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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, at the Launching Ceremony of the "United Music Nations" at Government House today (January 15)(English only):
Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. As Chief Secretary for Administration, I'm privileged to attend many functions organised or sponsored by the Consulates-General in Hong Kong. This is an extra special occasion, however, because tonight our friends the Consuls-General are not sponsoring the event - they're taking part in it. To quote the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Chu Pui-hing, you could say they're the stars of the show.
Hong Kong is a magnet, an international city, best known for the tremendous business opportunities we offer to investors from all around the world. More than 3,200 overseas companies have established regional headquarters or regional offices here. Hong Kong is also home to a large consular corps; the number of consular posts here has grown since 1997. And, in terms of arts and culture, annual events such as the Arts Festival and the International Film Festival draw talents and aficionados from the four corners of the globe.
But it takes more to be a truly cosmopolitan city. We need to accommodate, appreciate and respect the full array of diverse world cultures. United Music Nations helps us do just that. This is a big project, involving the collaboration of many parties: the SAR Government, consular representatives, business people, the media, educators and, most important, the people of Hong Kong. I am greatly encouraged to see all these parties represented here this evening.
This project, and your presence tonight, is right in step with Hong Kong's positioning as Asia's world city. Let's continue to join hands to make Hong Kong a welcoming place for everyone in today's global village.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Thursday, January 15, 2004
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