Hong Kong can function as a super-connector in China-EU economic and trade cooperation which has unlimited potential. Jonathan Choi, the Chamber’s Chairman, recently led a delegation to visit Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom to explore cooperation opportunities among Hong Kong, the Mainland and Europe.
Chinese Ambassador to EU Affirmed Visit will Help Restore China-EU Economic and Trade Normalcy
One of the key activities of the delegation’s visit is to call on Fu Cong, Ambassador of China to the EU, in Belgium. Fu gave an update on China-EU relations and China’s policy towards the EU to the delegation. He expressed his belief that the Chamber’s visit to Europe would have a positive effect on promoting China-EU economic, trade, people-to-people and cultural cooperation. Choi said that the Chamber will continue promoting Hong Kong-EU and China-EU exchanges and cooperation. He expressed hope to continue receiving support and help from the diplomatic missions to the EU in future work.
Expanding the Germany-Hong Kong Economic,
Trade and Cultural Bridge
The delegation’s first stop was Germany, where they visited the Consulate-General of China in Düsseldorf, the German Chinese Business Verein e.V. (GCBV), and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Düsseldorf (IHK Düsseldorf). Du Chunguo, Consul General of China in Düsseldorf, said that the Consulate General hopes to strengthen the understanding and connections between China and Germany through economic, trade and cultural cooperation as Germans generally do not have sufficient knowledge or may even have misunderstandings of China. Choi said that besides promoting opportunities for cooperation between Hong Kong and Germany in the Greater Bay Area, this visit to Germany also aimed to promote cultural exchanges between the two sides.
Zhang Xiangguo, GCBV’s President and Wu Taibei, Chairman of its Board of Directors, and key members of its Board of Directors shared how to further expand the space for cooperation between Chinese businesses in the two places. In Zhang’s view, Hong Kong’s laws, economic status and advanced business models provide ideal references for Chinese businesses in Germany. Choi expressed hope that all Chinese Chambers of Commerce around the world would unite to secure the huge business opportunities brought by the digital economy and green economy.
Andreas Schmitz, IHK Düsseldorf’s President, said that China has been Germany’s largest trading partner in the world for many consecutive years, and Germany’s direct investment in China has also continued to rise. He expressed hope that Düsseldorf would boost more economic and trade cooperation with China. In Choi’s view, Germany, which is the largest and most populous economy in the EU, will likely have a broad space for cooperation with the Greater Bay Area going forward.
Promoting Hong Kong’s Merits During Visit to Belgium
The delegation then went on to Belgium and called on Cao Zhongming, Ambassador of China to Belgium. Cao said that there is great potential for cooperation in Belgium, which is an international leader in fields such as chemicals, biomedicine and microelectronics. He welcomed the Chamber leading more Hong Kong companies to Belgium for cooperation. Choi expressed hope that EU countries such as Belgium will promote the establishment of a multilateral platform to connect the new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs in order to jointly promote mutually beneficial cooperation with Belgium and other countries.
The delegation also attended a networking luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), where Choi was invited as a guest speaker to explain how Hong Kong can assist EU companies to explore business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and promote further cultural exchanges and interactions between China and Europe.
Fiona Li, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, said that overseas companies can actively expand their business to the Mainland and other parts of Asia through Hong Kong. Belgian entrepreneurs and high-level representatives of industrial and commercial organizations who attended the luncheon gave recognition to Hong Kong’s key role in promoting China-EU economic and trade cooperation. In the view of Jochum Haakma, Chairman of the EU-China Business Association (EUCBA), Hong Kong is an important partner for European companies to expand into the mainland Chinese market.
Discussing Partnership Opportunities with French Business Leaders
The delegation attended a forum held by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in Paris, France, and discussed opportunities for bilateral economic and trade development with over 1,300 business leaders. In his opening remarks, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, said that Hong Kong has close economic and trade relations with France. He pointed out that Hong Kong, which enjoys unique advantages such as connecting the Mainland market while maintaining a market economy and common law system, is the best springboard for French companies to enter the Mainland and Asian markets.
In the view of Olivier Becht, France’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Hong Kong offers many opportunities for French companies. He is pleased to see many French business representatives personally participating in this event, which fully reflects that the French business community remains deeply interested in Hong Kong.
Promoting Hong Kong’s Super-Connector Role to the UK
The delegation’s last stop was the UK. While in London, the 
delegation visited the Embassy of China in the UK, the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the UK Chinese Business Association (UKCBA), where they had in-depth discussions on further promoting economic and trade ties among Hong Kong, the Mainland and the UK.
When meeting with the Chamber’s delegation, Yang Xiaoguang, Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of China in the UK, said he believed that the concerted efforts of the business communities of the two countries would bring substantial benefits to each other’s peoples. Choi said that Hong Kong is now out of the pandemic and looks forward to having more contacts with the UK and other European countries.
Andrew Seaton, Chief Executive of CBBC and former British Consul General to Hong Kong, told members of the delegation that CBBC is committed to providing support to British companies interested in investing in the Chinese market, and he expressed hope to further promote economic and trade ties between the UK and China. Zhang Jinlong, Chairman of UKCBA, and Jamie Yin, Senior Vice President and Secretary General of UKCBA, introduced UKCBA’s latest affairs to the delegation members. Choi stressed that Hong Kong can assist British companies in developing business in China and the Asia-Pacific region, of which innovative industries and new energy have bright prospects for development.
Applying Influence on Sino-Foreign Cultural Exchanges
During this trip, the delegation actively promoted Hong Kong’s advantages in integrating Chinese and Western cultures, aiming to enable Hong Kong to become an important node for Chinese art and culture to gear towards the world and for showcasing the soft power of Chinese culture.
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Numerous contributions to promote Sino-French cultural exchanges
During the visit, French President Macron presented Choi with the French Legion of Honor award in recognition of his long-term contributions to Sino-French cultural and artistic exchanges. Over the years, Choi has repeatedly met with several French presidents, who praised him as “a pioneer in promoting friendship between the two countries” and awarded him the “Officer of Arts and Letters Insignia”.
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The Jonathan KS Choi Foundation has established nearly 10 cultural exchange centers around the world. Among them, Cloud House in Beijing was renovated with donations from the Jonathan KS Choi Foundation. In 2022, it became a center to promote Sino-French and Sino-European folk art exchanges. Macron, who visited the place in 2018, expressed his gratitude to Choi for his magnanimous undertakings for the public good.
The delegation also used this trip to attend the opening ceremony of the Jonathan KS Choi Art Education Centre at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. The center aims to carry out rich and diverse educational activities with a focus on contemporary art, and provides art education activities especially for children with special needs.
Hong Kong can collaborate with UK’s outstanding creativity
During this trip, the delegation also visited the Jonathan KS Choi Creative and Cultural Centre in London. The center is located at De Montfort University. Choi said that the UK has very outstanding creative industries. He expressed hope to work with De Montfort University to open up new areas of cooperation in creative industries and creative culture.
The center houses a new-model Confucius Institute and De Montfort University’s design department. Since its establishment, the center has focused on exploring the field of creative cultural cooperation and is committed to promoting educational and cultural exchanges between China and the UK.
Choi pointed out that art breaks down language and geographical barriers and allows spiritual communication between Chinese and foreign people. Therefore, over the years, he has continued to build cultural centers in many places around the world to actively promote cultural development.
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