2026 Delegation to Spain and Italy
The Better Hong Kong Foundation (BHKF) successfully completed its inaugural delegation to Spain and Italy from 7 to 13 June 2026. The delegation was led by Ronnie Chan, Executive Committee Chairman, with Trustees David Chiu and Irene Lee also participating. In addition, 14 delegates from diverse sectors of Hong Kong society joined the visit.
This program embodied the Foundation’s mission to serve as a non‑official channel connecting Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and the global community. By engaging with senior government officials, business leaders, and academics, the delegation aimed to foster mutual understanding, explore opportunities for cooperation, and contribute to a constructive and peaceful global order. The visit also marked the Foundation’s first to these two countries, creating new friendships and expanding Hong Kong’s international connections across Europe.
Madrid, Spain
The program began in Madrid, coinciding with Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Spain. Delegates attended high‑level meetings with Santander Private Banking, the Elcano Royal Institute, UBS, and the Spain‑China Council Foundation, gaining insights into Spain’s financial sector and opportunities for collaboration.
Sharing by Santander Private Banking
Exchanged views with experts at the Elcano Royal Institute
Lunch meeting hosted by UBS
Meeting with Spain‑China Council Foundation
The Chinese Embassy in Spain hosted a dinner for the delegation, bringing together representatives from Chinese business associations, further strengthening ties with the Chinese community in Europe. The following day, the delegation met with the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, where discussions provided a deeper understanding of the country’s business environment and highlighted potential areas for cooperation and investment. The delegation then visited IESE Business School, where we toured the campus, engaged in dialogues on artificial intelligence’s impact on organizations, and enjoyed a luncheon with faculty members. Later, we attended a session with Cobas Asset Management and Global Social Impact Investments, which provided perspectives on investment strategies and social impact initiatives. A private art collection tour hosted by Alicia Koplowitz and Pelayo Cortina offered a cultural highlight, showcasing Spain’s rich artistic heritage.
With Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing
Meeting with the Chamber of Commerce of Spain
Fruitful exchanges and insightful discussions at IESE
Rome, Italy
In Rome, the delegation engaged with Confindustria, Italy’s main national business association, and Banca Intesa Sanpaolo, where discussions covered macroeconomic trends, family office activities, and private banking. The Chinese Embassy in Italy hosted a luncheon, enriching our understanding of the relationship between China and Italy.
Meeting at Confindustria headquarters
Sharing by Banca Intesa Sanpaolo
Luncheon hosted by Chinese Embassy to Italy
Delegates also visited the Italian Senate to observe a parliamentary session and toured Palazzo Madama, home to a newly acquired Caravaggio masterpiece. Meetings with the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Brioni, the Ministry of Culture, and Gruppo Generali expanded dialogue in academia, fashion, cultural diplomacy, and insurance investment. The program concluded with a ballet performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rome Opera House.
Observed a parliamentary session at the Italian Senate and met with Pierferdinando Zanettin, Senator and President of the Senate Commission overseeing banking activities
Insightful discussion at Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei
Exchanged views with Clemente Contestabile, Diplomatic Advisor of the Minister at the Ministry of Culture
A stunning view from the terrace of Gruppo Generali
Enjoyed the ballet performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rome Opera House
Expanding Global Connections
This inaugural visit to Spain and Italy was significant in making new friends and expanding connections across Europe. In line with the Foundation’s mission, the delegation’s engagements reinforced Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between East and West, advancing dialogue, partnership, and cultural exchange while contributing to a more constructive and peaceful global order.
List of Delegates:
– Ronnie Chan (Leader of the delegation)
Executive Committee Chairman, BHKF / Honorary Chair, Hang Lung Properties Ltd
– David Chiu
Trustee, BHKF / Chairman, Far East Consortium International Ltd
– Irene Lee
Trustee, BHKF / Chairman, Hysan Development Co Ltd
– Dario Pong
Co-convenor, BHKF Working Group / Executive Director, Shiu Wing Steel Ltd / Executive Committee Member, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce
– Roy Chung
Corporate Sponsors, BHKF / Founder & Chairman, Bright Future Charitable Foundation
– Karen Tang
Executive Director, BHKF
– Philip Ma
Council Member, BHKF / Executive Chairman, Pedder Investments Ltd
– John Lee
Council Member, BHKF / Vice Chairman & Co-Head of Asia Country Coverage Global Banking, UBS AG / Member, Listing Review Committee, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd
– Alice Au
Council Member, BHKF / Partner Co-Lead, CEO, Asia Pacific, Spencer Stuart
– Zhong Xiaofeng
Council Member, BHKF / Vice Chairman of Asia, Amundi Hong Kong Ltd
– Bosco Law
Council Member, BHKF / Deputy Chairman & CEO, Laws Fashion Group Ltd / Chairman, Textile Council of Hong Kong
– Eugene Cheung
Council Member, BHKF / Head of Investment, Asset Light, Investment & Strategic Development, Hysan Development Co Ltd
– Catherine Leung
Council Member, BHKF / Co-Founder & Partner, MizMaa Ventures Ltd / Ex-Chairperson, Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies
– Ronald Chan
Council Member, BHKF / Chief Investment Officer, Chartwell Capital Ltd
– Arnold Leung
Council Member, BHKF / Founder & CEO, Appnovation Technologies Ltd
– Arthur Shek
Council Member, BHKF/ Managing Partner, Hong Kong, McKinsey & Company
– Tammy Tam (invited guest)
Publisher, South China Morning Post
Organizations and Places Visited:
Madrid, Spain (7 – 9 June 2026)
Dinner hosted by Chinese Embassy in Spain
Ambassador Yao Jing
Borja Franjul, President of the Plenary of the Madrid City Council
Chen Shengli, President of the Chinese Federation of Industry and Commerce in Spain
Representatives from Chinese and Spanish business associations
Elcano Royal Institute
Charles Powell, Director
Miguel Otero-Iglesias, Senior Fellow
Fundacion Consejo Espana China (Spain-China Council Foundation)
María Victoria González Román, Secretary General
Felix Valdivieso, Chairman of IE China Observatory
Pablo Leal Marín, Responsible for Hong Kong delegation
Josep Franch, Associate Professor of International Marketing at ESADE
Pedro Ángel González Delgado, Director of External Affairs and Institutional Relations, Tenerife Island Council
Camara de Espana (Chamber of Commerce of Spain)
Jaime Montalvo, Director of International Affairs
Luis Rodríguez Tornos, Deputy Director for International Affairs
UBS
Javier Oficialdegui, UBS Chairman of Global Banking
Juan Monte, UBS Head of Developed EMEA and Head of Spain
Santander Private Banking
Juan de Dios Sanchez-Roselly, Global Head of Research
Teresa Lee, Coverage for Asian Clients
Víctor Moreno-Barberá, Global Head of Strategic Solutions
Ismael Gómez, Executive Director Global Strategic Solutions
Cobas Asset Management
Francisco Paramés, Chairman & CIO
Global Social Impact Investments
María Angeles León López, CEO & Founding Partner
IESE, Madrid
Javier Quintanilla, Madrid Campus Director
Wanny Procopio, IESE Executive Education
Evgeny Kaganer, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Operations, Information and Technology
Luis Go, Associate Director
Art collection tour hosted by Alicia Koplowitz, President of the Alicia Koplowitz Foundation, and Pelayo Cortina, Founder & Managing Partner of Ilanga Capital; Founder & CEO of Oakmond & OHAI
Rome, Italy (11 – 12 June 2026)
Chinese Embassy to Italy
Li Xiaoyong, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
Liu Qi, Director of the Political Section
Chen Hong, Third Secretary
Ye Ziqing, Attaché
Ministry of Culture
Clemente Contestabile, Diplomatic Advisor of the Minister
Italian Senate Visit & Parliamentary Session
Pierferdinando Zanettin, Senator and President of the Senate Commission overseeing banking activities
Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei
Roberto Antonelli, President
Patrizio Bianchi, Director of the Lincei Center for Research and Scientific Cooperation with China
Confindustria (the main national business association)
Annalisa Sassi, President of the Council of Regional Representatives, Confindustria (HoD),
Angelo Camilli, Vice President for Credit, Finance and Taxation, Confindustria
Alfredo Ingletti, Vice President of OICE and President FIDIC
Federico Ghella, Vice President of ANCE
Gaetano Vecchio, President of the International SMEs Group of ANCE
Gabriele Pellissero, President AIOP
Luigi Abete, President, Luiss Business School
Raffaele Oriani, Dean Luiss Business School
Lorenzo Valeri, Director Luiss Hubs & Post Graduate Programs
Marco Felisati, International Affairs Director, Confindustria
Marco Ragusa, Director International Affairs OICE
Piergiorgio Carapella, Senior Economist, Confindustria
Francesco Ferroni, Life Sciences Adviser, Confindustria
Gabriele Oliviero, International Affairs Adviser, Confindustria
Marco Rogani, International Affairs Adviser, Confindustria
Francesca Voce, Research Centre, Confindustria
Carlotta Palmieri, International Affairs Junior Professional, Confindustria
Banca Intesa Sanpaolo
Andrea De Gaspari, International Public Affairs, Intesa Sanpaolo
Luca Mezzomo, Research Department, Intesa Sanpaolo
Sanja Milovic, International Public Affairs, Intesa Sanpaolo
Emanuele Marangoni, IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, Intesa Sanpaolo
Lorenzo Alfieri, Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking
Gruppo Generali
Anna Maria Reforgiato Recupero, Chief Investment Officer of Insurance Regions
Sabrina di Giorgio, Head of Public Affairs of Insurance Region
Ballet performance “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Rome Opera House
Museum Galleria Borghese
Colosseum
2026.06.08 - 2026.06.12