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| No.2 February, 2010 |
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New Year celebrations begin with Australia’s cutest gifts for Hong Kong |
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 Guests at Hong Kong’s official Chinese New Year reception in Adelaide were delighted with an announcement by South Australian Premier Mike Rann that the state was gifting two koalas to the people of the Special Administrative Region.
The February 10 announcement was welcomed by the Director of the Hong Kong and Economic Trade Office, Ms Lorna Wong, who told guests the gift was a strong symbol of friendship.
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Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Mr John C Tsang welcomed the gift from the South Australian Government. He said: "I wish to express my sincere thanks to the people and Government of South Australia for presenting two koalas to us and entrusting Ocean Park to take care of these animals which are the national icon of Australia."
He added that Ocean Park, with its extensive experience and expertise in handling both marine and land animals, would provide a healthy habitat for the koalas which would arrive within two years.
In her official address at the reception, Ms Wong said South Australia enjoyed a close relationship with Hong Kong on many fronts, including reciprocal visits by senior officials from both sides over the past two years.
She added South Australia had become Australia's leading wine exporter to Hong Kong – a major boost for both economies despite the global financial crisis.
"Australia is now our second largest supplier and in April last year, Hong Kong and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation on Wine - our first with a new world wine country," Ms Wong said.
Ms Wong said that Australia had the largest number of exhibitors (65) in the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair last November, and would be the partner country for the fair this November.
The reception was jointly hosted by the HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong-Australia Business Association (South Australia Chapter). Chinese New Year celebrations continued with receptions to be held in other major cities in Australia and New Zealand – in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland and Canberra.
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