Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Clement Leung commended skipper David Witt and the members of Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag for continuing the Volvo Ocean Race in honor and memory of their late teammate and friend John Fisher on Sunday in Newport, Rhode Island. The team is the first from Hong Kong to enter in the world's premier offshore race.

Speaking at a welcome reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), Leung said that their fortitude and unwavering spirit resonated with Hong Kong's "can-do" spirit.

He noted that Hong Kong's natural harbor has contributed to the city's successful economy. "As a staunch supporter of free trade and open markets, we welcome companies from all corners of the globe to do business in our city," he said. Hong Kong is now Rhode Island's fifth largest Asian export market.

The Director of HKETONY, Ms Joanne Chu, expressed the hope that visitors to the Newport race village on Rhode Island would get a chance to experience the vibrant East-meets-West culture of Hong Kong, which is being promoted at the festival booth run by the HKETONY from May 8 to 20.

More than 120 guests attended the reception, including Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island Dan McKee, Mayor of Newport Henry Winthrop and Allan Fung, president of the Volvo Ocean Race.