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Guests at the Chinese New Year reception, hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney (HKETO), in Adelaide today (February 10) were overjoyed by the announcement by the Premier of South Australia, Mr Mike Rann, of the presentation of two koalas as a gift from South Australia to the people and Government of Hong Kong.
Director of HKETO, Ms Lorna Wong, thanked the Premier on behalf of the Hong Kong SARG for the koalas. The gift was a strong symbol of friendship between Hong Kong and South Australia, Ms Wong said.
"I am extremely delighted to receive this piece of good news from the Premier and wish to express my sincerest gratitude to the Government of South Australia for presenting two koalas to Hong Kong.
"I am also delighted that the Hong Kong Ocean Park has agreed to take care of the koalas. Koalas are a national icon of Australia and I am sure the Hong Kong Ocean Park, with its extensive experience and professional expertise, will be able to provide appropriate care to them. I hope future visitors to Ocean Park will appreciate the mutual friendship between Hong Kong and South Australia and learn about nature conservation and protection through the koalas."
In her official address at the reception, Ms Wong said South Australia enjoyed a close relationship with Hong Kong on many fronts, including reciprocal visits by senior officials from both sides over the past two years.
She added South Australia had become Australia's leading wine exporter to Hong Kong – a major economic boost for both sides despite the global financial crisis
"Australia is now our second largest supplier and in April last year, Hong Kong and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation on Wine - our first with a new world wine country," Ms Wong said.
Ms Wong said that Australia had the largest number of exhibitors (65) in the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair last November, and would be the partner country for the fair this November.
As the leading regional wine hub, she said Hong Kong would continue to work closely with South Australian wine exporters to tap into the Chinese and pan-Asian markets.
She said Australia's economy had been one of the world's best performers, growing by 0.5% in the year to September 2009, making the nation one of only three advanced economies to record positive growth during the period.
Ms Wong said Hong Kong had ended 2009 in a strong position but would remain vigilant in 2010 in order to guard against a return to difficult times.
"Hong Kong, being a major international financial centre in the Asian time zone, is seen as a springboard to participation in the Asian growth story," she said.
"As a matter of fact, with no bank collapses, no government bailouts and no massive job losses, Hong Kong outperformed other major financial centres, such as New York and London, following the global financial crisis.
The reception was jointly hosted by the HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong-Australia Business Association (South Australia Chapter). Today's function marked the beginning of similar Chinese New Year receptions in Australia and New Zealand to be held in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Auckland.
Ends/Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:25
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