3 December, 2014

2014 China-United States Exchange Foundation Annual Conference
Mr. Tung Chee Hwa: Hong Kong an ideal interpreter of Chinese culture to the world

On December 3, the China-United States Exchange Foundation held its 7th annual conference. The event brought together many leading commentators on Chinese and U.S. economic development to take the pulse of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During the conference, Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, Vice-Chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of the China-United States Exchange Foundation, said that Hong Kong has a unique role to play in the exchanges between the two largest economies in the world; it is eminently suited to the role of chief exponent of Chinese culture, values and history to the world, as well as the country’s economic undertakings and priorities. By the same token, Hong Kong can also be the world lens that gives Chinese perceptions of other countries higher definition and clarity. All those at the conference were unanimously bullish about the prospects of Sino-U.S. cooperation, and predicted a growth rate of 7% to 7.5% for the mainland economy over the next few years.

The theme of conference was “China-U.S. Economic Outlook – Towards A Deeper, Mutually Beneficial Relationship”. A number of leading experts and authorities were on hand to preview global economic trends and express optimism about the prospects of China-U.S. economic cooperation.

In his keynote address, Mr. Tung Chee Hwa pointed out that Hong Kong is currently facing a number of new challenges. Chief among these are an imbalance in the distribution of wealth, the limited upward mobility of young people, an overheated property market and the current polarizing debate over constitutional reform. He urged Hong Kong people to refrain from expending time and energy on fruitless and divisive arguments. Instead, all stakeholders should come together in a spirit of reconciliation and find a way forward that parallels majority public opinion and Hong Kong’s long-term interests.

Shedding light on the background to the establishment of the foundation, Mr. Tung was moved to say, “I was born in Shanghai, brought up in Hong Kong, and have spent 9 years in the U.S. Both China and the U.S. have had a strong influence on me. I am proud to be Chinese, and embrace Chinese values, culture and tradition. On the other hand, I also appreciate the American way, its openness, innovative spirit, free competition, immense vitality and success. The question of how best to help drive Sino-U.S. relations has always been my main preoccupation.”

The conference attracted many guests representing diverse backgrounds, including Mr. Kit Szeto, Director & CEO of Dim Sum TV.

The China-United States Exchange Foundation was founded by Mr. Tung Chee Hwa on January 28, 2008. Over the past 7 years, the substantial contributions it has made to China-U.S. relations have been recognized by both Beijing and Washington. In the 4 main areas of education, exchange between officials and members of congress, dialogue between opinion leaders and research on key topics, it has been an active supporter of over 20 projects and initiatives.

Other highlights of the 2-hour annual conference included important speeches by Mr. Fan Gang, Director of China’s National Economic Research Institute (NERI) and 2001 Nobel laureate Michael Spence. The dinner reception that followed was attended by 200 guests and marked by a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Mr. Zhang Yesui, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Chinese ambassador to the U.S., said during the banquet that, as China’s main portal in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong’s future can be bright. He is confident that, as long as the different interests in society can work together harmoniously under the banner of One Country, Two Systems, the Pearl of the Orient will become more lustrous still.

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