CE starts her visit to France (with photos/video)

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, ended her two-day visit to Brussels in Belgium and started her visit to France in Bordeaux yesterday (June 16, Bordeaux time).

     Accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, Mrs Lam visited Château Latour to learn about the history of the Chateau, which is over 600 years old, and the wine-making process.  Mrs Lam and Mr Yau also visited La Cité du Vin, which is a cultural facility on wine opened in 2016, offering visitors various views of wine in different ages, cultures and places across the world with a unique presentation.

     Mrs Lam and the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Stephan Delaux, then witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Convention and Tourism Office of Bordeaux Metropole on strengthening of collaboration in wine and food tourism promotion between the two places.  In the evening, Mrs Lam and Mr Yau attended a cocktail reception organised by the HKTB, which was held on a tall ship on the river bank of Bordeaux decorated with the Hong Kong brand, to celebrate the friendship between the two cities established over years of collaboration.

     Mrs Lam said that several of the fine wine and food tourism promotions in Hong Kong have all along been well received by tourists and locals.  She noted that Hong Kong is Bordeaux’s key wine market and France is Hong Kong’s largest wine trading partner, and that the trade volume has soared since Hong Kong abolished the duty on wine in 2008.  She expressed the hope that the two cities will continue its close relationship, and encouraged the wine merchants from France and Bordeaux to participate actively in the Vinexpo Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair and the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival that have all been held for years.

     Mrs Lam and Mr Yau then attended a dinner hosted by the Chairman of HKTB, Dr Peter Lam, and viewed lightshows and fireworks display.

     Mrs Lam will visit Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe today (June 17, Bordeaux time) before going to Marseille in the afternoon to continue her visit to France.