10th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return to China – Photographic Exhibition and Gala Dinner
2007 saw the 10th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China Chinese all over the world marked the event with joyful celebrations. FCAM with the blessing of the Consulate-General of Manchester from People's Republic of China organised a '10th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China Photo Exhibition' and a '10th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China Gala Dinner' to celebrate the milestone. The photo exhibition was held between 26th June to 8th July at 4th Floor, George Street, Manchester, admission free. On Saturday and Sunday there was an Art Workshop jointly presented by Manchester Chinese Cultural Centre, Manchester Kiu Luen Sharr Chinese School and HuaXia Cultural Centre. On 26/6 the curtain of the photo exhibition was raised with a cocktail reception attended by over 200 guests. The Consul-General of Manchester from PRC Mr Jianzhong Gong made a welcoming speech followed by speeches from Ms Stevens, Deputy Chief of the Manchester City Council and Ms Po Chu Hu, General Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. Ms Stevens said in her speech that every year Manchester had sent groups of representatives to visit many parts of China. Ms Hu in her speech warmly welcomed business groups to visit Hong Kong and gave assurance that the Economic and Trade Office of Hong Kong in London would provide all necessary assistance to such groups their required service relating to business and trade. Ms Stevens immediately responded with vote of thanks and made it clear that Hong Kong was on every visiting group's itinerary. Lastly FCAM Vice Chairman Mr Li, MBE thanked the speakers, the contributors and the sponsors for making the exhibition possible. Four speakers with their different backgrounds and social status had all accorded the same appreciation to the success that Hong Kong had achieved over the decade after it was returned to the People's Republic of China.The exhibition displayed over hundreds of photos under various themes: Hong Kong Action, Hong Kong Life, Hong Kong Culture and Hong Kong Techno, all recorded Hong Kong’s development in the past decade. A local guest who had been to Hong Kong pointed at the relevant photos and exclaimed 'Look, that's the world's longest escalator. I rode it to my brother's place!' Many guests who were Chinese expats from Hong Kong were so moved they couldn't wait to buy the gala dinner tickets.
The gala dinner was held at 1800 hr on 2nd July at the Ocean Treasure Seafood Restaurant. Lion Dance by Mr Chu's Martial Art School kick-started the event followed by opening speech by FCAM Chairman Mr Stewart Yip. He pointed out that the current economy of Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient, with strong fundamental, tons of potential and backed by perseverance of the people were on full throttle and a far cry from the boom and bust economy ten years ago. Although faced with adversity Hong Kong bounced back with a vengeance! Afterwards Mr Gong, Consul-General of Manchester, PRC in his speech revealed that Hong Kong ranked as the world's 11th largest economy, 6th Forex market, 15th banking centre, HK's airport was one of the world's busiest , this was HK’s 13th consecutive year being as the world's most free economic system...... maintaining its unique status as a freeport and cosmopolitan city, proving the sustainability of 'one country two systems'. The Basic Law of Hong Kong has given Hong Kong the executive, legislative and an independent judiciary authority and put into practice 'Hong Kong governed by Hong Kong people' The latest opinion poll indicated 80% of the people in Hong Kong is full of confidence about HK's future. When it came to the turn of Ms Po Chu Hu, she said, after jokingly remarked that Messrs Yip and Gong had spoken all she wanted to say, she was glad to have the opportunity to come to know better a lot of overseas Chinese in UK especially Manchester which she had visited twice in the short space of one week. She won loud applause from the audience when she praised that FCAM although a voluntary organisation with limited manpower and resources had done a wonderful job in organising the exhibition which once again was a pride for the Hong Kong people.
The food served at the dinner were sumptuous and delicious and the entertainment performances fantastic. Manchester Kiu Luen Sharr Chinese School specially choreographed a dance for the celebration; young girls with golden shorts wearing red caps and red boots marching against military band music looked gallant and elegant, a fine specimen of the future generation. Master Chu's disciples performed 'Hard Chi Gong' next namely 'break concrete slab with long stick' and ‘the unbreakable head'. The action were so spectacular and hazardous that guests near the stage had to stay away to avoid danger. Culture followed action. Sandy and Emily, the Manchester Karaoke king and Queen, sang Hong Kong styled top of the pops to entertain the guests and actually their joyous mood encouraged many others to jump on the singing wagon; Mr Danny Hui, Chairman of Blackpool Chinese Association and Mr KeeYou Chee, UK Guangzhou Overseas Chinese Association sang a duet 'My Chinese Heart', their zealous rendition fostered the patriotic passion of the 300 guests to the limit. Mr Stewart Yip, being the host as Chairman of FCAM, emulated his performing guests by not only singing Hong Kong pop artists Sam Hui's 'the Tower above the clouds' and Francis Yip's 'the Shore of Shanghai' but also contributed £500.00 as the grand prize for the raffle ticket draw. Mr Man Hing Lee, President of Confederation of Chinese Associations UK contributed to the second prize. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London presented each guest with a Returned 10th anniversary souvenir cap and luggage tag by which their General Director Ms Hu wished that the joy of the celebration would be brought to everywhere in the world.
Hong Kong always bounces back higher and people will always be proud of it. Be it from Hong Kong or otherwise!
Pictures
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