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

Film Archive to present screening programme "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time"

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a programme entitled "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time" from June 27 to July 11 at the Hall of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC) and the Cinema of the HKFA. This screening programme will showcase three pairings of films with six classic adaptations of the masterpiece novel "Journey to the West" in different eras and styles, demonstrating the diverse interpretations and artistic renderings by filmmakers across generations. This screening programme is part of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the HKFA and the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026.

"Journey to the West" is a well-known fantasy novel about the adventures of a master and his disciples who defeat and vanquish demons and monsters. By blending cautionary philosophies with meticulous characterisations, it established its own distinct style which inspired countless film productions. From monk Xuanzang's real-life epic journey, to the gods and demons depicted by a Ming dynasty novelist, and waves of film adaptations in post-war Hong Kong, this Chinese cultural gem remains engaging and inspiring to this day through constant dialogue and innovations across time.

The opening screening will feature the HKFA's newly 4K digitally restored versions of "A Chinese Odyssey Part One - Pandora's Box" (1995) and "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella" (1995). Departing from the original novel, the film focuses on the plight of the Monkey King, played by Stephen Chow, becoming a bandit after reincarnation and his emotional attachments under the vivid imagination of director and screenwriter Jeff Lau. Amidst Chow's brilliant comedic performance, the Monkey King is embroiled in a doomed romance that pulls at the heartstrings, making the films an enduring legend in Hong Kong comedy cinema.

"The Monkey Goes West" (1966) and "Princess Iron Fan" (1966) by the Shaw Brothers showcase the prowess of major film studios at the time with gorgeous costumes, meticulous set designs and intensive special effects. "The Monkey Goes West" follows the encounters between the Monkey King, his master and fellow apprentices and the White Dragon Horse on their westward journey to seek sacred scriptures, while "Princess Iron Fan" tells the stories of the Monkey King putting out the flames of the Fiery Mountains and his fights against the White Bone Demons to rescue his master. As fine specimens of how a literary classic is reimagined as intriguing fantasies with songs and dance in the 1960s, the Monkey King, played by Elliot Yueh, sings songs in the style of huangmei diao in "The Monkey Goes West", while in "Princess Iron Fan", the brilliant fighting scenes of the White Bone Demons, played by emerging actresses Cheng Pei-pei and Lily Ho, are interspersed with songs and dances.

In "The Monkey King" (2014), directed by Soi Cheang, the unique Hong Kong-style action design is buttressed by advanced computer-generated imagery. The story also adds a layer of sincerity and an innocent pursuit of freedom to the classic character of the Monkey King, played by action star Donnie Yen, highlighting the spree of oppressions by the celestial gatekeeper before the Monkey King wreaks havoc and breaks through the gate. In "The Monkey King 2" (2016), the costume design and special effects of the White Bone Demon, played by Gong Li, exude feminine grace and allure with stunning glamour. The film also adds a tragic backstory that drives the White Bone Demon to villainy with infernal determination, breathing modern sensibility into the traditional tale.

The screening times of the three pairs of film are as follows:

First pair

June 27 (Saturday)

The Hall, EKCC

3pm

A Chinese Odyssey Part One - Pandora's Box (4K Digitally Restored Version)

7.30pm

A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella (4K Digitally Restored Version)

Second pair

July 4 (Saturday)

Cinema, HKFA

1.30pm

The Monkey Goes West

5pm

Princess Iron Fan

Third pair

July 11 (Saturday)

Cinema, HKFA

1.30pm

The Monkey King

5pm

The Monkey King 2

Tickets for screenings at the EKCC priced at $70 and those for screenings at the HKFA priced at $60 will be available from May 22 (Friday) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). There is a 20 per cent discount for each purchase of two or more regular-priced tickets for different screenings in the same designated pair. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please call 2739 2139 or visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/ccf-journeys-to-the-west/pe-event-2026-ccf-journeys-to-the-west.html.

The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visitwww.ccf.gov.hk.

Film Archive to present screening programme "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present screening programme "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present screening programme "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present screening programme "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present screening programme "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases