Interview: 'HK Will Be Best Place for British Companies'

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, June 10, 2002

Interview: 'HK Will Be Best Place for British Companies'

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"In the long term, Hong Kong will be the best place for British companies to do business," said Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Brigadier Christopher Hammerbeck.

Hammerbeck explained lately that with China's accession to the World Trade Organization, opportunities for trade and investment will grow. Hong Kong as a window through which the outside world looks inside Chinese mainland is the best place for British companies to do business.

He pointed out, Hong Kong's rule of law, free communication, free press, safe and secure society, plus free and clean government with high financial credit, all makes it a safe and good place for British business people to base themselves.

Hammerbeck also sang high praise for the Hong Kong people and cited his recent experience of buying a new car as a proof.

"Not just the car salesman, but also the insurance company, the bank and the government license office, everybody working flat out to get my car on the road as quickly as possible."

He expressed belief that this social spirit of everybody working behind one project concertedly will make Hong Kong carry through its contemporary difficulties.

Faced with Asian financial crisis and global economic recession, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on the whole has done "a pretty reasonable job," resulting in Hong Kong being one of the least affected territory in the region, the executive director noted.

Hammerbeck was happy that Hong Kong is currently undergoing economic reconstructing for economic rejuvenation.

Hammerbeck said a survey conducted by his chamber last year showed 93 per cent of the members were satisfied with the business environment in Hong Kong, and 83 per cent anticipated more prosperous times in Hong Kong in 2003.

"We all have confidence in Hong Kong's future," said Hammerbeck.

Since its founding 15 years ago, the Chamber has seen its membership growing steadily to the current 1,300. Hong Kong is among the top ten of British trading partners while British companies in Hong Kong employ one tenth of Hong Kong's working force.

From Deputy Commander of the British Forces stationed in Hong Kong to the Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Hammerbeck has lived in Hong Kong for over ten years.

"Hong Kong is a strange place where you never feel you are a foreigner. That's completely unique," Hammberbeck told of his impression of Hong Kong.

He also stated, "I love China, and spend a lot of time in China. My partner is from Shanghai, and I have many friends in China."

On the wall of his office in Hong Kong's Wan Chai, there's a picture which he bought from an antique market in Beijing, depicting Chairman Mao Zedong during the Long March.

Pointing at the soldiers in the picture, Hammerbeck said when Chinese people become interested in something, they become "very, very enthusiastic."

"That's what moved me," Hammerbeck added.

Source: Xinhua

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