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The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Sally Wong, said today (August 29) that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Tokyo will continue to promote exchanges in the arts and culture to enhance the close bilateral relations between Hong Kong and Japan.
Speaking at a reception before a concert by the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) in Tokyo, Japan, Ms Wong pointed out that the AYO embodies the ideals of cultural exchange and also reflects the distinctive character of Hong Kong as Asia's world city.
"The Orchestra brings many bright young musicians from all over Asia to Hong Kong, and it takes them to different parts of Asia. Hong Kong provides the home base for the Orchestra on one hand, and acts as the gateway for the brilliant young artists to gain exposure in other countries and territories on the other," Ms Wong said.
"The arts and culture are flourishing in Hong Kong," she added. "The city safeguards and respects cultural freedom and artistic creation, with freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Hong Kong's constitutional document, the Basic Law."
She also said that Hong Kong remains a free and cosmopolitan city which is safe, hospitable and welcoming for visitors from Japan and around the world.
The reception was hosted by the HKETO and was attended by about 100 guests.
This year, the AYO has conducted a three-week concert tour in August across Asia to Mainland China, Taiwan, and Osaka and Ayase in Japan. The concerts in Tokyo today and tomorrow (August 30) are the last two performances of the season, with about 110 young musicians from various parts of Asia, including Hong Kong and Japan, performing.
The AYO was awarded Japan's Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists in 2010 in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the development of young artistic talent.
Ends/Friday, August 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:28
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