The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, (London ETO) took part in the City of London Lord Mayor's Show on November 11 (London time) for the 13th year with a float celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.  

     The float carried a group of Hong Kong musicians, playing medleys of well-known Cantopop songs and the Hong Kong 20th anniversary theme song. There were also specially designed flags, and - our long-standing tradition - a spectacular dragon dance as well as a troupe of Chinese-style dancers!

     The annual Lord Mayor's Show celebrates the swearing-in of the new Lord Mayor of London, who serves as a global ambassador for the United Kingdom's financial services sector. This year, Alderman Charles Bowman became the 690th Lord Mayor of the City of London. More than half a million people take to the streets to see the parade each year, while the BBC broadcasts it live to millions of people in Britain and globally.

     The Director-General of the London ETO, Ms Priscilla To, whose office devised and organised Hong Kong's float, said, "We congratulate the new Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Bowman, and look forward to working with him over the coming year to deepen our co-operation in financial services. As two of the world's leading financial centres, Hong Kong and London have much to share and collaborate on, especially in the areas of offshore Renminbi (RMB) business, fintech and green finance.  As Hong Kong is the world's largest offshore RMB centre and has unique advantages under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong serves as an ideal partner on project financing and asset management under the Belt and Road initiative."

     "Our float in this year's Lord Mayor's Show featured a vibrant and colourful display of Hong Kong talent and traditions, old and new, through music and dance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.  We have been organising and supporting many business and cultural events this year to mark Hong Kong's special anniversary, but this is definitely the biggest, with so many thousands of people lining the streets to cheer us on, and millions of people watching on TV.  We are truly honoured to see the enjoyment and affection people hold towards Hong Kong."

     London ETO has been taking part in the Lord Mayor's Show since 2005, with colourful and exciting displays highlighting the city's cultural heritage, including Kung Fu movies, Cantonese opera, the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree and Cheung Chau Bun Festival, as well as Hong Kong comics and animation.

Ends/Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 3:49

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