council Member, BHKF / Executive Managing Director & General Manager, Hsin Kuang Restaurant (Holdings) Ltd 8) Mr. Sebastian Man     Council Member, BHKF / Chairman & CEO, Chung Mei International Holdings Ltd 9) Ms. Juliana Lam     Council Member, BHKF / Managing Director, AML Group Holdings Ltd 10) Mr. Anson Chan       Council Member, BHKF / Chairman & CEO, Bonds Group of Companies 11) Mr. Tommy Hui *        Council Member, BHKF / Executive Director, Hengan International Group Co Ltd 12) Mr. Billy Yung *       Council Member, BHKF / Chairman & Chief Executive, Shell Electric Holdings Ltd 13) Mr. Andrew Yao *        Council Member, BHKF / Chairman, Van Shung Chong Holdings Ltd 14) Mr. Abraham Chung *        Representative of Trustee Mr. Victor Cha / Executive Director, HKR International Ltd 15) Mr. Dario Pang *        Managing Director, Ferro Resources Ltd / Executive Director, Shiu Wing Steel Ltd 16) Ms. Karen Tang        Executive Director, BHKF  *  joined the visit in Taipei city Itinerary Taipei City 16 April 2013 – Chinese National Association of Industry & Commerce, Taiwan – Sanlih E-Television Co Ltd – Dinner hosted by Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan 17 April 2013 – Breakfast meeting hosted by Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan – Xue Xue Institute – Mr. Hau Lung-Bin, Mayor of Taipei City – National Policy Foundation – Dinner hosted by Mr. Lien Chan, Honorary Chairman of Kuomintang Taichung City 18 April 2013 – Visit to "Taichung Insights" – Meeting with Mr. Jason Hu, Mayor of Taichung City – Luncheon hosted by Mr. Tsai Ping-kun, Deputy Major of Taichung City – Director of Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration 19 April 2013 Back to Hong Kong Visit to Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Taiwan Meeting with Mr. Hau Lung-Bin, Mayor of Taipei City Honorary Chairman of Kuomintang Mr. Lien Chan (R) met and hosted a dinner for the delegation Meeting with Mr. Jason Hu (R), Mayor of Taichung City

The Better Hong Kong Foundation completed its annual delegation visit to the United States from 20 to 25 June 2012. On 11 July, a press conference was held to brief members of the local media about the principal issues dealt with during their stay in the U.S. Members of the delegation also shared their observations and experiences gained from the trip. 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. After introducing the delegates to the media, Ms. Karen Tang explained 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. 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. Karen Tang observed the people we met showed considerable interest in the newly-elected Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mr. C Y Leung. In general, they all wished Hong Kong well. The interest on the change in leadership in Beijing later this year was strong. Some of them were concerned with the sociopolitical developments in Mainland China and to a lesser extent the slowdown of its economy. Prof. Liu Pak-wai commented that the American hosts in the United States Government, NGOs, think tanks and business were very friendly. He felt that there was a lot of goodwill towards Hong Kong in general and the Better Hong Kong Foundation in particular. The hospitality of the Chinese diplomats was overwhelming. Interaction with participants in our numerous sessions and among members of the delegation was very stimulating. He found the visit an intellectually and culturally enriching experience. Mr. Philip Ma had the impression that Americans enjoyed talking to Hong Kong business people on political and economic developments in Mainland China and Hong Kong; and Hong Kong continued to be seen as the gateway to Mainland China, the world’s second largest economy. Mr. Ma was particularly impressed by the sharing of Ambassador Li Baodong of his works in the United Nation, especially how he handled the complex and complicated international relationship. The strong message that Ms. Juliana Lam got during the trip was that Hong Kong has been undoubtedly a very advantageous metropolis. Owing to the geographical and historical factors, Hong Kong is not only established to enjoy the One Country Two Systems, but also allowed to enjoy the pioneer position as a bridge between Mainland China and other countries which has led Hong Kong to remain competitive in different areas. She hoped that Hong Kong would treasure these advantages and would continue to thrive. Although Mr. Sebastian Man and Mr. Leung Wai-fung were out of town and could not attend the press conference. However, they have written their comments earlier. Mr. Sebastian Man was gratified to see that the overseas community has continued to have positive and favorable views on Hong Kong. The general feeling was that 15 years of the One Country Two Systems by and large has worked. Most people felt that Hong Kong will continue to play a vital role in China’s continuous development, whether in the financial sector or because of its rule of law. People are also positive about Hong Kong’s gradual move towards democracy. In fact, public opinion significantly influenced the outcome in this election of the Chief Executive of HKSAR. Mr. Leung Wai-fung emphasized that gradual milestones and proactive efforts must be maintained to reconcile different understandings and expectations and through constructive communication between Hong Kong, Mainland China and the West. The world is focusing on bigger issues, such as strategic relationship between China and the U.S., the financial crisis in Europe and the U.S. and how they are impacting the world. And yet, the delegation also put forth the strategic role of Hong Kong, and its potential implication to the world’s economic landscape going forward. 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.

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)