John Lee vows ‘fast’ return to normalcy for Hong Kong as Asian Financial Forum kicks off

[HONG KONG] HONG Kong is planning to return to normalcy “fast” but in a “safe and orderly manner”, the city’s chief executive John Lee pledged at the opening of the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) 2023 on Wednesday (Jan 11).

“Rest assured, we’ll go fast - in a safe and orderly manner - towards our shared goal of everything resuming normalcy as soon and as practicable as possible,” he told senior business leaders and finance executives at the forum, which takes on a hybrid format this year.

“I’m delighted to be here, among the more than 2,000 of you taking in this 16th edition, live, from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,” he said, calling the start of the year a “happy and thrilling” one.

The forum, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and is typically the first flagship financial event of the year in Hong Kong, went virtual in the last two years when the city pursued a zero-Covid policy that it only exited from last quarter.

Just three days prior, normal travel between Hong Kong and China resumed for the first time in nearly three years after border restrictions imposed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic were scrapped.

During an interview with visiting foreign journalists, Dr Patrick Lau, HKTDC deputy executive director, said the border reopening not only brought more participants to the forum but “positive energy and positive feelings”.

Noting that some speakers and guests were flying in to Hong Kong for just a day to attend the event, Lau said: “They reminded me of the good old times before the pandemic, when actually travel is a day trip, and that actually is a good sign that things are returning to normal.”

He added that the networking and dealmaking aspects of the event are important to participants, who have been eager to meet in person.

“Everyone needs to find new business especially in this difficult... economy,” he said.

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Asked about competition from Singapore in the area of business events, Lau said the collaboration aspect between Hong Kong and Singapore is often missed, adding that he just received a delegation from Singapore the previous day.

Noting that he does not view the situation as a “zero-sum game”, he said: “This is the Asian century, so all the opportunities are in Asia. There are so many opportunities that we can all work together.”