Speech by CE at French National Day 2014 Official Reception (English only) (with photos/video)

Speech by CE at French National Day 2014 Official Reception (English only) (with photos/video)
************************************************************

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at the French National Day 2014 Official Reception this evening (July 14):

Consul General, Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Bonsoir!

     I am delighted to join you all to celebrate the National Day of France.

     This year not only marks the 225th Anniversary of Bastille Day but also the 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France.

     I congratulate all our friends from France on this special occasion.

     Hong Kong cherishes its strong and friendly relations with France which can be traced back more than 150 years. During this long period, our city has become home to one of the largest overseas French communities in Asia. Hong Kong is home to a great deal of investment from France. The people of Hong Kong have acquired also a strong appreciation of French culture.

     The Hong Kong Government proudly plays its part in promoting close ties with the French Government and the French people in all areas. I am very much looking forward to my first official visit to France this October. While in Paris I will officiate at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's flagship trade promotion event, "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong".

     A 200-strong Hong Kong business delegation will be with me for the event, which is also expected to attract more than 1,000 French entrepreneurs. This highlights the keen interest from both sides in the opportunities to develop our bilateral ties. In Paris, I will also meet with top government officials and business leaders. I take this opportunity to thank the Consul General and his colleagues for their strong support in helping organise this programme.

     My visit to France will also continue a long tradition of high-level exchanges between Hong Kong and France, which are bearing fruit.

     In May last year, we signed the Working Holiday Scheme agreement between France and Hong Kong. Under the Scheme, young people in Hong Kong can take up short-term employment in France, and we welcome young people from France to enjoy similar opportunities in Hong Kong. No doubt the scheme will further boost cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.

     Our business-to-business (B2B) exchanges are also bearing fruit. It is very encouraging to note that our bilateral merchandise trade with France has grown at an average annual rate of 14.6 per cent over the past five years.

     In particular, wine trading between Hong Kong and France has flourished since we removed wine import tariffs in 2008. The value of our wine trading activities with France reached EUR 760 million in 2013, which is about HK$8 billion, which represents a fourfold increase over the past seven years.

     I am pleased that this year's Vinexpo Asia-Pacific here in May was another resounding success.

     We also welcome more French technology firms to come to Hong Kong and be part of our strategy to promote innovation and technology as a new government initiative. France has a good reputation for "green" innovation, which would be well suited to our economic and environmental aspirations for Hong Kong.

     Bastille Day is also a traditional celebration of French culture.

     The annual Le French May here in Hong Kong is one of the largest French cultural festivals in Asia. This year's festival was particularly significant with its theme of cross-influences between Chinese and French culture in recognition of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two nations.

     Also, last month I had the pleasure of joining Consul General Barthélémy for the opening of our new creative venue in Central, PMQ, the former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road. I hope that French artists and French cultural influences will continue to shape PMQ as a premier cultural hub right in the heart of our city.

     Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be here to celebrate Bastille Day with our friends from France and I look forward to even stronger relations between Hong Kong and France and between China and France in the years ahead.

     Please raise your glasses and join me in a toast: "To the People of the Republic of France".

Ends/Monday, July 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:21

NNNN