大韓民國駐香港總領事白龍天致辭

大韓民國駐香港總領事白龍天致辭
Speech from Baek Yong-chun, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong

The honorable Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HK government, respectable people of the Korean community, diplomatic corps and valued members of HK society, good evening! Welcome all of you for joining us in celebrating the National Foundation Day of Korea.

It’s our great pleasure to host today’s event with more than 100 people. I appreciate the HK government’s efforts on controlling Covid 19.

Korea and HK share long and deep history. Korean consulate general in HK was established 72 years ago in 1949. It was one of the first four Korean consulate generals founded after the 2nd world war. Today, we have a sizable community of around 16,000 Koreans in HK. We live, work, and study here. We actively contribute to enriching cultural diversity within HK society. Economic relationship between Korea and HK has also developed to indispensable business partners in trade and investment.

HK has been world-known for its most free, open, and competitive business environment. Nowadays HK is in facing with many challenges; how to overcome the pandemic and normalize cross-border exchanges, how to develop not only as a business hub, but as a connecting node between China and the world. The future of HK depends on how to overcome those challenges, and how to fully demonstrate HK’s strengths.

I think we Koreans, as friends and partners of HK, can do something. Looking back, in 2003 after SARS, Korean Community hosted “I Love Hong Kong” festival to help revitalize HK’s economy. And at the early stage of Covid 19, Korean Community shared face masks and hand sanitizers with HK people.

First, we hope for and will assist orderly resumption of cross border exchanges. It would be an integral factor for HK to continue its development as a world business hub.

Second, Korean business people would strengthen cooperation with HK business society through MOUs, business talks, joint promotions. Korean government will spare no efforts to support those activities.

Third, Korean community recently launched a comprehensive off-line culture and arts festival, “Festive Korea”. These activities are expected to expand cultural exchanges between Korea and HK, thus to make us closer.

During the past several decades, Korea and HK have achieved remarkable accomplishments together. I believe beyond Covid 19, our relationship would be much closer and stronger.

Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to our guests and fellow Koreans for celebrating Korea’s National Foundation Day ceremony with us. Thank you.