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San Francisco (July 10, 2007) - A series of celebration receptions have been hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco over the past two weeks to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The receptions ended on a high note with a special "Hong Kong Purse" horse race at the Emerald Downs Race Course in Seattle, Washington. The race was featured in the "Hong Kong Day" programme, co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco and the Hong Kong Association of Washington.
Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, Mr Brad Owen congratulated Hong Kong on its many achievements in the past 10 years. He said the people of Hong Kong and Washington had always maintained a friendly relationship and hoped that this partnership would strengthen further in the future. Representatives from Governor's office, County and City Government, Port of Seattle, University of Washington, trade associations and chambers attended the event.
The event was the last leg of a series of receptions hosted by the Office. Some 1,000 guests attended receptions in Los Angeles and San Francisco in California; Houston and Dallas in Texas; and Seattle, Washington.
The successful implementation of the novel "One Country, Two Systems" concept was highlighted at the receptions by Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Ms Doris Cheung. "The rights and freedoms which Hong Kong people hold dear to our hearts, as well as our social, economic and legal systems have remained unchanged," she said.
"Looking back over the past decade, Hong Kong has weathered unprecedented challenges like the Asian financial crises and SARS, and our economy is flourishing with an average GDP growth of 7.6% in the last three years. Our external trade has almost doubled in the past 10 years to US$659 billion. The United States is our second largest trading partner maintaining the greatest number of regional operations in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong stock market is the second largest in Asia with a market capitalisation four times more than that in 1997. The Hong Kong International Airport is number one in the world in terms of air cargo service and our container port is the second busiest in the world," Ms Cheung said.
Referring to the recent signing of CEPA Supplement IV, Ms Cheung added that the closer partnership between Hong Kong and Mainland China had created enormous new business opportunities. The commissioning of the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Corridor has greatly enhanced the movement of goods and people across the boundary.
"Hong Kong's achievements are closely linked to the successful implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' concept, which has grown from an untested idea into a living reality. Added with our famous can-do spirit and entrepreneurship, I am confident that Hong Kong will continue to thrive and prosper, and maintain our position as an international finance, trade, logistics and tourism hub, as well as the prime gateway to China," Ms Cheung said.
An exhibition showcasing Hong Kong's developments in various areas, the 10th anniversary theme song and videos about Hong Kong were shown at the receptions.
In addition to the receptions, the office is also organising a trivia question contest and a "Hong Kong Spirit" brochure design competition with TV station and newspapers. A four-part programme about different aspects of life in Hong Kong was commissioned by the Office and will be aired on TV channel in the San Francisco Bay Area in September.
Ends/Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:25
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