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A lantern in the shape of a horse and rider is displayed at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Auckland, promoting Hong Kong as a co-host city for the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events in 2008.
The Chinese Lantern Festival was officially launched today (February 22, Auckland time) by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Miss Helen Clark. Since its inception in 2000, it has developed into the largest Chinese New Year celebratory activity in Auckland, and expects more than 200,000 visitors.
This year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO), is taking part in this popular event as a sponsor for the first time. It commissioned the horse-and-rider lantern and a hanging lantern with the Brand HK logo. A marquee was also set up to distribute souvenirs on the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events, as well as pamphlets on visiting and doing business with Hong Kong.
Director of the HKETO, Ms Lorna Wong, said, ˇ§The HKETO is delighted to take part in this meaningful event to share the joy and festivity of Chinese New Year with the Auckland community and visitors. Given the large number of visitors, the lantern festival also presents an excellent opportunity to promote the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events 2008. ˇ¨
She continued, ˇ§Hong Kong is proud to take up the historic role as a co-host city of the games. We are all ready and we look forward to extending a warm welcome to all competitors and spectators.ˇ¨
ˇ§Given the keen interest in horse-related sports in Australia and New Zealand, the HKETO is actively promoting the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events in these two countries to showcase Hong Kongˇ¦s vibrancy as an events capital and sports cityˇ¨, Ms Wong added.
Apart from joining the lantern festival, the HKETO has displayed exhibition panels on the equestrian events in its Chinese New Year receptions in six major cities in Australia and New Zealand, with an overall attendance of about 1,500 guests. These aside, the HKETO will sponsor a dressage and a showjumping event in Melbourne and Sydney respectively this April.
The Auckland segment of the lantern festival is from now to February 24. It will continue in Christchurch on March 1 and 2, expecting another 40,000 visitors.
Ends/Friday, February 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:30
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