Sydney HKETO showcases Hong Kong’s culture and diversity at Auckland Lantern Festival (with photos)

     To celebrate the Chinese New Year with members of the public in New Zealand, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO) again participated in the Auckland Lantern Festival, which this year took place from February 14 to 17 (Auckland time) at Auckland Domain.

     Eight giant pillar lanterns displayed beautiful photos of Hong Kong to showcase the city's unique culture and diversity. The HKETO also erected a marquee with a design based on Hong Kong's magnificent skyline and distributed information leaflets about the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Hong Kong’s talent admission schemes and the Basic Law. Souvenirs promoting Hong Kong green living and Hong Kong characteristics were also well received by the public.

     The Auckland Lantern Festival is one of the largest lantern festivals outside Asia, with hundreds of handmade Chinese lanterns, music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations and traditional Chinese arts and crafts.

     Speaking at a reception for the Auckland Lantern Festival on February 14 (Auckland time), the Director of the HKETO, Mr Raymond Fan, said Hong Kong always celebrates the Lunar New Year with a wide range of arts and cultural activities for public enjoyment, including lantern carnivals and lantern displays, during this festive period.

     Mr Fan said, "We are very excited to join this lantern event again to continue our close connection with the community in Auckland and to celebrate together the joyous Year of the Pig.

     "This is also a wonderful time to share with you highlights of Hong Kong's unique culture and diversity. We have eight giant pillar lanterns in the festival here along with magnificent Hong Kong photos to showcase Hong Kong's beauty.

     "Following the recent commissioning of mega transportation infrastructure such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, I am pleased to share with you the good news that various cultural projects in Hong Kong will be completed over the next few years.

     "The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest cultural projects in the world. Its first landmark venue, the Xiqu Centre, was officially opened on January 20. This world-class venue is designed for the conservation, promotion and development of Chinese opera.

     "So please come to our marquee here in Domain to learn more about Hong Kong. I am sure you will be enticed to visit Hong Kong in the Year of the Pig to enjoy the incredible cuisine, exciting shopping, fantastic arts and culture and the city’s photogenic skyline. Please also take a ride to explore the surrounding Greater Bay Area through our well connected new infrastructure, while businesses can take advantage of unlimited opportunities."

     Mr Fan also attended the opening ceremony of the Auckland Lantern Festival later in the evening of February 14 (Auckland time).