Latest news with #ReginaIp
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Global Prosperity Summit 2025 successfully concludes
Event underscores Hong Kong's bridging role, contributions in people-to-people diplomacy HONG KONG, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Prosperity Summit 2025 (GPS2025), jointly organised by Savantas Policy Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, came to a close today following two days of insightful discussions by distinguished leaders and experts from around the world on the most pressing issues impacting global prosperity. The event also underscored Hong Kong's bridging role and soft power in advancing people-to-people diplomacy and facilitating dialogue for addressing geopolitical issues. Mrs Regina Ip, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Savantas Policy Institute, said that the final two panel discussions at this year's Global Prosperity Summit focused on climate change and sustainable development, as well as Hong Kong's role. Quoting speakers at the event, she underscored the importance of enhancing efforts to showcase Hong Kong's cultural richness and achievements to the global audience, for the world to see the city's diverse identity, so that Hong Kong can fully demonstrate its role as a bridge, and continue to play a unique role on the international stage. Today's programme began with the first panel discussion on "Climate Change and Sustainable Development", a panel that brought together international experts for an in-depth exploration of issues such as climate change and green transformation. The Summit then concluded with "Hong Kong's Bridging Role in a Changing World", where international relations experts from the United Kingdom and United States shared their unique perspectives and insights. (Key points from these discussions can be found in the Annex.) Regarding the many strengths of Hong Kong, Ambassador Craig Allen, Senior Counselor, The Cohen Group, noted that "Hong Kong has some of the greatest entrepreneurs in the world"; "The financial markets are superb"; and "diversity is Hong Kong's strength." Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG LVO, Chair, China-Britain Business Council and Senior Adviser to the Group, HSBC Holdings plc, also pointed out that "I've always thought that Hong Kong undersells itself, not realizing its extraordinary assets, which in this time and this world, make it exceptionally well-placed. I think I'm right in saying that 70% of the foreign direct investment coming out of China goes through Hong Kong, 60% of the incoming investment into China comes through this territory. Britain does about as much trade with Hong Kong as we do with Japan." He also said "You only have to walk through Central, dance in Lan Kwai Fong, do what you always do in Hong Kong, to know that it is special and different and will remain so. So I say to my friends from Hong Kong here - keep selling Hong Kong. Be confident that it is what the mainland wants, it is what the leadership wants, and it is what the leadership will support." The organisers of GPS2025 said they are grateful to the speakers and experts who came to Hong Kong from the mainland and countries across the globe to share their profound insights and forward-thinking perspectives. They added that the summit will continue to invite renowned experts with a view to fostering global prosperity and strengthening cross-region and cross-sector collaboration. About Global Prosperity Summit Global Prosperity Summit was initiated by a group of business, academic and experts in Hong Kong to provide a platform for frank, objective and rational discussion of dominant issues impacting global prosperity. The inaugural Summit was held in Hong Kong in 2024. About Savantas Policy Institute Savantas Policy Institute (SPI) was founded in 2006 by a group of Hong Kong belongers with overseas experience who care deeply about Hong Kong. The core vision of SPI is to enhance Hong Kong's transformation into a knowledge-based economy. SPI engages mainly in conducting public policy research and analysis and recommending appropriate long-term developmental strategies, as well as promoting public understanding of and participation in the economic and social development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. About Shanghai Institutes for International Studies Established in 1960, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) has played a crucial role in conducting strategic research, providing policy recommendations and contributing to the understanding of international politics, economics, security and other related fields. It has evolved into an important institution informing and shaping China's foreign policy and global engagement and has been accredited as one of the most influential think tanks in China and around the world. About European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Initiated in 1997, the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham) is a non-governmental business interest group. The EuroCham is a 'Chamber of Chambers' with its membership comprising 16 European Chambers based in Hong Kong. The appointed representatives of these chambers make up EuroCham's Board of Directors. Over 1,600 European companies are operating in Hong Kong. In 2019, Europe maintained its position as Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner after mainland China and Hong Kong's second-largest export destination and third-largest import supplier.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Could space become Hong Kong's new frontier industry? Experts think so
Hong Kong should work with mainland Chinese authorities to turn the city into a space innovation hub to capitalise on its business opportunities, while also acting as a 'superconnector' for building a global consensus on aerospace regulations, experts have said at a global summit. Advertisement Experts made the suggestion at the Global Prosperity Summit on Tuesday, arguing that Hong Kong could take advantage of the massive opportunities arising from the mainland's rapidly growing BeiDou satellite navigation system (BDS) and other space technologies. The home-grown system is the country's answer to the global positioning system (GPS) and other aspects of space development. The summit was co-organised by local think tank the Savantas Policy Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Executive Council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who also chairs the think tank, said in her welcoming remarks at the summit that the event aimed to help the world recognise the unique role that Hong Kong played in 'bridging divides and reducing differences'. Advertisement She suggested that the city should strive to host more meetings involving international organisations, especially events that could facilitate agreements related to emerging sectors such as aviation.
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong firms should step up ties abroad to tackle Western bias: Regina Ip
Hong Kong's business and academic circles should step up exchanges with their overseas counterparts to help counter the bias of Western governments against the city and Beijing, a top government adviser has said. Advertisement Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who is the convenor of the key decision-making Executive Council, said on Friday that the non-government efforts could help build trust and in turn influence officials and politicians abroad. Ip was addressing a 2½-hour forum organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, which gathered business and political elites to share views on making use of the city's advantages and deepening international cooperation. In her keynote address to the about 200 guests, Ip emphasised the importance of 'Track II' diplomacy, which is the use of non-government level contacts to facilitate communication, build trust and resolve conflict. 'Some US congressmen make radical comments about China. But they have not been to China before,' said Ip, citing tensions between Washington and Beijing. Advertisement 'We can step up exchanges with think tanks, or opinion leaders [in the US] who understand China's perspectives better. Like in the past, when we had some trade issues with the US, we would talk to the US importers, hoping they could lobby their government.'
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to host crucial summit in wake of political elites' postponed US trip
Hong Kong's convenor of the Executive Council revealed on Tuesday the reason for the delay of a high-profile visit by the city's political and business elites to the United States during Easter was to avoid any misunderstanding amid ongoing US-China tensions as she announced details of a crucial coming summit. Advertisement Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who also chairs a co-organiser for the prominent Global Prosperity Summit in the city from May 19 to 21, further disclosed that two former US consuls general in Hong Kong, Hanscom Smith and Kurt Tong, would be taking part in the summit, along with a former senior mainland Chinese diplomat. 'Originally, I planned to visit the US during Easter last month, but I felt that the timing was not appropriate, particularly because [US President Donald] Trump has been stating daily that someone from China was reaching out to him,' she said. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce announced on April 17 that its delegation of 10 to 20 members and leaders would not depart for Dallas on April 24 as scheduled due to the rapidly changing geopolitical situation. This would have been the chamber's first visit to the US in seven years. The New People's Party, also led by Ip, similarly postponed its trip to the US. Advertisement 'We did not want to be misunderstood [as the] people reaching out to him. Therefore, I, along with lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, decided to postpone our itinerary,' she added. President Trump had refuted a Chinese statement on April 25, asserting that the two economic powers had held talks earlier that day to ease the ongoing trade war, contrary to China's claim that no such discussions had taken place.
South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
21 Hong Kong teachers punished for improper student relationships, a 5-year high
Twenty-one Hong Kong schoolteachers were deregistered or disciplined for having inappropriate relationships and physical contact with students in 2024, the highest number in five years, according to education authorities. Advertisement The figure was revealed in a recent reply of the authorities to a letter sent by veteran lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who had requested the information from the Education Bureau. Ip, who is also the convenor of the Executive Council, raised concerns last Friday over the rising number of cases, criticising school management who received high salaries for failing to monitor teachers' behaviour. According to the bureau's reply, the number of cases it received relating to improper teacher-student relationships or physical contact surged from seven in both 2020 and 2021, to 27 in 2022, 52 in 2023 before it dropped to 36 last year. The bureau said it would follow up on the cases it received, including asking that schools conduct investigations and submit reports. It would also review the registration of teachers and determine disciplinary actions based on the circumstances of each case. Advertisement 'If teachers are found to have committed serious offences, acts of immorality or professional misconduct, the Education Bureau will issue reprimand letters, warning letters or advisory letters to the teachers concerned, depending on the nature and severity of the incidents,' it said. 'For serious cases, the Education Bureau will cancel the registration of teachers.'
