The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) held a "Hello, Hong Kong!" East China Region Reception in Shanghai today (March 23) to highlight the new attractions, developments and opportunities of Hong Kong. Around 600 representatives from relevant government departments, institutions, chambers of commerce, enterprises and Hong Kong groups from Shanghai and Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong Provinces attended the reception.

     Delivering a pre-recorded speech at the reception, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said Hong Kong is resuming full normalcy after three years of the epidemic. With the full support of the Central Government, Hong Kong has resumed normal travel with the Mainland and reconnected with the rest of the world. Hong Kong and the East China region have always been closely connected and economically integrated. He warmly welcomes everyone to visit Hong Kong and to embrace the infinite opportunities and make great achievements in the Asia's world city.

     Delivering a speech at the reception, the Director of the SHETO, Mrs Laura Aron, said the reception is the biggest event held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the East China region after the three-year epidemic and the full resumption of normal travelling between Hong Kong and the Mainland. She added that Hong Kong is speeding up to its normalcy through various measures and she looks forward to more provinces and cities organising delegations to visit Hong Kong to learn about its latest changes and to further boost the mutual benefits and developments between the East China region and Hong Kong in different fields, such as economic, trade and tourism.

     She also thanked the government departments, institutions and the general public in the East China region for their support towards Hong Kong and the SHETO during the epidemic, which fully reflected the close connection and mutual support between the East China region and Hong Kong.

     Speaking at the reception, Deputy Secretary-General of Shanghai Municipal People's Government Mr Gu Honghui said, Hong Kong is having the strong support of the Motherland while also being closely connected to the rest of the world, its enjoying an unique position and advantages in the global economy. Hong Kong will have great aspects with the solid support of the Central Government and the solid protection under "one country, two systems". Shanghai is pleased to join hands with the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong Provinces to foster the co-operation and exchanges with Hong Kong on all fronts.

     The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, who is visiting Shanghai, also attended the reception as an officiating guest today.

     Hong Kong young cellist Calvin Wong and pianist John Lee who are active in the East China region were invited to present a medley of classic Hong Kong hits and classical pieces to the guests. A youth choir from the Bauhinia Youth, an organisation founded by Hong Kong citizens and based in Shanghai, also performed onstage. Thirteen Hong Kong teenagers living in Shanghai delivered a choral performance in Putonghua and Cantonese.

     In addition, the reception venue was themed with Hong Kong MTR car compartments. Hong Kong's sceneries and information on its latest developments were displayed through the windows as LED screens. Miniature models of landmark buildings in the West Kowloon Cultural District, as well as "Hello, Hong Kong!"-themed Drago-Cavallo specially designed for the event by Hong Kong artist Simon Ma, were also displayed.

     Co-hosted with Invest Hong Kong and co-organised with the Shanghai Services Federation and the Shanghai Entrepreneur Association, the SHETO today held the "Hong Kong - Capture Innovation and Technology Opportunities • Share Prosperity and Development" enterprise and talent seminar to enhance and deepen exchanges between the East China region and Hong Kong in the innovation and technology industry. Some 270 representatives from government departments and innovation and technology companies of the East China region attended the seminar. Ms Cheong delivered a keynote speech at the event. The Immigration Division of the SHETO will also hold a thematic forum tomorrow (March 24) to exchange ideas with immigration inspection, public security and exit-entry administration authorities of Shanghai and Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong Provinces on related work.

Ends/Thursday, March 23, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:20

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