******************************************************
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva honoured council members of the FDI World Dental Federation at a reception on May 15, Geneva time.
The reception was held during a mid-year meeting of the federation, and it was also an opportunity to renew close ties with the dental profession¡¯s prestigious international organisation.
Dignitaries at the event included Permanent Representatives of People¡¯s Republic of China in Geneva Ambassador Li Baodong and Ambassador Sun Zhenyu, FDI President Dr Burton Conrod and FDI President-Elect Dr Roberto Vianna. Special guests from Hong Kong included Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health) Ms Sandra Lee and President of Hong Kong Dental Association Dr Sigmund Leung.
In his welcoming remarks, the Permanent Representative of the HKSAR of China to the World Trade Organization, Mr Martin Glass, told the FDI council members and other guests that Hong Kong had changed for the better since the handover to China in 1997.
¡°Our capitalist system, common law legal system, and clean and efficient administration remain the cornerstones of Hong Kong society. We remain a member in our own right in international organisations such as the World Trade Organization here in Geneva, and ¡ª of course ¡ª the FDI.
¡°Being part of China as ¡®One Country¡¯ has brought us much closer to the Mainland and allowed us to play a key role in accordance with ¡®Two Systems¡¯ that would not have been possible previously to the same extent.
¡°I would add that our hearts go out to the people of Sichuan Province, and our thoughts are very much with the rescue workers who are battling adverse conditions to carry survivors to safety,¡± Mr Glass said.
Ms Lee underlined the importance of the dental profession to the Hong Kong community, saying it had very high professional and ethical standards and was well regarded by Hong Kong people.
¡°The standard of our specialist dental education is widely acclaimed, and we actively share our expertise with other places, especially Mainland China,¡± Ms Lee said.
Mr Glass also took the opportunity to encourage FDI council members to visit Hong Kong, particularly for the 2008 Olympics.
¡°If you can¡¯t make it for the Olympics, do come to Hong Kong when you can, whether for leisure, for business, for meetings or other professional exchanges. You will always be assured of a warm welcome in one of the world¡¯s most vibrant cities, where East definitely does meet the West.¡±
The FDI World Dental Federation, founded in 1900, is one of the oldest international professional organisations in the world. It has a membership of more than 150 dental associations, representing nearly one million dentists globally. Former President of the Hong Kong Dental Association Dr Tin Chun Wong is the incumbent Treasurer of the FDI.
Established in 1950, the Hong Kong Dental Association is one of the member associations of the FDI World Dental Federation and represents the local dental profession in Hong Kong. The association has submitted a bid to the FDI World Dental Federation to host the 2013 World Dental Congress.
Ends/Friday, May 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:56
NNNN
