Hong Kong ETO Celebrates Culture at Global SinoPhoto Awards Exhibition in London

2025-01-17 01:30 Last Updated At：01:38

London ETO supports Global SinoPhoto Awards 2025 Exhibition

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) supported the Global SinoPhoto Awards (GSPA) 2025 exhibition at Christie's London, running from January 13 to 31. The exhibition opened with an evening reception on January 15, welcoming over 60 distinguished guests from the cultural sector. Among the highlights of the exhibition was the work of Hong Kong photographer Jay Wong, whose series "Goldfish Market, Hong Kong" features four captivating images that capture the lively and colourful atmosphere of Mong Kok's iconic Goldfish Market.

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London ETO supports Global SinoPhoto Awards 2025 Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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London ETO supports Global SinoPhoto Awards 2025 Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speaking at the reception, the Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, thanked the organiser for shining a spotlight on Hong Kong, highlighting Hong Kong's artistic and cultural excellence. Mr Law remarked, "Hong Kong is home to a wealth of artistic talent with a rich heritage of East and West as well as the fusion of tradition and innovation. With their passion and creativity, we are well on our way to achieving Hong Kong's mission of becoming the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges as underpinned by the National 14th Five-Year Plan." He also extended a warm invitation to all to experience the cultural vibrancy of Hong Kong in person.

The GSPA is an international photography contest that aims at communicating Chinese culture and values through images to international audiences. In addition to the works of award-winning photographers, the exhibition also featured selected works from other participants.

HKMA Reports Increase in Stored Value Facility Accounts and Transactions for Q2 2026

Statistics of Stored Value Facilities Schemes issued by SVF licensees

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (September 18) statistics on Stored Value Facilities (SVF) schemes issued by SVF licensees for the second quarter of 2026.

The SVF scheme statistics (see Annex) include quarterly data on SVF schemes issued by the SVF licensees of the relevant periods.

According to the quarterly statistics, the total number of SVF accounts in use (Note 1) was 90.38 million at the end of Q2/2026, representing a 1.8 per cent increase from the previous quarter. The total number of SVF transactions was around 2.2 billion in Q2/2026, or 0.3per cent higher than the previous quarter. The total value of SVF transactions was HK$264.7 billion in Q2/2026, representing a 0.1per cent increase from the previous quarter. Of the total transaction value, HK$47.7 billion was related to point-of-sale spending payment, HK$33.8 billion in online spending payment, HK$16.4 billion in P2P fund transfer, HK$59.6 billion in withdrawal and HK$107.2 billion in adding value. The total value of SVF deposit and float (Note 2) was HK$21.8 billion at the end of Q2/2026, 0.6per cent higher than the previous quarter.

As compared with the end of Q2/2025, the total number of SVF accounts in use at the end of Q2/2026 was up by 9.2 per cent, and the total value of SVF deposit and float was up by 7.3 per cent. The total number of SVF transactions during Q2/2026 was up by 3.6per cent year-on-year but the total value during the period was down by 7.4per cent year-on-year.

Note 1: "Total number of SVF accounts in use" refers to the total number of SVF accounts that can be used as at the end of the reporting period.

Note 2:The terms "SVF deposit" and "float" follow their definitions in the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance.

Hong Kong ETO Celebrates Culture at Global SinoPhoto Awards Exhibition in London

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