Addressing a spring reception in New York on February 22 (New York time), the Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States (US), Mr Clement Leung, said that Hong Kong-US bilateral trade relations remain strong and are expected to strengthen further in 2018. US exports to the city expanded by 13 per cent last year, totaling over US$40 billion worth of goods and making Hong Kong the ninth largest market for US exporters.

     Mr Leung also pointed out that Hong Kong is a major export market for American agricultural products and beef, ranking sixth and fourth respectively.

     The connections between Hong Kong and the US will be further boosted in the coming months with the introduction of more direct flights with American cities operated by Cathay Pacific Airways and Hong Kong Airlines.

     The Commissioner also highlighted various initiatives that will expand Hong Kong's market and connectivity with Mainland China and the rest of Asia Pacific. These include the recent conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN and the commencement of FTA talks with Australia as well as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area Development Strategy, which will see Hong Kong's economy integrating even more with the Pearl River Delta region.

     Expressing confidence in Hong Kong's future, Mr Leung noted that Hong Kong has retained the title of the world's freest economy for 24 consecutive years. Last year, the city's economy grew 3.5 per cent , backed by robust external trade, retail sales and tourism. The city’s jobless rate of 2.9 percent is also the lowest in 20 years.  

     Also speaking at the reception, the Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), Ms Joanne Chu, said the office will continue to organise or support events and activities to foster stronger business and cultural ties with the 31 eastern US states. These include the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Newport, Rhode Island; the Collegiate Rugby Sevens Championship in Philadelphia; the New York Asian Film Festival and Hong Kong Dragon Boat festivals in Chicago, New York and other major US cities.

     Earlier this week, the HKETONY organised Chinese New Year receptions in Chicago (February 20) and Atlanta (February 21). Elite Hong Kong squash players Annie Au, Leo Au, Joey Chan, Max Lee and Yip Tsz-fung, led by coach Faheem Khan, joined the Chicago reception.

     Sponsored by the New York and San Francisco HKETOs, five young rope-skipping world champions from the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Academy started their debut US tour by demonstrating their athletic prowess and agility at receptions in Atlanta and New York.The three-time winning team of the World Rope Skipping Championships broke the world record with 618 jumps in the Double Dutch 4×45 Speedy Relay in Sweden in 2016.

     The team, in partnership with the US National Double Dutch League, will perform at different schools and community centres in New York before departing for San Francisco.

Ends/Friday, February 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 14:26

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