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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (October 6, Eastern Standard Time) continued his visit to New York by meeting with prominent financial figures there.
In the morning, Mr Tsang met with the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Mr William Dudley. They had a good discussion on the US monetary policy, as well as the economic outlook of major and emerging markets.
The next stop was the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where Mr Tsang met with the Chief Executive Officer of the NYSE, Mr Thomas Farley. They updated each other on the latest developments in the stock markets in New York and Hong Kong.
Mr Tsang then travelled to Washington, DC, and met with the President of the Heritage Foundation, Mr Jim DeMint. Mr Tsang updated Mr DeMint on the latest business and economic developments in Hong Kong, especially the tremendous opportunities arising from the "Belt and Road" initiative.
In the evening, Mr Tsang attended a reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC, to update the US business sector on the economic and financial situation and developments in Hong Kong.
Mr Tsang said, "We remain the only place in the world where global advantages meet China advantages.
"As China's major international financial centre and the world's pre-eminent offshore Renminbi centre, Hong Kong will play an important role in promoting the internationalisation of the Renminbi.
"The Renminbi, according to the latest report, has just overtaken the Japanese yen to become the world's fourth most-used currency for payment. And Hong Kong manages about 70 per cent of that global Renminbi payment. Hong Kong's Renminbi trade settlement system is well placed to respond to that demand."
Tomorrow (October 7, Eastern Standard Time), Mr Tsang will continue his visit in Washington, DC, to meet with senior government officials as well as business leaders in the US.
Ends/Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Issued at HKT 06:42
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