Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 Kicks Off with Celebrations for FILMART's 30th and Film Festival's 50th Anniversaries

Speech by CS at Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 today (March 17):

(Deputy Director of the China Film Administration and Director of the China Film Archive, Mr Qin Zhengui), (Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the National Radio and Television Administration and Deputy Director General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, Mr Yang Yong), Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Entertainment Industry Advisory Committee, Dr Peter Lam), Fred (Chairman of the HKTDC, Professor Frederick Ma), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I am delighted to join you today for the kick-off ceremony of this year's Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, the 22nd edition of this vibrant event.

As Peter noted, this year's Entertainment Expo is particularly special. We are celebrating major milestones of two of its founding events - the 30th anniversary of FILMART, and the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival. These are not just birthdays; they are testaments to the lasting power and global appeal of Hong Kong's creative industries.

The continued success of these two flagship events, together with the strong line-up of our other six Entertainment Expo gatherings, reflects the creativity, quality and international recognition that Hong Kong's entertainment sector has achieved over the years.

In this regard, FILMART, opening today, remains Asia's leading marketplace. This year, it features over 790 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions.

We are also delighted to see the return of Producers Connect, following its successful launch last year. It continues to focus on what matters most - international collaborations, business matching, and meaningful exchanges with industry leaders through workshops and fireside chats.

Turning to the Hong Kong International Film Festival, opening on April 1, audiences can look forward to 215 films from more than 70 countries and regions. There will also be masterclasses led by internationally renowned filmmakers.

To mark its golden jubilee, a special exhibition - "50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition" - will feature recorded interviews with filmmakers sharing their Film Festival experiences, as well as rare photographs of celebrated directors and film stars who have appeared at the festival over the past half century.

And there is more. Just last Sunday, we had the 19th Asian Film Awards presentation ceremony. Next month, on April 19, the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards presentation ceremony will shine a spotlight on our local film talent.

This Friday, the Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) awards ceremony will showcase winning works from 31 shortlisted Hong Kong teams. The shortlisted teams received funding, professional training, and guidance in production and promotion; a fine example on how we cultivate more talent across various sectors.

Then there's the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum, which received more than 500 submissions from 47 countries and regions this year. As always, the Forum connects filmmakers with global partners to explore investment and co-production opportunities.

Speaking of which, EntertainmentPulse and the Digital Entertainment Summit will bring together international industry leaders and experts, and discuss opportunities in animation, co-production collaborations, intellectual property, production technologies, short-form films and more.

Behind every event of the Entertainment Expo, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government stands firm in its support. Leading this effort is our Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. We are committed to championing the growth of Hong Kong's creative economy.

Beyond the Expo, I encourage you to explore what our city has to offer as a rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Be sure to visit two unique cinematic exhibitions - "Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey" - in Kowloon City, and "Yau Ma Tei Police Station: A Cinematic Journey". These are not just displays of movie sets, they are windows into the passion, creativity, and dedication of Hong Kong's filmmaking community.

I am grateful to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for their passion and creativity in putting together another outstanding Entertainment Expo Hong Kong.

My thanks also go to the China Film Administration and the National Radio and Television Administration for their unwavering support for Entertainment Expo over the years.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you another rewarding and inspiring Entertainment Expo. And the best of business and entertainment in the coming year. Thank you.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 today (March 17). Photo shows (from third left) the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Entertainment Industry Advisory Committee, Dr Peter Lam; Mr Chan; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 today (March 17). Photo shows Mr Chan (left) touring the exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 today (March 17). Photo shows Mr Chan (centre) touring the exhibition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended the Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 today (March 17). Photo shows (from fourth left) the Deputy Director of the China Film Administration and Director of the China Film Archive, Mr Qin Zhengui; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Entertainment Industry Advisory Committee, Dr Peter Lam; Mr Chan; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong; the Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the National Radio and Television Administration and Deputy Director General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, Mr Yang Yong, and other guests officiating at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, speaks at the Kick-off Ceremony of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 today (March 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (May 1) and seized about 12 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million, and nine suspected duty-not-paid cigarettes.

A 37-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds in his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 34-year-old male passenger, who also arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, and was suspected to be connected with the case, at the airport on the same day. During baggage examination, Customs officers found a total of about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds and nine duty-not-paid cigarettes in his carry-on baggage.

After an investigation, the two arrested persons involved in the case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Moreover, the 34-year-old arrestee has also been charged with one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on May 4.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases