Prominent Figures Officiate the Ceremony
Outstanding Paintings from Youth Worldwide to Promote World Peace
Around 200 Primary and Secondary Students Join Effort to Produce 568,560-Piece Giant Puzzle, exceeding the Guinness World Record set in Vietnam in 2011
HONG KONG, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the "Heart to Heart with China" International Youth Outstanding Art Exhibition and Grand Puzzle Competition was held on 17-18 December 2012. The Program was organized by the China Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Forum (CPECCF) and funded by the Commission On Youth (COY), an affiliate of the Home Affairs Bureau of HKSAR. The program aims to spread the friendship of youth around the world and further promote an enthusiastic spirit towards China's five thousand year old culture by displaying outstanding paintings and calligraphies from youth around the world, regardless of their nationalities or race. A giant puzzle with 568,560 pieces, exceeding the Guinness World Record of 551,332 pieces set in Vietnam in 2011, was displayed. The Honourable Mr. Cheng Yiu Tong GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Celebrations Association and PRC Member of Executive Council HKSAR; Professor Pan Yong Hua, Director General of Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Ms. Han Shu Xia, Director General of Youth Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. Hon Elizabeth Quat JP, Legislative Councillor; Mr. Zhu Hua, Vice President of The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprise Association and Mr. Yuen Kam Ho (George), Independent Director of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) and Court Member of the University of Hong Kong were present as Officiating Guests and Awards Presenters at the opening ceremony.
The program consisted of three parts: Grand Puzzle Competition, "Heart to Heart with China" International Youth Arts Exhibition and Inspirational Lectures. These events aimed to promote world peace, ethnic harmony, youth's passion over China and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of HKSAR. Furthermore, the organizer hopes to strengthen the 5 "heart to heart" connections through art paintings and calligraphies, including friendship between abled and disabled youth, friendship between youth in China and around the world, friendship between youth of different nationalities in China, friendship between Chinese youth overseas, and the youth in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as well as to further promote the enthusiastic spirit of youth around the world towards Chinese culture. In addition to spreading the common wishes for world peace and a harmonious society, the organizers sought to strengthen the cultural atmosphere in Hong Kong as an international finance hub and enhance its role as an art center where oriental and western culture blend via the promotion of Chinese culture and integrating various visual arts in Hong Kong.
The program has been well-received since its kick-off in June of this year. Thousands of art works from youth around the world were collected and 180 outstanding works were chosen to be displayed at the Exhibition Hall. All art works were awarded after the opening ceremony.
Another highlight of the exhibition is the display of a giant puzzle created by around 200 students from 7 schools, including Oblate Primary School, Po Leung Kuk Centenary School, The MCHK Wesley College, Kiangsu-Chekiang College, Po Kok Primary School, Rosaryhill School and Delia Memorial School (Matteo Ricci). Though their joint efforts, students assembled a giant puzzle with 568,560 pieces and covering a total area of approximately 147.41 square meters, via relay in 6 hours. The total pieces of the puzzle exceeded the Guinness World Record of the 551,332-piece puzzle set in Vietnam in 2011.
Mr. Karl HO, Deputy Secretary General of CPECCF, said, "The success of the program is attributable to the support of different sectors of the community. It demonstrates the harmonious integration of youth regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, skin color and physical disability. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the 2 sponsors - Mr. Lo Hong Sui GBS, JP and Mrs. Loletta Lo of Shui On Group and UWS Foundation. We hope this program can further strengthen the interest of paintings and calligraphies as well as the understanding and enthusiasm of Chinese culture among the youth."
"Heart to Heart with China" International Youth Art Exhibition will last for 6 days from 18 to 23 December 2012 in Hong Kong City Hall and is open to public with free admission.
About China Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Forum (CPECCF)
Founded on 16th January 2009, China Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Forum (CPECCF) is a non-profit organization guided by China Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (CN PECC). It aims to actively implement the "One Country, Two systems" policy, promoting economic development with the caring and supporting for national reform and opening up as well as modernization. It strives to drive the cooperation among PECC members and promote the Chinese economy's contributions towards building a harmonious society. Leveraging the "advantages from the Hong Kong S.A.R.'s financial and commercial infrastructure facilities", it serves all PECC member countries and regions. The Youth Committee is a subsidiary of CPECCF, which serves the youth community in Hong Kong and facilitates interactive communications.
Issued by Porda Havas Public Relations for and on behalf of China Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Forum (CPECCF). For further information, please contact:
Porda Havas Public Relations
| Ms. Cherry Cheung | +852 3150 6773 | |
| Ms. Ka Wai Li | +852 3150 6715 | |
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