AmCham Hong Kong > Public Relations > Government Relations

Government Relations

Aug 2005 New US Consul General in Hong Kong

AmCham is the principal voice of the American business community in Hong Kong. Our increasingly influential public profile allows us to effect change on public policy issues that affect our members, to act as a bridge between the governments of HKSAR, Mainland China and the US, and to serve as a conduit of information to our members.

AmCham's government relations activities include:

Contacts with SAR Government Officials at the highest echelons, including regular meetings with the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and other ranking policy secretaries.

Regular dialogue with the Mainland Chinese Government and trade organizations, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), the Chinese Manufacturers Association and Xinhua.

Frequent US Administration and Congressional visits, including some 20-30 high-level delegations of visiting members and staffers per year, as a way to further understanding and promote dialogue.

Government Relations Committee coordinates government relations on behalf of the Chamber. The committee meets with the SAR's top-ranking policy secretaries, Executive Council and Legislative Council members, as well as leaders of political parties. Participation in the committee is limited to the Chamber leadership and also includes relevant Committee Chairs depending on the issue focus of the invited guest speakers.

Input to public policy by taking a position or providing input to public policy consultations on issues that affect members, when the Chamber feels it understands all aspects of the issue, can represent a consensus among members and have an impact on a policy decision. Committees draft position papers, or responses to consultation exercises, which are then submitted for approval by the Board of Governors.

Annual Washington Doorknock held since 1990. The Chamber leadership visits Washington DC to advocate key US-China trade issues, such as Permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status for China and China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). AmCham's delegation also updates US policy makers on Hong Kong's political and economic developments. During the week-long lobbying mission on Capitol Hill, delegates meet with 130-150 members of the Administration and Congress.

Annual Beijing Doorknock a delegation by the Chamber leadership to Beijing, to meet with senior government officials and to foster dialogue on a number of issues, including market access, the World Trade Organization, intellectual property rights and China's economic reforms.