Hong Kong’s legislators and consuls general in the city gathered at a cocktail reception on Friday, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing dialogue while exploring cooperation opportunities.
A similar reception was held on July 11, 2023. Such events aim to reinforce the city’s ties with global partners as the world moves toward reestablishing connections post-COVID-19 and amid complex geopolitical climates.
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Forty-four consuls general attended the gathering, with many highlighting the friendly nature of the event and sharing their optimism for future collaborative endeavors.
LegCo president said he hopes the reception will signal Hong Kong’s warm welcome to international partnerships
In his address, Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in navigating through global uncertainties.
He said he hopes that the reception will signal the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s warm welcome to international partnerships.
He said that the world is undergoing a once-in-a century transformation, during which challenges and opportunities coexist. However, he cautioned that protectionist measures such as tariff barriers, sanctions, decoupling, and double standards foster only animosity rather than progress.
Leung emphasized Hong Kong’s appeal as a hub for development, adding that 322 mainland and overseas companies have set up or expanded their respective businesses in Hong Kong over the past six months.
He also introduced the current term of the Legislative Council’s achievements, including the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law in March, and the significant public expenditures allocated for ongoing local projects.
Lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong reflected on his discussions with several consuls general, noting their keen interest in Hong Kong’s policies that facilitate industry developments and attract investment.
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Ng said he took the opportunity to expressed Hong Kong’s desire to deepen cooperation with overseas countries, and called on the consuls general to actively promote Hong Kong’s development in their home countries.
Lawmaker Edward Leung Hei relayed positive feedback about Hong Kong’s development. He said that British Consul General Brian Davidson hopes to enhance investment ties between the SAR and the UK.
Edward Leung said some consuls general paid attention to the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, including its potential to advance Hong Kong’s biotech industry with the participation of leading pharmaceutical firms like AstraZeneca.
Baher Sheweikhi, consul general of Egypt in Hong Kong and Macao, who attended the reception in 2023, said he expressed to lawmakers his wish for closer cooperation between Egypt and the Hong Kong SAR in various fields, like education, culture, tourism, offshore business, and investment.
He acknowledged the global economic challenges, but said he remains confident that all the challenges will be overcome by cooperation and exchanges.
Describing the reception as a friendly gathering, US Consul General Gregory May said that the event showed that lawmakers’ commitment to maintaining communication with the US and the diplomatic community. Despite the complexities in the China-US relationship, May agreed on the significance of continuing dialogue.
In the latest move to boost Hong Kong’s linking role, China’s immigration authorities on Monday announced they will facilitate the entry into the Chinese mainland of non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao, who can apply for a card-style travel document similar to the one that Chinese nationals in the SARs use.
The move was lauded by reception attendees as a positive step to establish Hong Kong as an international talent hub in the country and a gateway for international businesses.
Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com
