events

Hong Kong Commissioner visits Atlanta

At the reception in Atlanta, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Margaret Fong noted that Atlanta and Hong Kong share the privilege of being part of the great Olympics tradition as a host city.

A farewell reception was held in Atlanta September 12 for Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Margaret Fong, who will return to Hong Kong in mid-October to take up a new post.

Speaking at the reception, Ms. Fong said she will bring fond memories of the friendship and warm welcome that Atlanta has extended.

Noting that Atlanta is a major financial and logistics hub with first-class universities and colleges that produce quality human capital capable of competing in the global environment, Ms. Fong pointed out that these attributes bring Hong Kong closer to Atlanta.

“We too have a world-class international airport and the third busiest container port in the world. Sixty-eight of the top 100 banks in the world are in Hong Kong, and we ranked fourth last year in terms of equity funds raised through IPOs. We invest in our people and a quarter of our budget goes to education every year. Our universities have 140 exchange programs with universities in the U.S. including Emory University and Georgia Tech.

Enjoying the festivities at the 13th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Atlanta are: (from right to left) Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Margaret Fong, President of the Hong Kong Association of Atlanta and Executive Director of Troutman Sanders LLP Bill Ramsey, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York Monica Chen and Chief Information Officer of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York Kelly So.

“We are particularly proud to have so many great Atlanta and Georgian companies such as Coca-Cola, UPS, Newell Rubbermaid, CNN and Turner Broadcasting System represented in Hong Kong,” said Ms. Fong, adding that 3,890 overseas firms have chosen Hong Kong as their regional base.

Ms. Fong also pointed out that Atlanta and Hong Kong share one other special link — the privilege of being part of the great Olympics tradition as a host city, noting that the Olympic equestrian events just concluded in Hong Kong in August with flying colors.

While in Atlanta, Ms. Fong was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony at this year’s 13th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Atlanta, held September 13 at The Lake Lanier Olympic Center. A total of 54 teams and more than 5,000 spectators took part in this year’s festival, which is sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York (HKETONY).

Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Margaret Fong took part in the eye-dotting ceremony prior to the start of the 13th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Atlanta.