The Philippine Consulate General participated at the annual consular reception of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (HKCGCC) at its main office in Hong Kong’s Central District on 25 May 2018 to promote exchanges with foreign consulates, foreign chambers of commerce and the business community.
In his welcoming remarks, HKCGCC Chair Dr. Jonathan Choi Koon-shum noted before the audience comprising members of the consular corps, including Philippine Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza, representatives of chambers of commerce and guests the accomplishments of the Chamber in the past year.
One of the events Dr Choi cited was the inaugural three-day Belt and Road Fun Fest held at the Chater Gardens starting on 1 December 2017, where the Philippine Consulate General managed a booth for tourism and trade promotion as well as organized performances by members of the Filipino community.
Dr Choi also declared a success the visit of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), led by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, to Jakarta. In particular he mentioned the successful cooperation with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jakarta in organizing the "Belt and Road Business Forum".
In mid-June, the HKCGCC will undertake a business mission to France, which will also be led by Chief Executive Lam.
The gathering, which has been held for 18 consecutive years, was also an opportunity for the Chamber directors to share with the consuls and honored guests, who included Dr Bernard Chan Pak-li, Hong Kong Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development, its future development direction and mutual cooperation opportunities.
HKCGCC Standing Committee member Johnny Chan Kwong-ming informed Deputy Consul General Atienza of plans to organize a business mission to the Philippines in early 2018.
Officials from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in Hong Kong, in particular Liu Yajun, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office, as well as Yang Yirui, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, also attended the event.
Dr Choi highlighted China’s role in helping businesses bridging and strengthening regional cooperation, especially in key projects being promoted by Chinese President Xi Jingping, namely the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Initiative.
The Chamber will do its part, he added, announcing that in August, it will invite ethnic Chinese businessmen from around the world to exchange views on the two major initiatives at the China World Summit on Chinese Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong.
The HKCGCC is one of the oldest and largest chambers of commerce in Hong Kong. At present, it has a membership of over 6,000, comprising association, company and individual members.
