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Chief Executive forges closer ties
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| Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang attends and speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations reception in New York. |
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| Chief Executive Donald Tsang is greeted by Maurice Greenberg (left), Honorary Vice Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations. |
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| Chief Executive Donald Tsang tours the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, accompanied by NYSE Senior Vice President Jeffrey Eubank (right). |
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| Chief Executive Donald Tsang speaks at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in Boston. |
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| Chief Executive Donald Tsang takes a question in a question-and-answer session at the Harvard forum. Moderating the session is David T. Ellwood (right), dean of the Kennedy School of Government. |
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| Chief Executive Donald Tsang poses for a group photo with Hong Kong students attending the Harvard forum. |
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang, visited the cities of New York, Boston and Washington en route to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 CEO Summit and APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Honolulu.
Mr. Tsang addressed a reception hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations as soon as he arrived in New York on November 7. Speaking on Hong Kong’s unique role, he said the city would continue to be the premier gateway to mainland China. The forum was well attended by renowned academics, economists and opinion shapers.
He cited the top five reasons for overseas companies’ choosing the city. They are a low and simple tax system, a free flow of information, a corruption-free government, an absence of exchange controls and a strong network of soft and hard infrastructure.
“These attributes, underpinned by ‘One Country, Two Systems,’ are the foundation of our role as a gateway into and out of mainland China — a gateway not only for business, finance and investment, but also a two-way flow of people, ideas, innovation, creativity and culture,” he said in his speech.
Mr. Tsang attended a breakfast meeting hosted by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the following day. He exchanged views with NYSE directorate on the latest developments of the bourses in the two cities and global trends.
In the afternoon, the Chief Executive addressed the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government on Hong Kong’s development after its reunification with China. He was a Harvard graduate holding a Master's degree in Public Administration.
During his speech, Mr. Tsang gave his views on the factors that hammered hope and fed uncertainty around the globe including Hong Kong in the new millennium. But Hong Kong had had an easier time due to a few factors.
“Our freedom from public debt, our position beside China’s growing economy, our prudent banking supervision — these have all helped to cushion us from some of the shocks that have come our way,” he noted.
“Standing in counterpoint to the story of economic uncertainty over the past 14 years is the story of the continued growth of Hong Kong as a unique, remarkable society. It’s the story of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ at work — and working well,” he added.
On his third leg of visit in Washington on November 9-10, Mr. Tsang attended a working breakfast hosted by The Heritage Foundation; and addressed a luncheon hosted by The Brookings Institution and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Washington, D.C., on Hong Kong’s strengths and enormous opportunities in the years ahead coming along with the continuing growth of China’s economy. He also called on Sen. John Thune, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin to update them on Hong Kong’s developments, and met with Deputy Secretary of State William Burns to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Concluding his visit November 10, Mr. Tsang attended a breakfast with the Business Roundtable before departing for Honolulu to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
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