Speech by USCST at opening ceremony of "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong"
Following is the speech by the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, at the opening ceremony of the "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong" today (September 2):
The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, Photo source: reference image
Steve (Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), Mr Steve Leung), Carlo (President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), Mr Carlo Capasa), Sara (International New Talents and Brands Ambassador of the CNMI, Ms Sara Sozzani Maino), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon, Buongiorno. My pleasure to be here at the opening of "Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong". "Future Threads" is the only event of this year's Hong Kong Fashion Fest dedicated to menswear, and I am especially pleased to be part of it today.
Menswear is one of fashion's fastest growing chapters. The global menswear market is now valued at close to US$470 billion, and in Asia Pacific alone, there is an expansion of more than six per cent a year.
Hong Kong is exceptionally well-positioned to help write this menswear chapter, and the exhibition today, which is the first strategic collaboration between the Hong Kong Design Centre and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the organiser of Milan Fashion Week, puts us right at the centre of this ever-growing market.
With the great effort of the Hong Kong Design Centre and the meticulous curation of Sara, the International New Talents and Brands Ambassador of the CNMI, this exhibition brings together ten outstanding emerging menswear designers from Hong Kong and Italy. Their collections stage a creative dialogue between two vibrant fashion capitals, offering us an exclusive preview of the Spring/Summer 2027 menswear collections. I'm delighted to be wearing one of the stylish designs today.
Our relationship with the CNMI has always been close. I am confident that this exhibition will further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and Italy's fashion industries for the years to come, and reaffirm Hong Kong's role as a global platform where Eastern and Western aesthetics converge. I encourage all our guests to explore the exhibition and engage with the inspiring work on display.
May I once again thank the HKDC, the CNMI, Sara and all participating designers who have made this event possible, and offer my warmest congratulations to the HKDC and the CNMI on forging this strategic collaboration. I wish the exhibition every success. Thank you.
"Future Threads: Menswear's New Waves Between Italy and Hong Kong," Photo source: fashionasiahk.com
HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development
To strengthen the promotion of green cooperation under the Belt and Road (B&R), the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) have established a B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform. By connecting with the network of the International Green Development Coalition for the Belt and Road Regions (IGDC), the platform facilitates exchange and cooperation among B&R countries and regions in green technology, policy and capacitybuilding. The Second General Assembly of Members of the IGDC was held today (October 25) in Hong Kong.
Under the "One Country, Two Systems", HongKong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. The IGDC's decision to hold the annual meeting in HongKong helps members access international markets, deepen international cooperation and expand a global partnership network, and reflects the IGDC's recognition of HongKong's bridge-building role in the green B&R Initiative.
At this year's annual meeting, the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, was elected as a council member of the IGDC. Sino Group and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited were admitted as the IGDC's new member organisations, together with Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (IGDC member of year 2025), further strengthening the IGDC's collaborative capacity in HongKong.
Dr Chui said at the meeting that HongKong has been actively serving the roles of "super connector" and "super valueadder", providing a platform for linking green technologies, green finance and green standards. Relying on its sound legal system, professional services and internationaloriented business environment, HongKong can assist B&R countries in advancing their green transition.
Dr Chui added, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has consistently taken concrete actions to participate in the green B&R Initiative. We have successfully implemented a number of works this year, including the establishment of the B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform in HongKong with the IGDC, the set up of the B&R sustainable green development training centre, and the organisation of the B&R Green Innovation Conference 2026 which will open tomorrow. This year's innovation conference is the first time to be held outside the Mainland. HongKong will continue to leverage its strengths and contribute to the nation's high-quality co-construction of green B&R."
As a new member of the IGDC, Sino Group attaches great importance to and actively supports the national B&R green development strategy, and is committed to promoting green technological innovation and synergistic collaboration among industry, academia, and research sectors. The Group is planning to collaborate with the EEB of the HKSAR Government to establish an Asia-Pacific B&R green technology center for industry, academia, and research in the Northern Metropolis as a training, exchange and exhibition platform, showcasing green technology prototypes and innovative achievements from members of the IGDC, covering fields such as marine technology. It will foster deep integration across industry, academia, and research sectors, transform technological outcomes, align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to contribute to the green B&R Initiative, and leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths as a "super connector."
The IGDC was jointly initiated and established by the MEE and partners from the Mainland and overseas. It aims to build an international consensus on green development, and to initiate open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international cooperation and action on green development. By providing implementing pathways such as promotable sustainable technical solutions, verifiable green finance instruments, sharable digital and intelligent empowerment platforms and replicable capacity building paradigms, it aims to help promote sustainable development and build a clean and beautiful world together.
HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKSAR fully integrates into Green Belt and Road development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
