Brussels ETO brings Hong Kong's music talent to Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported the Hong Kong Sinfonietta's participation in the Marvao International Music Festival held in Marvao, Portugal, from July 24 to August 2 (Marvao time).
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Photo shows the Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing at the Marvao International Music Festival on July 31 (Marvao time) with the Hong Kong musicians. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Photo shows the Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing at the Marvao International Music Festival on July 31 (Marvao time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Photo shows The Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing at the Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal on August 2 (Marvao time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Photo shows (from left): the Music Director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the Artistic Director of the Marvao International Music Festival, Mr Christoph Poppen; Hong Kong composer-performer, Ms Alice Young; Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Kasper Ng; Hong Kong jazz pianist, Mr Daniel Chu; and Hong Kong harmonica virtuoso and composer, Mr Cy Leo, at the Farewell Gala concert of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta at the Marvao International Music Festival on August 2 (Marvao time) in Marvao, Portugal. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Led by Music Director Christoph Poppen, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta staged four performances at the Festival this year, including the Farewell Gala on August 2 (Marvao time) which marked the closing of the Festival. The performances also featured renowned musicians from Hong Kong, including harmonica virtuoso and composer Cy Leo, jazz pianist Daniel Chu, as well as composer-performer Alice Yeung, showcasing the talent of Hong Kong's young musicians to around 2 000 international audience members attending the Festival.
The Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO, Mr Kasper Ng, attended the Farewell Gala and the reception to showcase Brussels ETO's support to the orchestra, and promote the vibrant arts and cultural scene of Hong Kong as the event capital of Asia with world-class festivals and cultural celebrations.
The Marvao International Music Festival is one of Europe's leading classical music festivals, and is held in the medieval hilltop town of Marvao. Hong Kong Sinfonietta's participation this year marks the orchestra's fourth time participating in this internationally acclaimed Festival, further strengthening cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Portugal as well as the rest of Europe, and demonstrating the high-calibre quality and diversity of Hong Kong's musical talent.
Photo shows the Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing at the Marvao International Music Festival on July 31 (Marvao time) with the Hong Kong musicians. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Photo shows the Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing at the Marvao International Music Festival on July 31 (Marvao time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Photo shows The Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing at the Marvao International Music Festival in Portugal on August 2 (Marvao time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Photo shows (from left): the Music Director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and the Artistic Director of the Marvao International Music Festival, Mr Christoph Poppen; Hong Kong composer-performer, Ms Alice Young; Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Kasper Ng; Hong Kong jazz pianist, Mr Daniel Chu; and Hong Kong harmonica virtuoso and composer, Mr Cy Leo, at the Farewell Gala concert of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta at the Marvao International Music Festival on August 2 (Marvao time) in Marvao, Portugal. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for second quarter of 2026
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (August 4).
The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the second quarter of 2026, provisionally estimated at $27.2 billion, increased by 0.4% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 2.5% to $8.8 billion.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the second quarter of 2026 with the second quarter of 2025, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 1.5% in value and 0.7% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 1.6% in value and 1.0% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops decreased by 1.5% in value and 2.5% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 3.8% in value and 4.6% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 2.7% in value and 3.6% in volume.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.5% in both value and volume in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter.
Comparing the first half of 2026 with the same period in 2025, total restaurant receipts increased by 0.8% in value but decreased by 0.1% in volume.
To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 0.9%, increased by 0.6% and decreased by 0.5% respectively in April, May and June 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.2%, decreased by 0.2% and decreased by 1.3% respectively in April, May and June 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business of restaurants was largely steady recently. The value of total restaurant receipts increased by 0.4% in the second quarter over a year earlier, rendering an increase of 0.8% in the first half of the year.
Looking ahead, continued economic expansion, rising local incomes, and a steady increase in inbound visitors are expected to provide support to restaurant businesses. Yet, external uncertainties still constitute downside risks. The Government will continue to closely monitor the potential impacts of external developments on restaurant businesses.
Further information
Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the first quarter of 2026 as well as the provisional figures for the second quarter of 2026.
Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the first quarter of 2026 and the provisional indices for the second quarter of 2026.
Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the second quarter of 2026 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of theC&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from September 18, 2026.
The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of theC&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; e-mail: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
