As a highlight in a series of activities in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), hosted a gala dinner on June 17 in Berlin (Berlin time). More than 100 guests, including Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Germany Wu Ken, senior government officials from the German federal government and Berlin city government, as well as representatives from business, cultural sector and media celebrated with Hong Kong-style cuisine.
      
     "This is an important milestone for our city as we set to surge towards a brighter future with the unwavering support of the Central People's Government", Ms Jenny Szeto, Director of the HKETO Berlin, said in her welcome remarks. She added that "since the return of sovereignty to our Motherland on July 1, 1997, the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' has been the foundation of our governance, upholding our unique strengths and sustaining our success."
      
     The theme of the 25th anniversary celebration, "A New Era – Stability．Prosperity．Opportunity", aptly represents Hong Kong's exemplary achievements over the past 25 years, while underscoring its eager anticipation for and confidence in a brighter future.
      
     The Director updated the audience that the bilateral merchandise trade between Hong Kong and Germany improved by about 19 per cent in 2021, after a drop in 2020 due to the impacts of the global pandemic. As Hong Kong strives to become an international innovation and technology hub under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, one can foresee that there will only be more and more exchanges and cooperation opportunities between Hong Kong and Germany.
      
     The Director further outlined Hong Kong's political stability with Mr John Lee elected as the sixth‑term Chief Executive. "Under his leadership and with the support of the Central Government, Hong Kong will scale new heights by capitalising on our unique advantages under 'One Country, Two Systems' and strengthening our role as a gateway between Mainland China and the rest of the world", Ms Szeto stated.
      
     HKETO Berlin is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the HKSAR by hosting and participating in a series of events ranging from exhibition, dragon boat races, street food festival to film festivals across Central and Eastern Europe. Apart from the gala dinner in Berlin, HKETO Berlin also hosted an evening reception in Vienna on June 7 and another gala dinner in Zurich on June 13.
      
     For details on the gala dinner and other celebration events of HKETO Berlin, please visit www.hketoberlin.gov.hk/en/events_25th.htm.
 
 
About HKETO Berlin
 
     HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government 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/Monday, June 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 22:57

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