More than 50 senior Hong Kong and Japanese businesspeople took part in the 31st Plenary Session of the Japan-Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committees, 5 February, at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. They included (front row, left to right): Shigemi Furuta, Japan Director, HKTDC; Pansy Ho, Managing Director, Shun Tak Holdings Ltd; David Wong, Chairman, Dah Sing Financial Holdings Ltd; Dr Jonathan Choi, Chairman, Sun Wah Group; Kunio Suzuki, Chairman, Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee; Dr Victor Fung, Chairman, Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committee; Fred Lam, Executive Director, HKTDC; Dr Chow Yei Ching, Chairman of the Board, Chevalier International Holdings Ltd; and He Guangbei, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Ltd; back row (left to right): Peter Hung, Chairman, Hop Hing Holdings Ltd; Stanley Ko, Chairman, Jardine Airport Services Ltd; Alex Fong, CEO, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Bob Chong, Managing Director, Chungnam Corporation Ltd; Dr Allan Wong, Chairman, VTech Holdings Ltd; The Hon Jeffrey Lam, Managing Director, Forward Winsome Industries Ltd; Philip NL Chen, Chairman, John Swire & Sons (China) Ltd; Toshio Kodato, Executive Director, Asahi Breweries Ltd; Masaki Kohno, Vice Chairman, Dowa Holdings Company Ltd; Tetsuya Wada, Managing Director, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd; and Joyce Hui, Director, International Promotions, HKTDC 
Kunio Suzuki, Chairman of the Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee (second from left), and Dr Victor Fung, head of the Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committee(second from right), share a moment with Fred Lam, Executive Director, HKTDC (left) and Nobuko Sanui, Managing Director, Nippon Keidanren 
Members of the Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committee call on Katsuya Okada, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, prior to the 5 February Plenary Session in Tokyo. Mr Okada (right) listens as Hong Kong Committee Chairman Dr Victor Fung (opposite Mr Okada) talks of Hong Kong’s role as “the southern route to China” 5 February 2010 – China opportunities dominated discussions at the 31st Plenary Session of the Japan-Hong Kong and Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committees, which took place today at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
More than 50 senior Hong Kong and Japanese businesspeople took part in the annual bilateral meeting, chaired jointly by Dr Victor Fung, Chairman of the Hong Kong-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, and his counterpart, Kunio Suzuki, representing the Japanese side. Mr Suzuki is also the Representative Director and Chairman of the Board of Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.
Southern Route to China Discussions ranged from developments in the Chinese mainland’s Pearl River Delta region to the mainland’s financial market. Dr Fung, who led the PRD discussion, emphasised Hong Kong’s role as “the southern route to China” – for companies from Japan, and from all over the world. He also highlighted emerging business opportunities arising from Hong Kong’s decision to develop six new industries.
Asahi Breweries Ltd Executive Officer Toshio Kodato looked at the mainland’s consumption promise and partnership opportunities among Hong Kong, Japan and mainland companies. Dowa Holdings Co Ltd Vice Chairman of the Board Masaki Kohno focused on the mainland’s environmental industry and partnership possibilities.
Following the Plenary luncheon, Hong Kong members took part in a roundtable with representatives of leading Japanese think-tanks. The session was chaired by Dr Fung and included insights on trade and foreign policy under the new Japanese government and Hong Kong opportunities in Japan’s expanding China trade.
Government Meetings The day before the Plenary Session, Dr Fung and the Hong Kong committee, including Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Executive Director Fred Lam, met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuya Okada and the Parliamentary Secretary for Economy, Trade and Industry Chiaki Takahashi. In the talks, Dr Fung noted Hong Kong’s role as the southern gateway to the mainland and his willingness to help Japanese companies find markets on the mainland. They also had a luncheon meeting with key Japanese Diet members through the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League.
Kawasaki Green The Hong Kong committee also visited the Mayor of Kawasaki City Takao Abe. Kawasaki City is a leader in bringing innovative environmental technology to industry.
Attending the pre-plenary dinner were Hong Kong committee representatives, along with members of three leading business organisations in Japan – the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The HKTDC serves as the secretariat for the Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Committee, while the Nippon Keidanren is the secretariat for the Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee. The two committees will hold their 32nd Plenary Session next year in Hong Kong.