Editorial | Engaging the US and Europe still critical to Hong Kong’s aspirations
- Financial secretary’s joint tour with Guangdong and Macau delegations to France and California help secure the city’s rightful position on the world stage
Engaging the world is not just essential for the government as it seeks to bring Hong Kong back onto the international stage following the pandemic. It is also pivotal for maintaining the city’s uniqueness under “one country, two systems” amid the changing political and economic environment.
It appears to be mission accomplished as Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po wrapped up his joint Greater Bay Area (GBA) delegation visit to France and the United States.
The veteran finance chief is well suited to the task, being one of the few top ministers who maintains relatively cordial relations with the Western world. This is also the first joint delegation organised by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, focusing on business promotion and cooperation on environmental protection.
From Paris to San Francisco, the feedback was reportedly positive.
Among the highlights were the Bay to Bay Dialogue between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and the US-China High-Level Event on Subnational Climate Action, during which landmark deals were signed to strengthen exchanges on climate issues and bilateral trade. Chan also briefed politicians and business leaders in France and the US on the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong and the GBA, a national drive to turn the area into an economic powerhouse.