Speeches and Articles by Former Consul General Richard A. Boucher

Remarks to the Hong Kong Tourist Association
Goodwill Ambassador Inauguration

March 11, 1999

(As Prepared for Delivery)

Thank you very much. I'm pleased to be here this evening. Even in Washington, I don't get the chance to address so many ambassadors in one room. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the goodwill ambassadors on their installation, and note their good fortune in avoiding Senate confirmation hearings.

I'd also like to commend the Tourist Association for its initiative in starting this program to promote Hong Kong's recovery. Those of you gathered here today have demonstrated your commitment to Hong Kong. By simply telling the truth about Hong Kong on your trips back to the U.S. you'll go a long way toward reassuring Americans that Hong Kong remains the exciting city that it was before the handover, that it remains a free society based on free markets. Your efforts will demonstrate that the U.S. and Hong Kong share many common interests. Your commitment can help bring people and business back to the region and this great city.

The U.S. has a firm commitment to a free and vibrant Hong Kong, and to a stable, prosperous Asia. President Clinton has worked hard over the past year to help return growth to the region. The U.S. has kept its market open to your exports and met its obligations to the IMF. Americans are investing the capital needed to reinvigorate Asian businesses. We are working together to ensure that global capital flows can be used safely and efficiently. In fact, our interests in Hong Kong, while large, are bigger than dollars and cents. In Hong Kong we have a stake in China's future, and, in Hong Kong, we see that political and economic freedom work.

This is a time when we can work together to bring renewed growth to Hong Kong and the region. Despite the difficulties of the economic downturn, I tell Americans not to run away from Asia, but rather to look more closely for opportunities. And Hong Kong remains a place of opportunities.

Indeed, Hong Kong can act now to seize the opportunities for recovery. I would cite four major tasks: to build on the foundation of freedom, improve markets, upgrade technology and make Hong Kong a more attractive destination for tourists and business. As we have seen in the recent budget speech, the government is indeed moving boldly forward in some of these areas.

Democracy and the rule of law clearly matter to Hong Kong's people. Developing democratic practices at a pace supported by the majority of the people, and reinforcing the rule of law, will solidify Hong Kong's foundation of freedom and guarantee a stable environment for business and foreign investment.

Improving markets through a higher standard of disclosure and regulation, as well as improving their efficiency, will make Hong Kong a better destination for the capital that must come back to Asia.

Upgrading technology is a key to the future. Hong Kong is embarking on important projects like those already announced in the budget, and important policy developments like opening -we hope fully- the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. It also requires efforts by firms, schools, and government to use technology better.

Hong Kong can also take steps to ensure it is one of the most attractive destinations in the region for business and tourism. I'd encourage Hong Kong, and particularly those in the tourist industry, to look closely at the benefits your competitors are quickly gathering from more open aviation policies. Hong Kong's new airport is wonderful. Opening the airport to all potential business through an open air services regime will allow it to be a catalyst for growth throughout Hong Kong's economy.

Hong Kong is already working to define a better future for its environment. The swell of voices from across the community and the government's initial commitment are encouraging. But much hard work is needed quickly to preserve Hong Kong as a clean city which visitors are eager to see and to which businesses are magnetically drawn.

Those of you selected as goodwill ambassadors were chosen not only for a strong commitment to Hong Kong, but also for the ability to meet challenges head on. If you go out and tell the truth about how Hong Kong is facing its challenges on the road to recovery, people will understand that opportunity lives in Hong Kong. And you will be helping your countrymen back home by telling them how they can take advantage of all the opportunities that cooperation between the US and Hong Kong offers. Good luck, and thank you.

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