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A large-scale Hong Kong exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region opened today (November 5) at the 14th Asia Arts Festival in Quanzhou, Fujian. 3D exhibits, promotional videos and extensive photos are being used to showcase Hong Kong's exciting city landscape, its vibrancy as an international metropolis and the richness of its culture. The exhibition will run until November 15 at Live Show Wonderland in Quanzhou. Members of the public are welcome to visit free of charge.
Speaking at the exhibition today, the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Chang King-yiu, who travelled to Quanzhou specially to officiate at the opening ceremony, said, "Hong Kong is the Asian world city with a blend of East and West and a distinctive historical background and culture. The 14th Asia Arts Festival provides a golden opportunity for us to hold a large-scale cultural exhibition 'Meet Hong Kong', and bring Hong Kong to Quanzhou to showcase to its citizens, overseas Chinese people and other visitors from overseas who are coming to Quanzhou to participate in the Asia Arts Festival the essence of Hong Kong as an international cultural and arts city.
The "Meet Hong Kong" exhibition covers different themes including "Hong Kong ¡ª 18 Years After the Handover", "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu¡¤Art¡¤Life", "Hong Kong Comics Avenue" and "Bring Me Home: the Story of HK Culture, Art & Design". It also features an exhibition of artwork by Hong Kong students at Huaqiao University.
Ms Chang said, "In January this year, Hong Kong and Fujian governments signed two agreements on strengthening economic and trade co-operation and financial co-operation, and agreed on strengthening exchange and collaboration in the culture and creative industries. The 'Meet Hong Kong' exhibition is one of the key projects which fosters cultural exchanges between two places."
Also at the opening ceremony, GDETO Director Mr Albert Tang said, "It is the first time that we organise the 'Meet Hong Kong' exhibition in Quanzhou to introduce to the public Hong Kong's role to complement the national 'One Belt, One Road' strategy and Hong Kong's strengths in financial services, professional services, commerce and trade, the maritime sector and tourism."
"In fostering the development of the national 'One Belt, One Road' strategy, Hong Kong, as a 'super-connector' can play the role as an investor, an intermediary and a supporter. We encourage Mainland enterprises to make use of Hong Kong's legal, arbitration, accounting and other professional services that are of international standard, and tap into Hong Kong's strengths in its international business network, talents in professional management and free capital market, using Hong Kong as a platform to participate in the building of 'One Belt, One Road'."
"With the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' and the Basic Law since Hong Kong's return to China , and with the Mainland as its hinterland, Hong Kong continues to enhance its status as an international financial, trade and shipping centre.
"As Asia's world city, Hong Kong is well known for its business-friendly environment, free trade and free market economy, accompanied by world-class infrastructure, a sound and independent legal system and a low-tax regime. With the above advantages, Hong Kong serves as an ideal platform for Mainland companies to 'go global'."
Accompanying Ms Chang to officiate at the opening ceremony of "Meet Hong Kong" were the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial People's Government, Mr Song Kening; the Deputy Director General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial People's Government, Mr Lin Xuefeng; the Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Quanzhou Municipal People's Congress, Ms Lu Jing; the Vice Mayor of the Quanzhou Municipal People's Government, Mr Chen Rongzhou; the Vice Chairman of the Quanzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Luo Shaming; and Mr Tang.
The 14th Asia Arts Festival was organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Fujian Provincial People¡¯s Government. It is the first and only regional international arts festival approved by the State Council. It serves as the major platform to demonstrate regional economic and cultural development, showcase the best in Asian culture and arts, and foster Asian cultural exchange and co-operation.
"Meet Hong Kong" was organised by the GDETO, and co-organised by the office of the Quanzhou organizing committee of the 14th Asia Arts Festival, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Quanzhou Municipal Government, and the Fengze District Government of Quanzhou.
Ends/Thursday, November 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 23:23
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