A Hong Kong Day under a sunny Chicago sky

In Chicago, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Mayor's Office Gene Lee (right) presents a citation to Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong (center), accompanied by Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Monica Chen.

Chicago’s Daley Plaza was packed with visitors May 19 as Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong officially launched a series of Hong Kong folk art programs.

The traditional Chinese programs included a lion dance, mini concert, musical instrument demonstrations, calligraphy demonstration, a video presentation of “Dynamic Hong Kong” and cooking lectures. A games booth was also set up to entertain children.

“As ‘Asia’s world city,’ Hong Kong has always been a place that celebrates diversity and multiculturalism,” Mr. Tong said. “We are one of the best examples of the East meeting the West, as evident in our history, cityscape, freedom, political and economic structure and last but not the least, our culture.

Hong Kong music ensemble Chinese Music Virtuosi plays traditional Chinese music at Daley Plaza.

“Hong Kong, like the U.S., is a community that thrives on a mixed culture, and it is this diversity that affords us the dimensions and versatility to create our own unique, yet fascinating, culture and makes our people stand out among nations of the world.”

The community event, part of the Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009 Festival, was co-presented by the Chicago Commission for Human Relations to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

The monthlong festival, which ended May 31, was hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York. It celebrated Hong Kong’s creativity, entrepreneurship and cultural and economic vitality through an array of art and cultural events, ranging from a film series and music concert to gallery talks.