Annie Wu, founder of first Sino-foreign joint venture, tells HK youth: Don’t miss the boat
Legendary Hong Kong businesswoman Annie Wu Suk-ching called for the establishment of a government-sponsored center in Shenzhen as a first step to help Hong Kong’s young people get involved and feel a sense of belonging to the prosperous Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Wu, the bellwether of pioneering Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs who brought the first overseas investment and technology to the Chinese mainland when it launched its groundbreaking reform and opening up back in 1978, is a testament to the synergy created through deeper cooperation between Hong Kong and the motherland over the past four decades’ economic miracle. With a fresh bout of historic opportunity lying ahead, she said Hong Kong youth cannot afford to miss the boat.
“The close collaboration among the regions will create an enormous economic community that will benefit the younger generation. Especially for Hong Kong young people, the opportunity to further their dreams both in pursuit of knowledge and their career will have no boundary,” Wu told China Daily. “They can travel to different cities of the region and pursue far more choices in trades or professions and can attend universities that provide subjects not available in Hong Kong.”
President Xi Jinping delivered a speech in Shenzhen on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the establishment of China’s first special economic zone in the southern city 40 years ago.
Xi called for efforts to synergize economic rules and mechanisms in the Bay Area. He urged wider exchanges and deeper integration among young people in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to strengthen their sense of belonging to the motherland.
Wu, born and bred in Hong Kong, suggested that the Hong Kong SAR government should establish a government-sponsored center in Shenzhen — the “core engine” of the Bay Area as described by President Xi in his speech — to assist young people to travel in the region and explore the opportunities available to them.
“This center should be different from the government offices already established in the mainland cities, “Wu said. “Instead, it should be equipped to provide the young people from Hong Kong with advice and assistance on visiting different cities. It should also serve as the main point of contact for connecting with universities, companies or other services to cater to the young people from Hong Kong.”
This center can be handled by the Home Affairs Bureau of the SAR government, together with the Federation of Youth and Vocational Training Council, she added.
“Only with this center can Hong Kong work closely with Shenzhen to lure young people to visit and eventually reside in the Bay Area,” said Wu, who is also honorary board member of the World Trade Centers Association.
Wu founded Beijing Air Catering Co, then known as “China-overseas joint venture 001”, in 1980, and is the company’s honorary president now.
In 1 9 9 2 , s h e p a r t i c i p a t e d i n Shenzhen Air Catering Ltd with Shenzhen Airport and Shenzhenbased China Southern Airlines to support the operation of the Shenzhen airport.
This indeed makes her a determined supporter, keen contributor, active participant, strong advocate and earnest promoter of the deeper integration and closer collaboration across the Bay Area. As always, she has the future of Hong Kong’s young people foremost in mind. At 72, she remains at the forefront of organizing exchange programs for Hong Kong youth, sowing the seeds of mutual understanding and involvement.
The close collaboration among the regions will create an enormous economic community that will benefit the younger generation. Especially for Hong Kong young people, the opportunity to further their dreams both in pursuit of knowledge and their career will have no boundary.’’ Annie Wu Suk-ching, Legendary Hong Kong businesswoman