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| No.2 February, 2025 |
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The Financial Secretary of the HKSAR announced the 2025-26 Budget
The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Paul Chan, unveiled his 2025-26 Budget on 26 February, which put forward a series of practical and effective measures on Hong Kong’s economic development and public fiscal consolidation. The Budget will reinforce the Government’s financial strength, and create new momentum and new advantages for Hong Kong’s economic development.
The Budget presents a series of measures aiming at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces. On innovation and technology (I&T), the Government will develop Hong Kong into an international exchange and co-operation hub for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. The Government will endeavour to develop AI as a core industry and empower traditional industries in their upgrading and transformation. To spearhead and support Hong Kong's innovative research and development as well as industrial application of AI, the Government will establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute and launch the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme (Manufacturing+). On finance, the Government will continue to take forward reforms to the listing regime, host the Hong Kong Global Financial and Industry Summit, and formulate a plan this year on promoting gold market development.
The Budget also highlights the need to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, fully leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic position of "three centres and a hub" (i.e. international financial centre, international trade centre, international maritime centre and international aviation hub), further nurturing and attracting talent, upgrading industries with advantages, and accelerating the development of Hong Kong's economy.
Read the full Budget Speech.
Learn more about the Budget. |
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Giant Panda Twin Cubs Greeting Ceremony
The Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, on 15 February visited Hong Kong Ocean Park to attend the Giant Panda Twin Cubs Greeting Ceremony. Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the experts of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda and the animal care team of Ocean Park for taking excellent care of the giant panda twin cubs round the clock and providing professional postnatal care to Ying Ying after her giving birth to the cubs. He added that the birth of the twin cubs solidifies the outstanding achievements of giant panda conservation and demonstrates the Ocean Park Corporation’s leading position as an important conservation and education base in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to advance and promote conservation of the giant pandas and thereby tell the good stories of our country China, Hong Kong and the giant pandas.
The public can now visit the lovely twin cubs at Ocean Park in person and at the same time drop by the other four members of the Hong Kong giant panda family, namely, Ying Ying, Le Le, An An and Ke Ke.
More details here. |
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HKTE visits Australia to attract talent from Financial Services and Innovation & Technology Industry Segments on the Talent List
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), an office under the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is committed to promoting Hong Kong’s advantages, opportunities and various talent attraction initiatives to different global markets, while providing comprehensive one-stop support services for incoming talent to facilitate their long-term development in Hong Kong.
The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, will be accompanied by the Director of HKTE, Mr Anthony Lau, to undertake a visit to Sydney and Melbourne this March to engage with local talent in financial services, sustainable economic development, technology and cybersecurity sectors. The delegation is planning to host three exchange events and participate in The Big Meet, Australia's largest careers expo for undergraduates and graduates.
For more details on HKTE’s upcoming activities in Sydney and Melbourne, please follow HKTE’s LinkedIn page here. |
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Reception held in Sydney to celebrate the Year of the Snake
HKETO Sydney hosted a reception in Sydney on 4 February to celebrate the Year of the Snake, welcoming over 300 guests from various sectors. The Director of the HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong said that both Hong Kong and Australia embrace free trade, rule of law, and multiculturalism as core values, under which our bilateral trade, investment and people-to-people ties flourish. New South Wales, in particular, has long been a significant partner for Hong Kong in the finance, trade, tourism, and education sectors. The Chairman of the M+ Board, Chairman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, Mr Bernard Chan, attended the reception as the keynote speaker to share with the guests the vibrant arts and cultural scenes in Hong Kong. The event also featured a lucky draw, with the grand prize being a round-trip air ticket between Hong Kong and Sydney, adding excitement to the evening. |
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Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Chinese New Year Business Networking Lunch organised by the Victoria Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, attended the Chinese New Year Business Networking Lunch organised by the Victoria Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association on 6 February. Addressing some 80 participants, Mr Chong said that Hong Kong and Victoria share a strong and long-standing relationship built on trade, investment, and deep people-to-people connections. Both Hong Kong and Melbourne are centres of innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. Many Victorian businesses have chosen Hong Kong as their gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as Mainland China and Asia, making Hong Kong home to a vibrant Australian business community. The Chairman of the M+ Board, Chairman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, Mr Bernard Chan, also attended the event and gave the audience an update on the development of two magnificent arts and cultural projects in Hong Kong - the West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Kwun. |
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Reception held in Melbourne to celebrate the Year of the Snake
HKETO hosted a reception in Melbourne on 6 February to celebrate the Year of the Snake, welcoming around 140 guests from various sectors. Addressing the reception, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, said that the snake symbolises resilience, agility, and the ability to seize opportunities, which resonate deeply with both Hong Kong and Australia. He said that the trade, investment, culture and people-to-people bonds between Australia and Hong Kong continue to thrive. Victoria, in particular, has long been a significant partner for Hong Kong in the finance, trade, tourism, and education sectors. With Hong Kong serving as the "super-connector" with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA and Mainland China, the opportunities for Australian businesses are unprecedented. The Chairman of the M+ Board, Chairman of the Tai Kwun Culture and Arts Company Limited and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Board, Mr Bernard Chan, attended the reception as the keynote speaker and shared with the guests the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Kwun. The reception was perfectly concluded with the wonderful music from the Hong Kong String Orchestra. |
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HKETO Sydney supports Hong Kong String Orchestra to showcase Hong Kong's music excellence
HKETO Sydney proudly supported the Hong Kong String Orchestra (HKSO) in staging five fantastic music concerts in Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne from 31 January to 7 February to celebrate the Chinese New Year, showcasing Hong Kong's music excellence as well as telling the good stories of Hong Kong. More than 4 000 audiences across Australia enjoyed the extraordinary performances of the HKSO. A reception was hosted to welcome the HKSO’s maiden tour to Australia at the iconic Sydney Opera House on 2 February. The Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, said in his welcoming remarks that the performance was a wonderful testament to the strong and enduring ties between Hong Kong and Australia. He also introduced Hong Kong Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination through innovative thinking.
HKSO’s performances in Australia included an exclusive afternoon concert at the Theatrette of the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW) on 3 February. This first-ever collaboration among the Parliament of NSW, the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney and HKETO Sydney marked a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Australia through the power of music.
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Sydney Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival 2025
HKETO Sydney showcased Hong Kong’s vibrancy at the Sydney Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival held at the beautiful Darling Harbour of Sydney from 7 to 9 February. Four races were named the “Hong Kong Talent Cup”, the “Hong Kong Innovation Cup”, the “Hong Kong Future Cup” and the “HKETO Government Industry Challenge” to promote Hong Kong’s vibrancy. The Hong Kong team won second place in the Government Industry Challenge. Medals were presented by the Director of the HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, who also attended the opening ceremony of the Festival to share the joy with all peddlers, guests and visitors. A marquee was set up by HKETO Sydney at the venue to promote the latest developments in Hong Kong, in particular the exciting mega events held in the city and various talent attraction initiatives rolled out by the Government. The souvenirs from Hong Kong were very popular and were all gone before closing. |
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Reception held in Brisbane to celebrate the Year of the Snake
HKETO Sydney hosted a reception in Brisbane on 13 February to celebrate the Year of the Snake, welcoming around 130 guests from various sectors. Addressing the reception, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, noted the strong and enduring relationship between Hong Kong and Queensland. He highlighted that Hong Kong companies could play a significant role in the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane by leveraging their expertise in infrastructure, technology, finance and hospitality. Mr Chong cited the newly completed Kai Tak Sports Park as a vivid example of successful collaboration between Hong Kong and Queensland, with the Queensland architecture firm Populous being one of the designers of this magnificent project. |
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Reception held in Perth to celebrate the Year of the Snake
HKETO Sydney hosted a reception in Perth on 18 February to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Addressing the guests, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, said that Hong Kong and Australia share an exceptional bond, with Hong Kong as Australia’s 5th largest source of total foreign investment in 2023, and at the same time, Australia’s 10th largest investment destination. He highlighted the encouraging results of the different talent schemes, with 430 000 applications received, 270 000 of them approved and 180 000 talents already arrived in Hong Kong in the past two years. Mr Chong reiterated that under “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong has continued to thrive as a global business hub, with abundant opportunities waiting to be grasped. |
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Reception held in Adelaide to celebrate the Year of the Snake
HKETO Sydney hosted a reception in Adelaide on 20 February to celebrate the Year of the Snake, welcoming over 100 guests from various sectors. Addressing the reception, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, noted that South Australia, renowned for its agricultural excellence and high-quality food and beverage exports, has found a valuable partner in Hong Kong, where demand for premium products is ever-growing. Mr Chong also shared with guests Hong Kong’s recent reduction of liquor duties, noting that with Hong Kong’s strategic location, world-class storage facilities and renowned wine and liquor auctions, the reduction of liquor duties creates new opportunities for market expansion by SA’s vibrant alcohol industry. The guests also enjoyed an excerpt of the performance of “No Dragon No Lion” by TS Crew, as well as performances by flow artist Lai Yee and freestyle football performer Lyson Sze, all came from Hong Kong. |
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HKETO Sydney supports Hong Kong artists thriving at Adelaide Fringe
HKETO Sydney is supporting contemporary art platform Hong Kong Soul to stage four Hong Kong performance programmes at the Adelaide Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the southern hemisphere, from 21 February to 10 March, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique East-meets-West art culture and the talent of Hong Kong artists. Hong Kong Soul is featuring two indoor programmes at the Adelaide Fringe, namely the award-winning physical theatre performance “No Dragon No Lion” by TS Crew, “Echoes of Silence: A Percussion Multimedia Odyssey” by Toolbox Percussion, as well as street performances by flow artist Lai Yee and freestyle football performer Lyson Sze. Speaking at the premiere show of “No Dragon No Lion” on 21 February, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, said that HKETO was pleased to see Hong Kong Soul debuting at Adelaide Fringe 2025. He added that the Government is committed to developing the arts, culture and creative industries, with substantial resources provided to support arts and cultural groups and artists. |
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Reception held in Auckland to celebrate the Year of the Snake
HKETO Sydney hosted a reception in Auckland, New Zealand, on 25 February to celebrate the Year of the Snake, welcoming over 150 guests from various sectors. Addressing the reception, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Ricky Chong, said that Hong Kong is investing heavily to enhance its world-class infrastructure, and the new Kai Tak Sports Park is a prime example that will firmly put Hong Kong on the map as a global hub for major international sports and entertainment events. Mr Chong added that the world’s famous Hong Kong Sevens will be held at the new Kai Tak Stadium from 28 to 30 March. He also noted that New Zealand won both the men's event and women's event last year, seizing their 13th and 12th titles in Hong Kong respectively.
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Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 (Hong Kong)
Founded by gallerists in 1970, Art Basel is the leading global platform connecting collectors, galleries, and artists. Art Basel's fairs in Basel, Hong Kong, Paris, and Miami Beach, as well as its Online Viewing Rooms, are a driving force in supporting galleries as they nurture the careers of artists. The Hong Kong fair will be held from 28 to 30 March, featuring premier galleries from Asia and beyond. It provides an in-depth overview of Asia-Pacific's astonishing diversity, as well as global artistic perspectives through Modern and contemporary works.
More details here. |
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World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 (Hong Kong)
First held in 2015 in Llandudno, Wales, the prestigious snooker tournament features the top 32 professional players from a single season. This year, it will take place for the first time in Hong Kong from 4 to 9 March at Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park.
More details here. |
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LIV Golf Hong Kong 2025 (Hong Kong)
LIV Golf is returning to Hong Kong Golf Club this year from 7 to 9 March, blending entertainment with sports, live music and fan activities for all ages. Top players from around the world, including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka, will be competing for glory.
More details here. |
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