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The fundamental strengths of the Hong Kong economy and the advantages it enjoys as a Special Administrative Region of China has made Hong Kong a desirable gateway for foreign companies to enter the Mainland market.
Foreign companies are also well protected in the field of intellectual property rights (IPR), with Hong Kong having a relevant, well-established legal framework that meets international standards, effective law enforcement and close working ties with IPR authorities on the Mainland.
These remarks were made by the Principal Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mrs Jennie Chok, today (July 21) at a Japan-Hong Kong Partnership Forum on export of environmental and energy technologies to China via Hong Kong.
Mrs Chok said that Hong Kong's close ties and trading relationship with China, serving as its window on the world and the world's gateway to the Mainland, had developed through many generations.
"After reunification with China, Hong Kong has fully capitalised on the advantages of 'One Country, Two Systems', and leveraged on the Mainland while engaging ourselves globally.
"Through the Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and multi-level regional co-operation, we have actively formulated multi-faceted co-operative measures and initiatives with the Mainland and have further opened up new areas for development, including becoming an offshore centre for renminbi business," Mrs Chok said.
But these advantages alone are not enough to justify Hong Kong as an ideal gateway for overseas businesses to access the Chinese market, she added.
"Equally if not more important are the strong characteristics and fundamentals of the Hong Kong economy that inspire investors' confidence, and the business-friendly environment that we provide.
"We have the rule of law upheld by an independent judiciary; we have a free flow of information, capital, people and goods; we have low taxes; efficient communications; and we have a level playing field for business. And most of all, we have a very law-abiding government," Mrs Chok said.
She also outlined the efforts Hong Kong made in protecting IPR and the support given to enterprises tapping into the Mainland market, including helping the enterprises enhance their understanding of the intellectual property laws and regulations of the two places and the corresponding protective measures.
"Hong Kong is firmly committed to protecting IPR because we recognise the importance of IPR to our economic growth," Mrs Chok stressed.
About 200 people from the Japanese government and business sector attended the forum, which was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Kanto Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee.
As the first round of the Japan-Hong Kong Partnership Forum, the forum explored the numerous business and financial opportunities offered by Hong Kong to Japanese enterprises in the export of environmental and energy technologies to the Mainland market.
Ends/Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:55
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