HKETO, Brussels hosts Chinese New Year receptions to promote Hong Kong (with photos)

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     Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, outlined the latest development of Hong Kong at a series of Chinese New Year receptions hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels).

     "The fundamentals of Hong Kong are strong. With our unique advantages under "one country, two systems", including the rule of law, free flow of capital and information, a business-friendly environment, a diverse and international talent pool, and a low and simple tax regime, Hong Kong has been named consistently the world's freest economy as well as the easiest place to do business," Ms Lam said.

     Ms Lam pointed out that "one country, two systems" has continued to function well in Hong Kong. Rule of law and judicial independence has been the corner stone of the success of Hong Kong and it will continue to be the case.

     "To fully capitalise on Hong Kong's unique advantages, our Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam announced in her maiden Policy Address in last October a full range of proposals to promote and facilitate Hong Kong to be an ideal place for companies to expand their business, and also a city more liveable and smarter for our citizens and visitors," Ms Lam said.

     "Also, Hong Kong is committed to actively participating in the visionary Belt and Road Initiative, and will seize the opportunities arising from the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Bay Area Development," Ms Lam added.

     The latest Chinese New Year reception was held in Luxembourg on February 22 (Luxembourg time). Addressing guests of honour including the Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, Mr Pierre Gramegna, as well as over 400 government officials and representatives of the financial, insurance and business sectors, Ms Lam said Hong Kong and Luxembourg enjoy close bilateral ties and share a lot of similarities. She encouraged Luxembourg companies to leverage on Hong Kong to embrace the new opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Development.

     The Chinese New Year reception in Luxembourg City was one of the 15 Chinese New Year events HKETO, Brussels is hosting in major cities around Europe. Similar events have already been held in Dublin, Milan, The Hague, Paris and Brussels. In Brussels, the guest of honour included Mr Siegfried Bracke, the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives (i.e. the Lower House of the Belgian Federal Parliament). Other events will follow in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Thessaloniki, Nicosia, Palermo, Caltanissetta, Sofia and Bucharest.

     HKETO, Brussels has taken this opportunity to showcase the cultural talents in Hong Kong by bringing three musical acts to some of the above Chinese New Year receptions. Pianist Constance Chow, Tenor Henry Ngan and Bass-Baritone Freddie Tong gave a splendid performance at the receptions in Dublin and Paris; Fiona Foo presented a sensational marimba performance at the reception in The Hague; and Artemisia presented a tailor-made Chinese music performance celebrating the diversity of the civilization along the Belt and Road countries at the reception in Brussels.

Ends/Saturday, February 24, 2018
Issued at HKT 2:38

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Hong Kong's Marimba player, Fiona Foo, played a mix of Cantonese and local pieces at the Chinese New Year reception in The Hague on February 7 (The Hague time).

Pianist Constance Leung Chow together with opera singer, Freddie Tong performed five operatic arias at the Chinese New Year reception in Paris on February 14 (Paris time)

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, addressing the guests at the Chinese New Year reception in Brussels on February 20 (Brussels time).

Hong Kong musicians of Artemisia played a variety of Chinese traditional and folk melodies and Western opera extracts entitled "Dance along the Silk Road" at the Chinese New Year reception in Brussels on February 20 (Brussels time).

Photo shows (From left) the Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel; the Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with China, Mr Jo Leinen; the Head of the Mission of China to the European Union, Mr Zhang Ming; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam; the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Mr Siegfried Bracke; the Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, Mr Qu Xing; and Director (UK, Ireland and the Benelux) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr David Marsden, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Brussels on February 20 (Brussels time).

Photo shows (from left) Ambassador of Luxembourg to China, Mr Marco Hübsch; Vice President of Luxembourg's Parliament, Mr Laurent Mosar; the Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg, Mr Huang Changqing; Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam; the Minister of Finance, Luxembourg, Mr Pierre Gramegna; the President of ChinaLux, Mr Dirk Dewitte; the Director-General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Mr Carlo Thelen at a reception in Luxembourg to celebrate the Chinese New Year on February 22 (Luxembourg time).