Press Release Singaporeans and Friends of Singapore Celebrate Singapore's 50th National Day in Hong Kong

• Speech by Consul-General Jacky Foo at Singapore's 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner, 9 August 2015

SINGAPORE CONSULATE-GENERAL PRESS RELEASE

Singaporeans and Friends of Singapore

Celebrate Singapore’s 50^th National Day in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, 9 AUGUST 2015 – Singapore celebrates its 50^th Anniversary (SG50) today on 9^th August 2015.  The Consulate-General of Singapore in Hong Kong and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) jointly organised a Singapore National Day Gala Dinner this evening to celebrate the occasion with Singaporeans and Hong Kong friends at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.  Guests at the Gala Dinner joined the National Day celebrations in Singapore via a live telecast of the National Day Parade and a series of entertaining performances.

Over 600 guests attended the event hosted by Consul-General Mr Jacky Foo and Acting Chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Mr Ron Lye.  The event was also graced by Guest-of-Honour, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, the Honourable Mr Leung Chun-ying; the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Mrs Carrie Lam-Cheng Yuet-ngor; and Deputy Commissioner Mr Song Ru’an, Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong SAR.

In his congratulatory remarks, Chief Executive Mr Leung spoke of the positive bilateral relations between Singapore and Hong Kong.  He noted that Singapore has made great strides over the past five decades to build a successful country all Singaporeans can be proud of.  He also extended his well wishes to the people of Singapore on this joyous occasion.

Consul-General Mr Jacky Foo said that Singaporeans in Hong Kong were extremely pleased to share the celebrations with friends in Hong Kong.  Reflecting on the city-state’s progress over the past fifty years, Mr Foo said that SG50 was an opportunity for Singaporeans to look back at the country’s achievements with pride and to chart the path forward for the next fifty years.  SG50 is also about celebrating the enduring values and spirit that define Singaporeans.  Paying tribute to Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the pioneer generation of Singaporeans who took the country from the Third to the First World, Mr Foo said Singaporeans are now forging ahead to build an even better Singapore.  The Consul-General also honoured the long-standing friendship between Singapore and Hong Kong.  Economic ties are strong, social linkages are deep and cultural exchanges are increasing. Both cities are also constantly learning from each other’s best practices.  Mr Foo noted that Hong Kong hosts one of the largest communities of Singaporeans in one city in the world.  Singaporeans have contributed to Hong Kong and so have Hong Kongers to Singapore.  Going forward, the “One Belt One Road” initiative and the ASEAN Economic Community offer the two cities tremendous opportunities.  Mr Foo said that Singapore and Hong Kong are two special cities in the world, and both our cities are well-placed to help each other ride Asia’s growth and prosper together. 

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