Rosanna Law Celebrates Hong Kong-Seoul Cultural Partnership at Mega Events Showcase Luncheon

Speech by SCST at Hong Kong Tourism Board Mega Events Showcase media luncheon in Seoul

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Hong Kong Tourism Board Mega Events Showcase media luncheon in Seoul today (September 26):

Distinguished partners from the tourism industry, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen,

Annyeonghaseyo. Good morning. It is my great pleasure to be here in Seoul - a city celebrated for its dynamic arts and culture - to celebrate the growing partnership between our two vibrant communities. Hong Kong and Seoul are both deeply committed to innovation, creativity, and cultural exchange. This shared spirit is why South Korea remains one of our major visitor source markets in the region. Last year, we welcomed some 850000 visitors from South Korea, representing 109 per cent year-on-year growth as compared to 2024.

A destination's soul is found in its culture. It's what transforms a simple visit into an unforgettable journey. This belief is the very foundation of the Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul. While we call it a "Week", the celebration is extensive, running from September 26 to October 25. With an extensive programme of 14 major events and over 65 unique activities, the Hong Kong Week is our invitation to the people of South Korea to experience the very best of Hong Kong.

This cultural dialogue is a powerful, two-way street. In Hong Kong, we have watched numerous Korean culture programmes with great admiration. These include K-pop, which in particular resonates throughout our city. I have now become a big fan of the "KPop Demon Hunters" and I like the song "Golden" a lot. We are thrilled that our new, state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium has become a premier stage for global phenomena like the MAMA Awards and major K-pop concerts. I will go back to Hong Kong on Saturday very late in the evening and am looking forward to joining the concert of SEVENTEEN on Sunday at Kai Tak Stadium. With our strategic location, Hong Kong is proud to serve as a platform where fans from across Asia gather to celebrate Korea's incredible creative energy.

Beyond concerts, Hong Kong's calendar is filled with a dynamic array of mega events. These include the iconic Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, an annual must for wine and food enthusiasts; the Hong Kong Cyclothon, which transforms our city into a cyclist's paradise; and the Hong Kong WinterFest, one of Asia's largest Christmas celebrations. My colleague from the Hong Kong Tourism Board will share more details on these exciting opportunities shortly.

Today, I am really delighted to meet with all of you - our valued tourism partners. The strong rebound in visitors from Korea is tremendously encouraging and a clear reflection of your support for us over the years. For this, I offer my sincere appreciation on behalf of the whole Hong Kong. With your continued partnership, I am fully confident that even more Korean friends will discover - and rediscover - the unique magic of Hong Kong, creating memories that will bring them back again and again.

What you see here today and during the Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul is just a glimpse of what Hong Kong has to offer. We can't wait to welcome you to Hong Kong soon, where you can immerse yourself in the best of our culture and hospitality.

Thank you very much. Kamsahamnida.

Speech by SCST at Hong Kong Tourism Board Mega Events Showcase media luncheon in Seoul Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10 million

Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seized a batch of suspected etomidate capsules and etomidate capsule raw materials, about 1.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 500 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia in Tin Shui Wai on January 14. One man and one woman were arrested, and the total estimated market value of the drug seizures amounted to about $10 million.

During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tin Shui Wai in the small hours on January 14, Customs intercepted a 35-year-old man and found 50 suspected etomidate capsules in a paper bag carried by him. The man was arrested immediately and was brought to a nearby premises for a search. Later, Customs officers seized 267 suspected etomidate capsules, about 1.75kg of suspected etomidate powder, about 1.4kg of suspected etomidate oil, about 1.2kg of suspected cocaine, about 500g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia in the premises. A woman, aged 26 and suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested there.

The arrested persons were jointly charged with two counts of manufacture of a dangerous drug and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and the arrested man was additionally charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 17).

According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, manufacture of a dangerous drug and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. 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 shuts down suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases