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HKETO Berlin gathers with local partners and friends to share good wishes for Year of the Rat (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) gathered with friends of Hong Kong with a reception held in Berlin, Germany, on February 11 (Berlin time). Against the ongoing challenges in Hong Kong, the reception brought together like-minded people from government, political, business and cultural sectors, furnishing them with the latest updates about Hong Kong.

     In his opening speech at the reception, the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Bill Li, looked back at a year of turbulences for Hong Kong and around the world, but expressed his confidence in Hong Kong's ability to ride out the storm, citing the example of Hong Kong's preparedness for handling the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

     "With the lessons learnt during the times of SARS, avian flu and swine flu in the past, I dare to say that Hong Kong is one of the places in the world which is most prepared for epidemics. For the much you know about the Hong Kong style of efficiency, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has implemented a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and protect the health of the community while maintaining Hong Kong's position as an international city and aviation hub," Mr Li added.

     Despite the difficult times in the past months, Hong Kong has proven that its fundamentals and institutional strengths remained strong. Elaborating on Hong Kong's core values, Mr Li said, "the extensive media coverage on Hong Kong about the situation of the protests and development of the novel coronavirus is testimony that the freedom of the press in Hong Kong is well protected, and citizens of Hong Kong continue to enjoy civil liberties which are fully protected by the Basic Law and Bill of Rights Ordinance."

     In terms of economics, Hong Kong's finance sector has remained a strong pillar of prosperity. Mr Li proudly presented that "the stock market has continued to attract IPOs and once again Hong Kong came first in the global rankings in 2019 – the seventh time in the past 11 years. The fintech and biotech sectors are growing fast. Our commitment to a green future also never wavers."

     In closing his speech, Mr Li invited the guests attending the reception to stand by the close partnership with Hong Kong.

     The Year of the Rat began on January 25. Following the Chinese New Year reception organised in Berlin, HKETO Berlin hosted two further receptions in Frankfurt and Hamburg. Another reception will be held in Vienna in March. Musical performances were staged to showcase the talents from Hong Kong. For instance, VSing, an a capella group, performed Cantonese and English songs for the guests at the receptions in Berlin and Frankfurt.

About HKETO Berlin

     HKETO Berlin is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
 
Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2020
Issued at HKT 1:05
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) held a Chinese New Year reception in Berlin, Germany, on February 11 (Berlin time) and briefed people from political, business and cultural sectors on the latest updates about Hong Kong. Photo shows the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Bill Li, delivering his welcome remarks.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) held a Chinese New Year reception in Berlin, Germany, on February 11 (Berlin time) and briefed people from political, business and cultural sectors on the latest updates about Hong Kong.