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Brussels ETO concludes Year of Horse celebration events with receptions in Portugal and Romania (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) hosted receptions in Lisbon, Portugal on March 10 (Lisbon time), and Bucharest, Romania on March 17 (Bucharest time), welcoming about 250 guests from the political, business, financial, academic, as well as art and culture sectors in the two countries and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and local partners, and concluded the series of celebration events of Brussels ETO for the Year of the Horse.

     In her welcome remarks at the reception in Lisbon, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, mentioned that despite global uncertainties, Hong Kong had weathered the storm and emerged more resilient and promising than ever. She highlighted Hong Kong's unique strengths premised on the "one country, two systems" framework, as well as the initiatives to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a "super connector", including the "Go Global" initiative, which leverages Hong Kong's fundraising and professional services to support Chinese Mainland enterprises in their global expansion and supply chain diversification. 
              
     At the reception in Bucharest, Ms Yung also invited Romanian professionals in the information technology sector, which is one of the key economic drivers of Romania, to develop or expand their businesses in Hong Kong through the services provided by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK). 
      
     Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, Brussels ETO also held a business seminar before the reception in Bucharest with the local wine and liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.  
 
     The guests of the reception in Bucharest were greeted by a curated performance by Hong Kong musicians based in Europe, featuring a celebratory medley that bridged Chinese and European musical traditions in a contemporary style, showcasing the talents of Hong Kong's artists as well as the city's vibrant cultural heritage and spirit of creativity.
 
Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:55
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted a series of 12 events across European cities to mark the Year of the Horse and celebrate with local communities. Photo shows the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, speaking at the Chinese New Year reception in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 10 (Lisbon time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) hosted a series of 12 events across European cities to mark the Year of the Horse and celebrate with local communities. Photo shows (from left) the President of the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Bernardo Mendia; the Director for France, Spain and Portugal of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Mr Yang Yirui; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong Brussels office, Ms Paula Kant; and the Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO, Mr Kasper Ng, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 10 (Lisbon time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted a series of 12 events across European cities to mark the Year of the Horse and celebrate with local communities. Photo shows local guests attending the Chinese New Year reception in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 10 (Lisbon time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted a series of 12 events across European cities to mark the Year of the Horse and celebrate with local communities. Photo shows the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, speaking at the Chinese New Year reception in Bucharest, Romania, on March 17 (Bucharest time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) hosted a series of 12 events across European cities to mark the Year of the Horse and celebrate with local communities. Photo shows (from left) the Chief Growth Officer of InnovX, Ms Anca Luca; the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong Brussels office, Ms Paula Kant; the President of The National Confederation of Women's Entrepreneurship Bucharest, Ms Florenta Raducanu; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Chinese Ambassador to Romania, Mr Chen Feng; the Director for Germany, Central Europe and Benelux of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Ken Chung; and the Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO, Mr Kasper Ng, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Bucharest, Romania, on March 17 (Bucharest time).
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels hosted a series of 12 events across European cities to mark the Year of the Horse and celebrate with local communities. Photo shows young Hong Kong musicians performing at the Chinese New Year reception in Bucharest, Romania, on March 17 (Bucharest time).