Tag Archives: China

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. The receptions, held in Luxembourg (February 12), Lisbon, Portugal (February 17), The Hague, the Netherlands (February 20), and Bucharest, Romania (February 25), were well-received by distinguished guests and partners.

     The receptions provided an opportunity to reflect on Hong Kong’s achievements and share the city’s vision. HKETO, Brussels emphasised Hong Kong’s dynamic calendar of world-class events that solidify its reputation as “Events Capital of Asia”.  Stepping into 2025 with great dynamism and enthusiasm, Hong Kong is set to host an array of high-profile events spanning business, sports, arts, and culture. “Hong Kong is entering the new year with energy and glamour, full of exciting events that highlight our dynamic cosmopolitan spirit,” stated the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung.

     In 2024, Hong Kong recorded 45 million international arrivals, nearly 10 000 foreign and Mainland companies, 2 700 family offices and 4 700 start-ups, demonstrating that Hong Kong remains a magnet for visitors and businesses alike. Hong Kong is poised for further success with upcoming initiatives, such as a lowered liquor tax, to enhance its appeal to international visitors and fulfil its role as the international financial, trade and shipping centre.

     “Hong Kong’s distinct advantages were recognised in the latest international rankings,” Ms Yung said during the receptions, noting that Hong Kong is ranked among the world’s top three international financial centres, the freest economy in the world, and among the top five in global competitiveness. Ms Yung elaborated that global investors continue to have confidence in Hong Kong, as evidenced by the continuous inflow of funds and growth in bank deposits. The asset and wealth management sector in Hong Kong is also handling over US$4 trillion, representing more than a 30 per cent increase in six years.

     HKETO, Brussels also highlighted Hong Kong as a hub for international cultural exchange, where East meets West. In Lisbon, guests experienced a unique cultural fusion centred on ballet that blends classical technique with contemporary sensibility, performed by Lam Chun-wing, a well-known Hong Kong-born ballet dancer, and an original transcription of Debussy’s “Prélude” for piano solo by the renowned French pianist Alexandre Tharaud. The performance was accompanied by breathtaking video projections specifically produced for the occasion, showcasing Hong Kong’s lesser-known natural landscapes and revealing a side of Hong Kong far removed from its urban reputation as a bustling financial hub of skyscrapers and dense modernity.

     In The Hague, an ensemble of talented Hong Kong musicians presented a vibrant mix of popular cantopop songs and moving opera arias. The outstanding performance by the soprano and tenor singers, accompanied by keyboard, won enthusiastic applause from the audience.

     The receptions in Luxembourg, Lisbon, The Hague and Bucharest brought together 700 guests, including officials from national governments, consulates and embassies, financial and business sectors, academia, cultural and creative sectors, media and the Chinese community. They were co-organised with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the Luxembourg Chamber of Commence and the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commercefor the reception in Luxembourg, the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association for the reception in The Hague, with the support of The Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the reception in Lisbon, and the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship for the reception in Bucharest.

                            

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (February 28) to set out the framework of collaboration on research studies related to sustainable infrastructure development and land formation.
             
     The MOU was signed by the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, and the Vice-President for Research and Development of the HKUST, Professor Tim Cheng, and witnessed by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip.
      
     The MOU, effective from March 1 for a duration of two years, will cover research areas in novel construction materials, innovative landslide mitigation strategies, digitalisation, artificial intelligence technology, innovative engineering and sustainable solutions.
      
     Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Fong said that the CEDD has been applying innovative technologies to facilitate the implementation of construction projects. With the CEDD’s experience in construction projects and the HKUST’s top-notch research team, the collaboration between the two parties promotes the research in sustainable infrastructure development and land formation, and would help the industry enhance productivity, quality and site safety.
      
     Professor Cheng said that the HKUST’s multidisciplinary research expertise, covering AI, the Internet of Things, digital twins, material science and civil engineering, will synergise with the CEDD’s practical experience, work data and scenario applications to create innovative and practical solutions.

     The CEDD has been collaborating closely with academic institutions and the construction industry to develop various smart and innovative technologies for application in public works projects. The CEDD has applied research deliverables in various projects to effectively facilitate their implementation, such as optimising the design of debris-resisting barriers for landslide mitigation, and advocating the recycling of construction and demolition materials.

  

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex (the Services Complex) today (February 28), and joined participating guests in witnessing the launch of the largest integrated rehabilitation services complex in Hong Kong to showcase the Government’s support and commitment to persons with disabilities and their carers.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan expressed gratitude to the organisations and groups that had contributed to the project. He commended the design of the Services Complex for making full use of its spatial advantages as well as incorporating smart technology and rehabilitation equipment to create a safe and comfortable living environment for the service users. He was also pleased to learn that the Services Complex smoothly implements a medical-social collaboration model, where close communication and flexible arrangements enable quality medical services for the residents with fewer hospital visits. He called on different sectors to continue to foster cross-sectoral collaboration and make joint efforts in taking forward innovation and improvement in rehabilitation services, as well as serving persons with disabilities and their families with compassion, thereby building a caring and inclusive community.

     Mr Chan said that the Government has long been attentive to the needs of persons with disabilities and the development of rehabilitation services. The estimated recurrent expenditure of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) on rehabilitation and medical social services has reached $12.6 billion in 2025-26, a 35 per cent increase in comparison with that of five years ago, which demonstrates the Government’s commitments in supporting persons with disabilities. The Government will continue to strive for service enhancements, including the provision of additional places for rehabilitation services, so that the total number of such service places will reach around 39 900 by 2028-29 for meeting the keen demand for support services for persons with disabilities.

     At the ceremony, Mr Chan, accompanied by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Ms Alice Lau; and the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Edward To, presided at the unveiling ceremony of the Services Complex. A tour of the residential care and day training facilities of the Services Complex was also arranged for the guests prior to the ceremony to showcase to them the relevant service operations.

     Located at 12 and 20 Hong Fai Road, Siu Lam, Tuen Mun, the Services Complex, which has commenced operation in phases starting from December 2023, was designed and constructed by consultants and contractors commissioned by the SWD. The Services Complex is operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, SAHK and the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, providing a total of 1 150 residential care places and 560 day training places for mentally handicapped persons, physically handicapped persons as well as persons in mental recovery. Incorporating ample communal space and large glass windows to improve ventilation and provide sufficient natural light, the Services Complex integrates with the surrounding environment to allow service users to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

      

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services … read more

     The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is following up on an air traffic control (ATC) incident that occurred yesterday morning (February 27). At around 7am yesterday, an MNG Airlines’ A330 cargo flight (flight number MNB380) from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to Turkmenistan and another Silk Road Western Airlines’ B777 cargo flight (flight number AZG625) to Baku were granted clearance by ATC officers to depart from the Centre Runway (Runway 07C) and the South Runway (Runway 07R) of HKIA, respectively, following standard flight procedures. After taking off, both cargo flights were subsequently instructed by ATC officers to climb to 5 000 feet and 3 000 feet, respectively, to maintain vertical separation. However, as the climbing rates of the two cargo flights varied from what the ATC officers had anticipated, the desired vertical separation was not achieved. During this time, both cargo flights followed standard departure procedures and maintained visual contact with each other. When the aircraft were approximately 7 nautical miles northeast of HKIA, the traffic collision avoidance system of the Silk Road Western Airlines’ B777 cargo flight issued an alert to its crew, and the aircraft then descended to 2 500 feet. After the incident, both aircraft continued to their destinations according to their flight plans.

     The CAD is highly concerned about the incident and has immediately initiated an investigation and follow-up actions according to procedures. Preliminary information indicates that the incident may involve non-compliance by ATC personnel with established procedures for arranging aircraft for take-off. The relevant ATC personnel have been temporarily removed from frontline ATC duties. read more