Speech by SCST at "Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026"
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the "Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026" today (September 3):
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, Photo source: reference image
The Honorable Sunny Tan (Chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Council), Mr Steve Leung (Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening, and a very warm welcome to the "Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026". It is wonderful to see so many familiar faces - and equally inspiring to welcome our friends who join us from every corner of the world - as we gather to celebrate this year's theme: "Rhythm of the Heart".
Building on Hong Kong's unique kinetic pulse and East-meets-West synergy, and with the Government's steadfast backing through the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, our creative ecosystem is thriving. Within this dynamic landscape, fashion design stands as an indisputable driving force.
Now in its third edition, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest continues to champion fashion as a profound art form and a canvas for self-expression - one that weaves together vision, culture, and history. We saw this vividly in the "10 Asian Designers to Watch" showcase just now, which demonstrated fashion's unique ability to resonate, connect, and move us all. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and I am sure you did too. My warmest congratulations to all 10 designers. I greatly admire your passion and talent, and look forward with great anticipation to the next chapters of your creative journeys.
I also extend my deep gratitude and congratulations to the Hong Kong Fashion Council for orchestrating this magnificent Gala, and to the Hong Kong Design Centre for curating tonight's unforgettable show. It is through your dedicated efforts that Hong Kong's fashion ambitions shine even brighter on the world stage.
Before I close, I thank each of you for being here with us tonight, and I cordially invite you to immerse yourselves in the exciting array of fashion events taking place across our beautiful city in the coming two weeks. Thank you very much.
Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026, Photo source: hongkongfashionfest.com
Government launches public consultation on proposed amendments to Sweeteners in Food Regulations
The Government today (September 4) launched a three-month public consultation exercise on the proposed amendments to the Sweeteners in Food Regulations (Cap. 132U) to invite views from the public.
Sweeteners are food additives that impart a sweet taste to food in place of sugars. Like other food additives, sweeteners are permitted for use only after stringent safety evaluations that demonstrate they are fit for consumption. The Regulations stipulate that no person shall sell, consign, deliver or import any food containing sweeteners, except the permitted sweeteners.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have reviewed the Regulations and proposed amendments to update Hong Kong's food safety standards. The proposed amendments have primarily made reference to the General Standard for Food Additives formulated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The proposed legislative amendments include bringing polyhydric alcohols under the regulatory scope, expanding the list of permitted sweeteners, setting maximum permitted levels for different "sweetener-food" pairs, as well as making technical amendments, with a view to better protecting public health and harmonising with international standards. The proposed amendments are supported by the Expert Committee on Food Safety, which comprises local, Mainland and overseas experts. The Government also briefed the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene in June this year on the proposed legislative amendments, which received general support from the Panel.
A Government spokesman said, "Apart from enhancing the protection of food safety, the proposed amendments expand the list of permitted sweeteners to offer more choices for the trade and consumers. At the same time, harmonising local food safety standards for sweeteners with non-local standards helps facilitate the food trade. To allow reasonable preparation time for the trade and other stakeholders, the Government proposes to provide an 18-month transitional period following completion of the legislative procedure for the subsidiary legislation to amend the Regulations."
The consultation document can be downloaded from the CFS website (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew_fstr_Proposed_Amendments_Sweeteners_Food_Regulation.html). Members of the public may submit their written views on the proposed amendments by email (sweetener_consultation@fehd.gov.hk), fax (2893 3547) or post (43/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong) within the consultation period.
The Government will also conduct consultation forums to collect views from the public. For details, please refer to the CFS website.
Source: AI-found images
