Hong Kong - Japan Year 2005

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January 28, 2005
Government Press Release
Henry Tang launches HK-Japan Year 2005

Financial Secretary Henry Tang has called on Hong Kong and local organisations in Japan to support Hong Kong-Japan Year 2005 and further advance the friendship between the two partners.

Attending a reception to celebrate this year's programme in Japan today, Mr Tang applauded the country's granting of visa-free access to Hong Kong SAR Passport holders, saying it further strengthens ties, along with the introduction of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

Senior Japanese government officials, including the Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League Chairman and former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, Minister of State for Economic & Fiscal policy Heizo Takenaka, and Minister of Environment Yuriko Koike, also attended the reception as officiating guests.

The year's activities include:

• a business seminar organised by Hong Kong-Japan Business Co-operation Conference, Joint Hong Kong-Shanghai Business Promotion and a business mission to Hong Kong and the Yangtze River Delta

• an education mission from Hong Kong to World Expo 2005 in Aichi

• promotion of Hong Kong Disneyland and Hong Kong sales events in major department stores

• the Hong Kong film festival, Second Hong Kong Sedan Chair Race and a karaoke contest