*******************************************************
Four Japanese university students were today (December 5) awarded a two-week exchange programme in Hong Kong after winning a speech contest organised to enhance bilateral relationships between Hong Kong and Japan.
They were the top four winners of the Hong Kong Cup All Japan University Students English Speech Contest 2009 jointly organised for the third consecutive year by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Daily Yomiuri in Japan.
The competition was supported by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Addressing the speech contest, Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Mrs Jennie Chok, said she was delighted that the competition had again received wide support from various sectors of the community, including, in particular, the support of university students that sent in a record number of entries.
"Through the speech contest, we wish to arouse more interest in, and foster deeper understanding of, Hong Kong among university students in this country, and thereby promote friendship and goodwill, as well as economic and cultural ties, between the two places," she said.
Taking into account the designation of 2009 as the "Japan-Hong Kong Tourism Exchange Year" by the governments of Japan and Hong Kong, and the hosting of the Fifth East Asian Games in Hong Kong this year, Mrs Chok said tourism and sports exchange were chosen as the main themes for this year's speeches.
A new feature of this year's contest was that, in addition to the top three winners, a "Fighting Spirit" prize was awarded to the best performer among those who have not had the experience of studying or living abroad.
The panel of judges at the final today included Mrs Chok; Professor Phillip Brown of Gakushuin University; General Manager, Japan, of Cathay Pacific, Mr Simon Large; and Managing Editor of the Daily Yomiuri, Mr Keiichi Hirano.
After a full day of keen competition among 15 finalists, the top three prizes were awarded to Mr Wu Jihang of Aoyama Gakuin University, Mr Yasuhiro Oda of University of Tokyo and Mr Takayuki Minami of Kumamoto University respectively. Miss Mizuki Urano of Sophia University won the "Fighting Spirit" prize.
In addition to other prizes, the four winners will attend a two-week exchange programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong early next year.
Ends/Saturday, December 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:55
NNNN
