Greater Bay Area - Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural ...Cantonese opera is a type of Chinese...

News summer 2019

Issued by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels

secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, with the Minister for Justice of France, Ms Nicole Belloubet, in Paris (page 9).

secretary for Financial services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, and Ireland’s Minister of state at the Department of Finance and Public expenditure and Reform, Mr Michael D’Arcy, in Dublin (page 6).

Hong Kong’s role in creating an economic and innovation powerhouse (page 2).

Greater Bay Area

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) development is a major national scheme of Mainland China. Hong Kong stands to play a key role in the creation of this economic and innovation powerhouse.

One of the most open and economically vibrant regions in Mainland China, the Greater Bay Area consists of nine prosperous cities in Guangdong Province and the two special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, encompassing an area of 56,000 square kilometers. The Greater Bay Area is an enormous market with a population of about 71 million, similar to that of the United Kingdom, and with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Us$1.6 trillion in 2018, roughly double that of switzerland. Its GDP is forecast to reach Us$4.6 trillion by 2030.

The Greater Bay Area is a globally significant economic cluster with each of the cities having their own strengths, in manufacturing, technology, tourism, finance, and other areas. The Greater Bay Area development plan is to combine their complementary advantages to develop an international first-class bay area for living, working and travelling, as well as a globally influential innovation and technology hub.

New driver of economic growth for Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s strengths as a highly international city complement the advantages of the nine Mainland cities within the Greater Bay Area, such as the size of their market, an all-rounded industry system, and their relative strength in technology. The Greater Bay Area

HOnG KOnG nEws summer 20192

Greater Bay Area Development

Greater Bay Area – Hong Kong’s role in creating an economic and innovation powerhouse

GrEATEr BAy ArEA DEvElOpMEnT

Hong Kong’s role in the creation of an economic and innovation powerhouse

wEsT KOwlOOn CulTurAl DIsTrICT

The first landmark venue, the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera, opens its doors

InTErnATIOnAl CO-OpErATIOn

The secretary for Financial services and the Treasury forged financial co-operation

between Hong Kong and Ireland

The secretary for Food and Health met with healthcare professionals in the Netherlands

The secretary for Justice visited France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands to promote

Hong Kong as dispute resolution services centre

special Representative shirley Lam met with Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Kris Peeters

Hong Kong and Italy sign working Holiday scheme agreement

ECOnOMy AnD FInAnCE

Hong Kong in mutual recognition of funds agreements with Luxembourg and the

Netherlands

BusInEss EvEnTs

seminars in Athens, Limassol, Milan, Pulsano, Vincenza, Rotterdam: why Hong Kong is

the best place to tap Belt and Road, Greater Bay Area opportunities

Hong Kong’s “soaring Creativity” on display at Bologna Children’s Book Fair

CrEATIvE InDusTrIEs

Young Hong Kong designers in Paris fashion presentation

CArEErs

seeking overseas talents: HKeTO, Brussels reached out to students in Italy, the

Netherlands and Belgium

CHInEsE nEw yEAr

HKeTO, Brussels hosts events in 12 european cities to celebrate the Year of the Pig

CulTurE

Hong Kong comics industry at Angoulême International Comics Festival

“Legends of Lion Dance” exhibition showcased Hong Kong’s cultural heritage in

Belgium

Hong Kong artist shirley Tse at the 58th International Art exhibition - La Biennale di

Venezia, until 24 November 2019

Hong Kong artists and musicians at Classical:Next in Rotterdam

HKeTO, Brussels supported Hong Kong films at nine international film festivals in

europe in 2018/19 - CinemAsia Film Festival in Amsterdam

Hong Kong film wins top award at the 21st Far east Film Festival in Udine

The Mills - Former textile factory gets a new lease of life as an arts complex

Brussels International Fantasy, Fantastic, Thriller and science Fiction Film Festival

nEws In BrIEF

Do you own a property in Hong Kong ? The Land Registry Property Alert service is

for you.

Asia’s biggest cyber games stadium opens in Hong Kong

summer 2019

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HOnG KOnG nEws summer 2019 3

development can help generate new areas of growth for Hong Kong and foster the diversified development of its economy and industries.

Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a leader in international services was endorsed in an outline development plan for the Greater Bay Area development, unveiled by the Central Government on 18 February 2019.

This blueprint identifies five “strategic orientations”, including closer integration between Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, while upholding the governing principle of “one country, two systems” for the two special Administrative Regions.

It confirms that Hong Kong, Macao, shenzhen and Guangzhou would be the four key cities of the Greater Bay Area and the core engines for regional development.

The outline development plan supports Hong Kong’s efforts to consolidate its position as an international finance, transport, maritime, trade, aviation and arbitration hub, in tandem with the development of high-end and high-value-added financial, commercial, trading, logistics and professional services. It backs Hong Kong’s steps to boost its innovation and technology capabilities, with local institutes promised the same level of R&D funding as their Mainland counterparts.

More information at

https://www.bayarea.gov.hk


West Kowloon Cultural District

The first landmark venue, the Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera, opens its doorsThe Xiqu Centre, the first landmark venue at the emerging new cultural district, was officially opened on 20 January 2019. The centre is dedicated to all things connected with the rich traditional Chinese art form of xiqu, which includes Cantonese opera and other genres. Located at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road

west in Hong Kong’s Tsim sha Tsui, the eight-storey building has a total area of 28,164 square metres and houses a Grand Theatre, accommodating 1,073 seats, a Tea House Theatre, with a capacity of up to 200 seats, eight professional studios and a seminar hall, all designed for xiqu-related functions and activities.

The exterior of the Xiqu centre.


Tea House Theatre Experience(3 April to 25 August 2019)

The Xiqu Centre’s Tea House Theatre Programme, Tea House Theatre experience, is specially designed to introduce new audiences to Chinese traditional theatre. The 90-minute performance, presented by the centre’s

Tea House Rising stars Troupe, showcases a selection of short excerpts demonstrating a range of vocal and music styles. It also includes narration by an expert moderator to help newcomers gain insight into the history of the art form.

https://www.westkowloon.hk/en/whats-on/current-forthcoming/tea-

house-theatre-experience/

To recreate the atmosphere of Hong Kong’s early 20th century tea houses, audiences are also served traditional tea and dim sum during the show.

Aside from being a performing art for public entertainment, Cantonese opera

can serve as religious drama presented as part of the ritual of thanksgiving to

the deities, and at Taoist jiao festivals.

Cantonese operaCantonese opera is a type of Chinese traditional theatre mainly found in the Cantonese-speaking regions - Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong and Macao. In each opera production, the story is told through the “four basic skills” of singing, acting, delivery of spoken lines and martial arts, enhanced by stage makeup, costumes, props and the percussive beats on gongs and drums. The presentation format is a fine mixture of literature, drama, ballad singing, dance and martial arts. The singing style, role types, makeup, stylised movements, libretti and singing scores are all rich in artistic value. Cantonese opera was inscribed onto the first national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006, and onto UNesCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.


Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau (centre), with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney (right), and the Minister of

State at the Department of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Michael D’Arcy (left), while attending the welcoming reception for international delegates and

speakers of the European Financial Forum.

Mr James Lau (centre) with Ireland’s Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure

and Reform, Mr Paschal Donohoe (left)

Hong Kong’s secretary for Financial services and the Treasury, Mr James lau, visited Dublin from 12 to 14 February 2019 to foster closer financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Ireland.

He met with the Minister of state at the Department of Finance and Public expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr Michael D’Arcy, to discuss the latest developments of green finance and financial technologies in both places. Both sides looked forward to further collaboration between Hong Kong and Ireland in financial services.

Delivering a closing keynote speech at the 4th European Financial Forum on 13 February, Mr Lau explained how Hong Kong has evolved from a centre for investment flows and financial services to facilitate Mainland China’s economic reform and opening up to a broader role that encompasses leadership in innovation and technology, sustainable trade and finance. He also highlighted the Hong Kong’s regional connectivity and development in the context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. As regards sustainable finance, the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government has rolled out a Government green bond programme with a ceiling of

over eUR 11 billion, and a Green Bond Grant scheme to support the use of green finance certification. In 2018, green bonds issued in Hong Kong totalled about Us$11 billion.

Mr Lau also held an onstage conversation with the Minister for Finance and Public expenditure and Reform of Ireland, Mr paschal Donohoe, during the closing

International co-operation

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury forged financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Ireland


Mr James Lau (front row, centre) accompanied by the Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Sam Hui (front row, left), met

with representatives from key Fintech companies in Dublin.

session, which included sharing efforts to further financial development in both places.

earlier, Mr Lau attended a Fintech (financial technology) roundtable with representatives from the key Fintech companies in Dublin. He said he was pleased to note that these companies are seeking to leverage Hong Kong as a platform to expand their businesses to Hong Kong, Mainland China and Asia.

He later met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Mr philip lane. They exchanged views on the impact of Brexit, trade friction between China and the

United states as well as Fintech advances in the context of global economic development and financial stability.

while in Dublin, Mr Lau also visited the Irish stock Exchange and held a discussion with aviation financing experts of the standard Chartered Bank to learn more about their experience in boosting aviation market development in Ireland and beyond. He visited Goshawk, an international aircraft leasing company headquartered in Dublin, and another leading aircraft leasing company, Avolon. He shared with the management teams of these companies how Hong Kong and Ireland could step up collaboration in aircraft leasing and work together to capitalise on the vast opportunities ahead.

Mr James Lau (right) with the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Mr

Philip Lane.

Mr Lau (second left), held a discussion with aviation financing experts of the

Standard Chartered Bank to learn more about their experience in boosting

aviation market development in Ireland and beyond.


The Secretary for Food and Health met with healthcare professionals in the Netherlands

Hong Kong’s secretary for Food and Health, professor sophia Chan, visited the Netherlands on 17 and 18 May 2019 to meet with healthcare professionals and learn more about the country’s latest developments in primary healthcare services.

At her visit to the leiden university Medical Center (luMC), a modern university medical centre for research, education and patient care, Professor Chan introduced details of Hong Kong’s primary healthcare development to professor AM van Hemert, professor niels Chavannes, professor Jessica Kiefte-de Jong and professor Douwe Atsma of the LUMC. Professor Chan shared that the Hong Kong special Administrative Region (HKsAR) Government will set up District Health Centres (DHC) progressively in all districts in Hong Kong. The services offered in the DHCs will focus on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, including health promotion, health assessment, chronic disease management and community rehabilitation. with scientific research playing a vital role in public health and primary care, the visit to LUMC has provided useful insight on how DHCs can make use of scientific evidence in enhancing population health.

Professor Chan also visited the headquarters of Buurtzorg nederland in Almelo, a healthcare organisation with a nurse-led system that provides community care in the Netherlands, and met with its Chief executive Officer, Mr Josephus Bernardus Imelda de Blok. Professor Chan noted that the roles and functions of nurses are evolving in response to the development of primary healthcare. Nurses play a crucial role in co-ordinating the services to be provided to patients in a comprehensive manner, serving as case managers in particular in primary care. To effectively change the current focus of Hong Kong’s healthcare services on treatment and to alleviate the pressure on public hospitals, the HKsAR Government is committed to enhancing district-based primary healthcare services with an emphasis on medical-social collaboration and public-private partnership.

Secretary for Food and Health,

Professor Sophia Chan (first

left), is pictured with (from

right) Professor Jessica

Kiefte-de Jong, Professor Niels

Chavannes and Professor

Douwe Atsma during a visit

to Leiden University Medical

Center (17 May 2019).

Professor Sophia Chan learned more about the Netherlands’ latest developments

in primary healthcare services from Professor Douwe Atsma during a visit to

Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands (17 May 2019).

Professor Sophia Chan with the Chief Executive Officer of Buurtzorg

Nederland, Mr Josephus Bernardus Imelda de Blok (17 May 2019).


The Secretary for Justice visited France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands to promote Hong Kong as dispute resolution services centre

Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, met with the Minister for Justice of France, Ms Nicole Belloubet, in Paris on 15 April 2019.

Hong Kong’s secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng sC, visited France (Paris), Luxembourg (Luxembourg City) and the Netherlands (The Hague) from 11 to 16 April 2019 to promote Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services. she also met with leading figures in various sectors to explore opportunities of collaboration on the legal side and called on various courts, government departments and international organisations.

FranceIn Paris, Ms Cheng called on the Minister for Justice of France, Ms nicole Belloubet, to explore further bilateral cooperation in the legal sector including entering into a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen collaboration on issues relating to deal-making and dispute resolution services.

Ms Cheng briefed members of the national Assembly on Hong Kong’s latest developments and legal and dispute resolution services. she spoke at a business luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council on the safeguards and opportunities offered by Hong

Kong legal services in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development plan. she highlighted the unique advantages of Hong Kong under “one country, two systems” in particular Hong Kong’s expertise in deal-making and dispute resolution services.

Later, Ms Cheng attended a conference co-organised by the Hong Kong’s Department of Justice and Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. she stressed that Hong Kong has always been a strategic gateway for foreign businesses to tap in the Mainland market. Hong Kong is also the springboard for Mainland companies, including the Chinese state-owned entities, to “go global”. The panel of experts in the conference acknowledged that the Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region signed on 2 April 2019 has strengthened Hong Kong as a hub of legal and dispute resolution services centre. Following the conference, Ms Cheng joined a cocktail reception hosted by Invest Hong Kong to meet with the legal and business sectors in Paris.

Ms Cheng visited the International Chamber in the Commercial Courts of paris to meet with its President, Mr paul-louis netter, and gave an introduction of the laws and legal system of Hong Kong.

she then arrived at the Cour de Cassation to have meetings with Prosecutor General, Mr François Molins,

and Judge Dominique Hascher respectively. Ms Cheng highlighted that the principle of “one country, two systems” and the rule of law have been successfully implemented and upheld in Hong Kong. she also gave a brief account of the Arrangement (see above) and the relevant provisions of Third Party Funding of Arbitration.


Ms Teresa Cheng (second right), with the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam (first left);

the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips (second left); and the Regional Director, Europe, of the Hong Kong Trade Development

Council, Mr William Chui (first right), at a cocktail reception hosted by Invest Hong Kong in Paris on 11 April 2019.

Ms Teresa Cheng (second left), meets with the Prosecutor General of the Cour de Cassation, Mr François Molins (first right), in Paris on 15 April 2019.


Ms Teresa Cheng at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg with Judge Christopher Vajda on 12 April 2019.

At The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), Ms Teresa

Cheng (third right) met with the Secretary General of HCCH, Dr Christophe

Bernasconi (third left) (17 April).

Ms Teresa Cheng with Judge Peter Tomka at the International Court of

Justice (17 April 2019).

Luxembourg and the NetherlandsIn Luxembourg, Ms Cheng visited the Court of Justice of the European union in the morning of 12 April 2019, meeting with Judge Christopher vajda, Judge Bay larsen and Advocate General Eleanor sharpston.

On 16 April 2019, Ms Cheng visited various international legal/judicial institutes in The Hague, the Netherlands. Ms Cheng first called on Judge peter Tomka of the International Court of Justice, who was glad to note the judicial independence and sound legal system in Hong Kong as well as the development of Hong Kong as an international arbitration centre.

Ms Cheng then proceeded to The Hague Academy of International law where she met with the secretary-General, professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin, to exchange views on capacity building in international law and explore collaboration opportunities.

At The Hague Conference on private International law, Ms Cheng met with its secretary General, Dr Christophe Bernasconi, to exchange views on international legal co-operation and explore further opportunities of collaboration on the legal side through its Asia Pacific Regional Office in Hong Kong.

Ms Cheng also met with the secretary-General of the permanent Court of Arbitration, Mr Hugo siblesz, and the executive Director of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, Ms lise Bosman.

special Representative for Hong Kong economic and Trade Affairs to the european Union, Ms shirley lam, met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Belgian Federal Government, Mr Kris peeters, on 15 May 2019. Ms Lam took the opportunity to update Mr Peeters on the latest developments in Hong Kong, including the commissioning of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-shenzhen-Hong Kong express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, as well as the opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

Hong Kong and Italy signed an agreement in Hong Kong on 5 July 2019 for the establishment of a bilateral working Holiday scheme for young people of the two places. Under the agreement, young people from each side may apply for a visa which will allow them to stay in Italy or Hong Kong for up to 12 months. During the period, they may work to finance their stay or study short-term courses. The annual quota from each side will be 500. subject to the completion of internal procedures of both sides, the commencement date of the working Holiday scheme between Hong Kong and Italy will be announced in due course.

The agreement was signed by the Hong Kong’s secretary for Labour and welfare, Dr law Chi-kwong, and the Under secretary of state, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of the Italian Republic, Mr Manlio Di stefano. welcoming the establishment of the scheme with Italy, Dr Law said the agreement will enable young people in Hong Kong and Italy to broaden their horizons and gain living and working experience in a foreign culture, as well as further reinforce our bilateral ties.

Mr Di stefano said the agreement would provide the Italian youth with a new and unique opportunity to experience living, studying and working in Hong Kong. wishing young people from Hong Kong will take advantage of the scheme to enjoy Italy as well, he said, “Investing in our youth is the best way to foster the ancient friendship between Italy and Hong Kong.”

The scheme with Italy is Hong Kong’s 14th bilateral working Holiday scheme. since 2001, Hong Kong has established working Holiday schemes arrangements with New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Canada, Korea, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Hungary, sweden and the Netherlands. Details of visa application procedures for applicants from Hong Kong

will be available on the website of the Consulate General of Italy in

Hong Kong at https://conshongkong.esteri.it/consolato_hongkong/en/

in due course.

Once the scheme has become effective, applicants from Italy may

contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department by telephone on

(+852) 2824 6111 or obtain the necessary information from the

department’s website https://www.immd.gov.hk.


<-- Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the

European Union, Ms Shirley Lam (left) and the Deputy Prime Minister of the

Belgian Federal Government, Mr Kris Peeters (right).

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, and Under

Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

of Italy, Mr Manlio Di Stefano, at the Working Holiday Scheme agreement

signing ceremony on 5 July 2019.

Special Representative Shirley Lam met with Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Kris Peeters

Hong Kong and Italy sign Working Holiday Scheme agreement

Hong Kong has extended its network of Mutual recognition of Funds (MRF) agreements. Hong Kong’s market regulator, the securities and Futures Commission (sFC), signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the regulators of luxembourg and the netherlands on 15 January and 15 May 2019 respectively.

The MRF is a bilateral regulatory framework which allows mutual funds of two markets to be distributed to retail investors in each market through a streamlined authorisation process, offering investors greater choice and diversification in their investments.

Previously Hong Kong had signed MRF agreements with Mainland China, switzerland, France and the united Kingdom (UK). Through the schemes, fund managers in Hong Kong can gain access to a large pool of international investors. Inversely, investors from France, switzerland, the UK, Luxembourg and the Netherlands can increase their exposure to Asian markets benefitting from the expertise of local fund managers. For swiss, French, Luxembourg and Dutch asset managers, the MRF complements the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable securities (UCITs) funds framework. The MOUs also establishes a framework for exchange of information and regulatory cooperation in relation to the cross-border offering of eligible Hong Kong public funds and UCITs funds.

Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance, Mr pierre Gramegna, who was in Hong Kong to speak at the plenary session of the 12th Asian Financial Forum held in January 2019, said the MRF agreement is important for the long term development of the fund industry between Hong Kong and Luxembourg. It will allow a faster approval process of standard retail fund products and more fund choices

for investors in both markets. He underlined that a high percentage of UCITs funds sold in Hong Kong are domiciled in Luxembourg, which shows that there are strong links between the two places.

A board member of the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), Mr Gerben Everts, said this newly established bridge between the Netherlands and Hong Kong constitutes an important stepping stone for the Dutch asset management industry seeking to develop activities in Asia. The AFM looked forward to the opportunities this agreement will bring to its market, as well as to the enhanced cooperation between the AFM and the sFC.

The sFC’s Chief executive Officer, Mr Ashley Alder, said the sFC will continue to expand the mutual recognition of funds arrangements with other jurisdictions as part of its commitment to develop Hong Kong into an international asset management centre.


The Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures

Commission (SFC), Mr Ashley Alder (left in the front)

and the Director of the Commission de Surveillance

du Secteur Financier, Mr Marco Zwick (right in the

front) signed the Memorandum of Understanding on

Luxembourg-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds

on 15 January 2019. Back from left: SFC’s Executive

Director of Investment Products Division, Ms Christina

Choi; Deputy Secretary (Financial Services) of the Hong

Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Mr

Chris Sun; SFC’s Chairman, Mr Tim Lui; Luxembourg’s

Minister of Finance, Mr Pierre Gramegna; Director of

the Treasury of Luxembourg’s Ministry of Finance, Ms

Isabelle Goubin and Luxembourg’s Ambassador to

China, Mr Marc Hübsch.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC),

Mr Ashley Alder (right), and the Board Member of the Dutch Authority for the

Financial Markets, Mr Gerben Everts, signed the Memorandum of Understanding

on Netherlands-Hong Kong Mutual Recognition of Funds on 15 May 2019.

Economy and Finance

Hong Kong in mutual recognition of funds agreements with Luxembourg and the Netherlands


The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) co-hosted a series of business seminars to promote Hong Kong as the gateway to Mainland China and the best place to tap opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) development.

Athens and Limassol: Tremendous opportunities for foreign businesses that partner with Hong Kong

The HKeTO, Brussels concluded its Chinese New Year events with two business seminars, one in Athens, Greece, on 21 March 2019, the other in Limassol, Cyprus, on 28 March 2019. The business seminar “Business opportunities in Hong Kong” in Athens was organised by the HKETO, Brussels in co-operation with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the sEv-Hellenic Federation of Enterprises. In Limassol, the second biggest city in Cyprus, the HKeTO, Brussels organised the business seminar “way to enter the Chinese market via Hong Kong” in co-operation with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cyprus-China Business Association, InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

The Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, told participants that connecting with Hong Kong can help people and businesses excel in the huge markets of Mainland China and the Asian region. she pointed out that Hong Kong continues to be a staunch supporter of free trade and open markets and enjoys free flows of capital, goods, talent and information. The city is also a hub for professional services, from financial and legal to architectural, maritime, aviation, communications and many more.

Miss Chau underlined that the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area development will offer tremendous trade opportunities for Hong Kong businesses as well as foreign businesses that partner with Hong Kong. she added that the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government is making substantial investments in innovation and technology (I&T) as Hong Kong’s future will also be powered by I&T and the high value-added economy.

Milan: Hong Kong can help Italian entrepreneurs to connect and excel in Asia

The business seminar “Hong Kong engine of Asian economy: Opportunities for exports and Innovation for Italian Companies” held in Milan, Italy, on 17 January 2019 was co-organised by the HKETO, Brussels and InvestHK, with the support of the HKTDC and the Italian Association of Foreign Trade. The Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, told Italian entrepreneurs that Hong Kong’s unparalleled knowledge of the Mainland market and its deep economic connections with the Mainland, Asia and the rest of the world continue to make Hong Kong their best business partner. Miss Chau said that connecting with Hong Kong can help people and businesses succeed in Asia. she told the participants about Hong Kong’s major investment in mega infrastructure projects, which aim to greatly enhance Hong Kong’s connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, the Mainland and the world. Other speakers at the seminar and the cocktail reception included the Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Mr stephen phillips. The business seminar was followed by a cocktail reception co-hosted by the HKeTO, Brussels and InvestHK in co-operation with Copernico, an Italian start-up development and acceleration platform.

Milan (17 January 2019) - The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels,

Miss Fiona Chau, updated Italian entrepreneurs on Hong Kong business

opportunities.

Business Events

Why Hong Kong is the best place to tap Belt and Road, Greater Bay Area opportunities: business seminars in Athens, Limassol, Milan, Pulsano, Vincenza and Rotterdam

During her visit to Milan, Miss Chau met with the President of the Lombardy Regional Government, Mr Attilio Fontana, and the Minister of Finance of the Lombardy Regional Government, Mr Davide Carlo Caparini, and updated them on the latest developments in Hong Kong. she also met with representatives of the Italian Association of Industrial Design and researchers of the Italian think-tank, Italian Institute for International political studies.

Pulsano: Hong Kong can give Italian entrepreneurs peace of mind

The HKeTO, Brussels held a business seminar in Pulsano, Italy, on 1 February 2019 in co-operation with the HKTDC and InvestHK. The Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, told Italian entrepreneurs that Hong Kong’s business-friendly environment has been widely recognised, with various international research organisations naming Hong Kong respectively as the world’s freest economy, the second most competitive

economy, the world’s third financial centre, the fourth easiest place to do business and the fifth safest city in the world. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy in conducting its external trade relations. Hong Kong respects and upholds the rule of law, and the common law system practised by Hong Kong, underpinned by an independent judiciary, gives entrepreneurs peace of mind whether in getting started, raising capital, mergers and acquisitions or resolving disputes. These fundamental strengths make Hong Kong the place to be for Italian companies seeking to expand in Mainland China and other parts of Asia, she said.

During her visit to Pulsano, Miss Chau met with the Mayor of Pulsano, Mr Francesco lupoli, representatives of business federations and companies, and academics.

Vincenza: Hong Kong is a fertile start-up environment that can help turn ideas into reality

On 3 April 2019, the Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, spoke at the business seminar “Hong Kong: the engine driving the Asian economy” in Vicenza, Italy, which was co-organised by the HKETO, Brussels, InvestHK, the HKTDC together with two local partners, namely nuovo Centro Estero veneto and Made in vicenza. Representatives of Italian companies shared their success stories of doing business in Hong Kong and the business seminar was followed by a networking lunch. Miss Chau outlined Hong Kong’s fundamental strengths as financial, trade and logistic centre. she pointed out that Hong Kong enterprises and professionals can offer business networks and world-class services. with I&T a major priority of the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government, innovative Italian companies would also find opportunities in Hong Kong, and the city’s fertile start-up environment could help Italian entrepreneurs turn great ideas into reality.


Pulsano (1 February 2019) - The Deputy Representative of the HKETO,

Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, told Italian entrepreneurs that Hong Kong is an

ideal place for Italian companies to seek to expand in Mainland China and

other parts of Asia.

Vincenza (3 April 2019) - The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels,

Miss Fiona Chau, suggested to Italian entrepreneurs that they can make

use of Hong Kong’s business networks and world-class services to seize the

business opportunities in Mainland China and Asia.

Milan (18 January 2019) - The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels,

Miss Fiona Chau (first right), met with the President of the Lombardy

Regional Government, Mr Attilio Fontana (second left). The Director-General

of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips (second right), and the

Minister of Finance of the Lombardy Regional Government, Mr Davide Carlo

Caparini (first left), also attended the meeting.

Rotterdam: Hong Kong to lead the way in key Greater Bay Area sectors

The HKeTO, Brussels co-hosted a series of events in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on 2 July 2019. Jointly organised by the HKETO, Brussels, the HKTDC, InvestHK and the netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, the events started with a business seminar on business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area. The Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau said that aspirations for the Greater Bay Area development are very high. “The Greater Bay Area’s wide-ranging strengths, diversified markets and far-reaching development opportunities herald a new economic era for Hong Kong. I&T, advanced manufacturing, high-end services, trade, transport and more will drive the economy of the Greater Bay Area and meet growing

middle-class aspirations. And Hong Kong will be at its fast-beating economic heart,” she said. Miss Chau added that Hong Kong will lead the way in several key sectors, from financial and professional services to trade and transport, as well as playing a vital role in I&T. Dutch companies are welcome to partner with Hong Kong in seizing the enormous opportunities of the Greater Bay Area, which has a population of more than 70 million people, she said. The Director of Research of the HKTDC, Mr nicholas Kwan, gave a detailed account of the background, purpose and opportunities of the Greater Bay Area.

The business seminar was followed by a cocktail reception and dinner. The Commissioner of Inclusive Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Office of Hong Kong’s Department of Justice, Dr James Ding, also attended the dinner and gave a keynote speech to promote Hong Kong as a legal and dispute resolution services centre for the Greater Bay Area.

The colourful Hong Kong Pavilion was back at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) this year, featuring Hong Kong’s excellent books, printing techniques and electronic books from 1 to 4 April 2019.

with “soaring Creativity” as its theme, the Hong Kong publishing Federation and the Hong Kong printers Association jointly set up the Hong Kong Pavilion with the support of Create Hong Kong and the Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels, whose Deputy Representative, Miss Fiona Chau, officiated at the opening ceremony on 1 April 2019.

As the world’s leading professional fair for children’s books, BCBF, held every year in Bologna, Italy, is an ideal platform to promote Hong Kong’s publishing and printing industry by showcasing its achievements and creativity to the world. It also helps Hong Kong publishers and printers develop new markets and facilitates exchanges

with their counterparts worldwide. Guests at the opening could also enjoy a favorite Hong Kong food, Hong Kong-style waffles.


Hong Kong’s “Soaring Creativity” on display at Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Rotterdam (2 July 2019) - The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels,

Miss Fiona Chau, spoke at the business seminar of the events to promote

Greater Bay Area to Dutch companies.

Rotterdam (2 July 2019) - The business seminar co-hosted by the HKETO, Brussels.

Traders attending the Bologna Children’s Book Fair visit the Hong Kong Pavilion.

with the support of the Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels and Create Hong Kong, the Fashion Farm Foundation (FFF) presented the autumn/winter collections of eight fashion labels by young designers from Hong Kong at the Paris fashion week in February 2019.

special Representative for Hong Kong economic and Trade Affairs to the european Union, Ms shirley lam, was the Guest of Honour at the fashion presentation, which was

attended by global fashion practitioners, buyers and the media.

In her speech, Ms Lam highlighted the importance of the creative industries and fashion design to Hong Kong’s economy and culture. she outlined various tailor-made programmes and fashion related events organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre. she also praised the contributions by FFF in promoting Hong Kong’s fashion overseas.

The Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) gave talks at two universities in Italy, one in the Netherlands and one in Belgium so far this year, continuing to reach out to students in europe as part of the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government’s efforts to attract overseas talents to Hong Kong. The Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, briefed students at the four universities about the abundant postgraduate study and career opportunities in Hong Kong.

On 2 April 2019, she gave a presentation to a group of 30 students at the Bocconi university in Milan, Italy. The students, who were to visit Hong Kong for In-Company Training on 15-18 April 2019, were particularly keen to find out more about Hong Kong and its career opportunities. During their visit to Hong Kong, the students would be divided into two separate groups, one which would visit companies in the fashion/retail industry, and the other that would focus on financial companies and institutions.

The other presentations were given at the rotterdam school of Management of the Erasmus university in

Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on 21 February 2019, the university for Foreigners of siena in siena, Italy, on 13 May 2019, and at a workshop of the Asian Business Topics course of the Thomas More university of Applied sciences in Mechelen, Belgium, on 24 May 2019.

For more information on why you should consider Hong Kong to

further your education or your career, information on immigration

facilitation and the Hong Kong Talent List which highlights specific

professionals Hong Kong needs most, please go to

https://www.talentlist.gov.hk/en/


The Deputy Representative

of the Hong Kong

Economic and Trade Office

in Brussels, Miss Fiona

Chau, briefed students

at the University for

Foreigners of Siena on

the abundant study and

career opportunities in

Hong Kong.

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam (5th from right in the front), talked to the Hong Kong

designers to better understand their needs and challenges in developing their own brands and exploring overseas opportunities.

Young Hong Kong designers in Paris fashion presentation

Careers

Seeking overseas talents: HKETO, Brussels reached out to students in Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium

Creative Industries

The Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) organised Chinese New Year receptions and related events in 12 european cities between 22 January and 28 March 2019 to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Pig. The events in Izmir, Dublin, The Hague, Milan, paris, luxembourg, Brussels, lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens and limassol were attended by a total of over 2 000 guests, comprising officials from european Union institutions, the diplomatic corps, local and national governments, business people, media representatives, representatives of research institutes,

academics, and members of the Hong Kong community in europe.

Officiating at the receptions, the special Representative for Hong Kong economic and Trade Affairs to the european Union, Ms shirley lam, highlighted the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, which protects Hong Kong’s fundamental strengths, as well as the high degree of autonomy and the freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong.


The Hague (6 February 2019) - Toasting at the reception (from left): Regional Director, Europe, of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr William Chui; the

Director (Asia and Pacific Affairs) of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr Peter Potman; Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the

European Union, Ms Shirley Lam; Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Chen Ribiao; Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, Mr Hans

Poulis; and Consul General of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, Ms Annemieke Ruigrok.

Luxembourg (13 February 2019) - Special Representative for Hong Kong

Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, met with

Luxembourg Minister of Finance, Mr Pierre Gramegna, at the reception.

Luxembourg (13 February 2019) - From left: Director-General of the Luxembourg

Chamber of Commerce, Mr Carlo Thelen; Special Representative for Hong

Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam; the

Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, Mr Pierre Gramegna; Minister of Family

Affairs and Integration cum Minister of the Greater Region of Luxembourg,

Ms Corinne Cahen; and Chinese Ambassador to Luxembourg, Mr Huang

Changqing, at the reception .

Chinese New Year

HKETO, Brussels hosts events in 12 European cities to celebrate the Year of the Pig


Paris (11 February 2019) - The Cy Leo Electronic Trio performance at the Chinese New Year reception in Paris.

Brussels (19 February 2019) - Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic

and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, addresses guests at

the reception.

Invited by the HKETO, Brussels, the Cy Leo Electronic Trio performed at the

Chinese New Year receptions in The Hague, Paris and Brussels respectively.

Photo shows the vibrant performance of the Trio at the reception in Brussels.

“Hong Kong has braved many challenges in the past and emerged even stronger than before each time. The magic that has enabled us to do so is the continuous openness of our society that allows free flow of people, information, capital and goods in and out of Hong Kong,” Ms Lam said.

“In 2018 we saw a 6.4% increase in the number of Mainland and overseas companies setting up in Hong Kong – the total number has now reached almost 9 000, and 17% of them use Hong Kong as their regional

headquarters or offices. Hong Kong’s rule of law and business-friendly environment provide the greatest certainty to do business. In fact, the Heritage Foundation has just named Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world for 25 years in a row,” Ms Lam continued.

Noting that more than 80 000 foreign professionals are working in Hong Kong, Ms Lam added that Hong Kong has a big pool of international talents who can be tapped by companies making investments in the city. However, Hong Kong wants to see even more talents move to


Hong Kong, she said. Ms Lam also emphasised that in the coming years, Hong Kong will continue to boost its innovation and technology sector, and the city stands to play an important role in two national strategies of Mainland China.

“I am sure our services will be indispensable for foreign participants in the Belt and Road Initiative projects,”

Ms Lam said, referring to Hong Kong’s financial and professional services, deep debt and equity capital markets, and high degree of integration with the world economy, as well as its role as an international arbitration centre. Hong Kong is also expected to be the international finance, navigation and trade centre, as well as a transport hub, for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

Brussels (19 February 2019) - From right: Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel; Regional Director, Europe, of the Hong Kong Trade

Development Council, Mr William Chui; Ambassador, Head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, Mr Zhang Ming; Special Representative for Hong

Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam; European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Mr Miguel Arias Cañete;

Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, Mr Cao Zhong Ming; and the Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with China, Mr Jo Leinen, at the

reception.

Lisbon (7 March 2019) - From left: Member of the Board of Portuguese

Chamber of Commerce, Mr Miguel Horta e Costa; Director General at

Directorate General for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Innovation,

Ms Fernanda Ferreira Dias; Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Mr Cai Run;

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the

European Union, Ms Shirley Lam; and Regional Director, Europe, of the HKTDC,

Mr William Chui, propose a toast at the reception. Madrid (12 March 2019) - Lion dance at the reception.


The work of more than 30 Hong Kong comics artists was showcased at the 46th Angoulême International Comics Festival in France from 24 to 27 January 2019.

with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) and Create Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) and Comix Home Base presented the exhibition “OUAT (Once Upon a Time) Hong Kong Comics Touring exhibition”, featuring the classics and new works of drama comics, i.e., full-length comics stories.

Five Hong Kong artists, namely samson Chu, Dolly lee, siu-fung Mak, Kin-leung lee and yanai met with readers and industry professionals from all over the world in the Festival. Their live drawing demonstrations gave visitors a glimpse of the creation processes and their specific skills. They also gave autograph sessions and talks. Two other industry professionals, the founder of the comics social media and publisher zbfghk, Karman leung, and comics editor Henry pang also attended the Festival.

To expand the reach of Hong Kong comics, for the first time the HKAC also had a booth at the Festival’s International Rights and Licensing Market to present Hong Kong comic books in French and in english to potential overseas publishers and professionals.

speaking at the opening cocktail for the OUAT! Hong Kong Comics Touring exhibition on Friday 25 January 2019, the Deputy Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Mr sam Hui, said the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government supports the development of comics and animation, which have always been an important and popular element of Hong Kong’s popular culture.

Mr Hui also underlined that Hong Kong maintains the protection of intellectual property rights to the highest international standards, keeping our copyright regime under regular review in pace with the rapid development of the digital economy to ensure that Hong Kong remains a place where creativity and talent can flourish.

The exhibition “OUAT (Once Upon a Time) Hong Kong Comics Touring Exhibition” at the Angoulême International Comics Festival showcased the work of more

than 30 Hong Kong comics artists.

Culture

Hong Kong comics industry at Angoulême International Comics Festival


Ms Connie lam, executive Director of the HKAC, then spoke about the Hong Kong comics industry and the activities of the Comix Home Base. This was followed by exchanges with the Hong Kong artists and professionals, who interacted with the audience.

Founded in 1974, the Angoulême International Comics Festival is europe’s best-known comics festival. Hong

Kong artists first made a major impact at the festival in 2011, when the “Kaleidoscope” exhibition on the history of Hong Kong comics since the 1960s and the participation of a group of comic artists and publishers put Hong Kong comics in the spotlight. This year was the sixth time HKAC represented Hong Kong comics artists and professionals at the Festival.

The third edition of the “legends of lion Dance” exhibition was another huge success this year. Held at Antwerp’s main public library, Bibliotheek Permeke, from 18 January until 10 February 2019, the exhibition showcased Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, traditional crafts and Cantonese opera to celebrate the Chinese New Year. with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) and the Belgium-Hong Kong society, Tofoe Asian Events, a non-profit-making organisation established by Hong Kong second-generation community members in Antwerp, presented 12 unique lion heads made and embroidered in Hong Kong.

Visitors could learn how lion heads are made, the meaning of the lion dance, the traditions of Chinese New Year and their importance in Hong Kong culture. They could also discover the meaning of the Chinese horoscope. Moreover, on the occasion of the opening of the Xiqu Centre in the west Kowloon Cultural District of Hong Kong (see page 4-5), this year’s exhibition also introduced visitors to Cantonese Opera, with some Cantonese Opera costumes from Hong Kong being displayed in the exhibition.

Assistant Representative of the HKeTO, Brussels, Mr Jeffrey Chim, and two Aldermen of the City of Antwerp,

Alderman for sports, Diamonds, and Markets, Mr ludo van Campenhout, and Alderman for Finance, Mobility, City Parks, Retailers and Decentralisation, Mr Koen Kennis, officiated at the opening reception on 18 January 2019, which featured an expertly-performed lion dance attended by over 80 guests.

“Legends of Lion Dance” exhibition showcased Hong Kong’s cultural heritage in Belgium

Artistic Director of the Angoulême

Comics Festival, Mr Stéphane

Beaujean (far left); the Director of

the HKAC, Ms Connie Lam (second

left); five Hong Kong Comics

artists; three comics professionals

and the Deputy Representative

of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Sam

Hui (far right) celebrating at

the opening reception of the

exhibition.

Assistant Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Jeffrey Chim (first right)

officiated at the opening of the Legends of Lion Dance exhibition. With him

are Mr Joe Choi of exhibition organiser Tofoe Events (first left); Alderman for

Finance, Mobility, City Parks, Retailers and Decentralisation of the City of

Antwerp, Mr Koen Kennis (third right); and Chairman of the Belgium-Hong

Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel (second right).


Hong Kong artist Shirley Tse at the 58th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, until 24 November 2019

M+, at the west Kowloon Cultural District, and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) are presenting the exhibition Shirley Tse: Stakeholders, Hong Kong in Venice as Hong Kong’s Collateral event at the 58th International Art exhibition – la Biennale di venezia.

This marks the fourth collaboration between M+ and the HKADC, presenting the best of Hong Kong contemporary art and curatorship to a wide international audience in Venice, Italy.

Over the past two decades, Los Angeles-based Hong Kong artist Ms shirley Tse, the Robert Fitzpatrick Chair in Art at the California Institute of the Arts since 2001, has addressed the various meanings and possible interpretations of materials and things. The exhibition in Venice presents a new body of site-responsive work by Ms Tse that contemplates a model for how we relate to each other, in ways that counter the logic that has produced our tumultuous times. In line with the overarching theme of this edition of the Biennale - titled

May You Live in Interesting Times and curated by Ralph Rugoff – Ms Tse uses the medium of sculpture to translate her thought process into physical form with two large-scale works: Negotiated Differences and Playcourt.

The exhibition is curated by Ms Christina li, an internationally active curator based in Hong Kong and Amsterdam. This is the second time M+ has appointed and engaged a guest curator from the rapidly growing community of contemporary art practitioners. In the previous edition of the Biennale in 2017, Mr ying Kwok was the guest curator for the solo presentation of the work of Mr samson young.

Officiating at the inauguration of the exhibition, Mrs Cherry Tse, Hong Kong’s Permanent secretary for Home Affairs, Mr wilfred wong, the Chairman of the HKADC, and Mr Duncan pescod the Chief executive Officer of the west Kowloon Cultural District Authority were joined by the special Representative for Hong Kong economic and Trade Affairs to the european Union, Ms shirley lam.

At the inauguration of the exhibtion, artist Ms Shirley Tse (sixth left) was joined by Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse (fifth left), Chairman

of the HKADC, Mr Wilfred Wong (fourth left), Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Duncan Pescod (second left), the

Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam (third right), the curators and other guests.


Mrs Cherry Tse said Hong Kong is emerging as an arts and cultural metropolis. To promote diversity and creativity, the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government has put in place a rich range of funding, support, and exchange programmes that benefit artists both directly and indirectly through collaboration with non-governmental agencies such as the HKADC. “with the concerted effort of the Government, private sector, and numerous arts organisations, a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem is in place where artists can continue to grow and flourish,” she said.

Mr Duncan Pescod noted that this edition is the west Kowloon Cultural District and M+’s last presentation in Venice before the opening of the permanent home of M+, Hong Kong’s museum of twentieth- and twenty-first-century visual culture in the district, at the end of 2020 or in early 2021. Exhibition website: https://www.vbexhibitions.hk

Organisers’ websites:

M+: https://www.mplus.org.hk

HKADC: http://www.hkadc.org.hk

Ms Shirley Tse with “Negotiated Differences”. (Photo by Ela Bialkowska, OKNO Studio, courtesy of M+ and the artist)

During her visit to Venice, Permanent

Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs

Cherry Tse (second left), took the

opportunity to meet with the Director

of the Directorate for International

Relations, Communication and SISTAR

(Regional Statistical System) of the

Veneto Regional Government, Mr

Diego Vecchiato (second right). She

was accompanied by the Special

Representative for Hong Kong Economic

and Trade Affairs to the European Union,

Ms Shirley Lam (first right) and the

Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong

Economic and Trade Office in Brussels,

Miss Fiona Chau (first left).


Ten Hong Kong artists and music professionals, supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), took part in the 2019 Classical:Next music international music exhibition and conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 15 to 18 May 2019.

some outstanding Hong Kong music productions were presented at the event, notably the production “Music in Anticlockwise”, a media music performance created by Hong Kong contemporary composer, GayBird leung, which he performed together with Australian Zephry Quartet. The work was selected as one of the official showcase programmes of Classical:NeXT.

A Hong Kong booth set up by HKADC at the exhibition of Classical:NeXT introduced the Hong Kong music scene.

The Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) supported the participation of Hong Kong films in nine film festivals in europe in 2018/19 (from April 2018 to March 2019), the last being the CinemAsia Film Festival 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, held from 5 to 10 March 2019.

CinemAsia

speaking at the closing ceremony of the CinemAsia Film Festival on 10 March, the Deputy Representative of HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, said the vibrant atmosphere of Hong Kong, with its eastern heritage and western influences, creates an environment that encourages creativity and diversity.

Hong Kong films have gained increasing recognition from the international film industry over the years, with young talents on the rise. First-time film director Jun li’s film Tracey, which was screened at the CinemAsia Film Festival 2019, had been nominated in nine categories, including the Best New Director category, in the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards held in April 2019.

Miss Chau remarked that Jessey Tsang’s film The lady Improper, which would be screened that evening in its european premiere, contained a fine performance by

Charlene Choi, who has been nominated for the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards in the Best Actress category.

“I am delighted Mary stephen, Jessey Tsang and Jun Li, are able to be here tonight. Mary stephen, one of Hong Kong’s most distinguished editors and directors, also gave a masterclass at the Festival,” Miss Chau said, adding that the Festival also screened the Dutch premiere of stanley Kwan’s First night nerves.

Hong Kong artists and musicians at Classical: Next in Rotterdam

HKETO, Brussels supported Hong Kong films at nine international film festivals in Europe in 2018/19

The Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in

Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), Miss Fiona Chau, visited the Hong Kong booth at

the exhibition of Classical:Next. Photo shows (from left) Miss Anne Chan, Arts

Development Senior Manager of the HKADC; Ms Winsome Chow, Chief Executive

of HKADC; Miss Fiona Chau; representative of the organiser of Classical:Next and

the Assistant Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Mr Henry Tsoi.

From left: the Managing Director of the CinemAsia Film Festival, Ms Pan Hui-hui;

the Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau; the Artistic

Director of the CinemAsia Film Festival, Ms Maggie Lee; filmmaker Mary Stephen

and film director Jessey Tsang are pictured at the closing ceremony of CinemAsia

Film Festival 2019.


still Human, a touching story about a wheelchair-bound man and his Filipina caregiver, won the Black Dragon Critic’s Award and top Audience Award at the 21st Far east Film Festival (FeFF) in Udine, Italy, held from 26 April to 4 May 2019.

The award-winning movie, by first-time director Oliver Chan, was supported by the First Feature Film Initiative launched by the Hong Kong special Administrative Region Government to nurture talent and promote Hong Kong’s film industry.

Another highlight of this year’s FeFF was a tribute to Hong Kong actor Anthony wong Chau-sang, who received the Golden Mulberry for Outstanding Achievement Award of FeFF. His most recent role was in still Human, and FeFF also screened his debut in My name Ain’t suzie.

with the support of the Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) and Create Hong Kong, eight Hong Kong films were screened at the festival, namely A Home with a view by Herman yau; Hotel soul Good by yan pak-wing; Missbehavior by pang

Ho-cheung; Three Husbands by Fruit Chan; still Human by Oliver Chan; Master Z: The Ip Man legacy by yuen woo-ping; Bodies at rest by renny Harlin; and project Gutenberg by Felix Chong.

Two other Hong Kong films were screened in “The Odd Couple” section of this year’s FeFF, in which an iconic western film faces off with its eastern counterpart. The two pairs of “cinematographic twins” were Angie Chen’s My name Ain’t suzie from Hong Kong as a response to richard Quine’s The world of suzie wong from the United states (Us), and ringo lam’s City on Fire from Hong Kong, which was paired with Quentin Tarantino’s reservoir Dogs from the Us.

Other film industry members from Hong Kong who attended this year’s FeFF were director yan pak-wing, writer yim Ka-yee and producer yvonne Chuang for Hotel Good soul; director Oliver Chan and actress Crisel Consunji for still Human; actresses June lam and yanki Ting for Missbehavior; director Angie Chen for My Name Ain’t suzie; and actress Chloe Maayan for Three Husbands.

The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau (sixth left), with representatives from the Hong Kong film industry and the Far East

Film Festival.

Hong Kong film wins top award at the 21st Far East Film Festival in Udine

A thematic exhibition at CHAT earlier this year.

Hong Kong’s flourishing art scene is continuing its steady expansion, with the addition of non-profit making art facilities like Tai Kwun - a former magistracy, prison and police station transformed into an arts venue - and the latest addition to the scene, The Mills.

The former cotton spinning mills of Nan Fung Textiles in Tsuen wan, The Mills is a landmark revitalization project from the Nan Fung Group. It consists of a business incubator for textile-related and wearable technology start-ups, experiential retail, and a non-profit cultural institution, the Centre for Heritage and Textile (CHAT).

CHAT’s multi-faceted programmes, which include exhibitions and co-learning programmes, invite visitors to experience the spirit of the innovative legacy of Hong Kong’s textile industry and engage in new dialogues and inspirational journeys that interweave contemporary art, design, science, heritage, community and craftsmanship.

From 28 July until 3 November 2019, CHAT will present Gathering Delights, Hong Kong’s first-ever large-scale solo exhibition of Indian artist n s Harsha, presenting India’s textile heritage and contemporary art.

The Mills - Former textile factory gets a new lease of life as an arts complex


The Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKeTO, Brussels) continued to promote Hong Kong films in 2019/20 (from April 2019 to March 2020), starting with the 37th Brussels International Fantasy, Fantastic, Thriller and science Fiction Film Festival (BIFFF), which took place at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium, from 9 to 21 April 2019.

The 37th BIFFF screened five Hong Kong films: Bodies at rest by renny Harlin, Chasing the Dragon by wong Jing and Jason Kwan, Golden Job by Chin Kar-lok, The Golden Monk by Billy Chung and wong Jing and Kung Fu Monster by Andrew lau. Among them, Kung Fu Monster was chosen as the festival’s special screening for school children aged 9 to 12, introducing the younger generation to fantasy films.

A reception hosted by HKeTO, Brussels on 17 April 2019 to highlight the participation of Hong Kong films in the BIFFF was followed by a screening of Bodies at Rest. The Deputy Representative of HKeTO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, said Hong Kong films are the strongest testimony of the vibrant creativity and unique culture of the city.

The Deputy Representative of the HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona

Chau (centre), with the Director of BIFFF, Mr Guy Delmote

(left), and the Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society,

Mr Piet Steel (right), at the reception.

Brussels International Fantasy, Fantastic, Thriller and Science Fiction Film Festival (BIFFF)

News summer 2019

This newsletter is issued by the Hong Kong economic and Trade Office in Brussels, the official representation of the Hong Kong special Administrative

Region Government to the european Union and 14 of its Member states, and to Turkey. Please contact us if you wish to subscribe/unsubscribe.

For the latest information, please see our website at www.news.gov.hk

editor: Linda sansbury

Hong Kong economic and Trade Office

118 rue d’Arlon, 1040 Brussels

T. +32 2 775 00 88

e-mail: [email protected] DesIGN & LAYOUT: www.weBC.Be

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