Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2026 today (October 29):
Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Fabien Robert, Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Philippe Tapie, President of the Bordeaux Wine Council, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. Some say, "There's no place like home." Standing here at the Central Harbourfront tonight, looking out across our iconic skyline, it is impossible to disagree. To see our harbour light up, – bringing together fine wines from old and new worlds, extraordinary delicacies and international celebrity chefs under the theme "Taste the World's Best" – reminds everyone why Hong Kong is so special, and why our status as culinary capital is second to none.
If you look around this venue tonight, you will see a miniature map of global gastronomy. From the prestigious selections at the Grand Wine Pavilion to the exceptional creations of our luxury hotel partners along the Hotel Boulevard, and the star-studded chef line-up in the tasting room, tonight is a celebration of culinary excellence at its finest.
The celebration, however, does not end even when these four days of festivities conclude this Sunday night. Throughout November, the excitement extends citywide through the Hong Kong Gourmet Month campaign. Collaborating with restaurants and bars across the city, we are introducing limited edition dishes, unique experiences, dining discounts, and the new Hong Kong Late-Night Dining Guide – all aiming to showcase our vibrant after-dark dining scene.
These are just a few examples of our efforts to drive "mega event + tourism". As recently announced in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address, we will expand the scale of our flagship events, add more "Only in Hong Kong" elements, and integrate events with tourism to enhance their appeal – for the purpose of extending visitors' stays and generating added value and momentum. To this end, we have established a mega-event framework that organises the year around three themes, bringing us a continuous stream of major events. From September to February next year is our Festive Mega Events Season. In addition to this Wine & Dine Festival, we look forward to the Christmas immersive light shows at Hong Kong WinterFest in November, followed by the Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations and the International Chinese New Year Night Parade in the months ahead. Between these major highlights are countless equally fascinating events across the city, spanning culture, sports, music, cuisine and so much more. Each is a compelling showcase of Hong Kong's festive atmosphere and its convergence of Chinese and international cultures to visitors from around the world. Beyond the Festive Mega Events Season, we will present the International Arts Season from February to May and the Chinese Arts Season from June to September. With such a rich and diverse programme, every visitor can find something they love.
Every mega event we host is an invaluable stage on which to tell good stories of Hong Kong, and an opportunity to share the unique charm and endless potential of the place we proudly call home. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for joining us tonight at the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival. I hope you enjoy the fine wine, marvelous food, and wonderful atmosphere, and I wish you all a truly memorable evening in the company of great friends and family.
Thank you.