The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) shared the joy of the Year of the Dragon with the local community in Sydney, Australia, by presenting a concert and hosting a reception on February 19 and 20 respectively.
 
     The Sydney ETO supported "A Melodious Chat of Music Concert" on February 19 to celebrate Chinese New Year and showcase the music talent of Hong Kong. The performance, staged by the ensemble Melody Plus, blended Chinese and Western music, presenting music works of Lingnan culture, Cantonese pop songs and classic folk songs. The performance was well received by an audience of around 500.
 
     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said in her welcoming remarks that the Government is committed to fostering the cultural development of Hong Kong. "Our office attaches great importance to promoting arts and cultural exchanges with the local community in Australia. To showcase Hong Kong's unique charm as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the 14th Five-Year Plan, and to tell good stories of Hong Kong, we are working proactively in assisting the touring of arts groups and delegations," she said.
 
     The Sydney ETO also hosted a reception in Sydney yesterday (February 20) to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Over 400 guests from various sectors including political and business circles, media, academic and community groups as well as government representatives attended the reception. Among them were the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, the Minister for Industry and Trade, the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Minister for Building, and the Minister for Corrections of New South Wales (NSW), Mr Anoulack Chanthivong, representing the Premier of NSW; and the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Mr Robert Kok, representing the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney.
 
     Speaking at the reception, Miss Lim said that Hong Kong prides itself as Asia's world city, offering visitors a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. She added that the Government will strive to promote a mega-event economy, highlighting a series of mega events to be held in Hong Kong in the coming months including the LIV Golf Hong Kong Tournament, Art March and the Hong Kong Sevens.
 
     Miss Lim also introduced the Government's initiatives to attract enterprises, investment and talent, including developing a "headquarters economy", rolling out a new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, and expanding the coverage of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme to 185 institutions, including nine universities in Australia.
 
     The Sydney ETO will continue to host Chinese New Year receptions in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia, and Auckland in New Zealand to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with communities in those locations.

Ends/Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:15

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