Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong artist in presenting art installation at Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), together with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, supported Hong Kong artist Wong Chi-yung in presenting his art installation, "The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition", at the Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia, from September 17 to 19 (Pula time).
Speaking at the opening ceremony on September 17, Assistant Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Paul Leung highlighted that Hong Kong's arts and cultural landscape has continued to flourish in recent years, with the city firmly established as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges. He was very pleased that the presentation of "The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition" in Pula showcased the creativity of Hong Kong's artists and enhanced the city's influence in the European arts arena.
Mr Leung said, "Over the past decade, Hong Kong's art market has experienced significant growth, and we spare no effort in building Hong Kong into a world-leading arts trading hub. With our world-class cultural infrastructure and vibrant creative talent, Hong Kong is a unique place in the world where arts can flourish."
He concluded by inviting the audience to take part in the annual festival, Art March Hong Kong, which brings together the global art community, including leading art fairs, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, collectors and creative practitioners from around the world, with events taking place across the city every March.
"The Tower of Light – Croatia Edition" was a site-responsive art installation that transformed according to its environment. In daylight, the structure stood as a conceptual light tower, whereas at night, it transitioned into a luminous installation. Through a choreography of light and darkness, it created a slow, flowing rhythm inspired by water, inviting viewers to reflect on the delicate interplay between human presence, urban space, and the natural world. For the Croatia edition, Wong drew inspiration from the Adriatic Sea, incorporating its currents, stillness and reflective surface into the artistic projections. The work thus responded to the maritime environment and cultural character of Pula.
The Visualia Festival of Light, founded in 2013, is Croatia's leading new media art event, using light to connect ancient heritage with modern technology. Held annually in Pula, it transforms Roman historical ruins and modern industrial sites into an open-air gallery, presenting various installations and performances which attract over 15 000 visitors every year.
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong artist in presenting art installation at Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong artist in presenting art installation at Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong artist in presenting art installation at Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Nanjing today (September 21), during which he delivered speeches at the meeting.
The HRDMM has adopted the theme "Modernizing Human Resources Development for A Stronger Asia-Pacific Community", which echoes the theme of this year's APEC China "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together". Addressing the morning session, themed "Promoting High-quality and Full Employment and Employment-Friendly Economic Development", Mr Sun stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) is paying close attention to the employment situation of young people amidst the wave of AI. The Government is planning a multipronged strategy and formulating appropriate measures to assist more young people in securing on-the-job training opportunities and work experience. He mentioned that the 30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme announced by the Chief Executive in the 2026 Policy Address, aims at encouraging employers to provide more opportunities suitable for young people entering the workforce and to facilitate young people's access to employment information and support services.
Speaking during the first session of the afternoon meeting, themed "Investing in People and Enhancing Vocational Skills Training", Mr Sun said to address the challenges of an ageing population and AI transformation in Hong Kong society, the HKSARG will continue to invest resources in education and skills upgrading. One of the measures is the upgrading of the Employees Retraining Board to the Upskill Hong Kong, which comprises plans to launch in the first half of 2027 an 18-month AI upskilling campaign, including a free online training course for all with a focus on the workplace application of AI.
The HKSARG will continue to promote lifelong learning and skills enhancement for all, providing various types of skill-based training courses, including AI applications, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the local workforce and support Hong Kong's economic development.
The theme of the second session was "Strengthening and Optimising Social Security Systems for Efficiency, Adaptability and Accountability". Mr Sun briefed the participants regarding the social security system for the elderly introduced by the HKSARG. He mentioned that the Government encouraged active ageing and lifelong education, thereby providing opportunities for the elderly by engaging them in the community. The Government's view is that by shifting from welfare to empowerment, Hong Kong could seek to turn the challenge of longevity into shared opportunities.
Following the meeting, Mr Sun met with the Director-General of Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Jiangsu Province, Mr Zhu Congming, in the evening to exchange views on promoting talent exchanges and co-operation in human resources services between the two places. The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan, also joined the visit.
Upon his arrival in Nanjing on the evening of September 19, Mr Sun attended the opening ceremony of the International (Jiangsu) Conference on the Development of Human Resources Services yesterday morning (September 20). In his address at the ceremony, he said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan elevates AI to a strategic level, clearly calling for the comprehensive implementation of the "AI+" initiative to empower all industries in every aspect through AI. The HKSARG has just unveiled Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, formally designating AI as a core strategic industry for driving Hong Kong's transformation, aligning with the national development strategy and establishing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. The HKSARG will enrich the Talent List to include more talent categories relating to AI applications, with a view to specifically attracting high-calibre AI technology and industry professionals from both home and abroad.
In the afternoon, Mr Sun also attended a talent entrepreneurship seminar organised by the HKTE in Nanjing, where he met and exchanged views with representatives of local enterprises and individuals interested in moving to Hong Kong. In his speech, Mr Sun highlighted the latest results of Hong Kong's various talent admission schemes and encouraged entrepreneurs in Nanjing and other Mainland cities to make good use of Hong Kong's strengths as an international platform for finance, professional services, and innovation and technology to bring innovative ideas, competitive industries and mature business models to Hong Kong and share the opportunities arising from the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Sun will travel to Shanghai tomorrow (September 22) to continue his visit.
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
