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"Walking the Hong Kong Spirit" held in Belgium to celebrate HKSAR's 20th anniversary (with photos)
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     A group of 20 young people from Hong Kong, all aged 20, are in Belgium to participate in a week-long exchange programme from August 24 to 31 that saw them taking on the daunting Oxfam Trailwalker challenge on August 26 to27.
      
     Entitled "Walking the Hong Kong Spirit", the exchange programme is one of the highlight events organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The HKETO, Brussels is supporting the event to broaden the horizons and promote the participation of these 20 young people, who grew up together with the HKSAR.
      
     The exchange programme was launched in Hong Kong on January 21 by the former Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Godfrey Leung; the President of the Hong Kong Professionals and Senior Executives Association, Mr Chan Sui-hung; Belgian Consul-General in Hong Kong, Ms Michèle Deneffe; and a group of enthusiastic hikers.
      
     Although it is now a worldwide event that takes place in nine countries over four continents, the first Trailwalker was held in Hong Kong in 1981 as a Gurkha training exercise, before it was taken over by Oxfam in 1997. The strenuous effort and perseverance required to complete the arduous trail exemplify Hong Kong’s can-do spirit.
      
     For the 100-kilometre trek through the High Fens around Eupen, one of the most beautiful regions of Belgium, the 20 young people from Hong Kong were divided into five teams to walk up to 30 hours, some continuing their trek through the night to the finish, grabbing a hot drink and a snack as they passed through checkpoints along the route. Together with seven adult Hong Kong teams, they were among over 260 teams, each made up of four walkers, taking part in the event to raise money for charity.  
      
     All the Hong Kong teams completed the Trailwalker. Two of the adult Hong Kong teams finished in the first five, and two of the youth teams finished in the top 25.
      
     The Belgian team that raised the most funds was invited to take part in the Oxfam Trailwalker 2017 in Hong Kong, scheduled for November 17 to19.
      
     During their visit in Belgium, the group of 20-year-olds will learn more about Belgium and the European Union through a series of briefings by the European Commission, chambers of commerce, business associations and non-governmental organisations on topics ranging from youth policies to climate change. They will also be given guided tours to major sites around the country.
 
Ends/Monday, August 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 1:54
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Twenty young people from Hong Kong, all aged 20, are in Belgium to participate in an exchange programme from August 24 to 31. They visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) on August 24 and were briefed by the Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Miss Alice Choi (front row, fourth left), on its work as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s representation to the European Union and 15 European countries.
Twenty young people from Hong Kong, all aged 20, are in Belgium to participate in an exchange programme from August 24 to 31. Accompanied by the Assistant Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Jeffrey Chim (front row, first left), they visited the European Commission on August 25 and were briefed on European Union youth programmes and traineeships by Policy Officer of the Directorate-General of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Ms Anita Toien Johansen (front row, second left).
Twenty young people from Hong Kong, all aged 20, are in Belgium to participate in an exchange programme from August 24 to 31. Accompanied by the Assistant Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Jeffrey Chim (fourth left), they visited the European Commission on August 25 and were briefed on the European Union’s relations with China and Hong Kong by Policy Officer of the European Commission’s European External Action Service, Ms Deren Derya (front row, fifth left).
The Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Miss Alice Choi (first left), attended the opening ceremony of the Oxfam Trailwalker in Bütgenbach, Belgium, on August 25 evening. Photo shows Miss Choi; the Mayor of Bütgenbach, Mr Emil Dannemark (seventh left); and the Oxfam-Solidarity Secretary-General, Mr Stefaan Declecq (fifth left), congratulating the team that will be taking part in the Oxfam Trailwalker in Hong Kong in November.
At the opening ceremony of the Oxfam Trailwalker in Bütgenbach, Belgium, on August 25, the Belgian team that raised the most funds and will take part in the Oxfam Trailwalker in Hong Kong in November receives air tickets from Cathay Pacific Country Manager Benelux and Scandinavia, Mr Justin Chang (first row, third left).
At the opening ceremony of the Oxfam Trailwalker in Bütgenbach, Belgium, on August 25, representatives of the five teams of Hong Kong youths each presented to the audience an aspect of Hong Kong's attractions such as its beautiful cityscape, excellent cuisine and green hiking trails.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels set up a booth to promote Hong Kong’s many green areas and hiking trails at the venue for the opening ceremony of the Oxfam Trailwalker in Bütgenbach, Belgium, on August 25. Participants could write postcards showing views of Hong Kong to send to friends and family.
The Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), Miss Alice Choi (front row, second right); the Assistant Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Jeffrey Chim (front row, first right); the Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel (front row, first left); and founder of the International Polar Foundation, Mr Alain Hubert (back row, second left), participated in the Oxfam VIP walk in Belgium on August 26 and greeted the walkers of a Hong Kong team, the Fearless Dragon, at the Hong Kong Checkpoint.
The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam (first left), congratulated the fastest team to finish the Oxfam Trailwalker on August 27 (Belgian time) in Belgium.
The Deputy Representative of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Miss Alice Choi (first left), congratulated the first Hong Kong team to finish the Oxfam Trailwalker on August 27 (Belgian time) in Belgium.