18 November 2004

Fifteen outstanding mainland entrepreneurs awarded PolyU's Bauhinia Cup

Fifteen winners of the 2004 Bauhinia Cup Outstanding Entrepreneur Awards were presented with their prizes by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) at a gala dinner yesterday (17 November). The coveted awards were presented to them by Mr Zheng Kunsheng, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Organized by PolyU for the fourth time, this activity aims to give public recognition to outstanding entrepreneurs from the private sector on the Chinese mainland. It also provides a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and the mainland to exchange their experiences and explore further business opportunities. (Please refer to the full list of awardees attached).

PolyU President, Prof. Poon Chung-kwong, said: "After the signing of CEPA and China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, there are bound to be more economic collaborations between Hong Kong and the mainland. This activity provides a good chance for entrepreneurs of both places to extend their network and work together to enhance the economic development of the motherland."

Under the Awards scheme, candidates were assessed in an open and objective manner by an eight-member Selection Committee comprising prominent community leaders and distinguished entrepreneurs from the mainland and Hong Kong. All awardees are remarkable leaders who have made significant contributions to business and industry, and their enterprises each has a production volume or turnover exceeding RMB150 million and an average profit growth of not less than 10 per cent in the last three years.

At the invitation of PolyU, Prof. Cheng Siwei, Vice President of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, has served as the Honorary President of the Awards scheme. Other Honorary Advisors include Mr Duan Yongji, Executive Chairman of the Board of China Non-Governmental Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Association; Dr Jose S.S. Yu, President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Dr Tsang Hin-chi, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; Mr Xie Boyang, Vice Chairman of The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; Prof. Wan Xueyuan, Vice Chairman of the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel; Mr Anthony Nightingale, Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Mr Andrew Leung immediate past Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries; and Prof. Poon Chung-kwong, PolyU President.

This event is also supported by major business organizations in Hong Kong and the mainland. Co-organizers include the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, China Association for International Exchange of Personnel, China Non-Governmental Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Association, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.

Since its launch in 1997, the Bauhinia Cup Awards scheme has honoured a total of 61 outstanding entrepreneurs from the Chinese mainland. Among the distinguished awardees are Dr Lu Quanqiu, Chairman of the Board of Wanxiang Group, and Mr Duang Yongji, Chairman of the Stone Group Corporation

Awardees of the scheme, including those of the past years, have been invited to join the Bauhinia Cup Outstanding Entrepreneur Association, which was established in 2001 with an aim to serve as a network for entrepreneurs and help promote the continuous economic development of the country.