(23 June 2018)

Wenweipo – On 20^th June, Dr Jonathan Choi, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), led an entrepreneur delegation of CGCC to Paris, France to visit several government agencies and attended the “France – Hong Kong and Mainland China Economic Forum”. The Forum was co-organized by CGCC, the French government agency Business France and the China Federation of Industrial Economics, with the “Belt and Road” initiative being the theme. Dr Jonathan Choi shared that the Forum aimed to promote Hong Kong’s professional services to the business community in France which in turn facilitate trade – economic cooperation between Hong Kong and France.

During this time, Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, had the diplomatic visit to France and was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Forum. In her speech, Mrs Lam noted that the Belt and Road Initiative will bring a wide range of opportunities to Hong Kong and give Hong Kong a chance to boost its international image. Mrs Lam highly appreciated the close economic – trade relation between Hong Kong and France over the years. She shared that many French corporations have invested in Hong Kong and set up representative offices there.

Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, delivered the opening speech at the France – Hong Kong and Mainland China Economic Forum

In his speech, Dr Jonathan Choi highlighted the center role of France in the economic – trade relation between China and Europe as well as emphasized the important role of Hong Kong for foreign investors who seek to expand their markets to Mainland China. Hong Kong can perform as a financial and service hub for the “Belt and Road” initiative. With abundant capital flows and a deep pool of global financial talent, Hong Kong is the ideal centre to raise funds for infrastructure, investment and production projects, as well as to provide risk management, insurance and dispute resolution services.

Dr Jonathan Choi, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce, delivered speech at the Forum

The “France – Hong Kong and Mainland China Economic Forum” attracted the participation of more than 200 economic experts, government officials, representatives of various Chamber of Commerce and entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, China and France. The Forum focused on opportunities for development for the three regions in the “Belt and Road” initiative as well as the potential for economic and trade cooperation among the three parties.

Mrs Carrie Lam (first row, third from right), Dr Jonathan Choi (first row, fourth from right) and Mr Edward Yau (first row, second from left), Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong, took photo with the Guests of Honor

After the Forum, Dr Jonathan Choi and the CGCC delegation visited the Paris Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Entrepreneur Association in France to explore business and trade cooperation opportunities not only between China and France but also between Asia and Europe.

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