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HKETO, Brussels celebrates Chinese New Year across Europe and highlights Hong Kong's exciting year ahead (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. The receptions, held in Luxembourg (February 12), Lisbon, Portugal (February 17), The Hague, the Netherlands (February 20), and Bucharest, Romania (February 25), were well-received by distinguished guests and partners.

     The receptions provided an opportunity to reflect on Hong Kong's achievements and share the city's vision. HKETO, Brussels emphasised Hong Kong's dynamic calendar of world-class events that solidify its reputation as “Events Capital of Asia”.  Stepping into 2025 with great dynamism and enthusiasm, Hong Kong is set to host an array of high-profile events spanning business, sports, arts, and culture. "Hong Kong is entering the new year with energy and glamour, full of exciting events that highlight our dynamic cosmopolitan spirit," stated the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung.

     In 2024, Hong Kong recorded 45 million international arrivals, nearly 10 000 foreign and Mainland companies, 2 700 family offices and 4 700 start-ups, demonstrating that Hong Kong remains a magnet for visitors and businesses alike. Hong Kong is poised for further success with upcoming initiatives, such as a lowered liquor tax, to enhance its appeal to international visitors and fulfil its role as the international financial, trade and shipping centre.

     "Hong Kong's distinct advantages were recognised in the latest international rankings," Ms Yung said during the receptions, noting that Hong Kong is ranked among the world's top three international financial centres, the freest economy in the world, and among the top five in global competitiveness. Ms Yung elaborated that global investors continue to have confidence in Hong Kong, as evidenced by the continuous inflow of funds and growth in bank deposits. The asset and wealth management sector in Hong Kong is also handling over US$4 trillion, representing more than a 30 per cent increase in six years.

     HKETO, Brussels also highlighted Hong Kong as a hub for international cultural exchange, where East meets West. In Lisbon, guests experienced a unique cultural fusion centred on ballet that blends classical technique with contemporary sensibility, performed by Lam Chun-wing, a well-known Hong Kong-born ballet dancer, and an original transcription of Debussy's "Prélude" for piano solo by the renowned French pianist Alexandre Tharaud. The performance was accompanied by breathtaking video projections specifically produced for the occasion, showcasing Hong Kong's lesser-known natural landscapes and revealing a side of Hong Kong far removed from its urban reputation as a bustling financial hub of skyscrapers and dense modernity.

     In The Hague, an ensemble of talented Hong Kong musicians presented a vibrant mix of popular cantopop songs and moving opera arias. The outstanding performance by the soprano and tenor singers, accompanied by keyboard, won enthusiastic applause from the audience.

     The receptions in Luxembourg, Lisbon, The Hague and Bucharest brought together 700 guests, including officials from national governments, consulates and embassies, financial and business sectors, academia, cultural and creative sectors, media and the Chinese community. They were co-organised with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the Luxembourg Chamber of Commence and the China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commercefor the reception in Luxembourg, the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association for the reception in The Hague, with the support of The Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the reception in Lisbon, and the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship for the reception in Bucharest.
 
Ends/Friday, February 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:00
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The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, addressed the audience at the Chinese New Year reception in Luxembourg on February 12 (Luxembourg time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Photos shows (from left) the Director-General, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Mr Carlos Thelen; the President, China-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Ms Xie Zhujun; the President, Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Mr Fernand Ernster; the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Luxembourg, Mr Hua Ning; the Luxembourg Minister of the Economy, Mr Lex Delles; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Around 250 guests attended the Chinese New Year networking reception taking place in Luxembourg on February 12 (Luxembourg time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Photo shows a performance blending music, dance and visual storytelling by Hong Kong ballet dancer Lam Chun-wing pianist Alexandre Tharaud and lighting designer Rémy Nicollet with choreography by Ms Chan Wun-sze.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Photo shows (from left): the President of the Portugal Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Bernardo Mendia; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU, Ms Shirley Yung; the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Mr Zhao Bentang; and the Director France, Spain and Portugal of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Christopher Lai, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Lisbon on February 17 (Lisbon time).
The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the EU, Ms Shirley YUNG, addressed the audience at the Chinese New Year reception in Lisbon on February 17 (Lisbon time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. An ensemble of talented Hong Kong musicians presented a vibrant mix of popular cantopop and moving opera arias during the Chinese New Year reception in The Hague, the Netherlands, on February 20 (Hague time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Photos shows (from left) Deputy Representative, HKETO, Brussels Miss Fiona Li; the Chairman of the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, Mr Hans Poulis; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Netherlands, Mr Jian Tan; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; and the Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Chris Lo.
The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, addressed the audience at the Chinese New Year reception in The Hague on February 20 (Hague time).
The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, addressed the audience at the Chinese New Year reception in The Hague on February 20 (Hague time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Around 150 guests attended the Chinese New Year networking reception taking place in The Hague on February 20 (Hague time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. A hundred guests attended the Chinese New Year reception taking place in Bucharest on February 25 (Bucharest time).
The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, addressed the audience at the Chinese New Year reception in Bucharest on February 25 (Bucharest time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted vibrant Chinese New Year receptions across various European countries, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. Photos shows (from left) the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion, Brussels ETO, Ms Paula Kant; the President of the National Confederation for Female Entrepreneurship, Ms Cristina Chiriac; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Former Prime Minister of Romania, Ms Viorica Dancila; the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy of Romania, Ms Hua Yafang; and the President of Romanian Association for the Electronics and Software Industry (Aries Timisoara), Mr Daniel Giurea.