Hong Kong Circle: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington D.C. Newsletter

My departure was a poignant moment as I have been honoured and privileged to have spent six of the last eleven years representing Hong Kong in Washington, D.C. and the United States.

In my six years in the U.S. capital, I have shared with my friends the sense of uncertainty as Hong Kong embarked on a historic journey under the novel concept of "one country, two systems".

Last year, we marked the tenth anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with a series of events across the U.S. Whilst Hong Kong has had its share of accomplishments and challenges in the past decade, the resilience of the Hong Kong people and their adherence to our core values of the rule of law, of respect for rights and freedoms, a clean and accountable government and a steadfast belief in free market have helped us emerge more competitive and as full of dynamism and vibrancy as ever.

From our long-standing relationship as close trading partners with the U.S., we have evolved into partners on fronts well beyond trade.

In the area of port security, Hong Kong is cited as a model of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Container Security Initiative cooperation and we are now working with the Department of Homeland Security on a limited Secure Freight Initiative pilot scheme on a voluntary basis.

We have been an active member of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering from its inception and will continue to play our part in fighting terrorist financing. And in the battle against global health hazards, Hong Kong is at every major international forum ready to share our experiences on avian flu and SARS.

We have done this because Hong Kong takes its role as a responsible member of the global village seriously. We believe that no community is immune from the global challenges facing us all today and that the best strategy is to work with our partners round the world.

If there had been any doubts about how interconnected we are, the current financial turmoil would have made that abundantly clear. The concerted efforts of the governments of the U.S., Europe and Asia have brought some stability back to the markets. There is still a lot of work to be done but hopefully we are now on the right track.

The lessons learnt from the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and 1998 have made the banking institutions in the region more robust. The Hong Kong government will take this opportunity to critically review the city's financial and banking systems to ensure that international standards are met and our supervisory functions are strictly executed.

I believe we will emerge from the current turmoil wiser and more equipped to deal with future challenges.

On a more personal note, the past two years as Commissioner allowed me to better appreciate the vibrancy, diversity and generosity of spirit that define America.

I have been privileged to have visited 39 states during my time in the U.S.; many officially, others for pleasure. And in every city I have been to, I have been struck by the energy, the creativity and the hospitality that were extended to me – from the Museum Hill in Santa Fe, New Mexico to the Mei Wah Museum in Butte, Montana to Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center at Huntsville, Alabama.

However fun and exciting New York and Chicago and San Francisco may be, Washington is always home because my dearest friends are here.

I would like to thank my friends in Washington and across the country for making my time so memorable. Nowhere in the world can you have so many brilliant minds from across the globe all ready and willing to share their insights. And so many of you have welcomed me into your home and made me part of your family.

As I return to Hong Kong, I know that I will always have friends in Washington, and in Des Moines, in Miami, in Seattle, in Atlanta, in Little Rock and many, many places across the United States. And I hope you all will feel the same – that you too have a friend in Hong Kong who will be waiting to welcome you.

The Hong Kong-US partnership has grown closer and stronger over the past decade. I am confident that you will give my successor, Donald Tong, the same support I have enjoyed.

It has been a true privilege to have represented Hong Kong in this great country and getting to know you all.

Thank you

Margaret Fong

Top

Chief Executive Delivers 2008-09 Policy Address

Delivering his 2008-09 Policy Address, "Embracing New Challenges," to the Legislative Council, Chief Executive Donald Tsang unveiled a number of measures to address the global financial crisis, protect the public interest and upgrade Hong Kong's quality of life.

Though not immune to the impact of the global financial crisis, Mr. Tsang commented that the crisis had not caused systemic damage to Hong Kong's financial market. He said that the government would seize the opportunity to reinforce the city's position as a global financial center.

The Chief Executive said he would establish and chair a task force to assess the impact of the financial crisis on the economy and propose specific options to address the challenges.

To enhance the resilience of financial institutions, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority would strengthen the supervisory framework for liquidity risk management for authorized institutions and review the methodology for calculating capital adequacy ratios in accordance with the latest guidelines and recommendations of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.

To maintain an investment-friendly environment, Mr. Tsang commented that Hong Kong would continue its international role in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. To better coordinate strategies and policies, the government had set up the Central Coordinating Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism. The initial stage of work was to scrutinize the supervisory regimes adopted by individual financial sectors to combat money laundering and terrorist financing with a view to drawing up legislative proposals.

With regard to food safety, the Chief Executive announced that the government had been working on a comprehensive Food Safety Bill for introduction in the current legislative session. The government would give priority to drafting the relevant part of the Food Safety Bill so that the authorities can promptly ban the import and sale – and order the recall of – problem food when necessary.

Mr. Tsang also said the government planned to introduce a bill on a statutory minimum wage during the current legislative session. He said the government would establish a Minimum Wage Commission to study the level of minimum wage, as well as the review mechanism.

In working to upgrade Hong Kong's quality of life, Mr. Tsang said a consensus had been reached with neighboring Guangdong Province to jointly transform the Pearl River Delta Region under the principle of promoting environmental protection and sustainable development.

He said Hong Kong and Guangdong would jointly work to achieve this objective in areas such as post-2010 emissions reductions, optimization of fuel mix for power generation, wider use of renewable energy, vehicle emission reductions, enhanced conservation and greening and scientific research.

The Chief Executive unveiled several measures that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and encourage recycling. These included, adopting new air quality targets in stages, giving due regard to World Health Organization guidelines; promoting the use of clean fuels such as gas for power generation; and legislating for mandatory compliance with building energy codes.

Mr. Tsang noted that the gradual development of democracy since 1997 had brought about significant changes to Hong Kong's political landscape as people had developed keen political awareness, which had led to higher expectations for effective governance.

To lay a solid foundation for universal suffrage, Mr. Tsang said that in the first half of 2009, the government would consult the public on the methods for electing the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in 2012 with a view to further democratize the election systems.

The moves would pave the way for the election of the Chief Executive in 2017 and the formation of the Legislative Council in 2020 by universal suffrage.

2008-2009 Policy Address: http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/

Top

Cato Institute Releases Report Ranking Hong Kong World's Freest Economy

Hong Kong remains the world's freest economy according to the findings of the "Economic Freedom of the World: 2008 Annual Report" released by the Cato Institute. This marks the 12th consecutive year Hong Kong has topped the ranking.

The report, produced by Canada's Fraser Institute and the Economic Freedom Network, a group of independent institutes in 75 nations and territories, ranks 141 economies for 2006, the most recent year for which data are available, on policies that are supportive of economic freedom.

Hong Kong retains the highest rating for economic freedom with a score of 8.94 out of 10, followed by Singapore and New Zealand. The United States ties for eighth with Australia.

Speaking at the "Celebrating the Miracle of Hong Kong" gala dinner organized by the Fraser Institute at the Conrad Hong Kong, Chief Executive Donald Tsang welcomed the report's findings, saying that the Fraser Institute and Hong Kong shared an "unswerving commitment" to free trade and open markets.

Mr. Tsang said that Hong Kong valued such accolade and pledged to continue to "walk the walk" of economic freedom in the years ahead.

The report uses 42 different measures to construct a summary index and to measure the degree of economic freedom in five broad areas: size of government; legal structure and security of property rights; access to sound money; freedom to trade internationally; and regulation of credit, labor and business.

The first Economic Freedom of the World Report, published in 1996, was the result of a decade of research by a team which included several Nobel Laureates, such as Milton Friedman, and over sixty leading scholars in a broad range of fields, from economics to political science, and from law to philosophy.

Chief Executive speech at the Fraser Institute gala dinner: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200809/16/P200809160287.htm

For more information on the Economic Freedom Network, data sets, and previous Economic Freedom of the World reports, please visit http://www.freetheworld.com/index.html

Cato Institute: http://www.cato.org/pubs/efw/

Top

U.N. Reaffirms Hong Kong's Status as Asia's Leading City for International Business

Hong Kong's status as one of the world's leading destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) and sources of outward FDI has been reaffirmed by the World Investment Report 2008, released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Hong Kong was the world's seventh, and Asia's second largest, FDI recipient, attracting US$59.9 billion inward investment in 2007. The Mainland of China ranked first in Asia Pacific in FDI inflows, reaching US$83.5 billion.

The United States remained the largest recipient country of FDI inflows, followed by the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Hong Kong was ranked number one globally in the report's "Inward FDI Performance Index," which measures the amount of FDI relative to the size of the economy. The report also found that outflows from Hong Kong, the largest source of FDI from the developing world, rose to US$53 billion in 2007 – more than twice the outflows from the Mainland of China.

The report attributes the results to general improvements in the investment environment in the region, including further liberalization of FDI, strengthened regional economic integration, resilient economic growth and strong industrial development.

Globally, FDI inflows rose by 30 percent last year to reach an all-time high of US$1.83 trillion.

Mike Rowse, Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, welcomed the report's findings,saying: "We are delighted that Hong Kong's status as one of the world's, and Asia's, most attractive destinations for FDI has again been reaffirmed by UNCTAD. Being recognized as the world's best performing economy in inward FDI is especially gratifying," Mr. Rowse said.

Looking ahead, Mr. Rowse said: "We believe Hong Kong will continue to be highly attractive to overseas and Mainland companies. The fundamentals of our investment environment are sound: rule of law, free flow of information, world-class infrastructure and clean government are all in place."

The World Investment Report 2008 is the 18th in a series published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

World Investment Report 2008: www.unctad.org/

Invest Hong Kong is the investment promotion department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. It is responsible for attracting and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing free services and support to help overseas and Mainland of China companies establish or expand their business presence.

Invest Hong Kong: www.InvestHK.gov.hk

Top

Hong Kong Remains Leading Business Hub for Overseas Companies

Hong Kong continues to be the top choice of location for overseas and Mainland of China companies to manage their regional businesses, according to annual survey jointly released by Invest Hong Kong and the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).

According to the results of the "2008 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong Representing Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong" conducted by the C&SD, Hong Kong was host to 6,612 overseas and Mainland of China companies representing parent companies located outside Hong Kong, as at June 2, 2008. This represents an increase of 2.7 percent from 2007. According to the survey, 3,882 of these companies served as regional headquarters or offices.

Mike Rowse, Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, welcomed the results, saying that the figure of 6,612 companies was an all-time high. "This is a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong's role as Asia's leading business hub," Mr. Rowse said.

Mr. Rowse cited two emerging trends which had strengthened Hong Kong's status as a regional and international hub: more multinationals upgrading their Hong Kong operations and more Mainland of China companies establishing local offices to capture business opportunities in the city.

Despite the survey's positive findings, Mr. Rowse commented that Invest Hong Kong would not become complacent. "The competition is getting stronger in the region, so investors have more choices," Mr. Rowse said. "Given the recent global financial difficulties and uncertain economic outlook, companies may delay overseas investments or even reduce the size of their operations. We therefore have to work even harder to attract and retain investors from all over the world."

According to the survey, as at June 2, 2008, there were 1,298 regional headquarters (RHQs), 2,584 regional offices (ROs) and 2,730 local offices (LOs) in Hong Kong representing their parent companies located outside Hong Kong.

The United States topped the list of countries/territories with RHQs in Hong Kong (311), followed by Japan (238), and the United Kingdom (119). The major lines of business of RHQs were wholesale, retail and import/export trades; business services (excluding information technology); and transport and related services. They employed some 142,000 persons in Hong Kong.

The United States also topped the list of countries/territories with ROs in Hong Kong (612), followed by Japan (494) and the United Kingdom (234). The major lines of business of ROs were wholesale, retail and import/export trades; business services (excluding information technology); and finance and banking. They employed some 97,000 persons in Hong Kong.

The Mainland of China topped the list of countries/territories with LOs in Hong Kong (499), followed by the United States (452) and Japan (440). The major lines of business of LOs were wholesale, retail and import/export trades; finance and banking; and business services (excluding information technology). They employed some 131,000 persons in Hong Kong.

Key favorable factors affecting the choice of Hong Kong as a location for RHQ/RO/LO (in descending order of favorableness rating) are:

(1) Simple tax system and low tax rate;

(2) Free flow of information;

(3) Absence of exchange controls;

(4) Corruption–free government;

(5) Communication, transport and other infrastructure;

(6) Free port status;

(7) Political stability and security;

(8) Geographical location;

(9) Rule of law and independent judiciary;

(10) Availability of business services and professional support services.

For the purpose of the survey, a regional headquarters (RH) is defined as an office that has managerial control over offices in the region.

A regional office (RO) is an office that coordinates offices and/or operations in the region.

A local office (LO) is an office that only takes charge of the business in Hong Kong on behalf of its parent company located outside Hong Kong.

"2008 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong Representing Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong"

www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp

Top

Wal-Mart Sets Up Asia Regional Headquarters in Hong Kong

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced the establishment of its new Asia regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

President and Chief Executive Officer for Wal-Mart Asia, Vicente Trius, said the Hong Kong regional headquarters will have strategic responsibilities for managing the company's current operations in Asia and for business development.

"Just as the Wal-Mart America's regional office in Miami oversees the company's operations in Canada, Central and South America," Mr. Trius said. "The new Wal-Mart office in Hong Kong will oversee the company's operations in Mainland China, India and Japan, as well as identify new business opportunities for the company throughout Asia."

Commenting on the reasons why Wal-Mart chose Hong Kong, Mr. Trius said Hong Kong was the perfect location from which to operate a regional headquarters for Asia, as it was centrally located and offers ready access to markets across the region.

Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mike Rowse, warmly welcomed Wal-Mart's decision to choose Hong Kong from among other cities in Asia, saying that the establishment of Wal-Mart's regional headquarters in Hong Kong represented a powerful vote of confidence in Hong Kong as the preferred location for leading global companies to manage their business in the Mainland of China.

Wal-Mart Asia's Vice President, People, Brian Walker, cited the advantages that Hong Kong offers his company, saying that with an abundant pool of talent and professionals in the city, Wal-Mart was able to recruit the right local staff for its regional headquarters. In addition, Hong Kong was equipped with excellent transportation, communications and technology infrastructure, which are essential tools for our regional management team.

Invest Hong Kong is a Hong Kong government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence.

Invest Hong Kong: http://www.investhk.gov.hk/

Wal-Mart: www.walmart.com

Top

Leading U.S. Hosting Provider Sets Up Asia Headquarters and Data Center

Rackspace Hosting, a leading provider of IT hosting, announced the launch of its Asia headquarters and data center in Hong Kong to meet global customer demand.

The data center in Hong Kong is in addition to Rackspace's four data centers operating in the U.S. and three in the U.K.

Rackspace's expansion into Asia marks the company's continued investment in customer service and demonstrates its confidence in the business opportunities that Asia represents.

Rackspace offers a full range of services including managed hosting, cloud hosting, platform hosting, virtualization, security and email services, storage and backup, and other professional services.

Jim Fagan, Vice President and Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Rackspace Hosting Asia, said Asia represented a significant growth opportunity for Rackspace, especially in the financial services area. "Our expansion into Asia is an important strategy in helping us reach our goal of being one of the world's greatest service companies," Mr. Fagan said. "We also believe Hong Kong's world-class IT infrastructure and rich talent pool will help us succeed in bringing another perspective to our service commitment."

Simon Galpin, Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, welcomed the launch of Rackspace's Asia headquarters and data center in Hong Kong. "Our stable political environment, sound legal systems that protect data and intellectual property rights, as well as world-class telecommunications, information technology and electric power infrastructure ensure the smooth running of the center," Mr. Galpin said.

Mr. Galpin commented that Hong Kong's position as the gateway to the Mainland of China provided a springboard for overseas companies to go into the Mainland market.

Invest Hong Kong is a Hong Kong government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence.

Invest Hong Kong: http://www.investhk.gov.hk/

Rackspace: www.rackspace.com

Top

U.S. Software Firm Opens New Hong Kong Office

With an eye to expanding its business in the Greater China region and to being closer to its existing clients, leading software firm Diskeeper Corporation has opened new offices in Hong Kong.

"Diskeeper Corporation has come to China to help businesses, educational institutions and governments achieve their goals," said Craig Jensen, Chairman and founder of Diskeeper Corporation.

"We have opened a representative office in Hong Kong to ensure the very best service to our customers throughout the Greater China region."

The California-based company, set up 26 years ago, specializes in computer defragramentation software to maximize the performance and reliability of computer programs.

According to the company, computer slow downs and failures are often blamed on hardware or software failure, when it may actually be the result of fragmentation.

Diskeeper has a long history of collaborating with Microsoft to come up with software compatible with the Windows program.

The company lists more than 90 percent of the Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. as clients. And while its products are well-known in Asia, Diskeeper, which also has an office in Britain, decided it was time to set up a presence in the region.

"Hong Kong's international reputation and strong talent base led us to choose the city for our new location," Mr. Jensen said, adding that Hong Kong's legal and accounting system made the city the obvious choice.

The Hong Kong office is overseeing the company's business development in the Greater China region. A support service manager is also based in the office to provide hands-on technical help for partners and customers.

Mr. Jensen said that moving to Hong Kong would allow the company to provide more direct services to its clients. "Opening a business here shows our strong commitment to improve our interaction with clients in the Greater China region, to better understand our clients' needs, which will help make our product even better."

Mike Rowse, Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said he was delighted that Diskeeper had chosen Hong Kong as the base for expansion of its Greater China business.

"With strong expertise and international reputation here, I am sure that Hong Kong will play a pivotal role in Diskeeper's business development in the Greater China region," Mr. Rowse said.

Invest Hong Kong is a Hong Kong government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence.

Invest Hong Kong: http://www.investhk.gov.hk/

Diskeeper Corporation: http://www.diskeeper.com/

Top

American Jim Thompson on Living and Working in Hong Kong

American Jim Thompson used his entire savings of US$500 to set up a moving company that has since become a leading global logistics firm. Chairman and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong-based Crown Worldwide Group of Companies, Mr. Thompson shares his experiences in the city he has called home for the past 30 years.

I was 18 when I first set foot in Asia, where my dad was posted as a naval officer in Japan. After getting a university degree in aeronautical engineering, I really should have got a job with a company like Boeing. But after having seen the world, I wanted to soak in more of Asia. So I returned to Japan in 1963, to work for a moving company that later closed. The staff asked if I would form a company, even though I didn't know how to form one and had no money. But I took my US$500 savings and cashed in my return plane ticket home to set up a household packing business. We were lucky that the clients then were willing to pay in advance, which was enough to cover staff salary. Still, it was a hand-to-mouth existence.

By 1970, the company was growing steadily. It was around that time I took my wife to Hong Kong for a delayed honeymoon. It was my first introduction to Hong Kong and I was drawn to it. I opened a branch office in 1970. Eight years later, the office grew to the point that it was time to shift the base to Hong Kong, where it was easier to operate.

I moved to Hong Kong at a time I consider the boom years. China was then just starting to open up. Hong Kong was always busy. There were fewer buildings, of course, but it was always an exciting place. It was like a breath of fresh air moving here, where people spoke English and it was easy to do business. I got into the logistics business at an opportune time. We had no real competitors back then, and multinational companies and medium-size firms were just beginning to realize they needed to be in Hong Kong. But it wasn't until 1989, when we acquired a major UK company that had businesses with Commonwealth countries, that we, in a sense, became a global business overnight.

As the removal business is seasonal work, we started branching out into records management. Again, we discovered a demand for professional services to manage documents. As we continued building our network, we found we were able to do more. Our Paris branch started handling art work for museums there, and these museums asked us why we did not do more fine art handling in other parts of the world. So we did. Going into the fine art delivery business requires a great deal of professionalism; if the work is damaged or lost, it's a tragedy to the world's culture.

There is no city like Hong Kong: the ease in which you can do business here, its open society. It has only got better. The recent abolition of wine and estate duties shows the government is progressive. My initial fear that Hong Kong's market-driven economy would be gradually eroded after the handover hasn't materialized. Compared to other cities where we also do business, in Hong Kong you don't have to contend with red tape, high taxes or corruption.

I feel strongly about giving something back to the community and have been fortunate enough to be involved in various efforts to promote Hong Kong abroad. One of the highlights has been working with the Hong Kong government to stage the musical event "Harbourfest" to help the city get back on its feet after SARS. We had 60 days to line up a top-notch program, and we succeeded in signing up high-profile acts, including the Rolling Stones.

But the highlight of my time here has been receiving the Gold Bauhinia Star. When I first found out about the award, I had to call them back later to make sure it wasn't a joke. But it is terrific to be recognized and feel appreciated.

One of Hong Kong's strongest qualities, which I hope will never change, is the opportunity it provides its people to build a better life. It is a place where people have come for many years and have been able to make something of their lives. For people with aspirations, whether it's an immigrant factory worker or someone who wants to make millions, Hong Kong allows that to happen. It's the Hong Kong people's can-do attitude, that kind of mentality, which sets the city apart from the rest.

Crown Worldwide Group of Companies: http://www.crownworldwide.com/web/cww.nsf/ww.index.htm

Top

New Colleagues at Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington, D.C.

Christine Au was born in Hong Kong. She graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and joined the civil service after the completion of a master's degree program on International Relations and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Miss Au assumed the post of an Assistant Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, D.C. in August 2008.

Immediately prior to this appointment, she was an Assistant Secretary for Health, responsible for legislation and policy formulation on tobacco control and consultative works for healthcare reforms in Hong Kong.

Agnes Kwan joined the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, D.C. as an Assistant Director-General in August 2008.

Miss Kwan was born and educated in Hong Kong. She joined the Hong Kong Civil Service in 1998 as an Administrative Officer.

She began her career in the Environment Branch (1998-2000) before moving to the Home Affairs Bureau (2000-02).

In 2003, Miss Kwan assumed the post of Assistant Secretary in the then Environment, Transport and Works Bureau. She was responsible for policy issues concerning promotion of quality enhancement of the construction industry and self-regulation of the stakeholder groups.

She then served as Senior Administrative Officer in the Education Bureau from early-2007 to mid-2008, where she was responsible for formulating strategies to facilitate the sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector.

Top

Playing a Round at Hong Kong's Spectacular Environs

Hong Kong is becoming a golf lover's paradise with more options than ever to play a round.

From a golf course right at the airport to the spectacular and challenging Kau Sai Chau Island course, golf in Hong Kong is accessible to all.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Golf Course, situated on an island and renowned as one of the most scenic public golf courses in the world, recently opened its third 18-hole course.

The new East Course will quite literally take the golfing experience to new heights, as its signature hole, the elevated par-four 14th, dramatically follows the cliff top for spectacular views of the South China Sea.

The East Course opening also marked the further development of golf as a sport in Hong Kong. Future operational cash flows from the course will be channeled into a new fund, the Kau Sai Chau Development Trust, for reinvestment into a series of long-term, golf-related developments. These include the establishment of Hong Kong's first multi-discipline Golf Academy, providing career training for young people in areas such as turf management, course operations and hospitality management.

Club Chairman, John C.C. Chan, explained that the first two courses at the Jockey Club-funded Kau Sai Chau were established 13 years ago with the aim of bringing the sport to the people. "Until that time, golf in Hong Kong was only offered through private clubs, which were quite unaffordable by the general public," said Mr. Chan. "But in keeping with the club's mission of enhancing the quality of life of the Hong Kong community, we wanted to make the sport accessible to all. Hence, the club decided to fund the construction of a public golf course on Kau Sai Chau, which to this day, remains Hong Kong's only public course."

Mr. Chan added that the establishment of the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course had brought many environmental benefits to the island. "It is the fifth in Asia and the first golf course anywhere in China to be classified as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, recognizing the high standards of environmental management we have put in place," Mr. Chan said.

Course Management Committee Chairman, Brian Stevenson, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said specific measures had been taken to maintain this high standard of environmental stewardship during construction of the East Course.

"The closed drainage system, the protection of sensitive streams and the restoration of eroded slopes have all ensured that the new course leads the world in standards for golf course construction," he said. "It will protect the ecology of the island in perpetuity."

At the SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course, located at the Hong Kong International Airport, even visitors passing through have the chance to practice their swing.

Since opening in September 2007, the course has received international plaudits, including a feature in Asian Golf Explorer. Designed by Scottish golf course architect Alexander Duggie, the course features undulating greens, an artificial lake and extensive sand bunkers. It is also Hong Kong's first nine-hole golf course featuring an "island green."

Owned and operated by Airport Management Services, a subsidiary of Thailand's King Power Group (Hong Kong), SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course is fully lit for night play.

The Nine Eagles Golf Course is part of the new SkyCity development at the Hong Kong International Airport, located next to Terminal 2 and AsiaWorld-Expo.

The course can easily be accessed by all the major road transport services, including by MTR to Tung Chung or by Airport Express direct to Asia World Expo.

Kau Sai Chau Golf Course: http://www.kscgolf.org.hk/index-e.asp

SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course: http://www.nine-eagles.com/

Top

Government Supports Developing Radio Frequency Technology

Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Rita Lau, said that with the clear objective of making Hong Kong a regional hub of innovation and technology, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government had been working consistently to promote the development of technology in areas where Hong Kong had a competitive edge.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Radio Frequency Identification Centre (Supply Chain Innovation Centre) at Hong Kong Science Park, Mrs. Lau said one area was radio frequency identification (RFID).

"RFID technology can be applied throughout the business process from material sourcing to after-sale services," Mrs. Lau said. "Indeed, there are so many innovative ways to apply this technology to various aspects of our life such as health care, transportation, food safety and shipping."

Mrs. Lau commented that the Hong Kong government had been a staunch supporter of the development of RFID technology.

From 2004 to 2007, the government's Innovation and Technology Fund provided financial support for a total of 17 RFID-related projects amounting to some US$13.84 million, covering areas such as improvement in RFID tagging and embedding technology, application of RFID technology in food safety, enhancement of privacy protection and communication security, and development of a real-time manufacturing shop-floor information infrastructure.

Citing successful examples of RFID applications in Hong Kong, Mrs. Lau noted that the Hong Kong International Airport was the world's first airport to fully utilize the technology to ensure the efficient flow of passengers and cargo.

The Octopus card, one of the world's earliest RFID-enabled payment solutions, won the Chairman's Award of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance's Global IT Excellence Award in 2006.

Noting that RFID could also be used for specific operational needs, Mrs. Lau said that a tenant at the Science Park had successfully worked out a mobile RFID solution for jewelry management systems. Its high performance RFID reader can capture more than 100 tags simultaneously, facilitating stock-taking and management.

Mrs. Lau said that the recently opened Hong Kong RFID Centre was yet another initiative to promote the development of RFID.

Occupying an area of 4,500 square feet, the Hong Kong RFID Centre is the largest of its type in the Asia Pacific Region. It aims to encourage the business, industry and technology sectors to showcase their capabilities and explore further opportunities for development. It also demonstrates to the public the many possible applications of the technology, to enhance their awareness and understanding of the next generation of RFID technology and its significance to the future economic and social development of Hong Kong.

Top

Hot Topics:

Brand Hong Kong

Constitutional Development

CEPA

Useful Links:

Hong Kong Government Information Center

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Invest HK

Hong Kong Tourism Board

Top

HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

1520 18th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202)331-8947 Fax: (202)331-8958

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an e-mail to hketo@hketowashington.gov.hk