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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office held a spring reception in Seoul, Korea, today (February 17) to celebrate the Year of Monkey.
Speaking to some 400 guests, mainly comprising leading figures from Korean government, political, business and academic circles, as well as community groups, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Sally Wong, pointed out that Hong Kong and Korea enjoy a close bilateral relationship.
"In terms of trade, Korea is Hong Kong's sixth largest trading partner, and sixth largest source of imports. Reciprocally, Hong Kong is Korea's fifth largest trading partner and third largest export market," Ms Wong said.
On the tourism front, Ms Wong said that Korea is Hong Kong's third largest source of tourism, with about 1.25 million people visiting Hong Kong last year, while Hong Kong is Korea's fourth largest source, with more than 520,000 travellers visiting Korea in 2015.
"The close bonds between Hong Kong and Korea are not just limited to trade and tourism. For instance, in the past two years, Hong Kong and Korea signed a comprehensive agreement on avoidance of double taxation, a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in creative industries and another memorandum of understanding on intellectual property to underpin further collaboration in the tax, creative industry and intellectual property fields," Ms Wong said.
She also said that to further enhance bilateral ties, exchange and co-operation, a new Economic and Trade Office would be set up in Korea.
The spring reception was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Tokyo (HKETO Tokyo). To promote Hong Kong's arts and music talent, Hong Kong a cappella group Yat Po Singers was invited to perform at the reception.
About HKETO Tokyo
HKETO Tokyo is currently the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's official representative in Japan and Korea.
Ends/Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Issued at HKT 22:47
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