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Message from

the Co-chairmen of WCAC

Welcome to the first World Chinese Accountants Conference (“WCAC”), organized by the Society of
Chinese Accountants and Auditors (“SCAA”), themed “Opportunities of Belt and Road Initiative”. We are
pleased to have invited over 500 Chinese accountants from all over the world to discuss how to embrace the

business opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative. The first two days of the Conference held in Hong
Kong. A 3-day delegation to Beijing that follows will exchange experiences with the professional practitioners
across the border while getting an update of the mainland policy. In celebration of the Society’s 105th

anniversary this year, the SCAA Celebration Gala Dinner and the World Chinese Accountants Conference
Opening Ceremony is specially scheduled on May 18, and we have honor to have Mrs Carrie Lam, the
Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Mr Shen Chong, the Director-General of the Liaison Office of the Central
People's Government in HKSAR to be the officiating guests.

SCAA had been planning the WCAC for many years but had difficulty finding a suitable issue of common
concern that would attract domestic and overseas Chinese accountants alike. Since the unveiling of the
‘Belt and Road Initiative” in 2013, it has become the key development strategy of the PRC government. The

“Belt and Road Initiative” emphasizes cooperation. It provides much-needed infrastructure to countries along
the route. China imparts to countries along the route its valuable development experience accumulated
since the reform and opening up. In President Xi Jinping’s words, “Belt and Road” is an “incredibly inclusive
development platform” provided to the world by China, and will link the rapid development of the Chinese
economy with the interests of countries along the route. At the same time, however, as a vast economic

cooperation initiative, there are complex geopolitical relations involved, as well as ethnic and religious
conflict, in addition to differing development goals and interests. As a result, implementation is more difficult
than ever.

The National Development and Reform Commission signed the “Arrangement between NDRC and
HKSAR Government on advancing Hong Kong's full participation in and contribution to Belt and Road” with
Hong Kong last December. The Arrangement explaines the roles of Hong Kong in Belt and Road initiative.
Most notably, the investment, Greater Bay Area Development, and infrastructure areas will allow Hong Kong

more room for development. As such, the “Belt and Road Initiative” is no doubt the best theme for the WCAC.

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