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The Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, continued his first official visit to Massachusetts (MA) to officiate at the Season Opening Gala of the 82nd Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket on June 14 as well as the 35th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Boston on June 15 (Boston time).
At the invitation of the organisers, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mr Deval Patrick, attended the opening gala of the dance festival to watch the performance of the Hong Kong Ballet and met with Mr Leung. Earlier on, Governor Patrick proclaimed June 13, 2014 to be "Hong Kong Day" to recognise the importance of continued economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and MA, as well as the first official visit to MA by the Hong Kong Commissioner.
The Proclamation also recognised "Hong Kong Celebrates Massachusetts 2014" organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York. A series of festive events, including the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Boston and the Hong Kong Ballet's performances at Jacob's Pillow, are held in June to showcase Hong Kong's cultural vitality and talent.
Mr Leung spoke on the strengths of the East-meets-West culture and the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District at the gala dinner at Jacob's Pillow. More than 600 guests attended the dinner reception. Stepping into its 82nd anniversary, the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival is America's longest running international dance festival, and is one of the most prestigious dance festivals in the world.
At the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Boston, a total of 63 teams from various states in the New England region competed in the races held at the Charles River along which a number of world renowned institutions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University are located. Mr Leung officiated at the opening ceremony to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Festival.
Ends/Monday, June 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 08:59
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