The History of The Association

Although its independent status dates only from 1961, the roots of the Hong Kong Association date back to 1889, when the China Association was first established in order to represent the interests of the British mercantile community in Asia.

The first Chairman was Sir George Bowen, and the Committee included representatives of the principal City of London companies doing business in the Far East. In 1961, focus was given to the interests specific to Hong Kong by the formation of The Hong Kong Association and it became independent from its parent body.

The Association, which is a company limited by guarantee, includes most of the principal British companies investing and conducting business in Hong Kong, as well as leading Hong Kong companies active in the United Kingdom.
The Association devotes particular effort to making sure that the business point of view is properly understood and given full weight; its policy is to cultivate contacts with ministers and policy-makers in the principal departments of both governments, as well as with other organisations such as the All-Party Parliamentary China Group. It maintains contacts with leading businessmen and policy-makers across the political spectrum. It also offers a platform to visiting Hong Kong Government officials, and to Executive and Legislative Councillors.​

The Hong Kong Association maintains cordial contacts with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. The Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London is an ex-officio member of the Committee, as is the Director (Europe) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.