Latest news with #superconnector
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
New HKTDC Chairman Professor Frederick Ma Si-Hang Meets With Management Team
HONG KONG - June 2, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Professor Frederick Ma, the newly appointed Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), assumed office on 1 June and met with the management team this morning. Professor Ma said, 'It is both an honour and a tremendous responsibility to take up the chairmanship at this juncture of Hong Kong's economic transformation. While I am delighted to contribute to deepening Hong Kong's integration into the national development agenda, the unprecedented challenges of our era compel me to remain vigilant in leveraging Hong Kong's unique roles as a 'super-connector' and 'super-value-adder'.' 'I am confident that through the collective efforts of the HKTDC team, we will strengthen Hong Kong's core advantages as a global trading and international financial hubs while serving as a bridge linking the Mainland and global markets. Simultaneously, we will proactively explore emerging markets, drive enterprise innovation, sustainable development and digital transformation. This will ensure Hong Kong's enduring vitality on the global trading stage.' Biography of HKTDC Chairman Professor Fredrick Ma: Media enquiries Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department: About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: View the original release on
South China Morning Post
16-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong strengthens role as China's gateway to the Middle East
Readers discuss the Hong Kong business delegation's trip to Qatar and Kuwait, the lessons of Victory Day, and the US crackdown on overseas students Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification As a member of Hong Kong's business delegation visiting Qatar and Kuwait this week, I am excited to share my experience of it. This mission heralds an exciting new stage in Hong Kong's evolution as China's gateway to the Middle East. I am honoured to have been a part of it. Under the leadership of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, this mission came at a time of heightened global economic uncertainty. It was rewarding to see Hong Kong reaffirm its strategic role as a 'superconnector' to China, showing the city's vast potential as a 'super value-adder' in trade, commerce, finance and world-class professional services. The success of our trip is evident in the numbers: we witnessed the signing of over 50 agreements in key areas such as advanced manufacturing, financial markets, legal cooperation, investment and technology. It is inspiring to think how these agreements will accelerate Hong Kong-Middle East connectivity, especially with trade between Hong Kong and the Gulf Cooperation Council nations having soared by 53 per cent in the past four years. Having been on the chief executive's delegation to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates two years ago, I appreciate the unique composition of our delegation this time. With 20 top mainland entrepreneurs collaborating alongside 30 Hong Kong business leaders, we exemplified the immense advantages of 'one country, two systems'. This collaboration highlighted Hong Kong's international connectivity and openness, paving the way for new market opportunities. Our engagement with Qatar, driven by its ambitious National Vision 2030, and Kuwait, home to one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, opens new avenues for shared prosperity. Hong Kong's zero-tariff policy and status as a free port make us the perfect partner for Middle Eastern businesses seeking reliable trade relationships. This mission also underscored the vibrancy of Hong Kong's world-class professional services sector. Our integrated solutions in accounting, legal and financial services empower mainland enterprises to optimise their global operations and embrace important principles like environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and the digital transformation. It's clear that Hong Kong is an indispensable conduit for Chinese companies to thrive in international markets. Newsletter Every Saturday Hong Kong Update By submitting, you consent to receiving marketing emails from SCMP. If you don't want these, tick here {{message}} Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Follow us on Facebook to get our latest news. This successful delegation reinforces Hong Kong's vital role in China's national development strategy. By merging our global expertise with the mainland's industrial strength, we're creating powerful synergies that benefit everyone involved. The agreements and partnerships forged during this mission will not only enhance Hong Kong's and China's competitiveness but also open up new economic horizons. As Hong Kong continues to evolve and solidify its position as a global financial hub, I am thrilled to witness our role as a bridge between China, the Middle East and the world grow stronger than ever. Eliza C.H. Chan, member, Hong Kong's Executive Council, and senior adviser, Deloitte China US-led order has been the greatest force for peace Victory Day this year marked 80 years since World War II ended, symbolising the defeat of Nazism and fascism and the creation of the long peace sustained by the West and the United States. The carnage of the two world wars reinforced the need to defend the rules-based order maintained primarily by the US, the key guardian of democracy, freedom and stability. As US President Donald Trump stated, without American involvement, victories in both wars would not have been possible. The US-led order has been the greatest force for peace and progress. Post-World War II, it established a new system grounded in collective security, rule of law and open markets. Nuclear deterrence, democratic norms and alliances such as Nato prevented war and upheld the longest period of peace among great powers in modern history. The Western-led international order has been the first to act in cases of genocide, famine or natural disaster, securing the sanctity of life. The US system allowed demilitarised growth in Japan and Europe. Thanks to the global economic integration under US rules, the number of people living in extreme poverty worldwide dropped substantially. In 1990, more than 1.9 billion people lived under the World Bank's extreme poverty line. By 2019, that number had fallen to about 650 million. More than 1 billion people were lifted out of extreme poverty in one generation, where the stability and openness of the post-Cold War international order allowed capital and goods to reach more places, creating jobs and raising incomes. Defending this order isn't about resisting change but preserving core principles: aggression is unacceptable, laws apply to all and democracy is worth protecting. The cost of maintaining this order is real, but the cost of losing it would be catastrophic. The long peace must not be taken for granted. Collins Chong Yew Keat, foreign affairs analyst, Universiti Malaya Young people should rethink studying in the US I refer to your editorial, 'US shooting itself in foot with crackdown on overseas students' (May 12). The Trump administration's weaponisation of student visas to suppress those advocating for Palestinian rights has created an atmosphere of fear on US campuses. Students were detained simply for participating in protests supporting the Palestinian cause. These actions reflect a broader strategy to intimidate and silence dissent. The Trump administration's claim that visas are a 'privilege' that can be revoked at any time serves as a chilling reminder of how political dissent can be criminalised. It illustrates the extent to which US President Donald Trump will go to achieve his agenda, using intimidation as a tool against those who dare to speak out. The current environment is not conducive to career development or intellectual growth, particularly for those advocating for justice and equality. As the US increasingly becomes a hostile place for progressive thinkers, young people studying there should consider moving to Asia or Europe, where they may find more supportive environments for their aspirations and ideals. Stanley Ip, Sai Wan Ho
South China Morning Post
10-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Can Hong Kong truly live up to its ‘Asia's world city' brand?
During the recent ' two sessions ', Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed Hong Kong's 'one country, two systems' framework and called on the city to deepen international exchanges and cooperation. It was a timely reminder of Hong Kong's unique value to the mainland and how the city can assert its relevance in an increasingly polarised world. Advertisement Back in 2001, Hong Kong was branded ' Asia's world city '. In the last few years, the Hong Kong government has positioned the city as a ' superconnector ' and 'value-added' partner to mainland China and the rest of the world. Has the city fulfilled its role as a bridge facilitating the flow of people, capital and ideas? Or are we merely parroting slogans? It is high time we act on our brand promise, whether in relation to our talent mix, technology development, taking traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to the world or becoming a cultural melting pot and an education and management innovation hub. The government is proactively trying to draw talent to Hong Kong. But marketing and talent admission schemes can only do so much. To be a magnet for global talent, the city must offer unique career and entrepreneurship opportunities with access to international networks and the Chinese mainland's vast market. Hong Kong firms should be comfortable using English as the language of international business. Talent from Southeast Asia, Europe, the Americas and beyond cannot be expected to work in a Chinese-speaking environment. Advertisement
