Hong Kong Celebrates Year of the Horse with Festive Events in the UK, Strengthening Cultural and Economic Ties

London ETO welcomes Year of Horse with vibrant celebrations in London

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) celebrated the Year of the Horse in the United Kingdom (UK) with a series of festive and promotional events, showcasing Hong Kong's dynamism and further strengthening ties between Hong Kong and the UK.

On February 26 (London time), the London ETO hosted an evening reception in London in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Earlier, on February 22, the London ETO supported large-scale Chinese New Year celebrations organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association at Trafalgar Square, Chinatown and Charing Cross Road, bringing the festive spirit to the heart of Central London.

Welcoming over 400 guests to the reception on February 26, the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, expressed appreciation for the long-standing economic and cultural links between Hong Kong and the UK. Guests included UK government officials, London borough mayors, senior diplomats, business leaders, academics, media representatives and members of the Chinese community.

In her remarks, Miss Chau outlined key measures in the 2026-27 Budget, newly announced by the Financial Secretary on February 25 in Hong Kong. These include increased resources for AI+ development, life and health technology, as well as measures to strengthen support for emerging industries and new industrialisation.

Miss Chau also highlighted the Northern Metropolis as an important driver of innovation and technology development, creating an innovation corridor linking Hong Kong with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She emphasised that the development will open up new opportunities for collaboration with global partners, including the UK.

At the Chinese New Year celebrations on February 22, vibrant cultural and musical performances drew large crowds across Central London. Miss Chau joined distinguished guests including the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice of London, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard; Member of Parliament for Cities of London and Westminster Ms Rachel Blake; and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Mr Paul Dimoldenberg, in greeting members of the public from an open-top double-decker bus and on stage at Trafalgar Square.

Under the Economic and Trade Express platform, the London ETO, together with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, hosted six celebratory and promotional events in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the UK to mark the Year of the Horse, showcasing Hong Kong's role as an international financial, trade and innovation centre.

Photo shows the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau (first right), and other guests greeting the crowd in London from an open-top double-decker bus in the celebration parade. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, taking part in the eye-dotting ceremony for the lion dance performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the lion dance performance at Trafalgar Square. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) welcomed the Year of the Horse by supporting a large-scale London Chinatown celebration at Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, and Charing Cross Road in London on February 22 (London time). Photo shows the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau (right), and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Mr Paul Dimoldenberg (left), at the celebration. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 400 guests attended, including UK government officials, borough mayors in London, senior diplomats, leading figures in the business sector, academics, media representatives and members of the Chinese community. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the guests enjoying the lion dance at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau (left), and the Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom, Mr Wang Qi (right), officiating at the eye-dotting ceremony for the lion dance at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows officiating guests (from left) the Head of Europe at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Ms Anette Wendel-Menke; the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong London Office, Ms Daisy Ip; the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau; the Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom (UK), Mr Wang Qi; the Director of UK, Nordics & Ireland of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Joey Ko; and the Marine Adviser of the Marine Department’s Regional Desk (London) /Regional Head (London) of the Hong Kong Shipping Registry, Mr Ben Lau, officiating at the toasting ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, delivering a speech at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ExCo Non-official Members congratulate successful launch of manned Shenzhou-23 spacecraft

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (May 24) warmly congratulate the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship. They extend their highest respect to all crew members, including Dr Lai Ka-ying, the first payload expert from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, "This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. This mission is the first manned spaceflight during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and the first time a Hong Kong expert has participated, which is a truly momentous occasion. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the country for providing Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent with this invaluable opportunity to take part in the country's aerospace endeavours. Dr Lai has successfully undergone the rigorous selection and training process to become one of the country's fourth batch of astronauts, and China's fourth female astronaut to reach space, contributing Hong Kong's strength to the national aerospace endeavours. She has exemplified the Lion Rock spirit of rising to challenges with resilience and perseverance. Her courage and determination are truly admirable, and all Hong Kong citizens are immensely inspired and proud of her. The understanding and support of her family are also essential for her to participate in this mission with resolution. I am deeply grateful for their support and commitment.

"The HKSAR Government is actively developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology centre and supporting promising research projects through various funding schemes. As an example, the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) camera, developed under a project led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and funded by the Government's Innovation and Technology Support Programme Special Call on Aerospace Technology, has successfully arrived at China's Tiangong Space Station, becoming Hong Kong's first scientific payload aboard the station. This fully demonstrates Hong Kong's innovation and technology edge and talent advantages."

Non-official Members of the Executive Council expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the country for its high recognition of Hong Kong's innovation and technology talent, development and achievements, as well as its profound emphasis, care and support for Hong Kong's scientific and technological development. They firmly believe that the HKSAR Government will seize this historic moment to nurture more outstanding innovation and technology talent for the country and Hong Kong, and better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

Source: AI-found images