(25th Anniversary of the Return of Hong Kong) Xiao Huijun, President of the Hong Kong (Region) Chamber of Commerce in China: Building a bridge of communication to witness integrated development

　　China News Agency, Beijing, June 25th: Xiao Huijun, President of the Hong Kong (Region) Chamber of Commerce in China: Building a bridge of communication to witness integrated development

　　China News Agency reporter Li Xuefeng

　　"'Taxi', 'pay the bill', 'AA system'... These names that used to be only in Hong Kong are now popular in the mainland. This is also a testimony to the deepening integration of Hong Kong and the mainland for more than 20 years." Hong Kong's return On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the motherland, Xiao Huijun, president of the Hong Kong (region) Chamber of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as the "Chamber of Commerce"), accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency.

She just returned to Beijing from Hong Kong a few days ago, and she can't remember how many round trips she has made on this route over the decades.

Xiao Huijun, chairman of the Hong Kong (region) Chamber of Commerce in China, recently accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency, saying that the most important job of the chamber of commerce is to build a platform and bridge for mutual communication and understanding between Hong Kong and the mainland, and will continue to assist Hong Kong and the mainland in the future.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee issued by China News Agency

　　Because "Liu Sanjie" entered the mainland to build a bridge of communication

　　Recalling the experience when he first entered the mainland more than 40 years ago, Xiao Huijun has a fresh memory.

　　In 1978, the mainland's first scenery music feature film "Liu Sanjie" met the audience for the third time in Hong Kong.

Xiao Huijun was attracted by the beautiful scenery of Guilin, Guangxi and the beautiful folk songs in the film, and the idea of ​​​​seeing it out on the spot was born.

Since then, she has traveled and inspected inland many times.

　　"In the early 1990s, many Hong Kong people and Hong Kong enterprises saw the business opportunities brought about by reform and opening up. Although they hoped to develop in the mainland, they had no channels." Xiao Huijun said that it was under such circumstances that in 1993, a group of business people The Chamber of Commerce was established with the assistance of the former Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (now the Ministry of Commerce), the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

And she also quit her job in Hong Kong the following year and chose to develop in the mainland.

　　More than 20 years have passed, and the Chamber of Commerce has established professional groups in different fields including real estate group, technology group, cultural and creative group, and Hong Kong people's life group, and the organization has developed to more than ten provinces and cities.

Xiao Huijun said that he participated in the growth of the chamber of commerce and witnessed the integration and development of the mainland and Hong Kong.

After the Hong Kong election system was improved last year, she became a member of the new election committee as a representative of Hong Kong people in the Mainland.

　　"The purpose of the chamber of commerce is to promote economic and trade cooperation, talent and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland, and promote common prosperity and development. The most important task is to build a platform and bridge for mutual communication and understanding between Hong Kong and the mainland," she said.

　　Talking about the integration and development process of Hong Kong and the mainland, Xiao Huijun admitted that "it is not easy".

"Before the handover, Hong Kong mostly spoke Cantonese, used traditional Chinese characters, and the way of thinking and behavior was also influenced by Western culture. More importantly, the legal systems of Hong Kong and the mainland are different, especially in terms of contracts and contract signing. There are often many differences." Xiao Huijun said that with the joint efforts of the central government and the SAR government, many non-governmental organizations, including chambers of commerce, often hold various forums and seminars to help solve problems. close.

　　In the future, Hong Kong people should integrate into the overall situation of national development

　　On the eve of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Xiao Huijun made a special trip to visit the mainland with her two daughters.

She said that she hopes her daughter can learn about the country through personal experience, not just hearsay.

The data picture shows that on July 28, 2021, the premiere ceremony of the public welfare documentary series "Hong Kong People in the Mainland · 100 People Pepsi" planned and produced by the Hong Kong (Region) Chamber of Commerce in China was held in Beijing. The film tells the story of 100 people who work, study, The personal experience of living Hong Kong compatriots.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee issued by China News Agency

　　In Xiao Huijun's view, Hong Kong has a special status, a rich reserve of professional talents, and the diversified industries in the Mainland, such as the progress of agricultural science and technology, the development of general aviation, and the transformation of the environmental protection industry, have provided a lot of opportunities for Hong Kong people to use their hands and feet.

　　"The mentality of young people should be more open and inclusive, listen carefully, ask for advice with an open mind, and communicate patiently." Xiao Huijun, as a "come here", sent a message to Hong Kong youth: prepare yourself as soon as possible, set off as soon as possible, and actively integrate into the overall situation of national development.

In her opinion, young people do not necessarily have to go to first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Many second- and third-tier cities and even vast rural areas have great potential for development.

　　Regarding the future development plan of the Chamber of Commerce, Xiao Huijun said that he will continue to give full play to the flexible characteristics of non-governmental organizations, and share investment information and policies by holding forums, seminars, business negotiations and on-the-spot inspections, and assist in the integrated development of commerce and trade between Hong Kong and the mainland.

　　"Hong Kong people are the most resilient and self-improvement in adversity." Xiao Huijun said that even in the face of unfavorable factors such as the epidemic, he believes that with the strong support of the central government, and under the leadership of the new chief executive and the new governance team, Hong Kong will definitely open a better tomorrow .

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