October 25, 2011

Chief Secretary Stephen Lam began his visit to Berlin yesterday, where he delivered a keynote speech at a gala dinner held by the Hong Kong Economic &Trade Office in Berlin in the evening. Earlier in the day, he met with German Federal Government officials in charge of foreign, financial and cultural affairs and Berlin State Government officials.
 
At the dinner, Mr Lam addressed about 200 guests including government officials, members of the German Parliament, and representatives from business and social sectors. He reviewed the cooperation between Hong Kong and Germany and provided an update on Hong Kong's latest developments, including the work of developing Hong Kong as an international financial centre and offshore renminbi services centre.
 
In the afternoon, he called on German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle, Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble, and Minister of State to the Federal Chancellor, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture & the Media Bernd Neumann.  
 
Mr Lam briefed his German counterparts on measures the Hong Kong Government is adopting to enhance Hong Kong's role as an offshore renminbi services centre. He referred to the range of specific measures announced by Vice Premier Li Keqiang during the latter's recent visit to Hong Kong and invited the German business community to take advantage of the opportunities by investing in Hong Kong.
 
At a meeting with the Mayor of Berlin and Senator for Economy, Technology & Women's Issues Harald Wolf, Mr Lam expressed his wish to further promote economic and cultural exchanges between Berlin and Hong Kong. Mr Lam also visited four famous museums on Museum Island in Berlin in the morning.
 
Mr Lam will continue his visit in Berlin today, meeting members of the German Parliament and the business community.