FS' speech at launch of "Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2009" (English only)(with photos / video)

FS' speech at launch of "Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2009" (English only)(with photos / video)
********************************************************

     Following is the speech delivered by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the cocktails to launch the "Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2009" at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (December 2):

Mr Yves Chapot, Mr Jean-Luc Naret, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening.

     It is a great pleasure for me to join you in celebrating the launch of "Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2009", the first guide in China and the first bilingual version.

     I congratulate the spectacular hotels and restaurants which have been awarded the prestigious Michelin star rating.

     It is a great honour for Hong Kong to be chosen as a Michelin city, another good reason for people to come here for a visit. Hong Kong people are known for their obsession with food. Dining out is part of the Hong Kong lifestyle with a diversity of choice that reflects the city's cosmopolitan character. In fact, Hong Kong people on average dine out 6.5 times per week. A spectacular number.

     In Hong Kong, you can have lunch at a dai pai dong and dinner at a fine dining restaurant, or just about everything in between. Over the years, Hong Kong has attracted a long list of prestigious chefs from around the world with a broad repertoire of the highest quality cuisine. Many of them are well known to the Michelin inspectors.

     Most people will agree that fine dining and fine wine go hand-in-hand. So, it is appropriate that this edition of the Michelin Guide is launched in the same year that we eliminated duties on wine imports. Since scrapping duties on wine in February, we have seen a massive surge in wine imports to Hong Kong.

     We have also made good progress in establishing Hong Kong as a wine trading and distribution centre in Asia. We have seen a number of highly successful wine auctions, new storage facilities, training courses and new customs procedures tailored to the specific needs of the trade.

     The "Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2009", will add a new dimension to Hong Kong's unique culinary experience. So once again, congratulations to all the winners.

     I know that it may be a little early but I wish you all a merry Christmas, and happy dining.

     Thank you.

Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:46

NNNN