Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong to address British Chamber of Commerce for first time

Cui Jianchun will ‘share the spirit’ of third plenum and its ‘implications for international business in Hong Kong’ at event next week

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Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong will give the opening keynote speech at a coming British Chamber of Commerce summit. Photo: Sun Yeung

Published: 11:00am, 17 Sep 2024Updated: 7:30pm, 17 Sep 2024

Corrected [1:03pm, 17 Sep, 2024]

[1:03pm, 17 Sep, 2024]
This story has been updated to reflect this is not the first time the foreign ministry’s arm in Hong Kong has sent a representative to speak at events organised by chambers in the city.

Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong is set to deliver a keynote address at a coming British Chamber of Commerce event for the first time, in a bid to reach out to the international business community.

The city’s British Chamber of Commerce announced that Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong, would give the opening keynote speech at its summit on Tuesday next week.

“The Office of the Commissioner in Hong Kong holds significant importance in fostering foreign relations and promoting cooperation to enhance Hong Kong’s international influence and competitiveness,” the chamber said on Monday.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will deliver the closing keynote address of the summit, which the chamber described as one of the “largest and most important events” for the city’s international business community.

According to the chamber, the summit is expected to bring together senior leaders and experts from all sectors to offer updates on the latest technological advancements, digital innovations and key developments across the city’s business landscape, including digital banking, environmental responsibility, biotech and the Greater Bay Area.

Cui would “share the spirit” of the Communist Party’s third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee and its “implications for international business in Hong Kong”, the chamber said.