Hong Kong Celebrates Chinese New Year in Washington, Promotes Economic Opportunities and Cultural Exchange

2026-02-27 21:43 Last Updated At：21:58

HKETO, Washington DC hosts celebratory Chinese New Year reception

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington DC (HKETO, Washington DC) hosted a Chinese New Year reception to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Horse and promote Hong Kong in Washington DC, the United States (US) on February 25 (Washington DC time). Some 700 distinguished guests from the US Government, Congress, private sector, academia, media, think tanks, diplomatic community, and local community attended the event.

Click to Gallery

HKETO, Washington DC hosts celebratory Chinese New Year reception Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

More Images

HKETO, Washington DC hosts celebratory Chinese New Year reception Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The reception started with a recital by acclaimed Hong Kong-born pianist Aristo Sham. In 2025, Mr Sham won both the prestigious Gold medal and the Audience award at the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr Sham's repertoire ranged from classical to traditional, including Mr Sham's world premiere of Hong Kong composer Elliot Leung's new work "Neon Murals".

Addressing the audience, the Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, Ms Elania Luk, thanked Mr Sham for his enchanting performance. Ms Luk reported that Hong Kong's economy was buoyed in 2025 as external trade remained strong, private consumption rebounded, and fixed investment accelerated. Looking ahead, the economy is expected to maintain its momentum in 2026, with forecast growth of 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

Ms Luk added that Hong Kong continues to be an attractive destination for American companies. The US is the second largest source of foreign companies in Hong Kong, with some 1 500 American companies calling the city home. There are tremendous opportunities for American start-ups, which can tap the city's renowned universities and research institutes, entrepreneurial talent, and deep pool of investors to scale up their operations and ambitions.

Ms Luk stressed that the US has long enjoyed a sizeable trade surplus with Hong Kong, reaching over US$28 billion in 2025. She highlighted opportunities in the agriculture sector. With a population of some 7.5 million people, Hong Kong is the US's seventh largest export market for beef and beef products, importing over US$400 million. She also reiterated Hong Kong's commitment to free trade, noting that the city was once again ranked by the Fraser Institute as the world's freest economy last year.

In addition, Ms Luk updated the audience on Hong Kong's noteworthy developments in the financial sector, including financial innovation and being the world's leading venue for initial public offerings.

"Hong Kong's status as an international education hub has further elevated," Ms Luk said. "Our higher education institutions are globally recognised, with five universities ranked in the world top 100 and top 10 in Asia. The Study in Hong Kong Week currently taking place showcases the city's education credentials and opportunities for overseas students". Ms Luk encouraged American students and talent to study or work in Hong Kong to advance their education goals and accelerate their career trajectory.

Hong Kong is an international aviation hub. Hong Kong International Airport continues to connect nearly 200 destinations worldwide and is the world's busiest cargo airport. Ms Luk thanked Cathay Pacific Airways for supporting the event. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Cathay Pacific Airways. The airline connects to more than 100 destinations worldwide, including six cities in the US. The relaunch of the Seattle nonstop service starting end of March connects customers in the Pacific Northwest to Hong Kong and beyond, supporting Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.

Hong Kong Celebrates New Year with Economic Growth Highlights at Berlin Reception

HKETO Berlin welcomes Year of Horse

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), in collaboration with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Berlin, Germany on February 26 (Berlin time).

The reception brought together esteemed guests from various sectors, including government officials, ambassadors to Germany, business leaders, and media representatives, to celebrate the Year of the Horse. In his welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted Hong Kong's robust economic growth and strong performance in the capital market over the past year.

"In 2025, Hong Kong's GDP grew by 3.5 per cent. Our city also regained its position as the world's leading initial public offering fundraising hub, raising more than EUR 30 billion from over 110 new listings. Building on this success, Hong Kong will continue to advance with vitality and strength in the year ahead."

Mr Wong also introduced the innovative measures highlighted in the 2026-27 Budget delivered on February 25 (Hong Kong time). These measures aim to promote diversified development and international co-operation, particularly by leveraging Hong Kong's strengths in innovation and technology and finance. Various preferential policies, including land grant arrangements, financial subsidies and tax incentives, will facilitate the development of overseas and Mainland enterprises in Hong Kong. As an international trade centre with a strategic geographical location, comprehensive infrastructure and a full range of professional services, Hong Kong will continue to play an important role in global trade.

Mr Wong also highlighted that a record-high number of 11 000 overseas companies were located in Hong Kong in 2025, representing an increase of 11 per cent over the previous year. The "Go Global" initiative, in which Hong Kong serves as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", will continue to support Chinese Mainland enterprise in expanding globally and closely connecting with the rest of the world.

Mr Wong also further took the opportunity to promote the "Study in Hong Kong" brand, and Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange and innovation and technology collaboration. The reception featured an energetic freestyle football performance by two young artists from Hong Kong, which captivated the local guests.

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Hong Kong Celebrates Chinese New Year in Washington, Promotes Economic Opportunities and Cultural Exchange

HK