Brussels ETO Celebrates Chinese New Year with Local Communities in Spain and Ireland, Highlighting Innovation and Trade Opportunities

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised Chinese New Year receptions in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time), and Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time), bringing together over 220 guests from local business, public and community sectors in the two countries.

Jointly organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with the support of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, the reception in Barcelona was held to coincide with the Mobile World Congress (MWC), and was well attended by guests including the Hong Kong innovation and technology (I&T) delegation attending the MWC, as well as local start-ups, enterprises and related institutions.

In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted that I&T had become a new growth engine for Hong Kong. "We are building a more complete innovation value chain, one that integrates basic research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing," she said.

Ms Yung also mentioned that Hong Kong achieved a new milestone of having over 5 200 start-ups last year, representing an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. She encouraged European companies, talent and students to come to Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities arising from the rapid development of the I&T sector and related infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis.

Hong Kong's wine and liquor trade as well as related business opportunities were the special focus of the reception in Dublin. Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, with the support of the Dublin Chamber, Brussels ETO held a business seminar before the reception with the local liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.

Ms Yung also highlighted Hong Kong's premier role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and Asia, with the city strategically located at the heart of the region with world-class transport connectivity. She encouraged Irish wine and liquor traders to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for trading, distribution, and auctions to expand their market share on the Chinese Mainland and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows local guests mingling after the business seminar in Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows (from left) the Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin Chamber, Ms Mary Rose Burke; Deputy Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong Brussels Office Mr Fernando De La Cal Gonzalez; the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director of United Kingdom, Nordics and Ireland of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Joey Ko; and Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows (from left) Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng; the President of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, Mr Ricardo Ferrer; the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Director of France, Spain and Portugal of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Christopher Lai; and the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong Brussels office, Ms Paula Kant, toasting at the Chinese New Year reception in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows local guests attending the Chinese New Year reception in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, speaking at the Chinese New Year reception in Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels continues to hold Chinese New Year celebrations in Europe. Photo shows the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, speaking at the Chinese New Year reception in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns foreign media organisation for misleading international society and whitewashing Lai Chee-ying's offenses

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

A spokesman for the Legislative Council ("LegCo") today (May 1) strongly condemned the release of a so-called press freedom index by a foreign media organisation and presentation of a so-called award to the national security offender Lai Chee-ying to sugarcoat his criminal acts, and smear the press freedom and rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"). LegCo strongly condemns and firmly opposes all untrue comments that defame the human rights and rule of law in the HKSAR.

The Legislative Council, Photo source: reference image

LegCo's spokesman stressed, "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Hong Kong National Security Law ("HKNSL") and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ("SNSO") clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Facts speak louder than the words. Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, Hong Kong society as a whole has thrived and returned to rationality and safety."

The National Security Law, Photo source: AP News

LegCo's spokesman emphasised, "Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and the evidence is irrefutable. During the trial, a vast amount of evidence testified that for years, under the guise of journalism, democracy, and freedom, Lai Chee-ying utilised media platforms as political tools to incite hatred and commit acts that harmed both the country and Hong Kong. This included using media platforms to call for foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The court conducted a rigorous, fair, just and open trial lasting 156 days. The reasons for the verdict, spanning 855 pages, have been fully disclosed for public inspection; they set out in detail the judges' rigorous analysis of legal principles and evidence, and clearly explain the reasons for finding Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies guilty. The judgment also pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction is well-reasoned and sound, fully demonstrating that the court makes rulings strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference."

Lai Chee-ying, Photo source: AP News

LegCo's spokesman said, "As emphasised by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,Mr Xia Baolong,in his speech on this year's National Security Education Day, Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, profoundly demonstrates that there is no development without security, and without security, everything is out of the question. Only by holding the bottom line of security can we achieve development and win the future."

LegCo's spokesman reiterated, "LegCo will continue to firmly fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, support the SAR Government's administration in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. LegCo urges the international community to recognise the facts and immediately stop making any groundless, fact-distorting, misleading and malicious attacks against Hong Kong."