Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video)
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony today (July 5):
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Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Ladies and gentlemen, when I was making preparation for this occasion, my colleagues told me that because we are talking about friendship, I should make three speeches, one in Cantonese, one is Putonghua and one in English. Indeed, Hong Kong focuses on efficiency and good use of time. For your benefit, don't worry, I am going to speak in English because this is an occasion for external friendship.
Honorable Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Secretary General Sun Xueqing (Secretary General of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries), Professor Priscilla Leung (Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you today to celebrate the inauguration of the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship.
Today, we will witness not only the beginning of an association, but also the initiation of a new force for global dialogue. A new impetus that facilitates people-to-people exchange, and cultivates friendships.
Because where better to make friends, and keep them, than in Hong Kong?
Under the unique "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage.
We boast a long tradition of the rule of law, and have a common law system similar to many global financial centres. We are home to five of the world's top 100 universities, and the world's four most international universities – they not only help to nurture a workforce that's bilingual and well-versed with both Mainland and international practices, but also attract a world of students, researchers, and teachers to our city.
Our simple and transparent tax regime, world-class infrastructure, and the free flow of information, capital, goods and people, make it easy to work, study, or simply live here. To add to all that, our superb location means we're just a five-hour flight from half of the world's population.
China, our country, supports Hong Kong in deepening international engagement, putting a primacy on co-operation, regionally and globally – in business, trade, finance, education, culture and every other area that governments, companies and peoples can come together for mutually rewarding opportunities.
The HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government is dedicated to boosting Hong Kong's relations with different economies. And the results have been recognised by international investors and corporations.
A week ago, an international newspaper published an article that analysed Hong Kong's thriving stock market, which ranks first, globally, in IPO fundraising so far this year.
It noted that institutional investors are returning, adding: "Hong Kong continues to hold appeal as a gateway for Chinese capital and a bridge for international investors seeking exposure to Chinese growth". Noting that this role of Hong Kong "remains difficult to replicate", it added that to dismiss our rebound is "to overlook the changing dynamics under way". I think it describes it perfectly.
Yes, in these times of economic uncertainties, Hong Kong remains a financial harbour wide open to the world, and a world of free and unfettered trade. All thanks to the "one country, two systems" principle, and Hong Kong's unique role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in building bridges among different economies.
I am delighted to note that the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship is committed to becoming a bridging connector in its own vital way.
The Association is formed under the guidance of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and focuses on cultivating "four friendships" – with cities, associations, organisations and individuals. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the essence of soft power and a critical complement to official diplomatic channels.
Diplomacy, both public and international, helped inspire the success of last December's Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit – a landmark event organised by the Association that brought together university leaders from around the world in Hong Kong.
Today's ceremony symbolises a deeper commitment to building bridges between Hong Kong and the world. Creating an organisation, and a way forward, based on dialogue, mutual understanding and collaboration.
In today's complex and rapidly evolving global landscape, where co-operation is no longer a given, we must unite and remain open to dialogue, to maintaining friendly relations with different places that are eager to pursue development, very much like us. That makes the Association, and its mission, more crucial than ever. For that, I am grateful – grateful to its founder, Professor Priscilla Leung, and all those who have contributed to its establishment.
The HKSAR Government looks forward to working with you, to empowering the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship to become a dynamic force for international goodwill and co-operation.
Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who checked the weather, you may notice a tropical storm is on its way to this part of the globe and could bring us some rainy and windy days.
To those who ask, "Can bridges survive storms?" We always point to our harbour. For centuries, typhoons have battered our shores. But Hong Kong, long a free port, has always provided a safe shelter for ships, seafarers and traders. Even in the harshest of storms and headwinds, Hong Kong will remain a safe and stress-tested harbour. We may not be able to change the global current, but united, we can sail together and chart our common course of co-operation and friendship.
Together, we will realise a global community of shared future, rooted in economic and cultural harmony and people-to-people connectivity. A flourishing and sustainable future for each and everyone of us.
Thank you very much.
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by CE at Hong Kong Association for External Friendship Inauguration Ceremony (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
