(27 June 2023, Hong Kong)  China will become the number one economy in the world within the next five to six years, and as China grows, Hong Kong grows along as well, Dr Allan Zeman said at a regional conference yesterday.

The future of Hong Kong is something of special, “China needs Hong Kong as the window to the world for China and the window to the world from China,” said Dr Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group and member of the Board of Governors of Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF).

Addressing a luncheon at the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Annual Presidents’ Meeting (APM) 2023, Dr Zeman shared with the over 140 attendees including university presidents his personal story in Hong Kong and elaborated on Hong Kong’s Super Connector role between the Mainland and the world derived from its “One Country, Two Systems” edge.

Speaking on the theme of “East Meets West – Connecting the World”, Dr Zeman also noted the immense opportunities offered by the Greater Bay Area, which has eleven cities with a total population of 86 million and having a GDP of 1.9 trillion US dollars – the ninth largest in the world.

OHKF is a Strategic Partner of the APRU Annual President’s Meeting and shares the event’s theme of “From Invention to Implementation – Solutions for a Sustainable Future”.

Going forward, Dr Zeman said universities are the future for the young generations and it is important to educate the students to look at the world with open eyes. 

At the Q&A session in response to audience’s question, Dr Zeman elaborated on Hong Kong’s leading role in green finance and further offered a solution to the innumerous disasters resulting from climate changes: “It is time now that countries work together…we can conquer it by working together.”