Five-Time World Champion Ju Wenjun Visits Hong Kong for Exhibition Match Registration Open for Asian Amateur Chess Championships in August

Five-time Women's World Chess Champion Grandmaster Ju Wenjun, who successfully defended her title just last week, made a momentous visit to Hong Kong. This appearance coincided with a welcome event and exhibition match organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation in collaboration with Lingnan University. Accompanying her was her coach,Grandmaster Ni Hua.

Representatives of Lingnan University and the Hong Kong China Chess Federation with GM Ni Hua and GM Ju Wenjun.

During this visit, the Hong Kong China Chess Federation also announced the upcoming Asian Amateur Chess Championships, set to take place in August 2025. Ju has been invited as the guest of honor to witness this significant occasion.

Asian Amateur Chess Championships to be held in August (Left to Right: Liyun Liang, Federation Secretary of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation; Five-Time World Champion, GM JuWenjun; Robin Lai, Vice President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation)

Asian Amateur Chess Championships Gathers Chess Elite

Robin Lai, Vice President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, expressed gratitude for JuWenjun’s participation in the exhibition match. He stated, “This event not only promises excitement but also provides a valuable opportunity for Ju to engage with chess enthusiasts and young players. We hope this will inspire more youth to immerse themselves in the world of chess and pursue their own chess aspirations.”

Five-Time World Champion, GM Ju Wenjun and Hong Kong Chess Players in Simultaneous Chess Exhibition .

The Asian Amateur Chess Championships will run from August 1 to 9 at the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ Tung Po Centre. Following last year’s successful Asian Rapid Chess Team Championship, this event is expected to attract hundreds of participants, with a total prize pool of HKD 289,500. The competition will feature both open and women’s categories, including divisions for U1700, U2000, U2300, as well as rapid and blitz tournaments.

Five-Time World Champion, GM Ju Wenjun and Hong Kong Chess Players in Simultaneous Chess Exhibition .

Ju Wenjun Encourages Chess Fans: Enjoy the Joy of Chess

Ju Wenjun expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the warm welcome from the Hong Kong China Chess Federation and local chess players. Reflecting on her own journey as a young chess player, she encouraged attendees to relax and fully enjoy the game. “Having participated in the Asian Rapid Chess Team Championship last August, I found Hong Kong to be a beautiful city with high standards of events and venues. I am excited about the upcoming Asian Amateur Chess Championships at Tung Po and look forward to new surprises.”

Five-Time World Champion, GM Ju Wenjun and Hong Kong Chess Players in Simultaneous Chess Exhibition .

Higher Education Institutions Establish Interdisciplinary College Funding Programs to Promote Sports Development

As Hong Kong's sports industry flourishes, many local higher education institutions are responding to societal needs by establishing interdisciplinary colleges and related funding initiatives to support the development of sports talent. Lingnan University, as a pioneer in this area, has created various scholarships to assist exceptional athletes in balancing academic and athletic pursuits. Its interdisciplinary college offers the “Entrance Scholarships for Student Athletes” and “Outstanding Performance Scholarship for Elite Athlete” to reward athletes who excel in both local and international competitions.

Kick-off Ceremony with Prof Raymond Hon-fu Chan, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University (Left) and Five-Time World Champion, GM Ju Wenjun (Right)

Lingnan University Promotes Liberal Arts Education to Foster Cultural Dialogue

Prof Raymond Hon-fu Chan, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University, remarked on the pride of hosting this high-caliber international chess exchange event. “This initiative aligns with our mission to promote liberal arts education and global engagement. It encourages students to pursue independent thinking, creativity, and innovation while facilitating inspiration and cultural dialogue through interaction with a five-time world champion, ultimately supporting personal development and broadening global perspectives.”

Five-Time World Champion, GM Ju Wenjun with Hong Kong Chess Players.

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 26) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 11 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.85 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 62-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market of about $2 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 58-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market of about $6.85 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 27). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases