(L to R) TDC executive director Michael Sze; HKSAR Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa; Lord Falconer of Thoroton & TDC Chairman Peter Woo at the TDC annual dinner

This was the key message for UK business leaders in London from Trade Development Council (TDC) Chairman Peter Woo.

Welcoming 300 high-level guests at the Council's twentieth anniversary annual London dinner recently, Mr Woo said that the last two decades had been exhilarating years for Hong Kong as it moved from 17th to 10th place in world trade.

"The partnership between Britain and Hong Kong is ever expanding. Our trade has increased fivefold, reaching US$10 billion last year.
 
"We used to talk about Hong Kong as the gateway to China. The Hong Kong of today is much more: a global business platform and a giant marketplace."

Tale of three cities

Mr Woo said that TDC's job is to anticipate change and run with it. "We used to promote Hong Kong. Now we promote Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Dongguan. I call this a "Tale of Three Cities". These cities offer the full spectrum of business capabilities to companies around the world."

The UK guest of honour was Lord Falconer of Thoroton, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor, who described the dinner as "one of the key events in the London business calendar" and said Britain's relationship with Hong Kong continues to strengthen.

"Hong Kong is vitally important to UK exports to China. Hong Kong agents play a crucial role in China trade, drawing on their knowledge of China business culture and contacts with the mainland on the one hand, and familiarity with Western business practice on the other."

The Hong Kong guest of honour at the dinner was Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa who gave an overview of developments in Hong Kong and outlined the benefits of Cepa.

Among some of the guests at the dinner were Chairman of the London Stock Exchange Ltd Dr Chris Gibson-Smith; Group Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings plc Stephen Green; Chairman of Matheson & Co Ltd Henry Keswick; Chairman of Lloyd's of London, The Lord Levene of Portsoken, KBE; Honorary President of The Hong Kong Association, Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, KT, GCMG; and Chairman of the Great Britain - China Centre Alderman David Brewer.

Earlier in the day, TDC Chairman Mr Woo gave the keynote presentation at Hong Kong - SME Market Day in London which was organised in conjunction with the SME Council of the Confederation of British Industry and attended by 200 local business people.

Related links:
www.info.gov.hk