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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at the opening ceremony of German Design Standards - From Bauhaus to Globalisation today (December 6):
Clement (Mr Clement Chen, Chairman of Vocational Training Council), Professor Dr Zec (Professor Dr Peter Zec, President and Chief Executive Officer of red dot GmbH & Co KG), Dr Rösner (Dr Corinna Rösner, Chief Curator and Deputy Director of Die Neue Sammlung Munich), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join you all this evening for the opening ceremony of the "German Design Standards - From Bauhaus to Globalisation".
I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our friends from Germany and wish them a happy stay in Hong Kong - Asia's Creative Capital.
Today's exhibition is a good demonstration of how international collaboration can promote cross-cultural exchange of design. Through the concerted efforts of the organisers, that is, the Hong Kong Design Institute and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee), and also various collaborative partners, the winning designs and valuable exhibits of German origin from the renowned "red dot design museum" and "International Design Museum Munich" are on display in Hong Kong. These exhibits narrate the evolution of German designs, and demonstrate the fine craftsmanship, creativity and pragmatic application that are typical of German design. I am sure you would find inspiration from the iconic design works of Germany from the first decades of the last century to the present.
Today's event is also a highlight of the 30th anniversary celebratory programme of the Vocational Training Council (VTC). The VTC is the largest vocational education, training and professional development group in Hong Kong, providing a broad spectrum of programmes for some 240,000 students each year. The member institutions of VTC have played a key role in the design education of Hong Kong. With its dedicated efforts and hard work over the past 30 years, the VTC has nurtured talents for various sectors and responded to the evolving talent needs of Hong Kong. I would like to congratulate the VTC on its achievements and wish it all the best in scaling new heights in the years to come.
We have designated 2012 as "Hong Kong Design Year". Some 50 design-related programmes have been rolled out. As 2012 is drawing to a close soon, the Hong Kong Design Year is reaching its climax. Apart from the exhibition we open today, this mega campus also has another exhibition under the same roof, the "Colours of Asia" exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Design Institute. Other mega events such as the internationally acclaimed Business of Design Week and the very inspiring DETOUR are also taking place across the harbour in Wan Chai. This Sunday, we will also stage one of the world's longest catwalks along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade with the Victoria Harbour as the backdrop. I can assure you all that this is the best time to witness the climax of our year-long celebration and to celebrate design excellence in Hong Kong.
Finally, may I wish the exhibition every success, and all participants a most inspiring experience.
Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, December 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:02
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