Hong Kong showcased in Sydney Lunar Festival Dragon Boat Races (with photos)

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO) showcased Hong Kong at the Sydney Lunar Festival Dragon Boat Races held in Sydney, Australia, on February 1 and 2.

     Cheered on by spectators, the Hong Kong Team organised by the HKETO won the City of Sydney Sponsors Cup in the Social Category races on February 2.
     
     During the two-day dragon boat races at Darling Harbour, the HKETO also set up a marquee where a lot of people learned more about Hong Kong. 
     
     Featuring fabrics printed with images of the world-renowned Hong Kong skyline and colourful photos of various large-scale international sports events held in the city, the marquee presented Hong Kong as not only a cosmopolitan city but also a sports hub.
    
     Available at the marquee were various pamphlets about the latest developments of Hong Kong such as those on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hong Kong-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Also well received were souvenirs promoting Hong Kong's green living and Hong Kong branding.
     
     Representatives from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Sydney also participated by distributing leaflets on Hong Kong's trade events and travellers' guides as well as providing information to visitors at the marquee.

     A spokesman for the HKETO said today (February 3) that despite the unprecedented challenges Hong Kong has experienced in the past six months, the city's fundamentals remain strong.
    
     "We are confident that Hong Kong will bounce back strong. The city is fully switched on to the opportunities ahead as a free, open and welcoming society in the heart of Asia," the spokesman said.
     
     The Sydney Lunar Festival is Sydney's largest Lunar New Year event organised by the City of Sydney, and is the largest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside Asia. During this year's festival, running from January 25 to February 9, various events including a lunar lantern display, dragon boat races and cultural performances are being held.

     The Dragon Boat Races at Cockle Bay in Sydney's Darling Harbour were a highlight of the festival. The two-day regatta, with more than 3 000 paddlers competing, is the biggest dragon boat event in the southern hemisphere. The Hong Kong Team organised by the HKETO competed in the Social Category of the races on February 2 and won the City of Sydney Sponsors Cup. Meanwhile, three races were named the Hong Kong Connect Cup, the Hong Kong Excel Cup and the Hong Kong Super Cup with trophies presented by the Director of the HKETO, Mr Raymond Fan.
    
     "This festive event has brought a lot of joy and excitement to the Sydney community and we are delighted to be part of it once again," the HKETO spokesman said.
    
     "To share the joy of the Lunar New Year with members of the public in Sydney, the HKETO also displayed Hong Kong-themed banners with Lunar New Year greeting messages in some key city locations of Sydney during the Lunar New Year period," the spokesman added.