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More than 700 distinguished guests from different sectors of Japanese society today (June 27) attended a reception in Tokyo to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Speaking at the reception, the Principal Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mrs Jennie Chok, said that in few days, on July 1, Hong Kong would be celebrating its 10th Anniversary as a Special Administrative Region of the People¡¦s Republic of China.
¡§This year carries special meaning for Hong Kong ¡V it¡¦s an important milestone that marks the successful implementation of the unique ¡¥One Country, Two Systems¡¦ concept," Mrs Chok said.
Referring to the hundreds of celebratory activities that are held in Hong Kong and other parts of the world, she spoke of the cause for celebration for the people of Hong Kong. The guests were shown the special edition of the 10th Anniversary video, which Mrs Chok introduced as one that encapsulated the essence and characteristics of Hong Kong society and what was called the "Hong Kong spirit", as well as how Hong Hong had been changing for the better in the past decade.
Among the distinguished guests were the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, the Hon. Yohei Kono; the Chairman of the Japan Hong Kong Parliamentarian League and former Prime Minister of Japan, the Hon Tsutomu Hata; and the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Mr Wang Yi.
An exhibition showing the highlights of the achievements of the HKSAR during the past 10 years was also held at the reception.
The reception formed part of a series of Hong Kong 10th Anniversary events in Tokyo organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, which included a seminar on ¡§Hong Kong ¡V New Opportunities as an international financial centre¡¨ with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Mr Joseph Yam as the keynote speaker on May 8, a gala dinner attended by the Secretary for Commerce Industry and Technology as guest of honour on May 31, and an English speech contest for Japanese university students on the topic of Hong Kong.
Ends/Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:37
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