Step back into the 1920s and 1930s to explore the history of the French business community in China and Hong Kong and discover the early roots of what would eventually become today’s French Chamber.
Drawing on archives and historical sources, David Maurizot, President, Société d’Histoire des Français de Chine and a long-time researcher on the history of the French presence in China, will shed light on the French companies operating in the region at the time, their activities, and the key figures who shaped this business community. He will also explore how this community was organised and the connections that already existed between Hong Kong and mainland China.
The session will then trace the major developments of the French business presence leading up to the creation of the current Chamber, before bringing the story into the present day and opening a broader perspective on how this long-standing presence continues to evolve.
