The 25th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium late last year was themed "Integrating into the new pattern, creating a new chapter in cooperation" and was held in hybrid online-physical mode letting participants join without leaving their own cities.
Dr Peter KN Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said in his speech at the opening ceremony: “In the blink of an eye, the Beijing-Hong Kong Symposium has entered its 25th year. During this time we have witnessed the closer economic and trade relations between Beijing and Hong Kong; a historical process that creates a new pattern.”
In his welcoming speech, Dr Peter KN Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, said the next five years would be critical for the economic prosperity of Beijing and Hong Kong. Cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong could promote the high-quality development of the capital, integrate the five sons into the new development pattern, and at the same time bring opportunities for Hong Kong's sustainable development, he said
New development pattern
“Over the years, Beijing and Hong Kong have been cooperating closely, and have been able to conduct all-round, diversified and high-level exchanges and cooperation,” Dr Lam said. “Finance and service industries, cultural industries, urban construction and management, logistics and other fields will join hands to promote broader and deeper cooperation.”
The next five years would be critical for Beijing and Hong Kong to take off economically, Dr Lam said. Beijing-Hong Kong cooperation could promote the high-quality development of the capital, integrate the “five sons” into the new development pattern, and at the same time bring opportunities for Hong Kong's sustainable development.
Coupled with national development strategies, such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Belt and Road Initiative, this cooperation will boost the effectiveness of cooperation to the level of national development.
John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attended the opening ceremony. Mainland officials stationed in Hong Kong, including Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner's Office in the HKSAR Yang Yirui, Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Sun Xiangyi joined him. Acting Mayor of Beijing Yin Yong, Beijing Deputy Mayor Yang Jinbai, Secretary-General of the Beijing Government Li Zhijie and other officials participated in the meeting at the venue in Beijing.
Professional topics
At the Beijing-Hong Kong Cooperation Summit held immediately after the opening ceremony, international industry representatives discussed a number of professional topics to promote exchanges between the cities. Themes included opening up and promoting the new development of both, as well as creating a green hub to help enterprises continue to grow, coordinating development, jointly building an international technology innovation centre and connecting the world by boosting the service industry. The relevant HKTDC promotional activities will comprehensively strengthen the cooperation between the cities and create unlimited opportunities for enterprises in the two places.
Cooperation Summit speakers included HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Dr Patrick Lau as well as Ma Jun, Chairman and President of Hong Kong Green Finance Association, Founding President of Hong Kong Accounting Consulting Professionals Association. They were joined by Raymund Chao, Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers Asia Pacific and China, Sun Yao, director of Beijing Investment Promotion Service Centre and deputy director of the Municipal Bureau of Commerce, and Hou Yun, Inspector of Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park Management Committee.
The 25th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium was organised by the Beijing Municipal Government, HKTDC, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Chinese Importers and Exporters Association, Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, Hong Kong Chinese Manufacturers United. The event has been co-organised by the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the HKTDC since 1997, along with the relevant Beijing Municipal Commissions and Bureaus very year, aiming to continuously deepen and promote the economic and trade cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong.
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