Hong Kong and Luxembourg, the euro area's leading financial centre, expect their bilateral relations to continue to grow and flourish in years to come. This was the message of Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Mr Xavier Bettel, and the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, at a Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) in Luxembourg on February 15 (Luxembourg time).
      
     Addressing guest of honour Mr Bettel, the Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg, Mr Huang Changqing, and over 400 government officials and representatives of the financial, insurance and business sectors, Ms Lam said Hong Kong and Luxembourg share a lot of similarities.   
      
     "We are both externally oriented economies which advocate free trade and free market, and we are both "super-connectors" – Hong Kong being the "super-connector" for China and Asia, and Luxembourg being the "super-connector" for Europe, in particular for Chinese banks," Ms Lam said.
      
     Hong Kong and Luxembourg both have a strong focus on service industries, especially financial services. They both perform an important role in the internationalisation of the Renminbi, with Luxembourg playing a leading role in Europe in this regard. Luxembourg is also interested in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and opportunities to cooperate with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
      
     The reception in Luxembourg City, co-hosted by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ChinaLux), was one of 16 Chinese New Year events HKETO, Brussels is hosting or co-hosting in major cities around Europe. Similar events have already been held in Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels, Dublin, Milan, Paris, The Hague, and Croatia. Others will follow in Athens, Thessaloniki, Bucharest, Catania, Venice, Lisbon and Sofia.
      
     HKETO, Brussels is also seizing the opportunity of its Chinese New Year events to announce a year of celebrations around Europe to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region this year.
      
     At the reception in Brussels on February 7, which was attended by 450 guests, Ms Lam thanked the guest of honour, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Mr Didier Reynders, for Belgium's strong support for HKETO's 20th Anniversary events. 

     In his speech, Mr Reynders said, "In Belgium as well as in Hong Kong, Belgian official representatives and citizens will certainly participate with great enthusiasm in the many official celebrations and cultural activities which will be organised."

     He noted that the HKETO, Brussels had lined up an interesting programme of activities, and said one of the highlights would definitely be a concert by the Asian Youth Orchestra in Brussels on September 5.  

     "I also welcome the participation of a group of young people from Hong Kong in the "Oxfam Trailwalker" starting in Eupen in Belgium, and their planned meetings with Belgian youngsters of the three regions along the way," he added.

     "I heard that some young Belgian people will also be invited to take part in a similar walk in Hong Kong in November."

     Musical entertainment in Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Madrid, Paris and The Hague was provided by the Hong Kong Drum Ensemble, which played a selection of unique arrangements. The Ensemble was led by Mr Ronald Chin, who was released by courtesy of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra for this special European tour.
      
About Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels

     HKETO, Brussels is tasked with promoting Hong Kong's economic and trade interests and enhancing understanding of Hong Kong in the European Union, and covers 15 countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Turkey. HKETO, Brussels is the "head office" of Hong Kong in Europe, supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in London and Berlin.

Ends/Friday, February 17, 2017
Issued at HKT 5:54

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