The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted two Chinese New Year receptions this week, respectively in Brussels, Belgium (on January 31) and Paris, France (February 2) to celebrate the start of the Year of the Rabbit.

     Being the first Chinese New Year receptions held in-person since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, they were a timely occasion for renewing ties between Hong Kong and Europe. 

     In her welcoming remarks, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union (Acting), Miss Grace Li, invited guests to visit Hong Kong and experience the vibrant Hong Kong culture in person.

     Highlighting the launching of the "Hello Hong Kong!" campaign, Miss Li said Hong Kong stood ready to welcome friends to discover or rediscover the attractiveness of Hong Kong. 

     Miss Li added that, "we have been equipping ourselves to seize the enormous opportunity lying ahead." She also emphasised the setting up of the dedicated office and the implementation of various facilitation measures would make it even easier for enterprises and talents from around the world settle in Hong Kong, and gain access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with its boundless opportunities.

     HKETO, Brussels has also hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Luxembourg (January 19) and The Hague, the Netherlands (January 25).

     The receptions were hosted in cooperation with partners, including Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, the Belgium Hong Kong Society and the France Hong Kong Business Association.

     HKETO, Brussels took the opportunity to showcase the Hong Kong's unique East-meet-West culture by bringing different musical performances to the receptions.  Performers, most of whom were born and grew up in Hong Kong, included a brass quintet, a string quartet, a marimba-pipa duet and an oboist solo.

     The receptions were well received. Guests included top echelon and officials from European institutions, national governments, diplomatic missions, consulates and embassies, financial and business sectors, academia, cultural and creative sectors, media and the Chinese (including Hong Kong) community.

Ends/Saturday, February 4, 2023
Issued at HKT 20:05

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