Chicago mayor honors Hong Kong

Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong (right) presents a commemorative 2008 Olympic medallion to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley recently honored the city of Hong Kong for bringing the best of its culture to his hometown.
The mayor made note of Hong Kong’s efforts at a May 28 reception held to celebrate the conclusion of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

Alongside that monthlong celebration, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York staged a series of events in the Windy City under the umbrella of the Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009 Festival. The events included a Hong Kong film series, Chinese music concert, dine-and-wine event, exhibitions and gallery talks.

Mr. Daley expressed his gratitude to Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Donald Tong during the reception. Earlier, he had presented a proclamation to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York.

Mr. Tong said he is grateful to the City of Chicago for the opportunity to join the heritage celebrations, where the programs were well-received.

“We have brought in the best of the best from Hong Kong,” Mr. Tong said. “Through these programs, we have offered Chicagoans an alternative perspective to the richness of the Asian-Pacific region’s heritage.

“Hong Kong has always been an active player in our region, not only in the areas of business and finance. The legacy of our Chinese ancestry, coupled with our unique history of development, has afforded us a culture of our own, colorful as well as special in our own right,” he said.

Drawing on Hong Kong’s experience in successfully hosting the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events, Mr. Tong presented a set of commemorative Olympic gold medallions to Mr. Daley and wished Chicago luck in its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

The monthlong Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009 Festival 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.