********************************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, conducted the second day of her visit in Washington, DC, yesterday (June 7, Washington, DC, time).
In the morning, Mrs Lam attended a breakfast meeting hosted by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dr John Hamre. They had an in-depth discussion on the latest developments of Hong Kong, including political developments, opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative, and the areas to sustain Hong Kong's future economic growth, including culture and creative industries as well as innovation and technology.
Mrs Lam then called on the Deputy Secretary of Commerce of the Department of Commerce, Mr Bruce Andrews, to update him on the latest areas of growth in Hong Kong and the role that Hong Kong can play in fostering closer economic ties between China and the US.
"The US has always been one of Hong Kong's most important and valued trading partners. In 2015, the US was Hong Kong's second largest trading partner in terms of trade in goods. Over 1,400 US companies have set up their offices in Hong Kong. Given Hong Kong's role as the 'super-connector' between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world and our unique advantages under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong is well positioned to be the platform for US companies to do business in Asia, particularly in the Mainland of China. I am confident that Hong Kong's close economic ties with the US will be further strengthened on all fronts," Mrs Lam said.
In the afternoon, Mrs Lam attended a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, with prominent think tank representatives and opinion leaders from the Heritage Foundation, the Brookings Institution, the Cato Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the US-China Policy Foundation. During the luncheon, Mrs Lam and the participants discussed the political landscape in Hong Kong as well as the implementation of "one country, two systems" in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
After the luncheon, Mrs Lam called on the Under Secretary for Political Affairs of the Department of State, Mr Thomas Shannon, covering a range of government-to-government issues of mutual interest.
In the evening, Mrs Lam attended a dinner co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC, and the International Women's Forum (IWF), presided by the IWF's Immediate Past President, Ms Sein Chew, who is from Hong Kong. The IWF is an organisation comprising women leaders from around the world who are committed to building better global leadership. The guests attending the dinner came from different sectors covering public service, education, culture and creative industries, including three former US cabinet secretaries, namely former Secretary of Labor Ms Elaine Chao, former Secretary of Commerce Ms Barbara Franklin and former US Trade Representative Ms Charlene Barshefsky. During the dinner, Mrs Lam shared with the participants the various challenges faced by the current-term HKSAR Government and the key areas of focus in the remaining 12 months of her term.
Mrs Lam is continuing her stay in Washington, DC, today (June 8, Washington, DC, time). She will meet with Members of the House of Representatives and visit a museum before departing for New York in the afternoon.
Ends/Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:19
NNNN
