Speech by Acting CE at Japan Autumn Festival in Hong Kong - Rediscovering Nippon opening ceremony (English only) (with photos/video)
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Ambassador Matsuda (Ambassador and Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong, Mr Kuninori Matsuda), Mrs Abe (spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, Mrs Akie Abe), Mr Nishimura (Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Festival, Mr Soichi Nishimura), Mr Tanaka (Director-General, International Bureau of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Mr Kazunori Tanaka), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. I am very pleased to be here today to celebrate the launch of the "Japan Autumn Festival in Hong Kong" with all of you. May I extend a very warm welcome to distinguished guests who have flown in from Japan to join us on this joyous occasion.
I understand this is the first time that a festival of this scale is held outside Japan. That Hong Kong is chosen for such a momentous celebration of Japanese culture, food, sports, entertainment and performances is indeed an honour. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes this opportunity. I should add that I am attending in my capacity as the Acting Chief Executive, as the Chief Executive is right now attending a meeting in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, which demonstrates the importance we attach to this event. Indeed, the festival will run for a full two months providing ample opportunities for Hong Kong people and visitors to experience the many things that Japan has to offer.
This festival is also a telling statement of the buoyant relations that exist between Hong Kong and Japan. Business, of course, has long led the way - and it continues to do so today. Last year, Japan was our third-largest trading partner in goods, while Hong Kong was Japan's seventh-largest. And Japan was our fourth-largest partner in services trade. More than 1 300 Japanese companies now maintain offices in Hong Kong.
Beyond trade and commerce, the ties between our people are frequent and strong. That is certainly the case with tourism. Last year, some 1.5 million Hong Kong people took in the splendour of Japan, a remarkable 65 per cent increase over the previous year. And the traffic is definitely not one way. About 500 000 Japanese visited Hong Kong in the first half of this year, up some 3 per cent, year-on-year. These continuing exchanges have surely enhanced understanding and friendship between us.
Culture, of course, adds to the attraction between our societies. In Hong Kong, Japanese culture pervades our everyday lives, and in a great many ways. Japanese pop songs and movies, Japanese food and drinks, as well as fashion and trend-setting electronics come immediately to mind.
And now, thanks to the Japan Autumn Festival, the people of Hong Kong get to revel in more than 130 uniquely Japanese events and happenings right through November - cuisine fairs, art exhibitions, film festivals, seminars and workshops - to name just a few.
Japanese visitors and travellers from all over the world, will get to delight in the dazzle of Hong Kong - our celebrated East-West culture, our warm hospitality and exciting calendar of events. Later this month, to take one cheering illustration, the annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival opens against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour - and with more on offer, more to toast to, than ever before.
The Wine & Dine Festival includes, I am pleased to note, a Japanese pavilion of 10 booths featuring Japanese wine, and another five booths shining a spotlight on inviting Japanese food. No doubt that these Japanese booths will be exceptionally popular, just like those selling Japanese whisky at last year's Wine & Dine Festival.
My thanks to the Consul-General of Japan for staging the inaugural Japan Autumn Festival in Hong Kong. It will, no doubt, be a great success. And I am confident that it will deepen the bonds and ties that have long blessed our two economies, our two cultures, and our two peoples.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:26
Issued at HKT 17:26
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Acting CE attends Japan Autumn Festival in Hong Kong - Rediscovering Nippon opening ceremony