MORE than 1,200 people were present to see the grand opening of the Reading Hongkonger Community Centre, a bimonthly event which celebrates the best of the culture.
Visitors attended Saturday’s showcase at The Wren School, where they were treated to a range of activities, food stalls and information stalls. Mayor for Reading, Cllr Tony Page, delivered a speech welcoming Hongkongers to the town and highlighting its diversity and integration.
Victina Tse, of the Hong Kong Business Hub, said: “It went really well. People got the chance to try Hong Kong-style food, music performances, cultural activities and lantern making.
“According to our latest estimations, there are up to 10,000 Hongkongers in the Reading area, so there are a lot of people here, and it proves the need of having a place where these people can come together.
“In the future, we want more locals to join us to learn about our and their new neighbours.”
Many of Reading’s councillors dropped by throughout the day, with Reading West MP Sir Alok Sharma also joining in with the festivities.
“He stayed for an hour or so and visited many of the stalls, trying some of the food and talking to people who are doing business in Reading at the moment,” Victina explained.
“He wanted to learn more about what they’re doing and the challenges they have faced.”
The next event will take place on Saturday, October 14, with the plan being to run the community centres twice a month. Each showcase will feature different activities and stallholders, with yoga set to feature next month.
Organisers see the event as an opportunity for Hong Kong arrivals to establish their own business ventures, with a view to contributing to the UK’s economy long-term. Surveys suggest that around 30% of Hongkongers in the UK have an interest in setting up a business or have already done so already.
