Trade council boss talks up Hong Kong, brushes off Occupy Central protest plan
Chairman of Trade Development Council woos potential investors on visit to US as he dismisses threat posed by Occupy Central
Trade Development Council chairman Jack So Chak-kwong has reassured companies in the United States about the likely impact of the Occupy Central movement next year.
So said vigorous debate on social issues was a testament to freedom of expression, which was a cornerstone of Hong Kong's success.
While he disagreed with the civil disobedience movement, So, in an interview with Hong Kong journalists in New York, said it would be "just another form of expression of views if it proceeds peacefully".
"I don't see that US companies should worry about the movement," he said. "Occupy Wall Street broke out in 2011, but it was business as usual at the time."
He said the "one country, two systems" policy and Hong Kong's core values were the city's best sales pitch when it came to wooing US investors.
"It doesn't matter if people express different views. It is not good if there is only one voice," he said. "Hong Kong is a part of China, but we enjoy core values such as the rule of law."