CGCC committed to boosting HK, nation’s development

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong will strive to improve the free flow of goods and services between the Chinese mainland and the special administrative region despite ongoing Sino-US trade tensions, the chamber’s chairman said.

Jonathan Choi Koonshum’s remarks came after he was re-elected CGCC’s chairman for the fourth time at the 51st-Term Board Inaugural Ceremony and Gala Dinner of the CGCC.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor congratulated Choi on his re-election during the ceremony. She praised CGCC’s hard work on behalf of Hong Kong’s industry and commerce over the years. Lam said Hong Kong’s role — both a contributor and a beneficiary of the country’s reform and opening-up — would remain unchanged in future.

The SAR government will continue to implement supportive measures for local enterprises to expand cooperation in the mainland and Southeast Asia.

CGCC will fully support Hong Kong in not only as a bridgehead for the mainland’s opening-up, but also in leveraging its advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle. This will also help the city integrate into the national development, said Choi.

Against an uncertain external environment, the new CGCC board will actively promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The SAR will continue to play a role as a connector, investor and operator, explained Choi.

“We will also facilitate exchanges and cooperation among Chinese entrepreneurs, including hosting the CGCC World Chinese Entrepreneurs Summit on a regular basis,” said the chairman. “This is so as to jointly explore opportunities in the Bay Area, ASEAN and along BRI routes, building CGCC as a platform of common prosperity for Chinese entrepreneurs worldwide.”

The chairman pledged to make greater efforts with committee members to carry through CGCC’s stance of “planting roots in Hong Kong, gaining support from the motherland and reaching out to the world”.

Choi said this was necessary to fulfill the vision of “building a prosperous Hong Kong, integrating into the development of the motherland and exploring worldwide business opportunities”.