Chinese Culture Festival 2025: A Celebration of Arts, Identity, and Tradition in Hong Kong

2025-04-07 18:45 Last Updated At：18:58

Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to be held June to September to unveil millennia-old Chinese culture through fusion of art and literature

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held from June to September. During the Festival period, over 280 performing arts programmes with a rich array of specially curated extension activities, film screenings, exhibitions, as well as community and school activities will be organised. Top-notch Mainland art groups and artists will also be invited to perform in Hong Kong and engage in various cultural exchange activities. The CCF provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and promoting Chinese culture with a view to enhancing the public's national identity and cultural confidence, thus contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong.

Click to Gallery

Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to be held June to September to unveil millennia-old Chinese culture through fusion of art and literature Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

More Images

Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to be held June to September to unveil millennia-old Chinese culture through fusion of art and literature Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The CCF is now in its second edition. The opening programme, "Dongpo: Life in Poems" by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, is directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei. The production is an innovative work that integrates traditional Chinese poetic culture with contemporary artistic language and arts appreciation concepts. It blends modern dance with various traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving and guqin, which delicately deconstructs the thoughts and emotions in the poetic works by Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty, thereby initiating an artistic dialogue spanning thousands of years. The programme is sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch.

As a core part of the CCF, this year's Chinese Opera Festival (COF) features six quality programmes covering Peking opera, Yuediao opera, Qinqiang opera, Yue opera, Cantonese opera and Kunqu opera. The COF will start off with the China National Peking Opera Company's new historical Peking opera, "Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime". Set during the late Five Dynasties and Ten-Kingdoms period, it tells the story of Qian Chu, the King of Wuyue, honouring the rightful rule of the Song reign by voluntarily submitting his territory. The production conveys the profound themes of valuing people, pursuing peace and stability, and strengthening the communal spirit of Chinese national identity. Furthermore, there will be fantastic shows from a number of renowned art groups and artists, including the Henan Provincial Yue Diao Art Protection and Inheritance Center, the Xi'an Performing Arts Group's Youth Experimental Troupe of Qinqiang Opera, the Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe of Shaoxing and the Zhejiang Jingkun Art Center (Kun Opera Troupe). The performances will feature winners of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award such as renowned Peking opera artists Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu, Yuediao opera inheritor Shen Xiaomei, Qinqiang artists Dou Fengqin, Tan Jianxun, Qu Qiaozhe, Wang Xincang, Qi Aiyun and Zhang Tao, as well as acclaimed Yue opera performers Wu Fenghua, Wu Suying and Chen Fei.

The COF this year also features classic plays inspired by the "Romance of Three Kingdoms", one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature. With virtuoso Yuen Siu-fai as artistic director, the Cantonese opera plays "Zhou Yu Thrice Humiliated" and "The Battle at Changbanpo" bring together some of the finest local Cantonese opera talent across three generations to perform. The Peking opera classic "A Meeting of Heroes, Invoking the East Wind and The Huarong Pass", the Yuediao epic historical drama "Jiang Wei Surrenders" and Qinqiang classic piece "Returning to Jingzhou" will also be staged, bringing opera fans back to the Three Kingdoms era of fierce rivalry. The COF will also present an array of free extension activities such as meet-the-artists sessions, masterclasses, talks, a backstage tour, a demonstration performance and an exhibition so that interested parties can gain a deeper understanding of Chinese opera culture.

More on literary and art, "the City under the Moon - Dance Drama 'Azure After the Rain'" by the Shanghai Dance Theatre highlights the resilient spirit and sentiments of the famous Song dynasty poetess, Li Qingzhao, and her contributions to the inheritance of Chinese literary classics from a contemporary perspective. By blending music, dance and stage art, the dance drama creates the aesthetics of the Song dynasty and its life of the literati, and resonates with today's audiences through traditional Chinese culture. The original Chinese dance drama, "A Dream of Red Mansions", by the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts is another production that upholds principles and innovation. Its plot centres around the love triangle between Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, and restructures the storylines from the perspective of the 12 Beauties of Jinling, paying homage to fine traditional Chinese culture while rekindling the national classic with views from the young generation. The programme is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Bauhinia Culture Group. These two programmes are also programmes of the "Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season" Series.

China was the first country in the world to grow and produce tea. In 2022, "traditional Chinese tea-making techniques and related customs" was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year's CCF features a "Tea Culture" series, with the "Tan Dun WE-Festival", curated by Hong Kong's Ambassador for Cultural Promotion, internationally renowned composer and conductor,Tan Dun, as one of the pre-festival programmes. In addition to the Tan Dun | "Tea: A Mirror of Soul" by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, there are also performances of dialogues between traditional and modern percussion, as well as ancient Dunhuang music and dances, which include "Xiangxi Tujia Women's Daliuzi & Hong Kong Women’s Percussion Ensemble" (the world premiere of "TEA-liuzi") and "Lost Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Manuscripts: 'The Vanishing Mogao Caves'". These performances enable music lovers to appreciate the charm of tea, while telling the good story of China's intangible cultural heritage in the new era. The "Tea Culture" series also includes other stage performance, exhibitions, talks and demonstrations.

The City in Focus of this year's CCF is Xi'an, a capital of 13 ancient dynasties with profound cultural heritage. It has preserved a large number of precious historical and cultural relics from the Qin, Han, Tang and other dynasties. The CCF brings to Hong Kong a representative opera genre of the region, Qinqiang, with the Xi'an Performing Arts Group's Youth Experimental Troupe of Qinqiang Opera presenting the classic piece "Zhou Ren on the Way Home", which conveys the spirit of loyalty and righteousness with its wide vocal range and resounding tones. Other programmes include "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, showcasing invaluable archaeological relics; the Acrobatic Ballet "Swan Lake" by the Xi'an Acrobatic Troupe jointly presented by the LCSD and the Bauhinia Culture Group; and "Xi'an Guyue" music exhibitions by the Music Office of the LCSD, which all reveal Xi'an’s culture to the audience and foster cultural exchange.

This year's CCF continues to collaborate with the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association to organise a number of stage performances, including the stage play in Cantonese "Tea-horse Road‧Ballad of the Fallen Dragon" under the "Tea Culture" series; "Ancient Styles‧Modern Chants Classical Literature x Contemporary Dance"; "Melodies of Chinese Poetry" concert; "Taisheng and Huayin Lao Qiang: Big Uncle, Second Uncle are All His Uncles" concert, and "Classics Revisited - Highlights of Peking Opera and Kunqu". All these demonstrate the power of unity of the local cultural sector, as well as their solid competence and boundless creativity in promoting Chinese culture.The "Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters" lecture series also returns, featuring top experts from various culture and artistic fields to share their insights. Meanwhile, outstanding local works recognised by the China National Arts Fund will be staged in the CCF, such as the Cantonese Music Assembly's "Cantonese Rhyme, Poetic Homeland - Sentiment of Chinese Music in the Greater Bay Area by Ricky Yeung Wai-kit & Sha Jingshan" recital, Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble's Museum Series: "The Sounds from Cultural Relics" and Miranda Chin Dance Company's "Hé The Rite of Spring".

The CCF promotes high-quality provincial and local stage productions. Among them is the "Ancient Chinese Puppetry with Timeless Charm" by the Quanzhou Marionette Show Inheritance and Protection Center from Fujian Province, in which performers move delicate puppets around by controlling strings in their skilful hands to perform classic short plays. In the "Concert by Shanghai Xuhui Chiangqiao Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo Ensemble", the representative inheritors of Jiangnan silk and bamboo music from Shanghai, along with talented young Shanghainese musicians, will perform classical string and wind pieces. Other programmes include the opening programme of the International Arts Carnival 2025 - Kungfu Drama "Soul of Shaolin" by the Henan Provincial Shaolin Wushu Center; the "Innovative Music-making Journey to China: MO x e-Orch" concert by the Music Office; the "Silk Road Resonance" by the Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra and Xinjiang Art Theater Traditional Orchestra Ensemble; the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's 49th Orchestral Season Opening Concert "Silken Notes of the Pipa"; the Hong Kong Dance Company's 2025/26 Dance Season Opening Programme Grand Dance Poem "A Dance of Celestial Rhythms", and more.

Apart from stage performances, the CCF will also present a number of film programmes. "Tracing Qin and Han Through Cinema" features eight representative local works set in the Qin and Han dynasties, including "The Great Conqueror's Concubine" (1994) (4K Digitised Version), which was directed by Stephen Shin, as the opening film, while "Cantonese Opera Films: The Legend of Guan Gong" features five selected Cantonese opera films, including the rarely screened colour film "General Kwan Escorts His Sisters-in-Law on a Thousand Mile Journey" (1957). The "Chinese Opera Film Shows" of the COF will present a series of "Three Kingdoms" themed Chinese opera films from the 1950s to 1980s. The Hong Kong premiere of director Yonfan's latest documentary, "Crossing Years" (2024) will be held, capturing renowned Chinese artist Huang Yongyu's conversation with Yon about his life before Chinese New Year’s Eve in 2012.

For the dates and venues of the above-mentioned programmes, please see the Annex. Tickets will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from April 15 (Tuesday) onwards (except for International Arts Carnival 2025: Kungfu Drama "Soul of Shaolin" and Acrobatic Ballet "Swan Lake", "Tracing Qin and Han Through Cinema", "Cantonese Opera Films: The Legend of Guan Gong" and "Intimate Moments with The Master: 'Crossing Years' (2024)"; tickets of Tan Dun | "Tea: A Mirror of Soul" by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is now available at URBTIX). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A time-limited offer is available from April 15 to 30 for purchasing selected CCF stage programmes, the "Chinese Opera Film Shows" of the Chinese Opera Festival 2025 and the "Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters" lecture series. For programme enquiries and various concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321/2268 7323/2268 7325 or visit the CCF website at www.ccf.gov.hk.

To offer the public with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive Chinese cultural programmes, in addition to the above-mentioned performing arts events, this year's CCF will continue to launch various free exhibitions and activities. They include the "Mystery of Chinese Writing" Roving Exhibition, "Genesis and Spirit - Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition on Jiangxi's Ganzhou "Hakka" Culture" (tentative title), "Amazing Oracle Bone Script" Exhibition, "The Power of Chinese Characters" Exhibition, "Tea Culture" series' "The History and Art of Tea" Exhibition, and more. The LCSD will hold the "Encountering Chinese Culture" Carnival presenting stage performances at the Sha Tin Town Hall and the New Town Plaza on June 22 (Sunday), as well as the library-on-wheels, intangible cultural heritage booths and performances, etc. In addition to the spectacular lantern displays of different themes, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2025 to be held in September and October will also arrange a wide range of activities. Details of the above activities will be announced later.

To enhance participation of students in the CCF, this year's "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" will include activities tailor-made for students in different art forms, such as dance, Chinese opera, stage plays, music, multi-arts and film screenings, etc, together with the "Chinese Opera En Route to Campus" to encourage students' participation and enhance their interest in Chinese culture.

Renowned Hong Kong composer Chris Babida is commissioned to compose original theme music for the CCF. The composition features dizi and erhu as the main instruments accompanying Chinese percussion, and is infused with a mix of Western and pop music styles, giving a contemporary flavour to the traditional Chinese music. The work exemplifies the diversity of Hong Kong, a melting pot where East meets West. The theme music will be featured as the background music for the trailer of the CCF, which can be viewed on the CCF website.

The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from both the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit the above-mentioned CCF website.

No New Chikungunya Cases Reported in Hong Kong as Government Enhances Mosquito Control Measures

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

------------------------------

Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

-----------------------------------------------------

Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

---------------------------------------------------------

The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

----------------------------------------------------

Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Chinese Culture Festival 2025: A Celebration of Arts, Identity, and Tradition in Hong Kong