FHKI Delegation Beijing Visit –

Meeting with Central Government Ministerial Leaders with Promising Outcome

 

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) concluded its four-day visit (7 - 10 May) in Beijing.  During the visit, FHKI delegation met with the Director of the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Xia Baolong, Director of the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Liu Cigui, Vice Minister of Science and Technology Zhang Guangjun, Assistant Minister of Commerce Guo Tingting, and Vice President of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Zhang Yaping, and, in particular, exchanging views on several important issues with promising outcome.

At the conclusion of the visit, FHKI Chairman and the leader of the delegation Dr Sunny Chai expressed his sincere gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his affirmation and encouragement noting, however, that there is still much to be achieved.  Dr Chai said: "FHKI will continue to unite and work closely together with the industry in facilitating and enhancing the social and economic stability and development in Hong Kong.  By connecting stakeholders in the I&T ecosystem, we will enhance further cooperation in I&T development and re-industrialization.  We encourage the industry to keep abreast of the latest policies on industrial and economic development of the motherland and, also, leveraging on the advantages of Hong Kong’s integration into the Greater Bay Area to achieve the multiplier effect.

FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman Steve Chuang expressed that, “This visit was highly treasured and received by the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Commerce and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), fully reflecting the importance of Hong Kong and its business community to the Central Government.”  He said that Director Xia Baolong’s repeatedly emphasised the importance of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy of Hong Kong.  Also, further to an environment of national security and social stability, Director Xia reminded Hong Kong business community to continue maintaining its confidence in “making lots of money”.  He recalled Director Xia’s wish to hear more stories about “making lots of money” in the future.

FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman Anthony Lam said, “During the meeting with the Assistant Minister of Commerce Guo Tingting, the delegation advocated to setup a green channel for Hong Kong packaged food to enter into the Mainland; this advocacy was well supported by the Ministry of Commerce. Simplifying the custom clearance procedure will help the business community to expand into the Mainland market, and, also, promote the integration of Hong Kong industries into the Greater Bay Area (GBA).” In addition, both sides also exchanged views regarding Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The delegation also discussed with Central Government ministerial leaders about various issues, such as, the current situation and future development of Hong Kong's I&T and new industrialisation, how the Mainland and Hong Kong can complement each other's strengths and the difficulties faced by Hong Kong companies developing in the Mainland market.

Apart from FHKI leadership, members of the delegation also included representatives from Hong Kong's business and I&T sectors. FHKI appointed member, Head of Commercial Banking of HSBC Hong Kong Frank Fang said, “As a member of FHKI, HSBC has for decades been supporting Hong Kong’s industrial development growing alongside with Hong Kong industrialists.  Apart from providing financial services to enterprises, HSBC is also collaborating with the industrial community in accelerating innovation in science and technology, re-industrialisation and GBA development.  The visit has demonstrated the Central Government’s support and high hopes on Hong Kong.  We will reinforce our commitment to the industrial community, contributing to Hong Kong’s economic recovery and its further integration into the overall development of the motherland”.

The Chief Operating Officer of Lalamove, a Hong Kong based unicorn I&T startup, Paul Loo said, “Lalamove is honored to participate in the FHKI’s Beijing visit, during which we have gained significant insights and benefits from meeting with Central Government’s leaders, in particular, through in-depth discussions on innovation and logistics technology.  Hong Kong is a fertile ground for the development of innovation and technology.  The city does not only have access to capital and information flow, but also brings together top talents from both overseas and the Mainland, making it the best springboard for companies to go global.  As a technology company established in Hong Kong, Lalamove will continue to make full use of Hong Kong's distinctive advantages i.e. “enjoying strong support of the Motherland while closely connected with the world”, strive for excellence in use of smart technologies in logistics, expand globally contributing to the development of the motherland, in particular, the Greater Bay Area.”

The Founder SmartMore Corporation Limited and, also, the winner of the inaugural Best Innopreneur Award, Prof Jia Jiaya expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the leaders of the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and other Central Government ministerial leaders.  Prof Jia emphasized that “As a national high-tech enterprise based in the Greater Bay Area with a focus on industrial applications and a global strategic layout, SmartMore adheres to the national manufacturing reform, capturing the opportunity of Industry 4.0 and actualizing precision and high-end manufacturing with our advanced technology in the first place.  We show our support for the 14th Five-Year Plan by putting into practice (building Hong Kong into an international I&T hub).  Moving forward, we will continue to strive for Hong Kong's re-industrialisation with our state-of-the-art technology.”

The delegation visited the 798 Art Zone in Beijing on the last day of the visit, marking a successful conclusion to this trip. The 798 Art Zone has been transformed from the former state-owned 798 arsenal to a multicultural space integrating galleries, art studios, cultural companies, and fashion shops overtime.

The FHKI Beijing delegation was led by FHKI Chairman Dr Sunny Chai, with FHKI Honorary President, the President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR Hon Andrew Leung serving as the Honorary Leader.  Mr Zhu Wen, Director-General of the Coordination Department, Liaison Office of The Central People’s Government in the HKSAR accompanied the visit.  Other members of the delegation included: FHKI Executive Deputy Chairmen Steve Chuang, Anthony Lam, Hon Sunny Tan and Ricky Chan; FHKI Deputy Chairmen Bernie Ting, Jude Chow and Gary Lau; FHKI General Committee members; FHKI Director-General Bonnie Chan as well as representatives from the I&T sectors in Hong Kong.

 

Photo 1: FHKI Honorary President, the President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR Hon Andrew Leung (left); Director of the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Xia Baolong (centre); FHKI Chairman Dr Sunny Chai (right) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

 

Photo 2: The delegation visited the Committee on Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and took a photo with Director Liu Cigui (front row, left 5).

 

Photo 3: The delegation visited the Ministry of Science and Technology and took a photo with Vice Minister Zhang Guangjun (front row, left 8).

 

Photo 4: The delegation visited the Ministry of Commerce and took a photo with Second-Level Inspector of the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Zuo Xianghua (front row, left 4).

 

Photo 5: FHKI Chairman Dr Sunny Chai (left) and Vice President of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Zhang Yaping

 

Photo 6: FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman Steve Chuang

 

 

Photo 7: FHKI Executive Deputy Chairman Anthony Lam

 

Photo 8: FHKI appointed member, Head of Commercial Banking of HSBC Hong Kong Frank Fang

 

Photo 9: Lalamove Chief Operating Officer Paul Loo

 

Photo 10: Founder of SmartMore Prof Jia Jiaya

*Please visit here for higher resolution photos.

 

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