Brussels ETO Strengthens Trade Ties with Burgundy Wine Industry in France

Brussels ETO strengthens trade ties with Burgundy wine industry in France

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading.

The visit covered key wine-producing areas in the Burgundy wine region. The Brussels ETO and the HKTDC held a number of meetings with the local government, wine producers as well as wine industry institutions to promote the vast opportunities in Hong Kong as the hub for wine trading, distribution and auction, and to exchange views on the latest developments in the global wine market as well as the local wine production industry.

Speaking during a networking and promotional dinner with senior regional officials and industry representatives, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted Hong Kong's standing as a world-leading hub for wine trading and auction, following the removal of wine duty in 2008 and the reduction of liquor duty in 2024.

"Hong Kong's wine trading and auction activities are giving impetus to the development of other high value-added sectors such as logistics and storage, tourism as well as premium food and beverage consumption. We very much welcome the Burgundy wine trade to leverage Hong Kong's strategic position as the regional trading, distribution and auction hub to expand its market share in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region," Ms Yung added.

During the visit, Ms Yung also extended her warm invitation to the Burgundy wine industry to visit Hong Kong, including for the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in October every year, as well as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in November every year. Moreover, she promoted the Festival of Connoisseurs to the local wine industry, which will have its inaugural edition in November 2026 to showcase the art of premium lifestyles in Hong Kong.

Burgundy is one of the world's most renowned wine regions, with a rich winemaking heritage rooted in its distinctive terroirs and traditions. About half of its wine is exported to international markets. The visit formed part of the Brussels ETO's ongoing efforts to foster exchanges between Hong Kong and Europe in the wine sector and identify opportunities for closer collaboration in wine business and wine tourism.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (fourth right), meeting with Burgundy wine producers in Vougeot on September 29 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows representatives from the Brussels ETO and the HKTDC Paris Office visiting wine estates in Burgundy. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows (from left) Assistant Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Paul Leung; Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Mayor of Noyers-sur-Serein and Regional Councillor of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Ms Nathalie Labosse; the Director of France, Iberia and Benelux of the HKTDC, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chief Executive Officer of Caves Bailly Lapierre, Mr Sylvain Martinand; and the Regional Manager, Corporate Communication, Europe, Central Asia and Israel of the HKTDC, Ms Man-Linh Swan Chea, after a meeting in Chablis on September 28 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (third left), meeting with the Director General of the Château du Clos de Vougeot (second right), Mr Arnaud Orsel, during a visit to the Château du Clos de Vougeot on September 29 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026 opens tonight

The opening ceremony for the Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026 was held tonight (October 6) at Hong Kong City Hall, followed by a screening of the opening animation "Nobody" (2025).

The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lin Nan; the Chairman of the Southern Film Culture Foundation and General Manager of the Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, Mr Ding Kai; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the Chairman of the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Mr Cheung Hong-tat; the chief planner and producer of the opening film, Cui Wei, and the supervising producer and art director of the film, Chen Liaoyu, officiated at the opening ceremony.

The Panorama is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Southern Film Culture Foundation in association with the Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, the China Film Foundation and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, and is supported by the Bauhinia Culture Group. Twelve feature films, some accompanied by short films, will be shown at Hong Kong City Hall, the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Hong Kong Space Museum, North District Town Hall, the East Kowloon Cultural Centre and the Rayson Huang Theatre of the University of Hong Kong from today to November 15.

The opening animation "Nobody" reimagines a spin-off story from the classic epic "Journey to the West", following a band of nameless little monsters on an adventure that mirrors workplace setbacks, dilemmas in life, and the determination to pursue dreams.

Other selected films include "Laughing to Die" (2015), "Like Winds, Like Weeds" (2023), "The Midsummer's Voice" (2024), "Linka Linka" (2025), "Chongqing Hot Pot" (2016), "My Dear Liar" (2019), "A Long Shot" (2024), "Hi, Mom" (2021), "Escape from the 21st Century" (2024), and the animated features "Into the Mortal World" (2024) and "The Legend of Hei II" (2025).

Screenings of "Into the Mortal World" and "Hi, Mom" will be free of charge. Tickets of the other films priced at $75 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=96 or call 2734 2900.

The Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026 is one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk/en.

Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026 opens tonight Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026 opens tonight Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases