Hong Kong Celebrates Year of the Horse at Atlanta Spring Reception, Strengthening US Ties

New York ETO welcomes Year of the Horse in Atlanta

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted its annual Spring Reception in Atlanta, the United States (US), on February 4 (Atlanta time) to welcome the Year of the Horse and reaffirm the strong and enduring ties between Hong Kong and Atlanta, as well as the state of Georgia.

In her welcome remarks, the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted the close economic, investment and trade relations between Hong Kong and the US. Hong Kong is home to around 1 550 American companies, while the value of Hong Kong's total exports to the US rose by 9.7 per cent in 2025. During the same period, the US recorded a substantial trade surplus of approximately US$26.15 billion for the year as of November 2025.

Noting that the Year of the Horse symbolises vitality and progress, Ms Ho said that she looked forward to deepening collaboration with Atlanta and the state of Georgia, especially in areas including fintech, logistics, aviation, education and cultural exchanges.

Cohosted by the New York ETO and the Hong Kong US Business Association of Atlanta, the reception was attended by nearly 300 guests from various sectors including academic, business, financial, innovative technology, think tanks, government and trade.

On February 5 (Atlanta time), Ms Ho met with Atlanta's institutional leaders to exchange views on the latest developments in Hong Kong and explore areas of mutual interest. They included the President and the Director of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, Ms Rickey Bevington and Ms Jackie Davis respectively; as well as Senior Advisor on China, the Director of Individual Giving, and Senior Program Associate of the Carter Center, Mr Liu Yawei, Mr Curtis Kohlhaas, and Mr Nick Zeller respectively. The Deputy Director of New York ETO, Ms Angela Jong; and the Director (New York & Midwest) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Curtis Louie, also joined the meetings.

New York ETO welcomes Year of the Horse in Atlanta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO welcomes Year of the Horse in Atlanta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO welcomes Year of the Horse in Atlanta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO welcomes Year of the Horse in Atlanta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO welcomes Year of the Horse in Atlanta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 400 young musicians to perform at Music Office Annual Gala with fine music

More than 400 young musicians from the band, orchestras and choir of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall at 3pm on March 8 (Sunday) to present fine music at the 2026 Music Office Annual Gala.

An array of Chinese and Western music will be presented by the Music Office Youth Choir, the Hong Kong Youth Strings, the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band, the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra and the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra under the batons of Music Office instructors Lai Wing-yan, Dr Joseph Kam, Lee Sing-wan and Kwok Kin-ming.

The programme includes enchanting choral works, "Locus Iste", "Across the Vast, Eternal Sky" and "Measure Me, Sky!"; fascinating strings works, Vivaldi's "Concerto No. 10 in B minor" and Purcell's "Chacony in G minor"; band pieces "Sheltering Sky", which exudes a sense of serene simplicity, and the exciting "Ride" by Samuel R Hazo; gaohu concerto "The Bauhinia", a celebration of the harmony of family and the prosperity of society; the masterpieces, Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien" and Emmanuel Chabrier's "España", depicting the richness of the Southern European flair and sentiment.

Awards of the year will be presented to the most outstanding trainees and members of the Music Office's band, orchestras and choir at the concert.

Tickets priced at $100, $130 and $150 will be available starting on February 8 at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2796 1003 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/traineesevents/musicnconcert/MOAG26.html.

Photo source: lcsd.gov.hk