Published: 19:01, June 20, 2024
CMA to celebrate 75th anniversary of nation’s founding with over 10 events
By Li Xiaoyun in Hong Kong

Guests and members of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong pose for a photo as it announces its plan to celebrate the 75th anniversary of China's founding on June 20, 2024. (LI XIAOYUN/ CHINA DAILY)

As the 75th anniversary of China’s founding approaches on Oct 1, various sectors in Hong Kong have been gearing up to launch a series of celebratory activities, and on Thursday, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) initiated more than a dozen events as part of the festivities.

In August, the trade organization will host a cocktail reception for consuls-general, consuls, counsellors of economics and commerce, as well as foreign chambers of commerce, aimed at deepening ties among local and overseas businesses circles.

The CMA’s signature event – the 58th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo – will be held in December. This year’s event will review the CMA’s 90-year history and the socioeconomic changes that have taken place in Hong Kong

This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The CMA will co-host an international forum with think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation on Nov 6 to probe into Hong Kong’s role in the development of the Greater Bay Area and the opportunities it can bring to the city.

The CMA’s signature event – the 58th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo – will be held in December. This year’s event will review the CMA’s 90-year history and the socioeconomic changes that have taken place in Hong Kong. During the exhibition, the CMA will distribute more vouchers to residents than it has at previous editions of the event.

CMA President Wingco Lo Kam-wing said that this series of activities is aimed at helping the business community of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region better understand the country’s development achievements, so as to form a collective force for innovation, transformation and development, and unleash a new, high-quality engine for Hong Kong’s economic growth.

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The association is planning to lead a high-level delegation to visit Beijing to introduce the latest developments in Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry to the central government.

“In recent years, we have ventured into a range of new services, including brand development, technology commercialization, and sustainable development,” Lo said.

Wingco Lo Kam-wing, president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, delivers a speech during an event announcing the group's plan to celebrate the 75th anniversary of China's founding on June 20, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

“These efforts aim to assist businesses in embracing opportunities brought by the national development of new quality productive forces,” he added.

The CMA has been holding events since the beginning of the year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the country’s founding as well as its own 90th anniversary. In April, for instance, the association signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vocational Training Council. As part of the cooperation, the CMA and its subsidiary, CMA Testing, will donate HK$4.5 million ($576,608) to the VTC, toward cultivating talent for Hong Kong’s advancement in new industrialization.

In addition, the CMA has hosted or will host forums focusing on key issues such as ESG (environmental, social and governance) and female development, and is holding a short video production competition for young people, with the aim of encouraging competitors to use this popular format to tell Hong Kong’s story.

In February, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said that in addition to staging the annual large-scale National Day banquet, the flag-raising ceremony, cultural performances and fireworks display this year, Hong Kong will also host a diverse range of events in all 18 districts, enabling residents from different backgrounds and age groups to participate.

 

irisli@chinadailyhk.com