CCIDA Sponsors Trade's Participation in 36th Hong Kong Book Fair to Promote Reading Culture in Hong Kong

CCIDA sponsors trade's participation in 36th Hong Kong Book Fair to promote reading culture in Hong Kong

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair is being held from today (July 15) till July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Committed to cultivating a positive reading atmosphere in the community and actively promoting a reading culture in Hong Kong, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the trade to organise an array of events at the 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, thereby better aligning with the work directions as promulgated in the Regulation on Promoting Nationwide Reading that came into effect on February 1 this year.

The book fair events sponsored by CCIDA include the World of Art and Culture exhibition, the booth and workshops of the 3rd Go! Illustrators – Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme, the kick-off ceremony of the 4th Next Writer Publication Funding Scheme, the International Publishing Forum, the IP Roundtable and the press conference of the inaugural edition of World Chinese Literature Convention and World Chinese Literary Awards.

The World of Art and Culture exhibition is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council under the theme "World in Words, A Voyage of the Heart" this year. Collaborating with different consulates-general in Hong Kong, the exhibition showcases over 200 books and items from around the world, with some 35 author-sharing sessions, workshops and performances, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges while providing more choices of publications for readers.

The Go! Illustrators scheme(Chinese only) aims to support local emerging picture book illustrators to participate in local and outside book fairs (including the Hong Kong Book Fair) to broaden the illustrators' horizons, showcase their works and expand the market. Its booth this year also showcases the 16 original picture books published under the CCIDA-sponsored Hong Kong Picture Book Publishing Support Programme.

The current edition of the Next Writer Publication Funding Scheme(Chinese only) covers two categories, namely, intangible culutrual heritage and popular science, and supports local emerging writers who have never published any work or published only one book before by publishing and promoting the writers' new works.

This year, the International Publishing Forum and the IP Roundtable, under the respective themes "Reading for All in the Age of AI: Reshaping and Co-evolution" and "Copyright in Transition: Reshaping Rights, Challenges & Opportunities in the Age of AI", invite the trade to participate in discussion to explore business opportunities.

The inaugural edition of the World Chinese Literature Convention and the World Chinese Literary Awards seek to provide a global platform for Chinese literature creation and exchange, acknowledge outstanding works in the Chinese literature, while encouraging the expansion of the influence and reach of Chinese literature through adaptation into films and TV programmes and operation of IPs. The Convention establishes its presence in Hong Kong signifies Hong Kong's unique position in the Chinese literature community. The World Chinese Literary Awards is open for submission of entries on the same day of the press conference on July 17, with the award presentation ceremony scheduled for February next year.

As an annual signature cultural event, the Hong Kong Book Fair gathers the publishing industry, authors and readers. CCIDA will continue to support the trade's participation in the book fair to jointly promote reading and publishing culture. For the timetable of the above mentioned book fair events, please visit www.ccidahk.gov.hk/en/whatsnew_detail.php?id=2026071017125749566.

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair is being held from today (July 15) till July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the trade to organise an array of events at the Fair. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (left), and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 4th Next Writer Publication Funding Scheme, Mr William So (right), at the kick-off ceremony of the Scheme. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair is being held from today (July 15) till July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the trade to organise an array of events at the Fair. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (second left), and the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Yvonne Ip (first left), interacting with a local picture book illustrator at the booth of the 3rd Go! Illustrators – Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair is being held from today (July 15) till July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the trade to organise an array of events at the Fair. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (third left), and the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Yvonne Ip (second right), visiting the booth of the 3rd Go! Illustrators – Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair is being held from today (July 15) till July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the trade to organise an array of events at the Fair. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, visiting the World of Art and Culture. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair is being held from today (July 15) till July 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the trade to organise an array of events at the Fair. Photo shows the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (centre); the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (fifth left); the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Yvonne Ip (first left) and industry representatives visiting the World of Art and Culture. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by DSJ at forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan"

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7):

Dr Phyllis Kwong (President of the Asia Pacific Law Association), Consul General Mr Dosmanbetov (Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong, Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov), (Deputy Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association, Ms Liu Jianqing), distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join today's forum organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association.

In June, I had the privilege of joining a highly fruitful delegation led by the Chief Executive to Kazakhstan in my capacity as the Deputy Secretary for Justice as well as the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global.

That visit reinforced a clear message: Hong Kong is a natural and indispensable partner not only for Kazakhstan's development, but also for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into Kazakhstan and beyond. I would like to share some of my observations.

Opportunities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, sits at the strategic crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its economy momentum is remarkable - with growth of 6.5 per cent in 2025 and projected to hold steady at 4.8 per cent in 2026. As a global heavyweight in energy fuels and critical minerals, and a vital node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan is not just opening its markets, but undergoing profound economic transformation.

Its young and tech-savvy population is driving unprecedented demand for digital services, modern infrastructure, and sophisticated financial products. This creates a fertile ground for partnership.

I am certain that the Consul General will share more on Kazakhstan's latest development in a minute.

Hong Kong's Unique "Hub-to-Hub" Role

Let me now focus on how Hong Kong serves as the ideal "hub" to connect with Kazakhstan's growing "hub" - a "hub-to-hub" collaboration as remarked by the Chief Executive in our recent visit.

Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is more than a gateway. We are the active catalyst.

Hong Kong as the Premier Financial Hub

First, let's consider our financial market. In the first quarter of 2026, our stock market ranked first globally in IPO (initial public offering) funds raised. This liquidity is matched by a deep and robust bond market, evidenced by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan's issuance of Renminbi "dim sum" bonds in Hong Kong.

We serve as a deal-making bridge connecting Kazakh capital with high-growth Mainland sectors. This is essential for pre-IPO financing through which Chinese businesses' capital base would be diversified while enriching Kazakh financial industry's investment portfolio.

On capital market listings, we facilitate dual access. Last year, we welcomed the first simultaneous dual listing on the Hong Kong and Astana exchanges of a Mainland mining firm. By tapping into investor bases simultaneously, the company was able to raise more funds than it could have through a single listing.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's national railway company wholly-owned by its sovereign wealth fund has recently submitted its listing application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This showcases how Hong Kong also acts as the premier gateway for Kazakh state-owned enterprises seeking international expansion and funding.

The Common Law Advantage

Behind every successful transaction lies a solid legal foundation. The Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan has established a special jurisdiction operating under common law principles. This mutual legal grounding in common law gives Hong Kong a distinctive edge in safeguarding cross-border transactions with predictability.

First, on investment infrastructure. Complex and multi-jurisdictional Belt and Road projects require sophisticated legal engineering with expertise in cross-border regulatory landscape. Hong Kong lawyers, with rich experience and a wide network, navigate the intersection of common law, international regulations, and Chinese corporate governance to ensure the projects' sustainability.

Second, on dispute resolution. Hong Kong offers a regulatory framework that delivers the certainty and effectiveness for cross-border dispute resolution. We have established a comprehensive mutual legal assistance network with the Chinese Mainland, enabling distinctive advantages no other jurisdiction could match, including in mutual enforcement of civil and commercial judgments and interim measures for arbitral proceedings.

Our Judiciary is setting up the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), a specialist division of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes. The HKICC, together with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, will provide businesses with a comprehensive range of dispute resolution options.

Our Initiatives

Now that you have a clearer picture of how Hong Kong's world-leading financial market with quality professional services could assist businesses to seize Kazakh opportunities. The next question is: how to find your suitable advisors?

To strengthen the connection between enterprises and Hong Kong's professional services, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched several new initiatives.

We have been leading mission trips to the Chinese Mainland and beyond, directly linking Hong Kong's legal and other professionals with enterprises seeking to go global. These are not just networking events but matchmaking platforms for concrete business needs.

This April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting "Go Global", detailing their practice areas, such as capital markets, taxation, etc, and the industries they have assisted.

We have also compiled two collections of success stories, showcasing the track record of Hong Kong's legal, accounting, financial and business consultancy services.

With these tools, businesses could appreciate in practical terms the value our professional services could create, backing their full business cycle.

Ladies and gentlemen, the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's financial and legal infrastructures position us to play a pivotal role in supporting closer collaboration with Kazakhstan. I look forward to working together with you to build better partnerships among Chinese Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. I wish today's event a huge success. Thank you very much.

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Speech by DSJ at forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases