Four major Hong Kong figures recognised by Beijing as ‘friends of diplomacy’ in inaugural award ceremony
- The four, drawn from business, government and academia, received their awards from Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Xie Feng
- Xie also paid tribute to city leader Carrie Lam and two of her predecessors as chief executive, as well as a former World Health Organisation chief
Four Hong Kong business figures and professionals were recognised by Beijing as “friends of diplomacy” at the foreign ministry’s inaugural award presentation in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Hang Lung Properties chairman Ronnie Chan Chi-chung, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce chairman Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, former Basic Law Committee vice-chairwoman Elsie Leung Oi-sie, and professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, economist and former head of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, received their award at the ministry’s annual spring reception on Kennedy Road.
Xie Feng, China’s top diplomat in Hong Kong, praised them as “compatriots who have made outstanding contributions to national and Hong Kong-related diplomacy for a long period of time”.
In his speech, Xie also praised four Hong Kong politicians as he defined Hong Kong people’s four roles in Chinese diplomacy as defending national security, promoting cultural exchange and national strategies, as well as taking part in global affairs.
