Jockey Club supports century-old Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade

The annual Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade took place today (19 June), attracting hundreds of visitors and residents to celebrate one of the city’s unique traditions. Originating more than a century ago as a way to ward off plague and purify the community, the Water Parade is inscribed on the third National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported it since 2012, helping to preserve and promote a cherished local tradition.

Guests fire the ceremonial cannon at the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

The opening ceremony was held at the Tai O Promenade, officiated by David Lam, Acting Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government; Anita Fung, Club Steward; Wu Jiahao, Deputy Director of New Territories Work Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Ryerson Ip, Assistant District Officer (Islands) of the Islands District Office of the HKSAR Government; Judith Ng, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the HKSAR Government and Fan Sum-kee, Chairman of the Joint Association of Traditional Dragon-Boats in Tai O.

David Lam, Acting Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government (3rd right); Anita Fung, Club Steward (3rd left); Wu Jiahao, Deputy Director of New Territories Work Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (2nd right); Ryerson Ip, Assistant District Officer (Islands) of the Islands District Office of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Judith Ng, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the HKSAR Government (1st left) and Fan Sum-kee, Chairman of the Joint Association of Traditional Dragon-Boats in Tai O (1st right) at the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

Club Steward Anita Fung said that the Trust’s support for the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade has helped to maintain an important piece of national intangible cultural heritage as well as enabling the younger generation to appreciate its cultural significance. This year, three traditional dragon boats supported by the Trust made their debut, injecting new vitality into this century-old tradition.

Club Steward Anita Fung delivers a speech at the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

Club Steward Anita Fung (right) presents souvenirs to participating organisations.

Since the inscription of the Water Parade onto the Third National List of ICH more than a decade ago, the Trust has donated over HK$9.5 million to support the event, including funding the construction of dragon boats, programme arrangements, manpower support and educational programmes. This year’s event brought together over 320 dragon boat paddlers and 160 volunteers and attracted hundreds of visitors. In addition to the Water Parade, educational activities helped deepen public understanding of its heritage and encourage younger generations to participate.

Three traditional dragon boats supported by the Club made their debut.

The Trust has long supported the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, encouraging public and youth participation through a diverse range of initiatives. In addition to the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, this includes the current Hong Kong ICH Month, as well as other local traditional events on the national heritage list: the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival. Since 2010, the Trust has donated over HK$167 million to support these ICH events and related educational programmes. These initiatives align with the HKSAR Government’s Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0 and the National 15th Five-Year Plan, as different sectors of society work together to contribute to the country’s development.

Highlights of the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

The Club’s support for the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Highlights of the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is supporting youthfest@HK for the fourth consecutive year, with the 2026 edition launching today (28 July) at the HYAB JC Y Cube at Youth Square in Chai Wan. As the annual flagship initiative under the HKSAR Government’s Youth Development Blueprint, youthfest@HK provides a positive and inclusive platform for young people from diverse backgrounds to realise their potential, broaden their horizons and cultivate positive values, a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective. These experiences equip young people to meet future challenges with confidence. Since 2023, the Club has supported the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) in delivering youthfest@HK through the Chief Executive’s Community Project List, with an annual approved donation of HK$10 million from the Club’s Charities Trust.

Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (5th right); Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government (9th left); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right); Patrick Li, Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government (8th left); Kenneth Leung, Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (3rd right); Victor Pang, Convenor of the Action Group on Youth Festival of the Youth Development Commission (7th left), and Winnie So, Head of the Youth Link Committee (2nd right), officiate at the opening ceremony of youthfest@HK 2026.

Officiating guests at the launch ceremony included Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government; Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Patrick Li, Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government; Kenneth Leung, Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission; Victor Pang, Convenor of the Action Group on Youth Festival of the Youth Development Commission, and Winnie So, Head of the Youth Link Committee.

Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (left) and Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang (right) tour booths at the opening ceremony of youthfest@HK 2026.

Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (left) and Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang (right) tour booths at the opening ceremony of youthfest@HK 2026.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang said that the Club has always attached great importance to youth development. Through cross-sector collaboration and innovative thinking, it initiates and supports a wide range of projects that provide young people with diverse and equitable opportunities to develop their potential and contribute to society. He noted that the Club’s youth initiatives align closely with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the HKSAR Government’s Youth Development Blueprint, through a commitment to nurturing a new generation with both a strong sense of national identity and a global vision. This includes the Club’s support for the Strive and Rise Programme since 2022, helping students from underprivileged backgrounds broaden their horizons, build confidence and better plan for their futures.

Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of youthfest@HK 2026.

Each year, youthfest@HK brings together the Government, business sector, academia and the wider community to organise around 200 diverse activities, attracting approximately 200,000 participants. One of the key programmes in the previous edition was Youth Fest Youth Quest, which featured thematic sharing sessions and direct dialogue with Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs. The programme encouraged young people to actively participate in public affairs and policy discussions, while fostering exchanges between youth and different sectors of the community to explore Hong Kong’s future development.

Youngsters perform at the 2026 youthfest@HK kick-off ceremony.

The Club actively supports youth development through a broad range of initiatives. In addition to youthfest@HK, it supports projects such as 21C@JC, which enhances services for young people in the digital age, and JC YUP, which provides personalised support during three key transition stages from education to employment. Last year, the Club also announced a HK$1.4 billion donation to support five youth development initiatives. These include the HYAB JC Scheme for Youth Life Planning, launched in partnership with HYAB, and the enhancement of facilities at Youth Square, including the establishment of the HYAB JC Y Cube, the venue of today’s launch ceremony. The upgraded facilities feature interactive spaces and audio-visual production amenities that enable young people to explore diverse pathways and prepare for the future.

Youngsters perform at the 2026 youthfest@HK kick-off ceremony.

The Club’s support for youthfest@HK, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Group photo.