Remarks by Margaret Fong, C, USA
at the Farewell Reception at Harvard Club, New York
19 September 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is a sad occasion for me as I am here tonight to bid farewell to all my good friends in the Big Apple.

In the two years that I have been Hong Kong’s Commissioner to USA, I have traveled to 32 states and over 60 cities. Each is unique and offers immense opportunities to bring the already close ties between Hong Kong and your great country even tighten.

But there is one place that I keep on going back to (and it is not Washington, DC because I live there, at least sometimes), it is, of course, New York.

In the past 25 months, I was here 15 times (and would have come back even more times, if there are more hours in a day and more days in a week). For everyone here, it would be easy to understand why I keep coming back: New York is a city that attracts the best talents round the world; it is dynamic and vibrant, it has great restaurants, good theatres and certainly a place for some serious shopping. But more than that it is also a world financial centre and hosts the busiest port on the east coast (NY-NJ). It is this unique coming together of the many facets that makes New York so special and so alluring.

Hong Kong and New York shares many of the same attributes. We certainly compete with the best cities on dining, shopping and breathtaking scenery. We too are a logistics hub with the third busiest port in the world and with the NY-NJ port being the No. 1 destination of our ships on the east coast. Last year, the Hong Kong International Airport and JFK both received some 48M passengers but I have to say I prefer the in-town check-in and 23-minute train ride that Hong Kong offers. Both cities are part of NY-Lon-Kong, the triangle of the top financial centres of the world. But what’s most important is that New Yorkers and Hong Kong people are resilient and resourceful. Both cities have survived tough times and come out stronger. And as an eternal optimist, I am confident that we will look back at these turbulent times and be happy that the spirit that defines New Yorkers and Hong Kongers remains as strong as ever.

My two years as Commissioner, USA has allowed me to celebrate with our friends here two significant events in Hong Kong’s history – the 10th Anniversary of the HKSAR in 2007 and Hong Kong’s co-hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics Equestrian Events just this summer past. Neither would have been as successful had it not been for the support you have given Hong Kong throughout the years.

It was a great honour for me to preside at the Opening Bell Ceremony at NASDAQ on 2 July last year, the first market day following our 10th Anniversary. This was particularly appropriate as NASDAQ was the first overseas stock exchange we developed a partnership with. And that speaks to the long and close ties between two great cities. A tie I see continuing to grow by the day.

I would like to thank you all for making my stay here such a wonderful and memorable one. Every time I come to New York whether for our Spring Receptions or Dragon Boat Festivals or any other events, I feel I am coming home. In fact, I suspect Hong Kong must have got wind of how great a time I was having here that they decided to cut short my tour and get me home.

As I return to Hong Kong next month, I will bring with me fond memories of the warm welcome and friendship all of you have extended me. And if your travels should take you to Hong Kong, always know that there will be one grateful person there who looks forward to welcoming you to your home away from home.

Thank you.