​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels partnered with Asia centre, an independent research institute based in France, held a seminar on the role of Hong Kong as an international financial centre in Paris on March 15 (Paris time). 

     Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, was the keynote speaker of the seminar. In his address, Mr Yue highlighted the resilience of Hong Kong’s financial and monetary system and strong financial ecosystem, which have underpinned Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. He also shared how Hong Kong is positioning itself to capture the opportunities arising from long-term trends, including the opening-up of Mainland China and the move towards sustainability and digitalisation. The other speaker was former Deputy Governor of the Banque de France Mr Jean-Pierre Landau.

     The event was attended by around 80 guests, including government officials and senior representatives from the financial, business and academic circles.

     Founded in 2005, Asia Centre is an independent research institute in France that holds discussion and issues publications on matters relating to international and economic relations.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Lisbon, Portugal (February 22), in Barcelona, Spain (February 27), and in The Hague, the Netherlands (February 28), and concluded the month-long celebrations for the Chinese New Year.

     In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, emphasised the unique advantages of Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as its role as both a gateway to China and a prime destination for businesses. She also encouraged guests to explore Hong Kong’s beautiful natural landscapes and experience the exciting cultural festivals and events in the city.

     Underlining the special position of Hong Kong as an international arts and cultural hub, the HKETO, Brussels presented at the receptions the cultural talents from Hong Kong. In Lisbon, it invited musicians from Hong Kong, namely harmonicist and composer CY Leo and pianist Joyce Cheung, for a performance comprising original composition, and rearrangement on classics and Chinese folk music. In addition, an exhibition was arranged with drawings by Hong Kong comics artists Pen So and Yandy Wu, curated by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) in the theme Wanderers’ Land – Cityscapes in Hong Kong. In The Hague, guests were presented with a captivating floral installation and an interesting live demonstration as designed and arranged by an internationally awarded floral artist from Hong Kong, Dr Solomon Leong. The flower arrangements not only brought joy and festivity, but also showcased the linkage between Hong Kong and the Netherlands, highlighting Hong Kong as a melting pot of Western and Eastern cultures.

     The Chinese New Year receptions were well received, with a total of around 500 guests of various backgrounds including government representatives, businessmen, academic, and members of the local Chinese and Hong Kong community. The three receptions were hosted in co-operation with Invest Hong Kong, and respectively with the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, and the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association.

     From the end of January, the HKETO, Brussels has organised receptions in Paris, France (January 30), Milan, Italy (February 6), Luxembourg (February 8), Ankara (February 15) and Istanbul (February 16) in Türkiye, and Brussels, Belgium (February 20).

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Brussels, Belgium yesterday (February 20, Brussels time). 

     The reception has been named one of the most celebrated annual social events in town and attracted some 250 guests from officials of the European institutions, national governments, diplomatic missions, as well as senior representatives from trade and business, academia, arts and cultural sectors, media and also the Chinese community. The event was supported by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society.

     The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung said in her welcoming remarks that under the “one country, two systems” principle, “Hong Kong enjoys the unrivalled links with Mainland China while retaining our own trusted systems including common law and independent judiciary, free flow of capital, goods and information, low and simple tax regime, and an efficient and clean government.” 

     She highlighted that such unique advantages give Hong Kong the role as a prime gateway to China and also a prime destination for businesses and talents. Just like over 9 000 overseas and Mainland companies setting up and expanding their businesses in the city, strategic enterprises and top talents from around the world are welcomed to Hong Kong to explore opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China and the wider Asia.

     The opportunity was also taken to invite various Hong Kong artists to the reception to showcase their talents and to underline Hong Kong’s efforts to nurture local artists in pursuit of developing Hong Kong into an international arts and cultural hub. This year, the drawings by a Hong Kong comics artist, Pen So, curated by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) (www.hkac.org.hk) in the theme Wanderers’ Land – Cityscapes in Hong Kong, were featured. 

     A dragon-themed and Hong Kong kung fu culture-inspired dance performance Convergence: MovINK Dragon, was also staged during the reception. Being a crossover of comics and kung fu, the action-packed performance was delivered by TS Crew, an arts group comprising members from backgrounds of Xiqu, dance, martial arts and more. The animation which paired the dance with visual and sound effects was illustrated and directed by comics artist Felix Ip; and the performance as a whole was curated and produced by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base). 

     HKETO, Brussels also organised two Chinese New Year receptions respectively in Ankara (February 15) and Istanbul (February 16) in Türkiye. In her remarks, Ms Shirley Yung highlighted the unique advantages of doing business in Hong Kong, especially in light of the recent conclusion of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Hong Kong and Türkiye which opens up even further opportunities for Türkish businesses in particular. The receptions attracted over 100 guests, including officials of the national governments, as well as senior representatives from trade and business, academia, cultural and creative sectors. 

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) is supporting the eighth edition of the “Legends of Lion Dance” held in Antwerp, the port city of Belgium, from February 8 to 11 (Antwerp time). It offers Belgian and Chinese in Antwerp a Hong Kong film night, an exhibition showcasing Hong Kong arts and culture; and a carnival with a Hong Kong booth, food market and Chinese cultural shows, among other cultural talks and workshops during the period.

     Highlight of this 4-day event is a lively lion dance parade which delighted hundreds of local spectators as it made its way to Antwerp’s China Town to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year today (February 10, Antwerp time), also the very first day of the Year of the Dragon. 

     The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, spoke to the crowds and wished all the guests have the energy and prosperity like a dragon in the year ahead. She said that Hong Kong is full of opportunities which makes the city a prime destination for businesses and talents. “We have rolled out talent attraction schemes to facilitate global talents to settle in, live, work and start up in Hong Kong. A dedicated office has also been set up to attract strategic enterprises by offering special facilitation measures such as land grant, financing and tax concessions”, she added as she encouraged the visitors to come to Hong Kong.

     After the speech, Ms Yung officiated at the lion eye-dotting ceremony and visited the exhibition displaying lion heads handcrafted in Hong Kong. The exhibition also features drawings by a Hong Kong comics artist, Pen So, curated by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) (www.hkac.org.hk) in the theme Wanderers’ Land – Cityscapes in Hong Kong.

     “Legends of Lion Dance” is organised by Asian Events, a non-profit-making organisation established by Hong Kong second-generation community members in Antwerp, with the support of the HKETO, Brussels and the Belgium-Hong Kong Society. The event has become a firmly-established event on Antwerp’s annual cultural calendar, which help promote the uniqueness of Hong Kong as an international arts and cultural centre.

     The HKETO, Brussels also organised two Chinese New Year receptions earlier this week, respectively in Milan, Italy (February 6) jointly with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and in Luxembourg (February 8) with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate the coming of the Year of the Dragon.

     In Milan, the HKETO, Brussels took the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s East-meet-West culture and promote music talent by inviting a Hong Kong born Jazz vocalist and composer, Heidi Li to stage a performance in a quartet with Italian musicians, indulging the guests with Chinese-Italian fusion songs.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Paris, France, on January 30 to celebrate the start of the Year of the Dragon. 

     In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, emphasised Hong Kong’s role as the prime gateway to China, and its distinct advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle. Ms Yung added that Hong Kong was “uniquely positioned with the necessary network and resources to help European businesses gain easier access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”. Highlighting Hong Kong as a city full of exciting events and festivals, Ms Yung encouraged the guests to visit Hong Kong and experience the vibrancy of the city.

     The HKETO, Brussels took the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s East-meet-West culture through a creative and unique performance, amalgamating ballet dance and Chinese calligraphy. Performers were artists born in Hong Kong, including Lam Chun-wing, who was the first Chinese person to join the Paris Opera Ballet, and Nancy Kan, an esteemed actress and radio host in Hong Kong whose passion and talent in Chinese calligraphy and painting have earned her a reputation beyond the screen.

     The reception was hosted in co-operation with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the France Hong Kong Business Association. More than 300 guests joined the reception, including officials from national governments, consulates and embassies, financial and business sectors, academia, cultural and creative sectors, media and the Chinese community.