I was invited to dinner by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The theme was “Think Asia, think Hong Kong,” and took place in the ballroom of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London. It was a glittering affair with 350 present, and was addressed at the reception by Chancellor George Osborne, and at the dinner by Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary of China’s Hong Kong Administrative Region, and then by Lord Green, Minister for Trade & Investment.
I learned some intriguing facts about Hong Kong. It is the world’s 10th largest trading economy, and was the world’s largest IPO market in each of the last 3 years. It is the 3rd largest foreign exchange market in Asia, and the 6th largest in the world. Its stock market is the 3rd largest in Asia, and 7th in the world.
All of this means that by any standard Hong Kong is a major player in the world economy, and it is good to see it still thriving, still booming some 15 years after sovereignty passed over to China and the “one country – two systems” rule was established to preserve its distinct culture and political traditions. Long may it prosper.
Filed under: Updates |
Madsen Pirie 