Bandar Seri Begawan - With the on-going Chinese New Year festivity still in full swing, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) celebrated the Year of the Snake with their very lively HSBC Chinese New Year Open House Celebration for their customers at the Li Gong Restaurant of The Empire Hotel & Country Club yesterday.

Present at the celebration were Todd Wilcox, the Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Brunei; Rosdi Amin Yaakub, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of Corporate Banking; along with other Senior Management and staff members of HSBC Brunei.

In a quote by Todd Wilcox, he stated that HSBC embraces diversity. As one of the world's leading financial institutions, HSBC recognises and values the importance of diversity, be it amongst their employees or customers.

Festivities such as the Lunar New Year are celebrated globally by HSBC and it is a delighted for them to have the opportunity to celebrate this special occasion with their customers.

"This year, we celebrate the Year of the Snake. The snake is one of the unique Chinese zodiac creatures; as it's the only one that can coil into a graceful figure of eight, which is the luckiest number in Chinese culture. Lastly, on behalf of management and staff of HSBC, we would like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year," added Todd Wilcox.

Premier and Corporate Banking customers and their families were invited to attend the open house yesterday to enjoy the highlights of the celebration of this festive season set forth by HSBC, which comprising the God of Fortune greeting customers, performances by the Chinese Orchestra as well as eating the Chinese New Year delicacies such as the Niangao (Chinese New Year cake) which represents an increase in status every year and the Tangyuan (also known as Yuanxiao) which are glutinous balls in a selection of red bean or green bean soup that symbolises reunion, harmony and sweetness.

The open house also included a performance from a Chung Hwa Middle School student, playing the bamboo-made hammered dulcimer and a Chinese zitter.

A lucky draw was also held every half an hour, which included prizes from branded merchandise and Toys R Us vouchers for children.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin