Maisie Ho, director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, delivers the welcome remarks at a spring reception hosted by the ETO in New York on Feb 15, 2024 to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong's trade relations with the United States remain strong despite geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds, the director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York said on Thursday.

Maisie Ho said this while addressing a spring reception hosted by the ETO in New York to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

“Our long-standing bilateral trade relations with the US remain strong despite geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds,” she said, adding that the US is Hong Kong's third largest trading partner, whereas the special administrative region is the second largest trading partner economy with which the US enjoys trade surplus.

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There are close to 1,300 US firms in Hong Kong with about half of them regional in scope, she told the gathering. “Our office will continue to work towards nurturing and rekindling old and new relationships, and strive for positive collaborations and understandings to foster a bond that transcends borders," she said.

As the events capital of Asia for the world, Hong Kong is a compact and globally connected city that is a magnet for world-class mega events.

Maisie Ho, Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York

Welcoming some 400 guests from New York’s political, business, finance, academic, art and cultural communities, Ho noted the symbolic significance of the dragon, a mythical creature in Chinese culture.

“The dragon represents strength, wisdom, and good fortune, symbolizing power, excellence, and noble aspirations. The dragon is thought to bring positive energy and blessings for the year ahead," she said, adding that Hong Kong is also nurturing fresh vitality and prosperity as it welcomes the Year of the Dragon.

As the events capital of Asia for the world, Hong Kong is a compact and globally connected city that is a magnet for world-class mega events, she said.

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In the first half of 2024 alone, more than 80 mega events, including the LIV Golf Hong Kong Tournament, Art Basel Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Sevens, would take place in the SAR. 

Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Maisie Ho (center); China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun (fourth right); Chinese Consul-General in New York, Huang Ping (fourth left); Chief Representative of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in New York, Anson Law (third right); Director for Americas of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Michael Lim (third left), and other officiating guests proposing a toast at the spring reception in New York on Feb 15, 2024 to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

This Feb 15, 2024, photo shows guests enjoying a lion dance performance during the spring reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

“We welcome the world to join us in embracing the alluring metropolitan charm that cannot be found in any other place than Hong Kong," said Ho.

Speaking on remarkable achievements in New York-Hong Kong collaborations in the past year, she mentioned the New Year's Eve countdown celebration at New York Times Square and cultural events such as the New York Asian Film Festival and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. 

Some 400 guests attend the spring reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York on Feb 15, 2024, to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Ho stressed that the New York ETO is more committed than ever to establishing and strengthening the friendship between the people on the East Coast of the US and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong suona artist Andrew Chan performs the renowned traditional Chinese piece "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” during the spring reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York to celebrate the Year of the Dragon on Feb 15, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

The reception featured a special neon light display resembling the unique dynamic night vibe of Hong Kong. A touch of Hong Kong magic was also added to the evening's celebration when a cocktail inspired by the famous Hong Kong dessert mango pomelo sago, and another using an award-winning craft gin distilled in Hong Kong, were served.

Suona artist Andrew Chan from Hong Kong performed the renowned traditional Chinese piece "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix".