activity report

Hotung Institute for International Relations

China - Activity Report

International Symposium on "Asia-Pacific Security Situation" - Dec 2002
International Symposium on Sino-US_European Relations in the New Century: Opportunites and Challenges - Nov 2003
International symposium on "International counter - terrorism situation & cooperation"
Visit to Mothers And Infants of the LongSheng County, Guangxi, China - June 2004
H.E. AMBASSADOR ERIC HOTUNG C.B.E., AN INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPIST, GRANDSON OF SIR ROBERT HOTUNG, COMPRADOR FOR THE JARDINE MATHESON COMPANY LIMITED HK
H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung introduced a low-cost housing scheme of approximately one million square feet for the disadvantaged people of Hong Kong. He sold it to the lower middle class people at an installment fee lower than their rental. In some instances, as low as HKD $10 per month. Twenty thousand people benefited from H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung’s generosity and strategic planning for their future. He founded the HK Development Company Ltd, Cosmopolitan Properties & Securities Limited, and the Hotung Institute of International relations.

H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung promoted understanding between China and U.S. through various sensitive diplomatic missions and in his capacity both as financial advisor on Chinese affairs at the Centre for Strategic Studies in Washington and as counsellor with Henry Kissinger’s International Counsellors.
THE HOTUNG SPECIAL FUND FOR MOTHERS AND INFANT PROTECTION, LONGSHENG GUANGXI PROVINCE, CHINA
In the past, the women (around 80,000 of which 45,000 were of child bearing age) of these minority people have been reluctant to give birth in hospitals, resulting in a higher death rate, where on average, one infant would die every five days.

When H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung heard of this situation, he kindly donated RMB 1,090,000 to establish a special fund to help them. Later in 2001, H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung used another donation of RMB 1,331,800 to set up a mobile clinic to deal with these problems. This latter donation came from a family trust of his sons. The whole donation reached RMB 2,421,800. By April 2003, 1,239 lying-in women gave birth in respective hospitals and 1,256 babies (649 boys, 607 girls) have been safely delivered. Among them there were 17 pairs of twins. The rate of childbirth rose to 63.34%, an increase of 26.5% compared with 1998. The rate of death of infants is 21.91 per thousand, a drop of 21.57% compared with 1998.
HELPING THE CHINESE ETHNIC GIRL STUDENTS AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN GUANGXI AND YUNNAN PROVINCES, CHINA
Because of the poverty and the bad habits of regarding men as superior to women, the entrance rate of the minority girls was very low while the dropout rate was very high in Longsheng County Guangxi Province. This has constituted in an outstanding problem challenging the development of the national education in the county. According to the statistics, there were only 288 girl students of minority nationality studying at the Longsheng High School, making up only 28.8% of the total number of students of the school. Among the female students of minority nationality, there were only 85 from the countryside, including small townships, accounting for 8.5% of the total. To change the situation, the local government started ten classes for female minorities at the primary school and five female minority classes at junior high schools. To achieve the formation of a chain of education from primary school, high school to university, more highly-qualified females of minority nationalities were trained, who in turn promoted the improvement of the quality of all the women of minority nationality. The County government planned to open a senior female class of minority nationalities with 50 students at the only high school of Longsheng Country, but their ambition was challenged by the shortage of an educational fund. Right at this critical moment, H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung utilized a Hotung family trust of his sons that donated the tuition fees for 50 girls for the first 3 years. Finally, the class opened on time.
A GREAT HELP TO THE EYE PATIENTS, ESPECIALLY THE POOR EYE PATIENTS IN BEIJING
Beijing is the capital of PRC, yet up to 2001, there was no OCT scanner in any of the hospitals in Beijing. In 2001, funds from Hotung Investment (China) Ltd were used for an OCT scanner room. To express their thanks, the OCT room was named Eric Hotung OCT room.

In the last two decades, H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung not only made great contributions to help the improvement of Sino-US relations, the medical treatment of the poor women and their babies, to raise the education level of the girls of the minority nationalities, but also supported the following organisations:
  • Asian Iron Sports Triathlon held in Xuzhou, Jingsu Province
  • Construction of the new Shanghai Museum to buy an ancient bronze wine vessel and donated it to Shanghai Museum
  • China Cultural Relics Administration for writing and publishing an encyclopaedia of the Chinese art
  • Si Hong, Jiangsu Province in memory of the anti-Japanese martyrs
  • Xuzhou museum in memory of those who died in the civil war

HOTUNG DONATIONS MADE THROUGH H.E. AMBASSADOR ERIC HOTUNG IN CONNECTION WITH CHINA

  • The Intercultural Center of the Georgetown University
  • The Friendship and Peaceful Development Foundation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) (May1996)
  • The CPAFFC’s Friendship Museum (1998)
  • China Cultural Relics Administration to write and publish an encyclopaedia of the Chinese art (1998)
  • The Huaihai Memorial Tablets (1998)
  • The Song Qing Ling Foundation (1 Sep 992)
  • Shanghai Museum (December 1995)
  • Buy a bronze wine vessel for Shanghai Museum
  • Sponsor American delegation led by Dr Brezezinski to China (1995)
  • Sponsor Mr Wang Bingnan and his party to USA (1995)
  • Built a clinic in Ningxia Province
  • Found a primary school in Ningxia Province
  • Si Hong Country in Jiangsu Province in memory of the anti-Japanese martyrs
  • Build a Chinese garden in China Institute in New York
  • Sponsor Mr Huan Xiang’s visit to USA
  • Mr Zhu Rongji’s visit to USA (co-sponsored with the National Committee on US-China Relations (1990)
  • China’s small business
  • Promote China’s permanent MFN status (June 1990) China’s small business

HOTUNG DONATIONS FROM THE TRUSTS OF THE SONS BY THE AMBASSADOR

  • Senior Girls class in Longsheng Country, Guangxi Province (September 2000)
  • Hotung Special Fund for the Protection of Mothers & Infants of the Longsheng Country, Guangxi Province (October 2000))
  • Longsheng Country for Mothers & Infants (November 2000)
  • Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province to support the Asian Iron Sport Triathlon
  • Set up a mobile clinic for Mothers & Infants in Longsheng Country (July 2001)
  • Donate an OCT scanner to the Eye Hospital (2001)
  • 9 primary schools in Yunnan Province (May 2001)
  • Tongze High School in Liaoning Province (2001)

North Korea - Activity Report for Year 2000 to 2002

In January 2002, H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung was awarded the Friendship Order (Class I) by the Decree of the Standing Committee Of the Supreme People’s Assembly and the Certificate of being an Honorary Citizen of the Pyongyang Municipal People’s Committee. These awards are in recognition of the good deeds which Mr Hotung has done for DPRK which include his playing a role in developing friendly and co-operative relationship between the peoples of DPRK and the United Kingdom; donating a vessel “M.V. Patricia Anne Hotung”; setting up a children’s fund with an amount of HK$1 Million; contributing 1,000 tons of soya beans; donating (9) tons of veterinary medicines and facilitating the gifting of 500,000 pieces of musical toys to the children of DPRK.

North Korea - Activity Report for Year 2009

To mark the appreciation of all concerned for the vital part played by Mr. Hotung and his son in the release of two young Journalists who wandered across the border of North Korea recently, Ambassador Eric Hotung was appointed as Senior Advisor of the Korea International Chamber of Commerce (KICC) on October 20, 2009.

Taiwan - Activity Report for Year 2009

Ambassador Eric Hotung has been cordially invited by President Ma Ying-Jeou to attend The Inaugural Celebrations for the 12th President and Vice President of Taiwan on 20th May, 2008. He has done much work and contributed positively to the mutual understanding and improvement of relations between two straits which are regarded by both government leaders.
Invitation from the President’s office to Ambassador Eric Hotung to attend the inaugural celebrations for the 12th President and vice President of Taiwan.

Ambassador Eric Hotung, as a VIP guest, attended the inaugural celebrations for President Ma Ying Jeou & Vice President Vincent C. Siew.

Dedication of the Eric E. Hotung International Law Center Building, Georgetown University Law Center - 27th October 2004

Speech by H.E. Ambassador Hotung

Welcome

T. Alexander Aleinikoff
Dean, Goergetown University Law Center

Remarks

John J. DeGioia
President, Goergetown University

Keynote

Dean Aleinikoff
The Honourable Sandra Day O'Connor
Associate Judge United States Supreme Court

Benediction

His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick
Archbishop of Washington

Ribbon Cutting

President DeGioia
Dean Alienikoff
His Excellency Ambassador Eric E. Hotung, CBE
Professor Judith Areen

Closing

Dean Aleinikoff

Eric E. Hotung International Law Center Building, Georgetown University Law Center.

Dedication Ceremony at a glance.
Dedication Ceremony at a glance.
Justice O’Connor – The keynote speaker of the ceremony.
From left: Dean Aleinikoff, Cardinal McCarrick, Ambassador Hotung, Former Dean Areen and President DeGioia.
Former Dean Areen, President DeGioia, H.E. Ambassador Hotung, and Dean Aleinikoff at the ribbon-cutting.

Timor-Leste - Activity Report for Year 1999 to 2004

Timor-Leste - Refugee Aid

In August 2002, the appointment of Ambassador Eric Hotung as Ambassador at Large for Timor-Leste for Economic Affairs, International Trade and Investment, in accordance with H.E. mandated the following professional feasibility studies to be compiled and presented to the Government for approval, hence to seek international investment.

 

International consultants, architects, engineers, concept designers, financial advisors together with potential investors / financiers were hosted by Ambassador Hotung to visit Timor-Leste for the projects below.

 

1.     Eco-Marine Park situated in the sub districts of Laclo, availing the following investment development opportunities

o   Eco-retreat village with 30 Timorese style villas and support buildings

o   A four star beach front Luxury Eco-resort hotel

o   Fifteen Luxury Portuguese style Villas set in an eco-park environment

2.     Bamboo Project, incorporating reforestation, Bamboo wood industry, edible bamboo shoot industry, and bamboo pole export industry

3.     Marble/Alabaster, incorporating a high quality alabaster lighting industry for export, as well as specialised marble industry

4.     Agriculture and Aquaculture, including crop farming, reforestation and ocean aquaculture,   etc…

Ambassador Hotung employed the use of international architects and engineers to assist local NGOs with professional drawings / plans, presentations etc. that were used to assist them in their donor funding for respective projects and developments.

 

In 2004, Ambassador Hotung hosted a number of international investors to visit Timor-Leste and met with ministers and local stakeholders etc.

7th February 2003, Ambassador Hotung was honoured to be able to assist with a generous donation from a private family trust, Hotung Investment Trust (China) Ltd, and had his staff organise and oversee the complete rebuilding and refurbishment of a destroyed building and grounds in the old market precinct in Dili. This project was completed and handed over to The First Lady for opening. The building and grounds became the premises for the offices for The Alola Foundation (which revolve around the special needs of women survivors of gender-based violence) as well as being the headquarters and office for the First Lady.

Together with local NGO The Good Samaritan Foundation, Ambassador Hotung continued to assist Alola foundation with various projects, eg. Village water projects, Maintenance of building etc.
5th January 2003, Ambassador Hotung utilized funds from Hotung Investment (China) Ltd to sponsor a large irrigation project in Zumalai for a local NGO, The Good Samaritan Foundation. This enabled the NGO to have a successful harvest in the respective year.
22nd September to 4th October 2002, H.E. Ambassador Hotung hosted the official Timor-Leste delegation in New York and Washington that attended the occasion of Timor-Leste becoming a member of the UN General Assembly.
18th January 2002, Hotung Investment (China) Ltd donated the funds needed to open a large student Hostel (Ashram) project in CaiColi, Dili.
  • H. E. arranged for his staff to manage the construction and fit out, working closely and supervised by Father Domingos Soares, Local NGO, The Good Samaritan Foundation and his staff.
  • The Student Hostel can accommodate up to 100 students from remote areas of Timor-Leste.
  • HICL financed the completion of the fully equipped bedrooms, shower and toilet blocks, study/lecture rooms, kitchen, dining rooms, equipped TV and computer rooms, a library, and a Chapel room.
  • This project was opened by H. E. President Gusmau and The Bishop of Mozambique Don Francisco Sitota on 29th May 2002.
  • H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung conducted a “first stone laying ceremony” with Father Domingos Soares and the Dili Commander for the US Marines during an invitation visit to Timor-Leste.
Without HICL’s sponsorship, these students would not have been able to continue their studies that year. The hostel will help future generations of students from remote areas with a chance to study in Dili City University.
Sponsoring and hosting conferences in Beijing, Washington, New York (APOCO), The Philippines, and globally helping to make people aware of the need to support the reconstruction of Timor-Leste and to help the people of Timor-Leste rebuild their lives.
H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung, ultized funds from HICL, and purchased a special ship, M.V. Patricia Anne Hotung, in December 1999 to transport the refugees from Indonesia back to Dili / Com Timor-Leste; Over 12,000 East Timorese refugees have been returned home safely by sea from the refugee camps.
The ship carried 400 tons of emergency aid and materials, during the 1st stage of international help after the crisis in December 1999 from Darwin, Australia to Dili.
The ship also stood by for emergency repatriation with PKF, for Occusie and Batugade.
As a gift to the people of Timor-Leste H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung and HICL extensively refurbished and upgraded the Comoro International Airport, Dili.
The Donation of an air-conditioned prefabricated medical building at the Bario Pite Clinic was assisted Dr Dan Murphy and his team to treat over 400 underprivileged patients daily. Thousands of optical sight-saving operations have been performed in the ERIC HOTUNG Clinic, as well as Dental and Tuberculosis operations.
H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung has made available to the Bario Pite Clinic when needed a Toyota 4×4 truck, it can be used as an emergency ambulance to service some remote areas of Timor-Leste. The truck also assisted with the maintenance of the clinic.
HICL donated to the veterans and men of Falintil (The National resistance force): 1,510 beds and 1,510 blankets, and 5,000 radios.
45,000 families in the mountain and remote areas of Timor-Leste received gift radios and battery packs to enable them to receive news from the government, the city and the outside world. These radios were distributed by the Bishop of Baucau Monsignor Nascimento.

Sponsoring orphanages in Timor-Leste, donations to Convent Sisters, assisting the Church centers, Church originations, and the outlying Diocese.

Supporting and sponsoring the remote Parish of Lete-foho; (42,000 people) Projects being as follows;

Main Benefactor for the Construction and realization of one of the largest provincial New Churches in Timor-Leste, this Church was recently opened by the Bishop of Dili, H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung and Dr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN were the guests of Honor for this occasion. 

HICL funds were also used to put a 28 Meter Statue of Christ on top of one of the highest mountains in Timor-Leste; supplying building materials of thousands of bags of cement, steel roofing, iron, modern electrical tools, as well as professional training for their use and safety. A new serviced 22 KVA electrical generator was also donated. The transport of goods to Lete-foho through the use of a 6-ton truck and two 3-ton trucks for community projects was provided.

Distribution of excess of one hundred truckloads of aid (clothing, food, tools, books, etc. to outlying areas of Timor-Leste) was done by working closely with Father Domingos Soares.

The Hotung Institute for Timor-Leste assisted CNRT with all Logistics in the First National Congress, H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung was a major sponsor for the official reception for the National Congress.

Arranged and sponsored attendance of a Chinese Delegation to The Dili National Congress in September, 2000, Delegation Headed by Mr. Qi Huai Yuan, President of the Chinese People’s Association for friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC): including Mr. Wu Juan, Office of Foreign Ministry.

In February 2001, a meeting was held in Beijing under the Institute and sponsorship through CPAFFC, Timorese representatives met with the Chinese government. Bridges were established during this meeting that resulted in 200 containers of agriculture and fisheries equipment etc. valued at US$50,000,000, to be donated to Timor-Leste.

H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung, in his capacity as a director of HICL, had this Hotung trust provide the finance for the upgrade of 15 buildings of a Child Development Center (at Tibar Dili) project proposed by Father Domingos Soares. HICL organised a joint work program with the visiting US Marine support team (115 crew from the US Ship USS Paul F. Foster) they finished 7 of the buildings in 4 days of dedicated and appreciated hard work.

HICL arranged for a donation of 300 beds etc. from BHP Australia for Hostels, orphanages, church building etc.

H.E. Ambassador Eric Hotung became a Benefactor for the ” The East Timor Good Samaritan Foundation”. The foundation’s main objectives is to support and help the people of Timor-Leste, especially, for the victims of the independence struggle, these people include the orphans, widows, youth and the sick and traumatized, as well as to research sustainable projects.

Supplying and sponsoring a fully equipped office and communication facilities operated by volunteer management and staff, for projects for Church groups, local NGOs as well as the distribution of aid etc.

The Hotung Institute has also supported the work of Fokupers, a women’s and human rights organization in Dili, dealing with traumatized rape and violence victims.

Conducting a project to recover and recondition heavy machinery for local road construction in the mountain area of Lete-foho to allow transport of Coffee, as well as drainage, and to rebuild terraces for cultivation in the district, (the project will be assisted by PKF Australian Logistics Engineers and the US Support Group for Timor-Leste PKF/UNTAET, Civil Affairs, Liaison).

The Hotung Institute of International Relations also arranged and supervised road construction projects while liaising with the transitional Government for construction contracts. The Hotung Institute for Timor-Leste provides finance and assistance to coordinate and make arrangements, which include visa, travel, completion of all university forms etc. for Timorese Students with scholarships to International Universities. The Hotung Institute of International Relations is now managed by Sean Hotung.

Helping with the distribution, customs and port payments and clearance of aid for other NGOs and Church groups, through Father Domingos Soares).
The Hotung Institute has also supported the work of Fokupers, a women’s and human rights organization in Dili, dealing with traumatized rape and violence victims.
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