HONG KONG, July 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham HK) advocated for stronger U.S. engagement in the fast growing Asia Pacific region, highlighting that Hong Kong'sstrategic role should be recognized with a U.S. visa-free program for HKSAR Passport holders.
AmCham HK held Washington, D.C. Doorknock, with a team of eight business leaders, from June 12-15, 2017.
Led by Chairman Walter Dias, Vice Chairman Jack Lange, and President Tara Joseph, the purpose of the mission was to understand post-TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade priorities in Washington, raise awareness in Washington about the significant role of Hong Kong for U.S. businesses and advocate for a territorial tax system to increase U.S. competitiveness overseas.
"We understand that the current administration is focused on bilateral trade agreements and asked for more government to government engagement to ensure U.S. interests are represented in the Asia Pacific region," said Chairman Walter Dias. "Representatives from the congressional offices and the administration are also open to the idea of including Hong Kong in the Visa Waiver Program noting the great U.S.-HK relations at both government and citizens levels."
This year, AmCham HK co-hosted a symposium with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC to reflect on Hong Kong's past 20 years since the handover to mark the HKSAR's 20th anniversary.
U.S. Consul General to Hong Kong & Macau Mr. Kurt Tong delivered a keynote address at the symposium, describing the significance of Hong Kong in US-China relations.
"Hong Kong continues to be -- sometimes quietly, sometimes more visibly -- an essential element of the overall Asia-Pacific region writ large, including by serving as a positive example to the rest of the Chinese-speaking world about how much can be achieved by an open and fair society, which cherishes both economic freedom and freedom of expression. Hong Kong also continues to serve as a pivotal nexus for regional commercial activity. And it remains a vital economic bridge between China and the rest of the global economy," said Consul General Tong.
With close to 35 formal and informal meetings, the delegation met with the many U.S. administration officials, congressional offices as well as prominent think tank experts, international agencies and business associations, including Departments of State, Commerce, the Treasury, the Brookings Institute, Bower Group Asia, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Carrying on the success of this year's Doorknock in understanding the latest priorities and perspectives from Washington on trade, AmCham will continue dialogue and engagement to ensure the challenges and opportunities faced by American businesses based in Hong Kong are reflected to decision makers back home, particularly ahead of the APEC Summit in September 2017.
AmCham HK gives special acknowledgements to United Airlines; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld; the Asia Society Policy Institute; and Christine Davies, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Development of the Asia Society for their support in making the AmCham delegation trip a success.
AmCham's Washington Doorknock Report:
http://www.amcham.org.hk/uploads/media/default/0001/03/a554a0ba4e8d34a6bd82848b2fbc0e50eb6b1e47.pdf
CSIS Symposium video and picture highlights:
https://www.csis.org/events/20th-anniversary-hong-kongs-handover-reflections-and-expectations
Consul General Kurt Tong's full speech at AmCham-CSIS co-hosted Symposium:
https://hk.usconsulate.gov/sp-2017061301/
Please contact the following persons for further details or interview arrangement.
For media enquiries:
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Agnes Tsang (Ms.) Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs Tel: (852) 2530 6927 E-mail: atsang@amcham.org.hk |
Queenie Tsui (Ms.) Manager, Government Relations & Public Affairs Tel: (852) 2530 6914 E-mail: qtsui@amcham.org.hk |
ABOUT AMCHAM HONG KONG
With close to 1,600 members, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) is one of the largest American Chambers outside the United States, the largest international chamber in Hong Kong, and one of the most dynamic and influential international business organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. AmCham's mission is to foster commerce among the United States, Hong Kong, and Mainland China; and to enhance Hong Kong's stature as an international business center.
