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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, yesterday (January 11, New York Time) visited New York City.
Yesterday evening Mr Tang officiated at a reception jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Addressing an audience of over 200 interlocutors from the financial, economic, trade and academic sectors, Mr Tang underlined the importance of the US as one of Hong Kong's source markets for tourism. He highlighted the various tourism projects now being undertaken in Hong Kong and Hong Kong's participation in the Shanghai Expo to be held later this year. He also welcomed more New Yorkers to Hong Kong in the Year of the Tiger.
Mr Tang emphasised to the audience the Hong Kong Government's determination to establish Hong Kong as Asia's cultural hub and the exciting prospects promised by the West Kowloon Cultural District project.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Tang hosted a luncheon for Mr Robert Lieber, Deputy Mayor of New York City, and interlocutors from the economic, financial and business sectors. Also joining the luncheon were leaders representing organisations with a focus on US-China and US-Hong Kong relations, including the National Committee on US-China Relations, the Committee of 100 and the Hong Kong Association of New York. Mr Tang updated them on the major developments in Hong Kong and exchanged views on further promoting the US-Hong Kong bilateral relationship.
In the morning Mr Tang visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Lincoln Centre. He was given in-depth briefings by these two institutions on the operation and management of the arts facilities.
Founded in 1929, MoMA has grown to include over 150,000 paintings, sculptures, architectural models and design objects, and its library and archives are the premier research facilities of their kind in the world. MoMA also offers a variety of programmes and services to ensure the accessibility of the museum and its collections.
Lincoln Centre, a complex located on 16.3 acres, was conceptualised in 1956 as part of an urban renewal programme. It comprises 12 resident organisations representing the highest standards of excellence in symphony, opera, chamber music, theatre, dance, film, and arts education.
After the tour, Mr Tang said, "MoMA and Lincoln Centre are two of the most world-renowned and influential arts institutions in the fields of visual and performing arts. I am very pleased to learn first-hand how they so successfully manage their programmes and enrich the cultural scenes of New York. Their experience is most enlightening in helping us design the West Kowloon Cultural District to achieve similar objectives."
Yesterday afternoon Mr Tang also met Ambassador Peng Keyu, China's Consul-General in New York.
On January 12, Mr Tang will conclude his visit to the US with a call on Ambassador Zhang Yesui, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He will arrive in Hong Kong on January 13 evening.
Ends/Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:06
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