Hong Kong – HKETO, Brussels promotes Hong Kong as international financial centre (with photos)
HKETO, Brussels promotes Hong Kong as international financial centre (with photos)
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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.
HKETO Berlin introduces study opportunities in Hong Kong at Austrian education fair BeSt Vienna (with photos)
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HKETO San Francisco celebrates Chinese New Year in Los Angeles (with photos)
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HKETO, Brussels concludes month-long celebration events for Year of Dragon (with photos)
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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).
HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and Türkiye to celebrate Chinese New Year
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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.
Hong Kong – HKETO Berlin introduces study opportunities in Hong Kong at Austrian education fair BeSt Vienna (with photos)
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) hosted a booth at the Austrian education fair BeSt Vienna to inform some 75 000 participants from Austria and neighbouring states such as the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Slovak Republic about the exciting study opportunities that Hong Kong has to offer. The fair, jointly organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Austrian Public Employment Service, was held from March 7 to 10 (Vienna time).
The Director of the HKETO Berlin, Ms Jenny Szeto, gave a presentation on March 7 (Vienna time) about the unique and valuable studying opportunities and living experiences in Hong Kong. She introduced Hong Kong’s world-class universities, scholarship opportunities and other advantages of studying in Hong Kong. Her presentation also touched on further opportunities for staying and working in Hong Kong, such as the Working Holiday Scheme, the Talent List and the recently launched Top Talent Pass Scheme.
Hong Kong’s universities offer a wide array of high-quality programmes that are primarily taught in English, and they adopt international standards in curriculum design as well as quality assurance. Among the 22 degree-awarding higher-education institutions in Hong Kong, five are among the world’s top 100 by the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2024 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. To attract outstanding non-local students to study in Hong Kong, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) offers various scholarships, including the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund, the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
For postgraduate students, there are also abundant research opportunities in Hong Kong’s international-calibre institutions. To further support academic research in the higher-education sector, the HKSAR Government earmarked HK$9 billion in its 2023-24 Budget for universities and research institutes to enhance research in life and health technology and other frontier technology fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
Ms Szeto took the opportunity to encourage young talent and quality immigrants from the region to explore the opportunities in Hong Kong. More details about the diversified admission schemes are available at www.hkengage.gov.hk/en/.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the HKSAR Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Austria as well as the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.Hong Kong – HKETO San Francisco celebrates Chinese New Year in Los Angeles (with photos)
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) celebrated Chinese New Year along with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) at a spring reception held on March 6 in Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles time).
Addressing over 200 guests at the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, said that Hong Kong’s economy has revived from the pandemic and the Government is making strides to accelerate the city’s economic development across different sectors.
“On tourism, from leading regional and international trade fairs to world-class arts, culture and sports competitions and shows, we will create and attract a continuous flow of new and inviting experiences to Hong Kong,” she said.
“The year 2024 kicked-off with the 17th Asian Financial Forum. In the coming months, we will welcome LIV Golf Hong Kong, Art Basel Hong Kong Show, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and the finale of the electric motorsport E1 World Championship. I hope that you may have an opportunity to experience one of these events, or many others, this year,” she added.
The Director, Americas of the HKTB, Mr Michael Lim, spoke at the event on the transformative developments taking place recently in Hong Kong. In his presentation, he reflected how Hong Kong, like the mythical dragon, is dynamic, culturally rich, confident, charismatic, and resilient. This was showcased with events taking place in Hong Kong, and in clips from two television shows recently filmed in the city: “Field Trip with Curtis Stone” and “Canvasing the World”. The HKTB also hosted a lucky draw at the event. One winner was awarded an art piece by renowned painter Sean Diediker, featured in “Canvasing the World”, inspired by the Tai Hang fire dragon dance.
The spring reception ended with a lively performance by the RedBricks harmonica ensemble from Hong Kong. This concluded HKETO San Francisco’s Chinese New Year celebrations in the western United States.Hong Kong – HKETO, Brussels concludes month-long celebration events for Year of Dragon (with photos)
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.Hong Kong – HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and Türkiye to celebrate Chinese New Year
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Brussels, Belgium yesterday (February 20, Brussels time). Ads
