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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, hosted a luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Helen Clark, at Government House this afternoon (December 15). Following is the full text of the speech (English only) by the Chief Executive at the luncheon:
Prime Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
A warm welcome to the entire New Zealand delegation led by the Prime Minister. I am very happy to receive the Prime Minister here shortly after our brief encounter in Hanoi last month for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Prime Minister, it has been more than five years since you last visited us formally. During this period, the economic and social ties between Hong Kong and New Zealand have further grown. Our bilateral trade has increased by about 20%. Close to 20% of New Zealand's trade with the Mainland of China now comes through Hong Kong as well. About 2 000 New Zealanders reside in Hong Kong, and well over 1 000 Hong Kong students attend school or university in New Zealand. The Student Ambassador Scheme, to which you attach great affection ¡ª a feeling that I share, launched by your Government last year provides additional opportunities for our secondary students to experience your beautiful country and to expand their horizons.
Hong Kong is a popular destination for New Zealand travellers. At the end of March each year, in particular, thousands of intrepid Kiwis wander about town, many of them in their trademark All Black jumpers. The Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens has always been a popular drawcard for all our Antipodean friends - probably because your team has a rather successful track record in Hong Kong. And most players are quite popular here.
With the rising number of business and leisure travellers in both directions, we have seen a healthy expansion of bilateral air services. We welcome this development. Enhanced air links will facilitate closer ties between our two places. They also reinforce Hong Kong's status as one of Asia's major international air hubs.
Prime Minister, next year Hong Kong will celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Reunification with China. The first decade of the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" concept in Hong Kong since 1997 has been a monumental success. Hong Kong has retained all its strengths and freedoms, its way of life and its international outlook. We have also remained the premier international business hub in Asia. Some 1 200 foreign companies manage their Asia operations from here. Hong Kong is also the ideal place for foreign companies to access the huge market in the Mainland of China. There is scope for the New Zealand business community in Hong Kong to expand. We welcome more New Zealand companies - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises in niche areas like technology - to make use of all that Hong Kong offers as the best business platform in Asia.
Prime Minister, it is a great pleasure meeting you again here in Hong Kong. I hope that before you depart, you will find some time to sample the sights and sounds of Hong Kong ... and perhaps to do a little Christmas shopping as well.
And now, I would be honoured if you would all join me in a toast:
"To the Prime Minister, and to the continuing friendship between New Zealand and Hong Kong. And, to a prosperous new year."
Ends/Friday, December 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:22
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