Dragon boats from Hong Kong took part in the Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Festival held in Sydney Saturday and Sunday, adding much jubilation to the city, Hong Kong sponsors said.
With the Hong Kong icon, the dragon boat "Hong Kong", sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), and the boat Team Hong Kong Dragon, sponsored by Hong Kong Tourism Board, took part in the races.
Under the colorful array of banners and buntings, the Hong Kong boats were very popular with spectators. Many people queued to have their faces and arms painted with the Hong Kong dragon brand and get postcards showing landmark images of Hong Kong with words "Asia's World City".
Speaking after the presentation ceremony on Sunday, Deputy Director of the HKETO Linda Law said Hong Kong's boat teams were delighted to attend the annual Chinese Dragon Boat races in Sydney.
"It's exciting to see the Hong Kong logos displayed almost everywhere, especially on the faces and arms of many spectators and competitors," Law said.
"The Hong Kong dragon represents our core values -- enterprise, freedom, stability, opportunity and quality, which underpin the uniqueness of Hong Kong and its development as a sophisticated economy," Law added.
The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival has been a highlight of the Chinese New year celebrations in Sydney, attracting around 100,000spectators each year.
(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2003)
