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| Research Highlights |
| Policy Forum | Research Exchanges |
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Policy Forum on Global Chaozhou People and the Belt and Road Initiative
31 May 2023 | 9:00–18:45 (GMT+8) | Cho Yiu Conference Hall, CUHK & Zoom |
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Mr Guoyi Zhang
Deputy Director, Department of Publicity, Culture, and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government |
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Ms Xuezhu Wang
Vice Mayor, Shantou City |
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Prof. Wai-yee Chan
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Development), CUHK |
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Dr Winnie Pui-shuen Ko
Chairlady, Federation of Hong Kong Shantou Community Organizations |
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Keynote Speeches: Chaoshan People and the Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative 
Moderator: Prof. Leonard K. Cheng President, Lingnan University 
Prof. Chack-fan Lee
Director, Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole; Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Hong Kong 
Prof. Chunsheng Chen
Secretary, Party Committee, Sun Yat-sen University |
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Thematic Speech (1): Building the Socio-Economic Network 
Moderator: Prof. Yuen-sang Leung Former Dean of Arts, CUHK 
Prof. Takeshi Hamashita
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo, Japan 
Prof. Hong Liu
Associate Vice President, International (Liaison & Coordination), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 
Prof. Pui-tak Lee
Distinguished Professor, Research Institute of Global Chinese and Area Studies, Huaqiao University |
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Thematic Speech (2): Engaging in International Trade 
Moderator: Prof. Chi-pang Lau Associate Vice-President (Academic Affairs and External Relations), Lingnan University; Member, Legislative Council, HKSAR Government 
Prof. Chi-cheung Choi
Adjunct Professor, Department of History, CUHK 
Prof. Gordon C. K. Cheung
Associate Professor, School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University, United Kingdom 
Prof. Guanmian Xu Assistant Professor, Department of History, Peking University |
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Roundtable Session (1): Hong Kong, Chaoshan, and Belt and Road: Economic Development 
Moderator: Mr Yat-ming Kwok Vice-President, Hong Kong Federation of Journalists 
Dr Simon Hoey Lee Chief Strategy Officer, China Resources Group (Greater Bay Area); Member, Legislative Council, HKSAR Government 
Dr Zhou Fang
Research Director, One Country Two Systems Research Institute 
Dr Victor Zheng
Associate Director (Executive), HKIAPS, CUHK |
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Roundtable Session (2): Hong Kong, Chaoshan, and the Belt and Road Initiative: People-to-People Bonds 
Moderator: Mr Kam-lam Chan Honorary Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Shantou Community Organizations 
Prof. Jian Wu
Vice-President, South China Normal University 
Dr Wing-man Ko
Non-Official Member, Executive Council, HKSAR Government; Former Secretary for Food and Health, HKSAR Government 
Prof. Chak Yan Chang
Former Department Head, Department of Government and Public Administration, CUHK |
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Closing Remarks 
Prof. Fanny M. Cheung Senior Advisor, Faculty of Social Science and HKIAPS, CUHK 
Dr Kai-yum Ma
Chief Supervisor, Federation of Hong Kong Shantou Community Organizations; Chairman, Hong Kong and Kowloon Chiu Chow Public Association |
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The Policy Forum on Global Chaozhou People and the Belt and Road Initiative was held at Cho Yiu Hall, CUHK on 31 May 2023, organized by the Federation of Hong Kong Shantou Community Organizations and supported by the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. The forum brought together domestic and international academics and politicians to discuss the relationship between the Chaozhou people and the Belt and Road Initiative from the perspectives of construction, socio-economics, trade, and people’s livelihoods. It also offered suggestions and recommendations for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Mr Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government; Mr Guoyi Zhang, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity, Culture, and Sports Affairs of the LOCPG; Ms Xuezhu Wang, Vice Mayor of Shantou; Prof. Wai-yee Chan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Developments) of CUHK, and Dr Winnie Ko Pui-shuen, Chairlady of the Federation of Hong Kong Shantou Community Organizations delivered the opening speeches. The forum consists of a keynote session, two thematic sessions and two roundtable sessions. During the keynote session, Prof. Chack-fan Lee stated that the Chaoshan area is one of the important starting points of the Maritime Silk Road. He also emphasized the importance of the global Chaoshan community for the Belt and Road Initiative. To illustrate this, he explained the ‘five areas of connectivity’ outlined in the Initiative’s blueprint. Furthermore, Prof. Chunsheng Chen highlighted the significance of the network built by the Maritime Silk Road and the advantageous geographical location of Chaozhou in maritime trade. He mentioned that this location could bring more opportunities for international trade to the people of Chaoshan, thereby cultivating the area’s excellent maritime trading tradition. In the first thematic session, Prof. Takeshi Hamashita introduced the history of Chaoshan merchants based on the Chaozhou Chronicles compiled by Jao Tsung-i. He also analysed the trade relations between Shantou Port and other countries. In the following panel session, Prof. Hong Liu discussed Qiaopi trading and the Southeast Asia network of Chinese merchants based in Singapore; and Prof. Pui-tak Lee, examined the history of Chaozhou merchants in Hong Kong’s financial industry, along with the example of Liu Po Shan and Liu Chong Hing Bank. In the second thematic session, Prof. Chi-cheung Choi explained a trade network that emerged from rice trading in Southeast Asia, which links up Chaoshan merchants in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and Shantou. Following Prof. Choi, Prof. Gordon C. K. Cheung discussed the relationship between the Chaoshan people and the shark fin industry in the context of Hong Kong, and the challenges that they face, while Prof. Guanmian Xu shared his research on the development of the Chaoshan sugar industry and its trading network since the 18th century, which covers the entire mainland of China. A total of three discussants participated in the first roundtable session. Dr Simon Hoey Lee began the session by providing background information on the Belt and Road Initiative and shared his personal views on the development of economic and trade strategies arising from that initiative. Meanwhile, Dr Zhou Fang investigated the importance and urgency of the strategic development of the Belt and Road Initiative in the context of China’s modernization and upheavals in international relations. Last, Dr Victor Zheng described the development of the Belt and Road Initiative based on the Global Competitiveness Index designed by the World Economic Forum. In the last roundtable session where three discussants participated, Prof. Jian Wu shared the history and advantages of Hong Kong and Chaoshan in fostering people-to-people bonds in Southeast Asia, whereas Dr Wing-man Ko reflected on his personal work experiences and participation in activities in Chaoshan to explore how the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative could be achieved. Last, Prof. Chak Yan Chang underscored the importance of geography and resource development in Chaoshan, which has led to the development of flourishing industries in sugar, dried seafood, and spices in the region. In the closing ceremony, Prof. Fanny M. Cheung, expressed their gratitude towards the experts, academics, and guests who attended this forum. She believes that research on cultural and economic development, as well as discussions on policies, will have a significant impact on the relevant areas. Dr Kai Yum Ma also expressed his aspiration for future cooperation with society, particularly with academia, to contribute to the Chaoshan people and the Belt and Road Initiative based on the principles of interconnection, extensive consultations, and joint contributions. About 300 participants attended the forum. ■ Videos: Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speeches Thematic Speech (1) Thematic Speech (2) Roundtable Session (1) Roundtable Session (2) and Closing Ceremony | |
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Visit to Osaka University, Japan 30 June 2023 | Social Solution Initiative (SSI), Osaka University, Japan |
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From left: Prof. Kohara, Prof. Uwasu, Prof. Dome, Prof. Cheung, Prof. Tong, & Prof. Ng |
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Representatives of SSI, Osaka University 
Prof. Takuo Dome Director, Social Solution Initiative, Osaka University Prof. Michinori Uwasu Professor, Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University Prof. Miki Kohara Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy, Osaka University Dr Takayoshi Miyazaki Member, Planning and Coordination Office, Social Solution Initiative, Osaka University |
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A delegate of three members of the Policy Research @ HKIAPS, including Prof. Fanny M. Cheung, Prof. Travis K. H. Ng and Prof. Yuying Tong, paid a visit to the Social Solution Initiative (SSI) of Osaka University in Japan on 30 June 2023, to discuss the topic of population challenges. They met with Prof. Takuo Dome, SSI’s director, and three other members, Prof. Michinori Uwasu, Prof. Miki Kohara, and Dr Takayoshi Miyazaki. In the meeting, Prof. Cheung introduced the Policy Research @ HKIAPS and its strategic research areas, as well as its current research initiative on population challenges. Prof. Tong presented her decade-long research on immigration issues, and Prof. Ng shared his study on the economics of education hub. Prof. Dome introduced the Social Solution Initiative, with a more detailed discussion on Inochi, the main theme of the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan for which the Social Solution Initiative will be one of the major organizers. In brief, Inochi is a concept that embodies not just life but also values and dignity integrity. It emphasizes exchanges not just in monetary forms but other forms such that people can give what they can offer to others in return for what they want with dignity. Prof. Dome was keen to make a real impact on society through this Expo theme. The concept of Inochi was also illustrated by Prof. Uwasu’s research on children’s cafeteria in Japan, a form of bottom-up voluntary organization in which volunteers offer a place and food for children who are in need. Children's cafeteria mushroomed in a number of Japanese cities, without direct regulations by the government. Besides systematically collecting data on children’s cafeteria, Prof. Uwasu has also actively engaged in the voluntary providers. Through SSI, they set up informal networks to facilitate sharing of experiences and challenges among the providers. Both universities’ delegates felt excited that Hong Kong and Japan share many similar population challenges and we can inform each other by further collaboration. In the future, the Policy Research @ HKIAPS and SSI will foster research collaboration on research related to population challenges, including but not limited to immigration policies to fill the labor shortages, development of education hubs, and policy interventions on the low fertility rates. ■ |
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