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Welcoming Remarks by Mrs Regina Ip at the Belt and Road Forum – “Brave New World”
2023-04-14
Welcoming Remarks by Mrs Regina Ip, GBM, GBS, JP,
Convenor of the Executive Council, Legislative Council Member,
and Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society
at the Belt and Road Forum – “Brave New World” on 14 April 2023
in Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel
Honourable Financial Secretary Mr Paul Chan, Distinguished Speakers, Consul Generals, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It’s my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Belt and Road Forum – “Brave New World” to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.
First of all, I would like to thank the Financial Secretary Mr Paul Chan for attending the Forum and to deliver a keynote speech in place of the Chief Executive who could not attend the Forum due to unforeseeable hectic schedule. Special thanks to Mr Bernard Chan for inviting Ambassador Mr Sihasak Phuangketkeow, former Permanent Secretary of Thai Foreign Service, to speak to us. My gratitude to Professor Thomas Chan of Chu Hai College for engaging Ambassador Mr Vladimir Norov, Former Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to be our keynote speaker. At the same time, I thank Mr Joseph Chan, Chairman of Silk Road Economic Development Research Center for inviting Professor Herminio "Harry" Lopez Roque Jr. to share his insights with us.
Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013 to promote co-operation among countries and territories, there have been marvellous achievements of the BRI throughout the decade. According to the latest statistics, more than 150 countries – accounting for two-thirds of the world’s population and 40% global GDP – have signed on to the agreements to cooperate in the realization of the BRI. A video on the BRI will be screened in a few minutes to highlight some major projects accomplished, including the China-Lao Railway which was opened to bidirectional international travelers from Kunming and Vientiane just yesterday.
As Hong Kong’s first major event to mark the 10th anniversary of the BRI, the Forum will consist of a partnership dialogue, featuring Mr Bilial Ahmad Butt, CG of Pakistan in Hong Kong; Mr Peyami Kalyoncu, CG of Türkiye in Hong Kong, and Mr Philip Yung, Director-General of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), to share their insights on the contributions and challenges under BRI. There will be two panel discussions hosted respectively by Dr Johnny Hon, Chairman Emeritus of the Global Group and Mr Edward Liu, Principal Representative of International Chamber of Shipping (China) Liaison Office.
Last but not the least, I would like to acknowledge the staunch support from our sponsors, they are Oriental Patron Financial Group, North Asia Strategic Holdings Ltd (NAS), Nova Credit Limited, Federation of Hong Kong Hubei Associations, Bank of Communications (Hong Kong Limited), OP Investment Management Ltd (OPIM) and Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macau (MAYCHAM); our supporting organisations, the Belt and Road Office, Hong Kong Energy, Mining And Commodities Association and Hong Kong Economic Trading International Association; and honourable speakers, consul generals, and everyone from Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas for coming to this forum.
I wish the Forum a resounding success and all our speakers and guests a very pleasant and enjoyable afternoon. Thank you!
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