In support of the National 15th Five-Year Plan and in alignment with The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is pleased to announce that its Charities Trust has approved in principle a donation of HK$3 billion to support the construction of a Life and Health Academic Research Building at the Northern Metropolis University Town. The initiative follows HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee’s annual Policy Address delivered today (16 September), in which he announced the construction of an integrated teaching and scientific research building in the Northern Metropolis. The facility will focus on education, scientific exchange and nurturing research talent, and will provide shared facilities for tertiary institutions.
Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee unveiled the Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address on September 16. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said,“2026 marks the commencement of the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan,while 2027 will see the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As a patriotic world-class horse sports organisation, as well as a charity institution deeply committed to our country and Hong Kong, the Club is honoured to work alongside the HKSAR Government to support the long-term development, prosperity and progress of Hong Kong as it advances from stability to greater prosperity and success.”
Click to Gallery
Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee unveiled the Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address on September 16. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo source: HKJC
The design image of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Photo source: HKSAR Government
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo by Bastille Post
The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo source: HKJC
Situated in Hong Kong Park in the Hetao Co-Operation Zone, the Life and Health Academic Research Building will provide more than 30,000 square metres of gross floor space in support of life and health science research. Further details of the project will be announced in due course.
The new building reflects the Club’s longstanding commitment to nurturing cutting-edge talent and research. For example, the JC STEM Lab initiative, launched in 2021, supports state-of-the-art laboratories that attract leading researchers, nurture STEM talent and translate scientific discoveries into solutions with societal impact. Building on this commitment, the Club launched the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application in 2024, providing promising early-career researchers with funding, capacity-building and industry exposure to turn innovative ideas into impactful real-world applications. Meanwhile, the Jockey Club One Health Tower at City University of Hong Kong is advancing interdisciplinary education and research in veterinary medicine and life sciences. Together, these initiatives underscore the Club’s dedication, in collaboration with the HKSAR Government, academia and research institutions, to translating learning and innovations into tangible solutions that serve the community-at-large.
The design image of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Photo source: HKSAR Government
The Club’s support for Life and Health Academic Research Building, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for the community.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo by Bastille Post
The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured to be the Official Community Partner of the Hong Kong Open, which concluded on Oct 25 at the Hong Kong Golf Club’s (HKGC) Fanling Golf Course. The four-day tournament attracted tens of thousands of spectators from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas. This was the first time the Club has supported this M-Mark event as its Official Community Partner.
Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam presented The Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup to the tournament’s Low Hong Kong Amateur Player, Markus Lam, and joined HKSAR Government Financial Secretary Paul Chan; HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law and other guests to witness the presentation ceremony.
Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (4th right); Raymond Tam, Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (2nd right); Bryant Lu, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club (3rd left) and other guests with the tournament winner, John Carlin (centre) at the presentation ceremony.
As Official Community Partner, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has donated HK$32 million through its Charities Trust to The Hong Kong Golf Club Charitable Foundation Limited to launch the Jockey Club Community Golf Programme. The two-year programme aims to bring golf into the community, nurture young local talent and extend the tournament’s positive impact beyond the course. More than 25,000 schoolchildren, teenagers and members of underprivileged communities are expected to benefit each year.
As part of the programme, the Club has worked closely with HKGC, to launch a series of community engagement initiatives, including school-based activities, experiential golf-learning opportunities, inter-secondary school competitions, golf clinics for young people of different abilities, and complimentary tickets for people from underprivileged communities. Ahead of the tournament, elite international golfers visited a primary school to inspire students’ interest in the sport, while HKGC professional coaches conducted golf clinics to promote inclusion and participation in golf.
During the tournament, the Jockey Club Fan Village provided a vibrant experience for visitors of all ages. The Club’s booth in the village added further colour to the event, with a putting challenge providing opportunities to experience the fun of golf firsthand. Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team also participated, creating balloon figures and bringing joy to spectators.
Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (3rd right); Polly Chong, Commissioner for Sports of the HKSAR Government (2nd right), Raymond Tam, Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs (2nd left); Andy Kwok, former Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club (1st left) and other guests posed for a photo in front of JC booth.
In addition, visiting golfers were invited to experience Hong Kong’s signature attractions, including the Happy Wednesday races at Happy Valley Racecourse. These experiences helped promote horse racing tourism and showcase Hong Kong’s unique appeal to a global audience.
The Club’s support for the tournament and the programme reflects its long-standing commitment to advancing sports development in Hong Kong. It also aligns with the objectives of the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR by promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism and developing sports as an industry.
Sport is one of the key impact programmes of the Club’s Charities Trust. Over the years, the Club has helped advance sports at all levels, strengthening sports sector capabilities to facilitate greater access, deeper engagement and longer lasting impact. In 2025/26, the Club’s Charities Trust supported eight “M” Mark events as Official Community Partner through dedicated community engagement programmes, reaching over 91,000 beneficiaries.
Elite international golfers visited a primary school to interact with students and inspire interest in golf through the Jockey Club Community Golf Programme.
The Club’s support for sports events and programmes, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.
