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
