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Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr. Donald Tong, accompanied by Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (SFETO), Mr. Jeff Leung, completed a two-day visit to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mr. Tong met with the Governor of Hawaii, Ms Linda Lingle, to update her on the latest development of Hong Kong and to further strengthen the economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Hawaii.
At the meeting with Governor Lingle, Mr. Tong talked about Hong Kong¡¦s economic situation, tourism industry as well as innovation and technology development in the city.
At the numerous speaking engagements co-organised by SFETO and chambers of commerce, Pacific Asian Affairs Council, Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii as well as University of Hawaii, Mr. Tong gave an overview on the latest developments of Hong Kong. He also highlighted Hong Kong¡¦s commitment to further develop six industries where Hong Kong enjoys competitive strength.
During his two-day visit, Mr. Tong and Mr. Leung also met with President of Hawaii State Senate, Ms Colleen Hanabusa; Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives, Mr. Calvin Say; Majority Leader of Hawaii State Senate, Mr. Gary Hooser; Managing Director of the City and County of Honolulu, Mr. Kirk Caldwell; President of East-West Center, Dr. Charles Morrison and Chancellor of University of Hawaii at Manoa, Dr. Virginia Hinshaw.
While in Honolulu, Mr. Tong also officiated at ¡§A Celebration of Hong Kong Cinema¡¨ gala reception, addressing government officials, business and community leaders as well as film makers. ¡§Thanks to the abundant talent and experience Hong Kong possesses in film production, Hong Kong film industry has been contributing to the city¡¦s international image and will remain a powerhouse for the future growth of our economy,¡¨ said Mr. Tong.
¡§At present, Hong Kong has around 32,000 creative industry-related establishments engaging more than 170,000 practitioners and contributing seven billion dollars annually to our economic growth or around four percent of our GDP,¡¨ he continued.
The reception, co-organised by SFETO and Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF), was the official pre-film event for HIFF¡¦s Centerpiece film ¡§Red Cliff¡¨ directed by John Woo. Also present at the reception was Mr. Nick Cheung, whose ¡§Beast Stalker¡¨ is also featured in HIFF.
In addressing a full house audience at the screening of ¡§Red Cliff¡¨, Mr. Tong said that CreateHK, set up in June, provides one-stop services and support for the creative industry including the film industry by facilitating film productions in Hong Kong and promoting Hong Kong films locally and abroad.
Ends/Saturday, October 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 10:18
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