The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Frankfurt and Düsseldorf in Germany on September 27 and 28 (Germany time) to promote Hong Kong to German enterprises as their platform to tap into the markets of Mainland China and the Asian region.

     Mrs Lam arrived in Frankfurt in the afternoon on September 27 (Germany time). She called on the Chinese Consul General in Frankfurt, Mr Wang Shunqing, to express gratitude for the provision of consular assistance to Hong Kong people in need.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam delivered a keynote speech at the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" gala dinner organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to promote Hong Kong's powerful package of advantages for German businesses. She was accompanied by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang.

     She told some 400 guests that Germany and Hong Kong had a long-established bilateral relationship, and there would be room for the two places to strengthen business ties and build new ways of partnership in different areas.

     "Hong Kong is well placed to enable German businesses and investors to tap the rewards of Mainland China and the Asian region," Mrs Lam said.

     She highlighted Hong Kong's competitive advantages as the gateway to China for German companies, given its privileged and unique position under "One Country, Two Systems", a robust international trade and investment network, a strong tradition in the rule of law, low levels of corruption and crime, and a free and open economy, which are all valued by overseas and Mainland businesses.

     Mrs Lam drew attendees' attention to various policy initiatives and infrastructure developments in Hong Kong that were being implemented to develop the city into an innovation and technology hub. She also provided an overview of the vast investments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in the areas of infrastructure, culture, sports and leisure.

     Mrs Lam also told the participants that Hong Kong would play a significant role in and had geared up to capitalise on China's Belt and Road initiative, taking advantage of its unique role as the "super-connector" between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world including Germany.

     On September 28 (Germany time) before leaving for Düsseldorf, Mrs Lam took a detour to visit two Hong Kong residents, Ms Yau Hiu-tung and Mr Au Yeung Chi-kin, who were attacked on a train to Würzburg on July 18 this year. She met them at the University Hospital of Würzburg, where they have been receiving care since the attack. Mr Au Yeung's sister was also present.

     Noting that they were recovering with good progress, Mrs Lam wished them a speedy recovery and said that the HKSAR Government would continue to provide all practical assistance to them and their families. She was also pleased to note that Ms Yau’s parents, who were also injured in the attack, returned to Hong Kong last week with the assistance of the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin.

     While in Düsseldorf, she attended the HKTDC's "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" thematic seminar and spoke to some 600 audience promoting Hong Kong's strengths as the gateway to China and the Asian region. She also met with the Chinese Consul General in Düsseldorf, Mr Feng Haiyang, in the margins of the seminar.

     In her presentation, Mrs Lam gave an overview of how Hong Kong has maintained her competitiveness by strengthening traditional sectors like finance and trade and developing new sectors, namely innovation and technology as well as creative industries.

     She also highlighted Hong Kong's "super-connector" role and opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, on which German enterprises could leverage to expand their business.

     The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, accompanied Mrs Lam during the visit.

     Mrs Lam will leave Düsseldorf in the evening and arrive in Hong Kong in the afternoon on September 29.

Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 3:37

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