CE: Sir Gordon Wu Honored with Asia Society Game Changer Award for Remarkable Contributions to Hong Kong's Development

Speech by CE at Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award today (June 18):

Deputy Commissioner Hua You (Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Chairman Ronnie Chan (Chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center), Sir Gordon Wu (Chairman of the Board of Hopewell Holdings Limited), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I am very delighted to join you, tonight, for this very special occasion. We are here to honour Sir Gordon Wu, to present the founder and Chairman of Hopewell Holdings with the Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award.This Award recognises the achievements of remarkable individuals, those who have established a singular connection with Hong Kong and an outstanding track record in advancing understanding of Asia through culture, ideas and innovation.

Sir Gordon is richly deserving this award. He is a visionary dedicated to promoting the economic development of Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia, and beyond. More than advancing understanding, he has trailblazed connectivity. He builds bridges, roads, tunnels and infrastructure that bring people, cities, regions and countries together.

A pioneering believer in the boundless promise of our country, China, Sir Gordon has spearheaded countless critical infrastructure and construction projects on the Chinese Mainland.

His far-reaching enterprises have ranged from power stations serving millions in the Pearl River Delta region to Guangzhou's China Hotel, one of the country's first five-star hotels.

The China Hotel became China's first major development to incorporate the Build-Operate-Transfer model. Sir Gordon then applied this smart financing and delivery model to highways and power plants, laying a solid foundation for decades of infrastructure projects across the region.

One of the earliest advocates of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a lot of people may not know this, Sir Gordon should be immensely proud of its grand realisation. The Bridge has been instrumental in propelling the Greater Bay Area's economic development. No wonder Sir Gordon has earned his name as "King of Highways". Well deserving.

His public and community service in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, the rest of Asia and the world beyond, is equally commendable. He has been Chairman of the then Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board, a member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as the Commission on Strategic Development of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council, an advisor to the Urban Renewal Authority, and a great deal more. If I keep on repeating, you will not have time for dinner.

He has also been a member of the United Nations Association of China, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the World Bank's IFC Business Advisory Council and the APEC Business Advisory Council.

In 2004, Sir Gordon was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star for his contributions to society and Hong Kong's logistics and maritime development.

This evening's tribute, and presentation of the Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award, brings it all together. It is a much welcomed opportunity to honour Sir Gordon for a lifetime abounding in achievement.

And let me add — this comes at a proud moment for Hong Kong. Today, the International Institute for Management Development ranked our city second globally in competitiveness, up one place from last year and the highest since 2019.

Also today, the newly released QS World University Rankings ranked five of our universities in the world's top 100, with, for the first time ever, two Hong Kong universities ranked in the global top 20, and four in the top 50 for the first time in six years. I am glad that these two pieces of good news of Hong Kong add to the happy moment this evening of tonight’s award ceremony.

I know you all can't wait. Sir Gordon, this is your evening, congratulations. And to everyone here, I hope you have a memorable one. Thank you.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award today (June 18). Photo shows (from first left) the Chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Mr Ronnie Chan; Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Hua You; Mr Lee; the Chairman of the Board of Hopewell Holdings Limited, Sir Gordon Wu, and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award today (June 18). Photo shows Mr Lee (left) presenting an award to the Chairman of the Board of Hopewell Holdings Limited, Sir Gordon Wu (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Asia Society Hong Kong Game Changer Award today (June 18). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CCIDA sponsors industry to participate in 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival

Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association organised the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival (CICAF) held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19. To promote Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries, the Hong Kong Pavilion themed "Designer Toy, Game, Animation and Comics" was set up to showcase art toys, games, animations, comics, virtual idols, and merchandise and spin-offs derived from cultural intellectual properties (IPs). The Hong Kong Pavilion was well received during the five-day festival period, demonstrating the keen interest in Hong Kong's dynamic and vibrant digital entertainment industry.

CCIDA sponsored the Hong Kong Pavilion at the CICAF for the third consecutive year. A total of 16 Hong Kong enterprises were invited to participate this year, showcasing nearly 20 IPs of a diverse range and their creative products. The pavilion presented not only art toys, games, animations, and comics that blend authentic Hong Kong characteristics with trendy elements, but also interactive creative products integrating augmented reality and virtual reality technologies. The exhibits demonstrated integration of technology and culture while offering visitors an immersive experience at the exhibition. The participation at the CICAF not only highlighted Hong Kong's unique strengths in the digital entertainment sector, but also promoted the local industry's outstanding creativity and capabilities to the Chinese Mainland market, deepened exchanges and co-operation in the cartoon and animation industry in the two places, and helped the industry expand its commercial and trade networks.

Hosted by the National Radio and Television Administration, China Media Group, and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the CICAF is one of the largest high-profile and highly influential cartoon and animation festivals on the Chinese Mainland. For more information on the CICAF and the Hong Kong Pavilion, please visit cicaf.hzxcw.gov.cnand www.hkdea.org.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19 and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, showcasing nearly 20 cultural intellectual properties and their creative products. Photo shows participating companies interacting with visitors. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19 and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, showcasing nearly 20 cultural intellectual properties and their creative products. Photo shows the Hong Kong Pavilion attracting an enthusiastic response from visitors, demonstrating a keen interest in Hong Kong's dynamic and vibrant digital entertainment industry. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19 and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, showcasing nearly 20 cultural intellectual properties and their creative products. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases