Tag Archives: China

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) held a Chinese New Year reception in Berlin, Germany, on February 13 (Berlin time) to celebrate the Year of the Snake. About 160 guests including government officials, senior diplomats and leading figures of the political, business and cultural sectors of Germany attended the reception.

     In her welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto, briefed the guests on Hong Kong’s encouraging achievements during the past year. “Despite the challenges of a global economic slowdown, Hong Kong’s economy grew by 2.5 per cent in 2024, and we rose again to third place in the Global Financial Centres Index, setting the stage for a strong start to the year.”

     Ms Szeto also highlighted various initiatives that consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international centre in the eight key areas. She added that with the implementation of further liberalisation measures under the amended Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a gateway to Mainland China, would be further enhanced. Complemented by other facilitating initiatives such as multiple-entry visas for foreign staff of Hong Kong-registered companies, the investment, trade and people-to-people ties between Hong Kong and the Central and Eastern European countries will continue to be strengthened.

     HKETO Berlin also hosted a reception in Bratislava, the Slovak Republic on February 12 (Bratislava time) in co-operation with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Six other receptions will be organised in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Switzerland. 

     To promote the excellent work of Hong Kong artists abroad, HKETO Berlin has invited Hong Kong artists including Hong Kong dance group R&T (Rhythm & Tempo) and the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base), to perform at the receptions and showcase the vibrancy, diversity and creativity of Hong Kong’s East-meets-West culture.

About HKETO Berlin

     HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

      

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong announced today (February 14) that Mainland karaoke chain brand Mei KTV opened its first Hong Kong flagship store in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, bringing another valuable addition to Hong Kong’s vibrant leisure and entertainment industry. The Hong Kong flagship store will be managed by their design team from Singapore, blending local characteristics to craft an entertainment space that caters to Hong Kong people’s preferences. The venue features luxurious karaoke rooms, a full-screen display and performance stage alongside innovative and interactive facilities such as a virtual DJ mixing station.
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “We welcome Mei KTV for choosing Hong Kong to open its flagship store and using the city as a platform for international expansion. Many companies choose to establish in Hong Kong to enhance their brand’s international standing. The operational experience gained here can also be replicated in other markets to support their further expansion. I wish Mei KTV great success in Hong Kong and beyond.”
      
     Co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Mei KTV, Mr Tang Hong Wei, explained the rationale behind choosing Hong Kong. “Hong Kong is an important market and the birthplace for Chinese pop music; opening a store in Hong Kong will provide a music-themed social space for more music enthusiasts. Hong Kong, as an important bridge connecting the Mainland with international markets, will make Mei KTV’s flagship store a benchmark for its overseas business. We plan to use this as a base to gradually expand into Southeast Asian markets like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, and establish a regional office here in the future.”
      
     He added, “As of 2024, Mei KTV has opened nearly 800 stores nationwide, covering over 100 cities on the Mainland. Our parent company also plans to be listed in Hong Kong, which is a significant driving factor behind our investment in the region.”
      
     Mei KTV is a karaoke chain brand which strives to blend innovative technology with entertainment experiences, primarily targeting the young market. With a core mission to “create joy through technology”, Mei KTV has integrated cutting-edge technologies such as AI and virtual reality into traditional karaoke, and launched innovative features such as AI-powered sound correction and metaverse music video production to provide customers with an immersive entertainment experience.
      
     For more information about Mei KTV, please visit www.meiktv.com.
      
     For a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720323789874.

    

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Sam Hou-fai, at Government House today (February 14) to exchange views on further promoting Hong Kong’s co-operation with Macao and the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Sam and his delegation to Hong Kong. Noting that Hong Kong and Macao are the country’s special administrative regions that enjoy distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, Mr Lee said that the two cities are as close as brothers, with frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, alongside solid economic and trade relations. He noted that the “one country, two systems” principle is a good policy for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong will continue to firmly uphold the principle of “one country” and leverage the benefits of “two systems” with Macao. He also noted that Hong Kong and Macao, both of which are core cities of the GBA, can achieve complementarity and participate in and promote the development of the GBA together, benefiting the people of both cities with the fruits of economic development.
      
     Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Macao have been working closely in such areas as economy, cross-boundary infrastructure, tourism and trade. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), has remarkably shortened the distance between Hong Kong and Macao, promoting closer communication and connections between the two cities. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has long provided dedicated support to the cross-boundary transportation arrangements and measures of the HZMB to maximise the economic and transport benefits of the bridge. Besides, the “Mutual Use of QR Code between HKSAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service”, jointly launched by the HKSAR Government and the Macao SAR Government in July last year, provides a faster and more convenient immigration experience for residents of both cities and further facilitates their exchanges.
      
     In promoting tourism, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Macao will work together to expand the market of twin-destination tourism of the two cities. Hong Kong will collaborate with other cities in the GBA, including Macao, to establish a regional and international tourism brand.
      
     Mr Lee also welcomed Mr Sam’s visit earlier today to the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development at Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Palace Museum to learn more about the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine and cultural tourism in Hong Kong. Mr Lee said he looks forward to working with Mr Sam in further enhancing exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Macao in various aspects.

        

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 14) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highl… read more

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Secretary of the CPC Guangzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Yonghang, at Government House today (February 14), to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with Guangzhou. Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Guo and his delegation’s visit to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that both Hong Kong and Guangzhou are core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and have maintained close co-operation in various sectors, including government, the business sector and the community, over the years. The 15th National Games this year, which will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, is of great significance as it is the first time for the GBA to host the country’s highest-level, largest and most significant multisport games. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will dedicate its fullest efforts and adhere to the principle of “simple, safe and wonderful”, to co-host the Games successfully with Guangdong and Macao.
      
     Mr Lee said that according to the Global Innovation Index 2024, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster has been ranked second globally for five consecutive years, which shows that the three places embrace great potential for innovation and technology (I&T) development, and gives recognition to the leading position of the GBA in the global I&T field. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), established in Nansha, welcomed its first cohort of undergraduate students in the 2023/24 academic year, cultivating talent in such areas as artificial intelligence and data science. It will foster the joint building of a major I&T platform of Hong Kong and Guangzhou, contributing to the establishment of China as a strong country in science and technology, he added.  
      
     Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong will further promote the integrated development of the GBA. It will also leverage the complementary advantages and foster high-level collaboration with Guangzhou, with a view to promoting high-quality development of the GBA, as well as making new and greater contributions to the further reform and opening up of the country, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.