Speech by CS at LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner (English only) (with photos/video)
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Michael (Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Michael Lee), Winfried (Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to join you all at the gala dinner for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (the HKIR).
First, I would like to thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club for their professionalism and dedication in horseracing. Organising large-scale events during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic is certainly challenging, but the Club has been able to make every single race proceed successfully.
As one of the world's top racing carnivals, the HKIR is no exception. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has successfully staged this flagship event over the years. This not only echoes our local saying "馬照跑", meaning horseracing goes on as usual as a symbol for prosperity, but also showcases to the world Hong Kong's position as a centre for global racing.
The HKIR is widely recognised as the "Turf World Championships". It draws leading horses, jockeys, trainers and owners from around the world to compete, and enjoys high standing among racing professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. I am very happy to see this flagship event coming up again this year and reinforcing our message to international audiences – Hong Kong is onstage again!
Since assuming office, the current-term HKSAR Government has spared no effort in creating the greatest room for people's livelihood and economic activities against the COVID-19 pandemic. We are determined to bring society back to normal, with specific plans made to enable mega events to take place. We have therefore seen, over the past few months, successful events like the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, Hong Kong Legal Week, Hong Kong Masters, and Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
For the HKIR this year, it is exciting to see the gala dinner can take place again, for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Prominent members of the global racing community are gathering in Hong Kong to have first-hand experience of how this vibrant city is onstage again. Your participation is a clear vote of confidence in Hong Kong and our strength in global racing.
For those who have arrived in Hong Kong early, I am sure you have already had fruitful exchanges with your counterparts, and enjoyed the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse. And the best is saved for last: see you all for the HKIR at Sha Tin Racecourse this coming Sunday!
On that note, I wish the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races a resounding success, and everyone an enjoyable evening. Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, December 9, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:40
Issued at HKT 20:40
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