"Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific Region" seminar opens today (with photo)
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    A two-day seminar on "Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific Region - Issues and Opportunities", jointly organised by the Central Policy Unit (CPU) and the Centre of Asian Studies of Hong Kong University, opened today (November 23).

     In his opening remarks to the seminar, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, said the seminar provided a platform in Hong Kong for scholars and experts in the region to identify the issues facing Hong Kong in its regional development, and how best to grasp the opportunities that lie ahead.

     The first day of the seminar included a keynote speech by former vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Wang Gungwu, on "Hong Kong Challenge: Leaning in and Facing out". The second day of the seminar will include a keynote speech by Co-founder of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies of Indonesia, Prof Jusuf Wanandi, on "East Asian Regionalism and the Role of Hong Kong".

     Four discussion panels tackling themes of concern to Hong Kong and the region were held. The themes were economic and trade co-operation, financial services, public health, and sustainable development and environmental protection.

     About 100 participants comprising academics, think-tank representatives, business leaders, consular and trade office representatives and officials were at today's seminar.

     More details of the seminar and speeches of the guest speakers are available at the CPU website at http://www.cpu.gov.hk.

Ends/Friday, November 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:26

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