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A spirited procession of Hong Kong-styled sedan chairs today (October 16) strolled through the Chinatown of Yokohama, Japan, drawing crowds of spectators in the busiest tourist spot in Yokohama.
This was the Second Hong Kong Sedan Chair Race in Japan, which was sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Tokyo, the City of Yokohama and a number of Hong Kong and Japanese community organisations.
The Principal Representative of Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Tokyo (HKETO), Mr Alex Fong, said at the opening ceremony: "As one of the founding members of the Hong Kong Sedan Chair Race in Japan, we are very pleased to see that the event is having its second running today."
He said the Race was one of the highlights of the "Hong Kong - Japan Year 2005", under which a series of events were being launched to promote exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan.
He wished that the Hong Kong Sedan Chair Race would continue to develop in Japan, just as the friendship and partnership of these two places were ever growing.
While the first race was held within Yamashita Park, the race today extended from the Park to the busiest leisure and shopping areas in Yokohama – Chinatown and Motomachi.
Attending the prize presentation, Hong Kong pop singer Leo Ku drew a cartoon illustration of the sedan chair race and presented it to the joint team of Hong Kong and Yokohama governments, congratulating the successful cooperation of the two places. He was also happy to see the increasing exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan.
Consisting of two categories - main race and speed race, the event received more than 400 participants coming from Hong Kong and Japanese companies and community groups.
Members of the champion team of the main race, which competed in terms of decoration and performance, were awarded a trip to Hong Kong sponsored by the HK Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific Airways. The champion this year is Yokohama Chinatown team.
Ends/Sunday, October 16, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:47
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