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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) formally launched a year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of its establishment in Brussels at the heart of Europe, at its Chinese New Year Reception on March 3 (Brussels time) attended by Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Kris Peeters, and the European Commissioner for Competition, Ms Margrethe Vestager.
Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Linda Lai, said that the decision to establish its official representation in Brussels in 1965 demonstrates the special importance Hong Kong places on its relationship with the European Union (EU) and Belgium.
"The European Union is a very important partner for Hong Kong. Despite the many changes and turbulence in the global economy in the past few decades, Hong Kong's relationship with Europe has grown only stronger, extending from trade and economic ties to cooperation on all fronts. To celebrate the friendship between Europe and Hong Kong, our office will organise a series of activities to mark our 50th anniversary", she said.
Some of the highlights include a special Hong Kong Martial Arts Film Programme at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (April 7-19), the Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium (August 29-30) and the Port of Antwerp Dragon Boat Festival (September 12).
In particular, Ms Lai encouraged the guests to participate in the charity event Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium, of which HKETO, Brussels would be the major sponsor this year. Started in Hong Kong about 30 years ago, Trailwalker has become so popular that there are now 16 similar events in 11 countries all over the world. "It requires a team of four people walking 100km within 30 hours. It is certainly not an easy task but this reflects the Hong Kong spirit of facing up to challenges, team work and pushing your own limits," she added.
Ms Lai was speaking at the HKETO, Brussels' annual Chinese New Year reception, which was co-hosted by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, a member of the Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, and with the support of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The reception has become a highlight of the Brussels diplomatic and social calendar and was attended by over 400 ambassadors, officials from the Belgian Government and the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament, business people, media representatives, and members of the local Hong Kong community. Among them were the Guest of Honour, Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Kris Peeters; the European Commissioner for Competition, Ms Margrethe Vestager; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, Ms Yang Yanyi; and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Qu Xing.
On relations with Belgium, Ms Lai noted that it was the first country to sign a comprehensive double taxation agreement with Hong Kong. Belgium was also one of the first EU member states to have an investment promotion and protection agreement with Hong Kong.
"And just about a year ago, Belgium was the partner of Hong Kong's Business of Design Week (BoDW), a major international exhibition and conference event bringing together some of the world's most outstanding design masters and influential business figures," she added.
Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr Kris Peeters, who accompanied HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians as one of the leaders of the high-level delegation that attended BoDW in 2013, said that Belgium's first relations with Hong Kong dated back to 1845, just 15 years after the Belgian state was founded.
"These contacts received a great boost when the Hong Kong Office was established in Brussels", he said.
Mr Peeters also welcomed the fact that Belgium's exports to Hong Kong were going from strength to strength, increasing by 10.4% in 2014. He said exports of diamonds, Belgium's major export to Hong Kong, had increased by 6.1%.
Giving a vote of thanks to the speakers, the Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel, said that over a year after Belgium was the partner country at BoDW, the "Belgian Spirit" could still be felt in Hong Kong and Belgian creators and companies continued to seize business opportunities. The Belgium-Hong Kong Society would be delighted to support the HKETO, Brussels in its 50th anniversary celebrations.
The reception included a lively lion dance performance, and as a highlight, Hong Kong artist Hoi Chiu gave a much-admired live sand painting performance telling the story of the establishment of HKETO, Brussels and the ties of friendship between Hong Kong and the EU.
Ends/Thursday, March 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 02:33
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