Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, Chairman of the China -United States Exchange Foundation.
This year's Hong Kong Forum on US-China Relations has come to an end.
First of all, I want to thank all the speakers who joined us in the last three days. Do you know that our speakers actually spread out in 9 different time zones? Our European friends dialed in at 2 am in the morning! My great appreciation to all, for your sacrifice and your contributions!
Second, I want to thank all the participants for watching or listening in. I hope the discussions in the past few days have been helpful to you—in understanding the challenges and what should be done to put the world back on the road to progress.
Indeed our many speakers and panelists have pointed out what should be done. If I were to summarize the thoughts expressed in these three days, I'd say: return to the dialogue table; restore respect and trust; allow competition and cooperation to co-exist; think about the developing countries and low income people that need help; know that all man live on this same planet and share a common destiny; Let's work together now.
The road is not easy. But together we'll find a way. One discussion is never sufficient. Change of circumstances will require us to re-visit the issues, and adjust our thoughts. When the pandemic and travel restrictions are over, I'd be happy to host this Forum again. We can then meet, face to face, in this wonderful city of Hong Kong.
The Chinese New Year of the Ox is just two weeks away. May I wish everybody Good Health, Good Fortune, and a Very Happy New Year!
