Chief Secretary Carrie Lam visited Frankfurt and Düsseldorf on September 27 and 28 to promote Hong Kong to German enterprises as a platform to tap into the Mainland China and Asian markets.
In Frankfurt she met Chinese Consul-General Wang Shunqing and later spoke at the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" gala dinner held by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
Accompanied by Secretary for Innovation & Technology Nicholas Yang, Mrs Lam said Germany and Hong Kong have a long-established bilateral relationship and there is room for the two places to strengthen business ties and build partnership.
She highlighted Hong Kong's competitive advantages as the gateway to China for German companies, given its privileged and unique position under "One Country, Two Systems", a robust international trade and investment network, a strong tradition in the rule of law, low levels of corruption and crime, and a free and open economy, which are all valued by overseas and Mainland businesses.
She outlined various policy initiatives and infrastructure developments being implemented in Hong Kong to develop the city into an innovation and technology hub.
She also spoke on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's vast investments in infrastructure, culture, sports and leisure.
Hong Kong will play a significant role in, and has geared up to capitalise on, China's Belt & Road initiative, taking advantage of its unique role as the super-connector between Mainland China and the rest of the world, including Germany, she added.
Mrs Lam then visited Yau Hiu-tung and Au Yeung Chi-kin - two Hong Kong residents attacked on a German train in July - at the University Hospital of Würzburg.
She noted they are recovering with good progress and Ms Yau’s parents, who were also injured in the attack, returned to Hong Kong last week.
In Düsseldorf Mrs Lam spoke at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" seminar, giving an overview of how Hong Kong has maintained its competitiveness by strengthening traditional sectors like finance and trade, and developing new sectors like innovation and technology as well as creative industries.
She highlighted Hong Kong's super-connector role and opportunities under the Belt & Road Initiative, which German enterprises can leverage to expand their business.
She also met Chinese Consul-General Feng Haiyang.
