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The economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the United States (US) grew from strength to strength last year, with more direct flights, bumper trade and co-operation in combating tax evasion, said the Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Clement Leung, yesterday (February 19).
Speaking at the Chinese New Year Reception organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), Mr Leung said that international airlines opened new direct flights to Seattle, Dallas/Fort Worth and Newark, adding that Cathay Pacific Airways will launch its inaugural direct flight from Hong Kong to Boston in May.
Hong Kong imported US$40 billion worth of the US goods last year, and improved access for the US agricultural products made the city the most open market for the US beef in Asia. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and the US concluded agreements to combat tax evasion.
Noting that the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal have recently ranked Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world for 21 consecutive years, Mr Leung said Hong Kong would continue to capitalise its position as China's global financial centre. "We'll leverage our 'super-connector' role between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world," he added.
He told the American guests that Hong Kong was working to promote new growth sectors of arbitration, intellectual property trading, creative industries, as well as innovation and technology. "We are upgrading the quality of our workforce as we are facing an ageing population and are making it easier for talented people and entrepreneurs from around the globe to come, stay, live, work and establish a business there," he added.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Director of HKETONY, Mr Steve Barclay, said aside from promoting closer economic, investment and trade ties, his office also aims to foster cultural ties between Hong Kong and the 31 eastern states.
He highlighted the first collaboration with the Yale-China Association to bring two promising Hong Kong artists to Yale University on a fellowship program. Parry Ling, a relational artist, and Hao Yang, a choreographer-dancer, are currently on a six-month residency at Yale University in Connecticut.
Mr Barclay said the office would organise a week-long "Spotlight Hong Kong" exhibition at the Time Warner Center from February 25. The exhibition will focus on Hong Kong's vibrant mix of East-meets-West culture - from cultural heritage, creative and film industries to performing arts.
The exhibits include a series of Hong Kong street markets which were painted by the US nationally recognised illustrationist Michael Sloan during his residency in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2014.
The exhibition will also help promote the US debut of the Hong Kong Dance Company's performance, "The Legend of Mulan", which will be staged at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts from March 5 to 8.
To reach out to the US young generation, Mr Barclay said his office has launched a new Facebook page "Hong Kong Meets America". It carries all sorts of trendy, useful and interesting information about the city.
To promote Hong Kong music talents, the reception featured performances by the Cornelia String Quartet, led by the violinist CheHo Lam; and the singer-songwriter Mara Measor, both Hong Kong-born and raised.
The reception ended with a grand lucky draw, with the winner receiving two Newark-Hong Kong round trip premium economy tickets sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways.
About 370 guests, mainly key members of the business, government, academic and media sectors, attended the reception.
Ends/Friday, February 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:57
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