Hong Kong and Nigeria Sign Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement to Boost Economic Cooperation

2026-07-13 19:28 Last Updated At：07-14 11:58

Hong Kong and Nigeria enter into tax pact

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, had an online bilateral meeting today (July 13) with the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy of Nigeria, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of Nigeria.

At the meeting, Mr Hui highlighted to Mr Oyedele the latest developments of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, including its top-tier global positions in areas such as cross-boundary wealth management, global competitiveness and tax policy. Besides, with a view to developing Hong Kong into a global gold trading, clearing, and reserve hub, the Government recently commenced the trial operation of Hong Kong's new central clearing and settlement system for gold, together with a suite of targeted initiatives aiming to build a modern and full-chain gold trading ecosystem.

Mr Hui said, "Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and its gross domestic product ranks third on the continent. Nigeria is a participant in the Belt and Road Initiative and an important trading partner of Hong Kong in Africa. As I pointed out earlier, the continued expansion of our CDTA network, especially with economies along the Belt and Road, provides Hong Kong-based enterprises with greater tax certainty and avoidance of double taxation when expanding their business overseas. This can encourage corporations to centralise their fund management, asset allocation and risk management in Hong Kong. This is the 59th CDTA that Hong Kong has concluded and also the fourth one this year. We will continue to step up our efforts in this regard, aiming to create a more attractive business and investment environment."

This CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Nigeria. In accordance with this CDTA, any tax paid by Hong Kong residents in Nigeria will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO). Moreover, Nigeria's withholding tax rates for Hong Kong residents on dividends and interest, and for Hong Kong companies on royalties, which are currently at 10 per cent, will be reduced to 7.5 per cent.

The CDTA will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will make an order under the IRO, which will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting. Details are available on the Inland Revenue Department's website.

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Makes Hong Kong Debut at 2026 Chinese Culture Festival

Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make Hong Kong debut in August with "The Banquet at Sanguan" showcasing loyal and heroic spirit

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), has invited the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City to make its Hong Kong debut in August. Led by Chen Suqin, a national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) representative bearer of Shangdang Bangzi opera and a China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner, the troupe's outstanding performers will stage the classic masterpiece "The Banquet at Sanguan" and three selected opera excerpts. Characterised by soaring and soulful vocals, and unique stylised movements, the performances are set to display the distinctive grandeur and theatrical charm of Shangdang Bangzi opera. This programme is also part of the 14th Chinese Opera Festival.

Shangdang Bangzi opera, one of the four major Bangzi opera systems of Shanxi, is popular in the southeastern region of Shanxi, an area historically known as Shangdang Prefecture during the Qin and Han dynasties. It entered its golden age during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing dynasty, giving rise to two distinct schools: the Zhoudi and Lufu schools. The singing is rooted in the "banqiang" (rhythmic-melodic) system, and the male and female roles share the same tonal register. Its musical style is steady and vigorous, while the performance aesthetic is bold and impassioned. The traditional repertoire focuses on paodai (court and martial costume) plays, notably featuring the heroic sagas of the generals of the Yang family and the troops under Yue Fei. Shangdang Bangzi opera was inscribed on the First National List of ICH in 2006.

Details of the two performances are as follows:

"The Banquet at Sanguan"

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Date and time: August 14 (Friday), 7.30pm

"The Banquet at Sanguan" is one of the representative works of Shangdang Bangzi opera. Adapted from the story of Yang Yanhui (Silang, the fourth son of the Yang family) being recruited as the son-in-law of the Liao Kingdom, it tells the tragedy of Silang's mother, Dowager She, exposing Silang's true identity in front of Empress Dowager Xiao, which drives Princess Taohua to crash against a pillar in shame and fury, and leads Silang to take his own life. Through this unique lens, the play condemns Silang's treason for personal gain while honouring Dowager She's unwavering patriotism. Chen Suqin will perform with Class One performers Qi Suzhen and Zheng Fagen, vividly capturing Empress Dowager Xiao's grief over the loss of her daughter, Dowager She's sacrifice of personal feelings for the greater cause, and Silang's agonising inner turmoil. Paired with traditional percussion and unique costume designs, the production fully embodies the authentic flavour of Shangdang heritage.

Excerpts

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Date and time: August 15 (Saturday), 7.30pm

This programme features a selection of three classic Shangdang Bangzi opera excerpts. "To Kill His Wife" is a representative work of vocal innovation within the genre. Its classic aria, "The Plum Tree by the Window is My Friend", features beautiful lyrics and melody, fully displaying Chen Suqin's deep vocal prowess. Representing the martial tradition, "Assassinating Empress Dowager Xiao" and "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass" belong to the classic Yang family saga. The high-pitched, robust vocals are paired with a continuous display of spectacular stunts, such as hair flinging, flips and splits. The finale, "Forced into Insanity" from "Incidents at the Temporary Imperial Palace", places equal emphasis on singing and acting. Chen Suqin employs soaring, impassioned vocals to chart the protagonist's psychological breakdown - from terror to madness due to her beloved child's ordeal in palace intrigue - portraying it to the fullest and unleashing the overwhelming emotional force of Shangdang Bangzi opera.

Founded in 1938, the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City is widely acclaimed as the "premier Shangdang bangzi troupe". With a steadfast commitment to both preserving heritage and fostering innovation, the troupe has nurtured a lineage of stellar artists across four generations. Its repertoire features the enduring classic "The Banquet at Sanguan", alongside new productions such as "Tai Hang Niang Qin" (Mother of Tai Hang) and "Mother and Son of Han Dynasty", which have garnered numerous awards. While actively engaging in cultural exchanges both at home and abroad, the troupe remains deeply rooted in the community, staging more than 300 performances annually.

The two performances will be held at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Lyrics and dialogue are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $190, $290 and $390 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The CCF 2026 offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced "Generations Together 1+1" discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/shangdang-bangzi-opera-theatre-of-jincheng-city/.

A meet-the-artists session entitled "The Unique Artistic Features and Vocal Characteristics of Shangdang Bangzi Opera" (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on August 13 (Thursday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Chen Suqin will be the speaker while Chinese opera researcher Sheng Yihui will be the moderator. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1963.html#tab_13_0). If the spaces for online registration are full, those who are interested may wait at the venue's entrance for a standby space on the day of the session. Any unclaimed spots will be released 10 minutes after the session begins on a first-come, first-served basis.

The programme will also feature a session under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" to be held at 2.30pm on August 15 (Saturday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, with free admission for local primary and secondary school students. Artists of the troupe will perform the "The Great Battle" from "Yanmen Pass", a classic excerpt about the saga of the loyal Yang family generals. Through a series of traditional operatic stylised techniques, including bazigong (acrobatic fighting with traditional Chinese weapons), hair flinging and flipping, performers will recount the intense, heroic spirit of the battlefield, which serves as an engaging guide for students to discover and appreciate the artistic style of Chinese regional opera.

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. This year's CCF is held from June to September. For more information, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

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Hong Kong and Nigeria Sign Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement to Boost Economic Cooperation

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