Tens of thousands of people visited the two-day Sydney Lunar Festival Dragon Boat Races in Darling Harbour of Sydney in Australia on February 9 and 10 (Sydney time), with many of them learning more about Hong Kong's strengths in a marquee set up by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO).

      With fabrics printed with images of the magnificent Hong Kong skyline and colourful photos of various large-scale sports events held in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Marathon, the Hong Kong Sevens, the FIA Formula E Championship, an equestrian competition and the Hong Kong leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, the marquee set up by the HKETO showcased Hong Kong's strengths as a sports hub.

     Also available at the marquee were various pamphlets about the latest developments of Hong Kong such as those on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, talent admission schemes and the Basic Law. Souvenirs promoting Hong Kong's green living and Hong Kong branding were also very well received.

     The Sydney Lunar Festival is Sydney's largest Lunar New Year event organised by the City of Sydney, and is the largest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside Asia. During the festival held from February 1 to 10 (Sydney time), various events including a lunar lanterns display, dragon boat races and cultural performances were held.

     The Dragon Boat Races at Cockle Bay in Sydney's Darling Harbour were a highlight of the festival. The two-day regatta, with over 3 000 paddlers competing and more than 100 000 spectators every year, is the biggest dragon boat event in the southern hemisphere. The Hong Kong Team organised by the HKETO competed in the Social Category of the races on February 10 (Sydney time). It was the focus of much cheering and excitement among spectators. Meanwhile, three races were named the Hong Kong Connect Cup, the Hong Kong Excel Cup and the Hong Kong Super Cup with trophies presented by the Director of the HKETO, Mr Raymond Fan.

     "This festive event brought a lot of joy and excitement to the Sydney community and we are delighted to be part of it once again," a spokesman for the HKETO said today (February 11, Sydney time).

     "To share the joy of the Lunar New Year with members of the public in Sydney, the HKETO also displayed Hong Kong-themed banners with Lunar New Year greeting messages in some key city locations of Sydney during the Lunar New Year period," the spokesman added.

Ends/Monday, February 11, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:50

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