Thousands Celebrate 75th Anniversary of China's Founding with Traditional Costumes at Gala in Hong Kong

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held the "Celebration of National Day - A Thousand Youths in Chinese Costumes" evening gala tonight (October 4) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai. About 1 000 youths of various organisations and groups from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, dressed in traditional attire or clothing featuring traditional Chinese elements, participated in this event to promote Chinese culture.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the gala, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that Chinese costumes are the essence of traditional Chinese culture. The delicate craftsmanship embodies rich and profound cultural virtues. He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to promote the cultural industry and capitalise on Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West culture to promote the fine traditions of Chinese culture to the world.

Other officiating guests included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Ms Starry Lee; and the Director of the Paso a Paso Foundation Limited, Ms Melissa Pang.

The gala presented different facets of Chinese costumes by bringing together performing arts and fashion design. It kicked off with a lion dance performance by students from schools under Po Leung Kuk and a performance of the Chinese music piece "Eight Steeds" by the New Tune Chinese Orchestra. Following this, students from Pui Ching Primary School performed martial arts and Chinese drum, while a Mainland dance troupe of the Baima people from Sichuan presented ethnic songs and dances. Pianist Phoebus Chan, huqin artist Chan Pik-sum, cellist Chor Kai-hei and drummer Craig Lau collaborated on a quartet that combined Chinese and Western music.

In addition, youths dressed in Chinese costumes presented their meticulously prepared talent shows at the gala. Moreover, selected works of Dorian Ho, Grace Choi and Janko Lam featuring traditional Chinese elements were showcased in a fashion show by professional models, with renowned Hong Kong fashion designers sharing their design concepts. The gala also included segments introducing the characteristics of the Chinese costumes, along with fun and engaging quiz games, allowing the youths to gain a deeper understanding of China's long and colourful civilization, thus strengthening their cultural confidence and national pride.

The gala concluded with the singing performance by 75 youths on stage, bringing the ambience of the joyous celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China to a high point.

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

1 000 Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao youths in Chinese costumes gather to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People's Republic of China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) presented a Special Hong Kong Award to an Italian company at the 19th China Awards in Milan, Italy on December 4 (Milan time).

The China Awards, organised by the Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF) annually, is one of the most influential business events in Italy. It recognises Italian companies that have grasped the opportunities in the Chinese market and vice versa, Chinese companies that have invested in Italy and engaged in strategic and innovative collaboration with Italian counterparts.

Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Fiona Li, commended the recipient of the Special Hong Kong Award, Venchi. This Italian confectionery company has expedited its expansion in Asia, leveraging Hong Kong's vibrant culinary landscape, strategic location and unmatched connectivity with Mainland China. "Its success in Hong Kong and in Asia speaks for itself that establishing a presence in Hong Kong is conducive to its market expansion. It is the testimony of the strengths of Hong Kong - our low and simple tax regime, free flow of capital, business-friendly environment, and advanced logistics and supply-chain management", Miss Li said.

The event offered an opportunity to put a quartet comprising of Hong Kong's musicians in the spotlight before 300 executives and senior representatives of top Italian and Chinese companies. The quartet, which was brought to the event by HKETO, Brussels to help give Hong Kong talents international exposure and to showcase Hong Kong as an international cultural exchange hub, had Grace Chan, double bass player; Isaac Lam, pianist; Melody Lau, violinist; and Emily Chan, soprano. Grace Chan was selected to participate in the Rome Chamber Music Festival's Young Artist Programme in June 2024.

Miss Li also highlighted the latest measures in the Policy Address to the Italian audiences on enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, including lowering the tariff on liquor. She elaborated that Hong Kong's distinctive advantages including an independent judiciary, a free trade and investment regime, and an efficient and clean government are kept under the "one country, two systems" principle as she encouraged Italian companies and talents to come to Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is and will remain your prime gateway to China and your most preferred partner in Asia", she added.

The ICCF is the largest Italy-China business association in Italy that facilitates collaboration between Italian and Chinese companies. The ICCF organises the annual China Awards in partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and with the support of the China Chamber of Commerce in Italy.

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels presents award to Italian company with deep business ties in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases