Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens media briefing and celebration ceremony today (September 23):
 
Chris (Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, Mr Chris Brooke), Gucho (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), Mr Nicolas Aguzin), Augustus (Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Pacific Group, Mr Augustus Tang), Luanne (Chief Executive, Hong Kong of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Ms Luanne Lim), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, rugby fans all,
 
     Good afternoon. As you could clearly see, this Financial Secretary knows a thing or two about beating the stock market gong. But I can tell you this is the first time I've banged it to close the day's trading while, at the same time, officially opening the first Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament in three and a half years.
 
     I'm pumped. And there are plenty of organisations, and people, to thank for that. Beginning with, of course, the Hong Kong Rugby Union. Its Chairman, Chris Brooke, got my attention a few minutes ago when he said that rugby "teaches you how to take a knock, get up and get back in the game." Indelible words. And they ring equally true for the Hong Kong Sevens and the city we call home.
 
     I'm grateful, too, to HKEX, our host today, and to long-time Sevens sponsors Cathay Pacific and HSBC, as well as the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens team and the rugby-mad media.
 
     It's no coincidence that we're launching "Our 7s" - the theme of November's three-day Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens - at HKEX Connect Hall.
 
     The Hong Kong Sevens and businesses have been an inseparable pair, famously intertwined, for decades. A little like the South Stand and the corporate boxes. They may not be sitting together - or singing, dancing and reeling together. But they are one when it comes to one of Hong Kong's most memorable weekends of the year. And so it will be, once again, in November.
 
     The return of the Hong Kong Sevens means business is returning too. And I know we can't wait for both to fill the stands, and the streets and shops, restaurants and hopefully bars as well.
 
     My colleagues in bureaux and departments throughout the Government are working with our national sports associations to relaunch sporting events in Hong Kong - despite the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic.
 
     The momentum will keep on building. And long beyond. There will be no stopping our many prestigious international events.
 
     Today's "gong striking" gathering makes that clear. Hong Kong is poised to re-embrace the world, a world of rewarding connections - in business, sports, entertainment and whatever else you have to offer. So, see you at the Sevens.
 

Ends/Friday, September 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:10

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