Renowned Hong Kong magician helps ring in Year of Rabbit at spring receptions hosted by HKETO San Francisco (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) invited internationally recognised champion magician from Hong Kong, Louis Yan, to perform at its spring receptions in the western part of the United States to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
 
     The receptions were held across 10 days from late January to early February in San Francisco (January 26, San Francisco time), Seattle (January 31, Seattle time), Los Angeles (February 1, Los Angeles time) and Dallas (February 3, Dallas time). Nearly 600 guests in California, Washington and Texas, including consulate general representatives, local officials and members of academia and business as well as community leaders, attended the events.
 
     Speaking at the receptions, the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, said, "Hong Kong is open for business. Both international travel and travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China are now quarantine-free. Business and leisure travellers are welcome to Hong Kong and Mainland China to reconnect with business partners and explore Hong Kong and the great opportunities offered by the city."
 
     Speaking about new initiatives to attract enterprises and talents to Hong Kong, Ms Tsang added, "A new Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has been set up under the leadership of the Financial Secretary to proactively attract strategic enterprises from industries including life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, advanced manufacturing, new materials and new-energy technology. The Government has also set up a new Talents Service Unit to provide one-stop talent recruitment service. A new Top Talent Pass Scheme has been launched to make it easier for individuals earning no less than US$320,000 annually, or graduates of the world's top 100 universities, to go to Hong Kong for up to two years to explore career opportunities and experience living in the city."
 
     Ms Tsang also pointed out that HKETO San Francisco has set up a Dedicated Team for Attracting Businesses and Talents to reach out to enterprises and talents and assist them in pursuing their interests in Hong Kong. She encouraged the audiences to approach the Dedicated Team for more information.
 
     Louise Yan performed at the receptions in four cities. Bringing joy and luck to the audiences, Yan surprised the guests through his interactive magic show themed "around Hong Kong elements". Known as the "David Copperfield of Hong Kong", Yan became the first Hong Kong magician to win first place in two international competitions in 2010, and created a Guinness World Record in 2013 for "the Fastest Time of Escape with Straitjacket and Chains Underwater" in only 25.75 seconds. 

Ends/Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:10

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