Hong Kong Pavilion Showcases Comics at Comic Fiesta 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Promoting Cultural Exchange and Collaboration.

Kuala Lumpur ETO promotes original Hong Kong comics in Malaysia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur ETO) is today (December 20) supporting Hong Kong comic enterprises participating in the Hong Kong Pavilion at Comic Fiesta 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to promote original Hong Kong comics to the local public and facilitate exchanges and collaboration between the Hong Kong comic industry and its international counterparts.

The Hong Kong Pavilion, organised by the Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation and funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, showcases the latest comic works published by 16 Hong Kong comic artists selected in the 4th HK Comics Support Programme under the CreateSmart Initiative. A live drawing demonstration will also be conducted at the Pavilion to engage with members of the public.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong Pavilion, Deputy Director of the Kuala Lumpur ETO Mr Leonard Lam said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been continuously nurturing local comic artists and supporting the growth of Hong Kong comic enterprises through the CreateSmart Initiative funding, with a view to consolidating Hong Kong's position as a hub for creative industries in Asia.

Mr Lam added that, since its launch in 2021, the Programme has successfully published 63 original Hong Kong comic works and secured around 40 licensing agreements for foreign-language editions, effectively helping Hong Kong comic enterprises expand into overseas markets. With the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur ETO, the HKSAR Government will continue to foster economic and trade exchanges and cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia, further strengthening ties between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.

Also attending the opening ceremony were the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, the Director of Malaysia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Hoh Jee Eng, as well as industry leaders from Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Comic Fiesta is one of the largest comic exhibitions in Malaysia. The two-day exhibition will conclude tomorrow (December 21).

Kuala Lumpur ETO promotes original Hong Kong comics in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kuala Lumpur ETO promotes original Hong Kong comics in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kuala Lumpur ETO promotes original Hong Kong comics in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kuala Lumpur ETO promotes original Hong Kong comics in Malaysia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government invites MTRCL to proceed with detailed planning and design of South Island Line (West) project

​The Chief Executive in Council has given approval for the Government to invite the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the South Island Line (West) (SIL(W)) project.

The SIL(W) project will adopt a smart and green mass transit system and consist of an approximately 7.5-km long dedicated and elevated corridor and tunnel, eight stations (namely Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Tin Wan, Wah Kwai, Wah Fu, Cyberport, Queen Mary Hospital and HKU) and a depot near the Cyberport Station. It will provide stable, environmentally friendly and convenient feeder service for around 130 000 residents and major facilities such as the Queen Mary Hospital and Cyberport in the western and southern parts of Hong Kong Island, facilitating them to go to Wong Chuk Hang Station of the South Island Line (East) and HKU Station of the Island Line. It will form a transit loop with the South Island Line (East) and Island Line, and will improve the resilience of the railway network.

The SIL(W) will provide residents in the area with an alternative traveling option of new mass transit-based transportation in lieu of road-based transportation, enjoying a shorter journey time. The existing journey time from Wah Fu Estate to Admiralty via Wong Chuk Hang is about 35 minutes and that from Wah Fu Estate to HKU is about 25 minutes. After the commissioning of the SIL(W), the journey time to the two destinations will be reduced to about 20 minutes and 10 minutes respectively.

A spokesperson of the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The alignment of the project passes through hilly terrains. The difference in altitude between Wah Fu Estate and Aberdeen promenade is over 60 metres. If heavy rail system were adopted, some sections would have to be built deep underground. The transport benefit and cost effectiveness are both unsatisfactory, making the underground heavy rail scheme financially not viable. Exercising an innovative approach to rise to the challenges, we decided to adopt a smart and green mass transit system which runs on dedicated elevated viaducts and tunnels to improve the overall cost effectiveness. Compared with the original underground heavy rail scheme, the estimated construction cost is reduced by about 40 per cent and the delivery programme is advanced by about two years."

The Government has invited the MTRCL to proceed with the detailed planning and design of the SIL(W) project, and will further negotiate with the MTRCL on the financial arrangement of the project. It is targeted to commence the advance construction works in 2027 for completion by 2034 to support developments in the area including the timetable of new population intake of the Wah Fu Estate redevelopment.

Source: AI-found images