To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), San Francisco hosted four spring receptions in different cities in late February and early March.
In San Francisco, the office welcomed more than 300 guests from the city’s political, business, art and culture communities. Its Director, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, said that he was happy to witness the continued partnership, whether in trade or in culture, between Hong Kong and California. Trade between Hong Kong and California continues to gain new ground. “We had a remarkable 25 per cent increase in exports from California to Hong Kong from 2016 to 2017.
“Last year, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, we brought in an artist, musicians and a sports team from Hong Kong and saw much collaboration among them and the local institutions and organizations. We also conducted youth exchanges and held a business leader luncheon,” Mr Chang said.
“We will continue to encourage and facilitate these exchanges when opportunities arise. This evening, we are glad to bring to you a special performance by S/L/A/S/H, a professional rope skipping team from Hong Kong. The five performers together with their team leader have participated in and won different Asian and world rope skipping championships. Their performance routine not only features rope skipping, but also includes power movements, gymnastics and dancing. This energetic performance would be a good way to kick off the Year of the Dog,” Mr Chang added.
Also speaking at the reception was the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung. In reviewing the past year, Mr Leung said that Hong Kong had an excellent year. “Our economy grew about 3.5 per cent, the fastest rate in six years. External trade, retail sales and tourism were back up again, and the unemployment rate was only 2.9 per cent, which was the lowest level in 20 years.
“Our public finance is in great shape: we are able to increase spending, cut taxes and achieve a budget surplus, all at the same time,” Mr Leung said.
Looking ahead, Mr Leung said that Hong Kong is pushing ahead with the construction of the third airport runway, and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macao and western Guangdong Province will open later this year. In addition, the express rail link will be ready for operation in the third quarter of 2018 and that would cut travel time from Hong Kong to Guangzhou from over two hours to 48 minutes.
In addition to building cross-boundary infrastructural projects, Hong Kong also provides a vibrant ecosystem for start-ups. Both Mr Leung and Mr Chang encouraged innovation and technology companies to raise funds and conduct research and development in Hong Kong, and to use Hong Kong as a platform for expanding into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and other parts of China.
In Los Angeles, HKETO welcomed business, political and community leaders in Southern California to the reception, which included a lion dance and rope skipping performance from Hong Kong’s World Champion team.
The Rope Skipping Champs, which wowed the audience in each performance, concluded its U.S. tour in Seattle. At the reception, Director Ivanhoe Chang thanked political and business leaders in Washington State for their continued partnership.
At the reception in Houston, Texas, Commissioner Leung and Director Chang took the opportunity to share with guests the latest developments in Hong Kong. Closing remarks were provided by Houston Mayor, Mr Sylvester Turner. Texas State Representative, Mr Gene Wu, was also among the guests at the reception.
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Hong Kong’s three-time winning team of the World Rope Skipping Championships performed at spring receptions in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle. Pictured are their marvelous performance at different venues. |
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The Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung (center); the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang (left); and the Consul-General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, Mr Luo Linquan (right), are pictured with the lion dance troupe that performed at a spring reception held in San Francisco by the HKETO on February 26.
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The Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung (Left), and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, propose a toast at a spring reception in celebration of the Year of the Dog held in San Francisco on February 26.
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The lion dance performance at the reception in Los Angeles on February 28.
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The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, speaks at the reception in Seattle on March 1.
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Texas State Representative, Mr Gene Wu (left) with Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung (center), and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Mr Ivanhoe Chang at the reception in Houston on March 5.
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Houston Mayor, Mr Sylvester Turner, speaks at the reception hosted by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco on March 5.
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