He stressed that Hong Kong was not only committed to free trade in its domestic market, it also championed vigorously for global free trade.
"Hong Kong will, in concert with other economies, continue to build on the achievements in the WTO and the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) so far with a view to realising the vision envisaged by the Trade Ministers of the 128 WTO Members meeting in Singapore last December - 'a world where trade flows freely"," Mr Lai said.
In his keynote speech entitled "Hong Kong's Responses to Challenges of the Times", Mr Lai observed that the challenge presented by the change of sovereignty was unprecedented for Hong Kong.
He noted that challenge had never been absent or far removed from the life of Hong Kong people.
"We have seen Hong Kong managing its risks as well as opportunities successfully throughout its history.
"And we are determined to prove through our acts that Hong Kong will continue to thrive and prosper after 1997 by upholding and defending vigorously the autonomy of our policies.
"It will not be easy times for Hong Kong in the months ahead but we do not seek nor expect any benevolence or special treatment from any of our trading partners.
"What we want is merely a fair chance to prove ourselves in an environment unsaddled with preconceptions and prejudices," Mr Lai said.
Mr Lai reassured the Forum that institutional arrangements provided for by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law promised that life and business in Hong Kong could go on exactly as before.
"Those of you who do business with us can be confident that after June 30 it will be business as usual," he added.
During his visit to Hawaii, Mr Lai will also talk to faculty and students of the University of Hawaii and give a speech at a luncheon meeting of the Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii on April 16.
The Global Partners Forum is presented by the Anderson School at University of California (Los Angeles Division) (UCLA) in partnership with the East-West Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii from April 14 to 16. The theme of the forum is "Challenges Facing the Asia-Pacific in the 21st Century".
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