Hong Kong Celebrates Chinese New Year in Milan, Launching Year of the Horse and Supporting Winter Olympics Athletes

Brussels ETO begins Chinese New Year celebrations in Italy

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Milan, Italy, on February 9 (Milan time), marking the launch of its Year of the Horse celebrations. The event coincided with the visit of the Hong Kong, China delegation to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

In her welcome remarks, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, expressed support for the Hong Kong athletes taking part in the Winter Olympics. She highlighted that the perseverance shown by athletes in overcoming challenges mirrors Hong Kong's economic resilience in the face of global uncertainties, as evidenced by the city's strong performance last year.

Noting that 2025 had been a fruitful year of bilateral exchange between Hong Kong and Italy, she encouraged businesses to build on the momentum of recent campaigns, including the "Think Business, Think Hong Kong" event in Milan and Italy's strong showcase at the "Business of Design Week" in Hong Kong, to further strengthen business partnership. "With a unique blend of East and West, Hong Kong is a city alive with arts and culture, sports and entertainment. From our world-class museums, stadiums, and dynamic arts scene to centuries-old traditions woven into daily life, Hong Kong offers a rich cultural diversity, creativity and vibrancy." she said, adding that Hong Kong attracted nearly 50 million visitors in 2025, a strong increase of 12 per cent from the previous year.

During the reception, Brussels ETO invited the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Ensemble to perform a programme featuring festive folk melodies and a medley of iconic Hong Kong television drama themes. The performance showcased the outstanding talents of Hong Kong musicians and the city's distinctive East-meets-West cultural character, which was greatly received by the local guests.

Co-organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong, the reception in Milan was attended by over 150 guests from the government, business, sports, art and culture, as well as representatives of the Hong Kong, China Winter Olympics delegation, including the President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Dr Timothy Fok; the Honorary Secretary General of the SF&OC, Mr Edgar Yang; and Honorary Deputy Secretary General of SF&OC and the Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation, Mr Wong Po-kee.

Photo shows distinguished local guests from different sectors as well as representatives of the Hong Kong, China Winter Olympics delegation attending the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Ensemble performing festive folk melodies and a medley of iconic Hong Kong television drama themes for guests attending the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows (from left) the Director, Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Malta of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Gianluca Mirante; the President of Italy-Hong Kong Association, Mr Riccardo Fuochi; the Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia and Israel of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Chris Lo; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Dr Timothy Fok; Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Miss Fiona Li; and the Principal Consultant (Milan), Invest Hong Kong, Mr Stefano De Paoli, toasting at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, delivering welcoming remarks at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

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 to 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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 dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases