Hong Kong Hosts Business Forum in Philadelphia to Boost Life Sciences Collaboration and Innovation Opportunities

New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception on March 12 (Philadelphia time) in Philadelphia, one of the most significant life science clusters in the United States, to promote Hong Kong's expanding role as a global hub for health and life sciences innovation and to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Over 130 business leaders, investors, and innovators from across Greater Philadelphia gathered to learn more about Hong Kong's role as an international life and health science hub.

As part of the Economic and Trade Express initiative, the business forum was co-organised by the New York ETO, Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), strengthening efforts in trade and investment promotion, and reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".

In her welcome remarks, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong's remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong's life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multipronged approach.

She elaborated on Hong Kong's integrated development plan, including reforming the evaluation regime for drugs and medical devices, promoting the use of real-world data to facilitate clinical research, setting up dedicated institutes and academies for research and clinical trials at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in the Northern Metropolis, as well as dedicated efforts in attracting strategic enterprises, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a leading health and innovation node.

Ms Ho added that Hong Kong's well-established financial ecosystem continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this growth. "Hong Kong ranks as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, supporting a diverse range of innovative companies," she said.

The business forum featured two keynote presentations connecting life sciences and health innovation between Philadelphia and Hong Kong. In her keynote presentation, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie, highlighted Hong Kong as a launchpad for life sciences, showcasing its well- developed research and development infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and strategic gateway to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia-Pacific markets. Meanwhile, the Director (New York & Midwest) of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie, shared the range of support the HKTDC provides to Philadelphia companies, including matchmaking services for companies, and encouraged delegation participation in the upcoming Asia Summit on Global Health.

The presentations were then followed by a panel discussion moderated by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole, featuring the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Liu Shuang; the Head of Global Business Development of the Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson; and the Director, Deal Advisory, US-China Corridor of KPMG, Mr Jon Hung. The speakers discussed collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia.

On the same evening, Ms Ho hosted a spring reception for guests from the city's political, business, financial, and academic communities.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum to promote Hong Kong’s life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (second right) with Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Invest Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie (first left); Head of Global Business Development of Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson (second left); Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Shuang Liu (third left); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole (fourth left); Director of Deal Advisory (US-China Corridor) at KPMG Mr Jon Hung (third right); and Director (New York & Midwest) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Curtis Louie (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). The panel discussion at the business forum explored opportunities for collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). In her welcome remarks at the business forum, Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong’s remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong’s life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multi-pronged approach. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows talented New York-based young musicians from Hong Kong performing at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (second right), with guests at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Guests from Philadelphia’s political, business, finance, and academic communities attended the event, and enjoyed the lion dance performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, delivering the welcome remarks at the spring reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (sixth left), with guests at the spring reception. 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