HONG KONG, Oct 11 Reuters Hundreds of executives, diplomats and foreign business chambers congregated at Hong Kongs landmark M art museum over canapés and cocktails last month with a clear mission reinvigorate appeal for the financial hub.

Antigovernment protests in 2019, followed by Beijings swift imposition of a sweeping national security law in 2020 and three years of draconian COVID lockdowns prompted an exodus of tens of thousands of people from Hong Kong, taking a toll on its reputation and economy.

SinoUS tensions and China39;s slowing economy have piled additional challenges on Hong Kong, hurting its traditional role as a gateway between the West and the mainland, said diplomats and business executives.

The last few years have created a very negative image of Hong Kong, said Inaki Amate, chairman of the European chamber in Hong Kong, one of the speakers at the M event.

Other speakers included government officials, European Union representatives and executives including from the city39;s banks, aviation industry and its stock exchange.

The event is among many trying to rebuild ties between the West and the former British colony, with visitors mainly coming from the mainland and Asia, while visa applicants are primarily from China, said Amate.

Executives point to the changing fabric of Hong Kong with mainlanders making up more than nineoutoften of all those approved to work under government talent schemes.

If we believe that Hong Kong will be able to recover…