************************************************************
Hong Kong once again enchanted the crowds at the City of London Lord Mayor's Show, with its biggest ever display at the event yesterday (November 8, London Time).
This is the fourth time that Hong Kong has been represented at the Lord Mayor's Show, which has been held in the city every year since 1215. The show developed around the newly appointed Lord Mayor's journey to swear an oath of allegiance to the reigning monarch.
This year's Hong Kong display featured a stunning musical acrobatic display by a flying lion team outside the Lord Mayor's residence at Mansion House. This was combined with a colourful float and procession on the theme of transport. This featured Hong Kong flags and banners, accompanied by roller-skaters dressed to represent Hong Kong's iconic transport modes - the street tram, the peak tram and the Star Ferry. All together, the Hong Kong entry was colourful and memorable.
Sarah Wu, Director-General of the HKETO, London, which devised and organised the display said: "We welcome the new Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Ian Luder and look forward to working with him. This year's Lord Mayor's Show entry demonstrates the vibrant and colourful life of Hong Kong, which is renowned for its world-class infrastructure and efficient transportation system that underpins our role as an international financial centre. We invite people from around the world to visit Hong Kong, enjoy the sights and travel for themselves on the real trams and ferries of Hong Kong."
The Lord Mayor's Show attracts huge crowds on the city streets each year, while the BBC broadcasts it live to about two million people in Britain and globally. Hong Kong has a long tradition of working with the City of London and the Lord Mayor, who always makes a point of visiting Hong Kong during his tenure.
The flying lions, musicians and flag bearers were from the Medway Dragon and Lion Sports Association in Chatham, Kent.
Ends/Sunday, November 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 09:00
NNNN
