Association members and officials take part in a grand ceremony in Hong Kong on June 6 to celebrate the opening of the Pingtan Association of Hong Kong. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

The Pingtan Association of Hong Kong officially opened at a ceremony in Hong Kong on June 6.

The association will represent people from Pingtan that study, work and live in Hong Kong. The 2,000-member-strong association is also intended to act as a community hub, support network and bridge of understanding between its members and people in Hong Kong.

The association will focus on bringing together more people with a connection to Pingtan, to contribute to the development of their hometown and increase Pingtan's global influence, said Lin Guangui, president of the association.

Government leaders were among those in attendance at the ceremony and many expressed their wishes and high expectations for the association.

Lei Chunmei, head of the Fujian United Front Work Department, thanked the contributions made by people from Pingtan to the development of Fujian province. She hoped that they will continue to make contributions to facilitating exchanges between Fujian and Hong Kong.

Xu Xiaohui, deputy director of the Hong Kong Civil Affairs Bureau, said that the association will bring people of Pingtan background better development opportunities and promote economic and cultural exchanges between Pingtan and Hong Kong.

Lin Jiangling, deputy director of the Pingtan administrative committee, said that the association is conducive to the unity of Pingtan people in Hong Kong and increasing Pingtan's exposure in Hong Kong. It will also help attract more Hong Kong entrepreneurs to invest in Pingtan and advance mutual cooperation and development.