Hong Kong, 26 April 2023:

Since the establishment of Bangladesh Consulate General in Hong Kong in 1996, the Chief Executive (Head of the Government) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) attended the celebration of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh for the first time. This is also the first time for Hon John Lee Ka- chiu, the Chief Executive to join any national day reception programme after assuming office on 01 July 2022. Due to Ramadan, the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong celebrated the 52^nd  Anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh on 25 April 2023 with due fervor and festivity at the renowned Hotel Island Shangri- La, Hong Kong.

The Reception was attended by a large number of distinguished guests including Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Legislative Council members of Hong Kong, Secretary/Under Secretary of the Government, Consuls General/Honorary Consuls and members of diplomatic corps of around fifty countries, academia, Editor-in-Chief of South China Morning Post, Senior journalists of China Daily Hong Kong Edition, representative of international organizations, MDs of different companies, investors and expatriate Bangladeshi nationals.

In the opening remarks, Ms. Israt Ara, the Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong paid her deep homage to the memories of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She also paid her deep respect to the valiant freedom fighters, three million martyrs and two hundred thousand women who scarified their lives for the cause of Bangladesh. She also thanked the foreign friends who provided invaluable support during the Liberation War. She later highlighted Bangladesh’s achievement in socio-economic sectors under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Highlighting the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Hong Kong, she hoped that the partnership would be further strengthened and deepened in trade and commerce, people- to- people contact, education, cultural cooperation and so on.

Hon John Lee in his speech, congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the Independence and National Day. He further added that, as a manufacturing powerhouse and one of the populous countries in South Asia, Bangladesh has a rapidly expanding economy and is an important trade partner of Hong Kong. Highlighting the deep and longstanding partnership, he expressed his commitment in continuing the relationship to drive economic growth, cultural exchange and so much more under the theme ‘East-meets-West’.

The Chief Guest also joined the cake cutting ceremony with the Consul General marking the celebration. Later a promotional video on Bangladesh highlighting the socio- economic progress was played. A dance performance also mesmerized the audience. The well-decorated venue with Bangladeshi handicrafts, books, nakshi kantha etc. and Bangladeshi traditional food such as Kacchi Biryani, Hilsha fish, Bangladeshi pitha, fuchka were enjoyed by the guests. They also highly appreciated the well-organized event on this august occasion by the Consulate.