Famous Chinese restaurant opens in Hong Kong (with photos)
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    Another well-known Chinese restaurant chain has chosen Hong Kong as a base to expand internationally.  Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, a leading restaurant chain from Shanghai, opened its first restaurant in Hong Kong today (October 31). With history of more than a century, the restaurant is one of the most recognised brands in Chinese cuisine, famous for its steamed bun ˇ§xiao long baoˇ¨.

     Located in Causeway Bay Plaza 1, the restaurant occupies 6,000 square feet and is expected to create at least 45 jobs here.

     Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant will be operated by its Hong Kong business partner, Hua Kuang Food and Beverage Management Co. Ltd., a franchisee formed by Hua Kuang Holdings Ltd. and All Global Development Ltd.   Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart Old Town Temple Catering Co. Ltd, owners of the brand and restaurant chain in China, will bring in chefs from Shanghai to train local staff and to assure top quality of the food.

     General Manager of Hua Kuang Holdings Ltd Mr Cheung Pang Hou discussed the investment on behalf of the Hong Kong franchisee. ˇ§We are pleased to introduce one of the best known Chinese restaurant brands to Hong Kong," he said.  "Although there is probably a greater variety of Chinese cuisine here than in any other city, we see huge untapped potential for more players in the market.  This is what Hong Kong is all about ˇV business opportunities are always available for creative products or ideas. Here we find an attractive cluster of customers ˇV a combination of local consumers and visitors from all around the world who are enthusiastic about high quality Chinese food.ˇ¨

     According to Mr Cheung Pang Hou, the company plans to open 11 restaurants in the next 5 years.

     ˇ§We are very excited about our entry into the Hong Kong market and have high expectations for our future development here," General Manager of Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart Old Town Temple Catering Co. Ltd Mr Cheng Bing Hai said. "Our company is committed to build our international network, introducing top quality Chinese cuisine to food lovers around the world.  Our presence in Hong Kong - widely recognised as an international culinary centre - will definitely help set the stage for our expansion into other markets in Asia and globally.ˇ¨

     The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mark Michelson, officiated at the opening ceremony for this new restaurant. He welcomed the arrival of Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant in Hong Kong.

     ˇ§It is encouraging to see another leading Mainland restaurant choosing Hong Kong to establish outlets and as its beachhead for future development overseas.  The opening of Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant will not only enrich our existing offering of culinary choices, but also create additional jobs for Hong Kong.  We look forward to celebrating further expansion of the restaurant in Hong Kong,ˇ¨ Mr Michelson said.

     Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant was founded in 1900 in Shanghai by Wu Xiangsheng from Nanxiang Town of Jiading County.  During the past century, it has developed into a leading restaurant chain in the Mainland with outlets in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Indonesia. For more information about Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, please visit the website at http://www.nxsteamedbun-sh.com.

     Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here.  For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.

Ends/Monday, October 31, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:30

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