Dr. Chen Hongtian Attending the First Inaugural Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony

2020.10.30

On 29 October 2020, the first "Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award Ceremony" was held simultaneously in venues across Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau the three cities. The event was hosted by the Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union. Dr. Chen Hongtian, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, a Justice of the Peace appointed by the HKSAR, Co-Chair of the Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union, and Chairman of Cheung Kei Group attended the event in Shenzhen and delivered a speech.

Ai Xuefeng, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen; Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao Special Administrative Region; and other senior government officials from the three cities such as Tan Tie-niu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong; Jonathan Choi, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC and Founding Chairman of the Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union; and renowned business leaders and young entrepreneurs from the Greater Bay Area attended the event.

Dr. Chen Hongtian giving a speech at the event.

In his speech, Dr. Chen Hongtian firstly congratulated the award-winning young entrepreneurs on behalf of the Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union. He said that the strategy for developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area proposed by the Central Government is a wise decision, as it allows Hong Kong, Macao, and the nine cities in the Greater Bay Area to integrate their resources, and develop in a synergistic approach. As such, many businesses could tap into more opportunities for development. In particular, the youths in Hong Kong and Macau could find new pathways for their career development.

Dr. Chen Hongtian shared that when he spoke with other successful entrepreneurs, they all felt that the process of starting a business is the happiest time of their career. However, he has also heard from young entrepreneurs that doing so in today's age can be a difficult process. In response, he said that many successful entrepreneurs have fought their way out of hardship, and he hoped that young entrepreneurs would stand firm in their beliefs, be diligent in hardships, and work hard to beat the odds, as their entrepreneurial journey can be the most exciting part of lives. Dr. Chen also reminded young entrepreneurs to focus on their careers, work hard to create wealth, and exercise corporate social responsibility to contribute to their country and the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Dr. Chen Hongtian and Vice Mayor Ai Xuefeng (third from left) presenting awards to the outstanding young entrepreneurs.

This event aims to identify promising young entrepreneurs in the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Greater Bay Area, and recognize them for their contributions and achievements to their respective industries and the Greater Bay Area. By encouraging them to continue their entrepreneurial spirit, it will in turn foster the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Participants at the event.

The first Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award has attracted applications from over 500 young entrepreneurs in the Bay Area. After the professional and rigorous selection process, with an independent judging panel formed by academic institutions and experts, 78 young entrepreneurs were finally selected in the six award categories: "Outstanding Young Entrepreneur", "Outstanding Young Entrepreneur - Best Entrepreneurship Award", "Best Technology InnovationAward", "Best Cultural Creative Award", "Best Business Service Award", and "Best Social Responsibility Award". Awards were presented to 44 Guangdong-HK-MacaoGreater Bay Area young entrepreneurs at the Shenzhen venue.

Group photo to commemorate the occasion.

After the awards ceremony, a series of keynote speeches and a roundtable forum for young entrepreneurs to discuss the development of the Greater Bay Area and their business experience were also held at the Shenzhen venue.