Brussels ETO Promotes Hong Kong’s Wine, Academic, and Cultural Exchange in Sicily

Brussels ETO promotes Hong Kong's wine industry, academic exchange and music talent in Sicily, Italy

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (Brussels ETO), continued its efforts to promote Hong Kong's wine and spirits industry as well as cultural and academic exchanges in Europe.

A trade and cultural promotion programme was conducted in Sicily, Italy, featuring meetings with institutional and industry representatives, including the President of Associazione Sicilia, board members of wine associations and representatives of wine consortiums, to explore collaboration opportunities in the wine and spirits sector. Brussels ETO representatives also met the Rector of the University of Palermo to promote academic and student exchanges with universities in Hong Kong.

On August 26 (Sicily time), Brussels ETO supported a performance by acclaimed Hong Kong pianist Rachel Cheung at the Palermo Classica International Festival 2026. Her programme featured works by Beethoven, Schumann, Tan Dun and Chopin. Around 200 people attended the concert and applauded her outstanding performance.

Speaking at a networking dinner on August 27 (Sicily time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, described Cheung's performance at the festival as a fine example of how music can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries and bring people together. Ms Yung said Hong Kong and Italy shared a deep appreciation of arts and culture, and highlighted Hong Kong's commitment to promoting cultural exchange and strengthening its position as an international cultural hub where East meets West.

The Palermo Classica International Festival is a renowned summer music festival in Sicily. This year, it features more than 60 international musicians and 40 events, spanning classical music, jazz, film scores, tango, opera and symphonic rock.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels promotes Hong Kong's wine industry, academic exchange and music talent in Sicily, Italy. Photo shows Hong Kong pianist Rachel Cheung, performing in the prestigious Palermo Classica International Festival 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels promotes Hong Kong's wine industry, academic exchange and music talent in Sicily, Italy. Photo shows a group photo of the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (third left), with local wine industry representatives. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (Brussels ETO) promotes Hong Kong's wine industry, academic exchange and music talent in Sicily, Italy. Photo shows a networking dinner with local institutional and industry representatives, board members of wine associations as well as representatives of wine consortiums and wineries on August 27 (Sicily time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels promotes Hong Kong's wine industry, academic exchange and music talent in Sicily, Italy. Photo shows (from first left) Hong Kong pianist Rachel Cheung, the Rector of the University of Palermo, Mr Massimo Midiri, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung and Palermo's Councillor for Culture, Mr Antonio Rini. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Property owner fined over $50,000 for persistently not complying with removal order

A property owner was convicted and fined $53,700 in total, of which $23,700 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts last Friday (August 28) for persistently failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 84 square metres on the rooftop of a composite building on King's Road, North Point. As the unauthorised building work (UBW) was carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner had been prosecuted by the BD twice and was fined upon convictions by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the third time.

A spokesman for the BD said today (August 31), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action and instigate prosecutions against owners again if they persist in not complying with removal orders to ensure building and public safety."

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: AI-found images