(3 August 2024)

Sunwah – From 31 July to 2 August 2024, Dr. Jonathan Choi, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance and Chairman of Sunwah Group, accompanied Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee, along with 30 leaders from Hong Kong’s political and business sectors, on an official visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

During their stay in Hanoi, the delegation participated in the Hong Kong – Vietnam Business Dinner organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They also met with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, leaders from various government departments, and representatives of prominent state-owned enterprises at the Government Office. Following this, the delegation visited VinGroup to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

The delegation led by HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee met with Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang

At the discussion session hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Chief Executive John Lee, Dr. Choi delivered a speech on behalf of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. He emphasized the close cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong, highlighting opportunities for strengthening ties in green finance, innovation, trade, and vocational education. Dr. Choi encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to tap into the Greater Bay Area, mainland China, and international markets.

In Ho Chi Minh City, on the afternoon of 2 August, the delegation accompanied Chief Executive John Lee and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Mr Phan Van Mai to a business luncheon co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The Luncheon was attended by over 200 guests, including leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, various government departments, business associations, enterprises, and universities. Over 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Hong Kong and Vietnam were announced during the event. One notable MoU was between Sunwah Group and Becamex IDC, marking their collaboration on projects aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emissions and sustainable development through innovation and digital transformation.

From left to right: Chief Executive John Lee (fifth), HCMC Chairman Phan Van Mai (sixth) and Mr Jesse Choi (seventh), Sunwah Group’s Regional Director (ASEAN)

After the luncheon, Mr Jesse Choi participated in a private meeting between the Hong Kong business community and Chief Executive John Lee as a member of the Advisory Board and Chairman of the Youth Committee of the Hong Kong Business Association in Vietnam (HKBAV).

Dr. Jonathan Choi also attended a press conference with Vietnamese and Hong Kong media, where he shared Sunwah Group’s 55-year journey in Vietnam. Expressing confidence in Vietnam’s economic potential, he committed to continued long-term investment and the promotion of trade between Vietnam and Hong Kong, particularly in sectors such as financial services (noting that VinaCapital recently signed an MoU with the China Construction Bank), innovation, green and smart manufacturing, and e-commerce.

From left to right: Chief Executive John Lee (third) and Dr Jonathan Choi (fourth)