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How can Australian business maintain a strong presence in Hong Kong in light of the National Security Law? What are the strengths Hong Kong is likely to retain as a business centre and how can the government support businesses operating in Hong Kong? What is Hong Kong’s role in the GBA and how can Australian businesses get involved?

In partnership with Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Asia Society Australia warmly invites you to a special briefing with The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, deputy to the National People’s Congress of China and Convenor of the Non-Official members of the Executive Council, and Elizabeth Ward, Australia’s Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau. The discussion will be moderated by Sue-Lin Wong, China Correspondent for The Economist.

Join us for an update on the current business landscape in Hong Kong, how Australian businesses are responding to current tensions and restrictions, and what are the risks and opportunities of trading with Hong Kong.

The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, Deputy to the National People’s Congress of China and Convenor of the Non-Official members of the Executive Council

Bernard Charnwut Chan is a deputy to the National People’s Congress of China, a non-official member of Hong Kong’s Executive Council (2004-09 and from 2012), and (from 2017) the Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council. He is also a former member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (1998-2008).

A graduate of Pomona College in California, he is the President of Asia Financial Holdings and Chairman of Asia Insurance. He is Chairman of the Hong Kong – Thailand Business Council and an advisor to Bangkok Bank (China) Co. Ltd.  He sits on the boards of several local and overseas companies in financial services and is a director of Bumrungrad Hospital Public Company in Thailand.

Among his public service activities, he is Chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Chairman of the Hong Kong Palace Museum Ltd, Chairman of Tai Kwun Culture & Arts Co. Ltd., Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute and Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of Our Hong Kong Foundation.  Past positions include Council Chair of Lingnan University, Chairman of the Council for Sustainable Development, Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings, and Chairman of the two Standing Committees on Disciplined Services and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service.  He is also a Trustee Emeritus of Pomona College.

He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2002, and a Commander (3rd Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand in 2004.  In 2006, he was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government, and in 2020 he received Hong Kong’s highest honor, the Grand Bauhinia Medal. He has been conferred honorary degrees from Lingnan University, City University of Hong Kong, the Open University of Hong Kong, and Savannah College of Art and Design.

He is married and has two children.

Elizabeth Ward, Australia’s Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau

Elizabeth Ward has been Australia’s Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau since October 2020.

Ms. Ward is a senior official in the Australian Government with extensive experience in trade and investment policy. She was the chief negotiator for the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement and associated Investment Agreement and led negotiations on behalf of Australia in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Prior to her posting in Hong Kong, Ms. Ward was First

Assistant Secretary in the Trade, Investment, and Business Engagement Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

She has also served as Assistant Secretary in several branches of the department, covering Goods and Investment, Trade and Industrials, and Agriculture and Food.

Ms. Ward has previously served overseas at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, and the Australian Embassy in Cairo.

Ms. Ward holds a Master of Development Studies from Deakin University and degrees in economics and arts from the Australian National University.

Sue-Lin Wong, China Correspondent, The Economist

Sue-Lin Wong is the China Correspondent for The Economist. She was formerly South China Correspondent at the Financial Times, where she opened the FT's bureau in Shenzhen. Sue-Lin graduated from the Australian National University.