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Hong Kong, represented by Mr Donald Tong, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, was honoured at a reception hosted by Mr Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, today (May 28, Chicago time) for bringing the best of Hong Kong's culture to Chicago.
The reception was held to celebrate the conclusion of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in Chicago.
Concurrent with the heritage month's celebrations, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York held a series of events under the umbrella of "Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009", presenting various programmes, including Hong Kong film appreciation, a Chinese music concert, dine and wine pairing event, exhibitions and gallery talks, where Chicagoans were given a look at Hong Kong at close range.
Mayor Daley expressed his gratitude to Commissioner Tong during the reception. He had earlier presented a proclamation to the New York Economic and Trade Office.
Mr Tong said that he was grateful to the City Government of Chicago for the opportunity to join with ethnic groups in Chicago for the month¡¦s celebrations. The Hong Kong programmes were given a warm reception by the Chicago community. Some of the programmes had an almost-full house attendance.
"We have brought in the best of the best from Hong Kong. Through these programmes, we have offered Chicagoans an alternative perspective of the richness of the Asian Pacific Region's heritage.
"Hong Kong has always been an active player in our region, not only in the areas of business and finance. The legacy of our Chinese ancestry, coupled with our unique history of development, has afforded us a culture of our own, colourful as well as special in our own right," said Mr Tong.
Drawing on Hong Kong's successful experience of hosting the Olympic equestrian events, Commissioner Tong presented an Olympic commemorative gold medallion to Mayor Daley and wished Chicago the best of luck in its bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
"Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009" was hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York. The month-long festival celebrated Hong Kong's creativity, entrepreneurship and cultural and economic vitality through an array of arts and cultural events, ranging from film series and a concert to exhibitions and gallery talks.
Ends/Friday, May 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:00
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