Download Chinese New Year Reception in Munich

Chinese New Year Reception in Munich
25 February 2015
Welcome Remarks by Ms Betty Ho
Director,
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs (Central and Eastern Europe)
Dr Schachtner, Consul General Zhu (朱萬金總領事), Jack, Distinguished
Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the arrival of the Year
of the Ram. Today is the seventh day of the new year. In Chinese myth, today
marks the birth of human, so it’s the birthday for everyone, and I would like to
take this opportunity to wish all of you “Happy Birthday”.
2.
The Chinese New Year is also a good time to reflect our
performance. In the past year, Hong Kong did quite well. We enjoyed a 2.3%
GDP growth, and continue to enjoy almost full employment. Last month, the
Heritage Foundation once again named Hong Kong the world’s freest economy
– a position we have maintained for 21 years in a row.
3.
We are committed to maintaining Hong Kong’s fundamental
strengths, including the rule of law, free flow of information, capital and people,
a business-friendly environment, and most importantly for business, a low and
simple tax regime. Together with the very strategic location of Hong Kong at
the heart of Asia, Hong Kong will continue to be an ideal gateway for doing
business with China and Asia.
4.
In particular, I believe Mainland China is going to be a big market
for many Bavarian companies. With the unique advantages of Hong Kong
under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, we are the natural bridge for
doing business between Mainland China and the rest of the world. The latest
example is the launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect launched just
last November. This very new initiative will enable investors in Hong Kong and
Mainland China to trade and settle shares listed on the other market through the
exchange and clearing houses in their home markets. This not only links the
Mainland securities market with the international markets through Hong Kong,
but also reinforces Hong Kong’s position as the premier international financial
centre and offshore Renminbi business centre.
5.
On trade and services, Hong Kong companies enjoy a wide range
of liberalisation in entering the Mainland China market. A further agreement for
the basic liberalisation of trade in services between the Guangdong province and
Hong Kong will soon take effect on 1 March. Bavarian companies established
in Hong Kong can also enjoy the same benefits and privileges under the
liberalisation arrangements.
6.
Apart from economic ties, exchanges among people are also very
important. We welcome talents and professionals to work and live in Hong
Kong, which provides a good environment for doing business in Mainland
China and Asia, and at the same time offering a culture and style of living that is
familiar to Europeans. Last year, we have doubled the quota of the Working
Holiday Scheme between Hong Kong and Germany, which allows young people
of the two places to live, work and study in the other place for one year. I
encourage young Germans, including many of you here tonight, to come to
Hong Kong.
7.
May I also take this opportunity to update you a little bit on the
political developments in Hong Kong, which has drawn some media attention in
the world last year. You may have seen in the television and newspapers that
some road junctions in Hong Kong were blocked by protestors last year. I am
glad to tell you that the protest had ended peacefully last December. The Hong
Kong government is now gathering public views on the election for the Hong
Kong’s Chief Executive. We hope to forge a consensus on the way forward, so
that Hong Kong people will, for the first time in our history, be able to elect our
leader through a one man one vote election in 2017.
8.
Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we will bring some musical
performance here. In a few minutes, your will see the performance of four very
talented artists from Hong Kong, bringing you a modern way of playing
traditional string instrument from China. Again I welcome and hope all of you a
very prosperous, successful and healthy Chinese New Year. Thank you.
Ends