John Lee Celebrates 70 Years of Hungarian Revolution at National Day Reception

Speech by CE at National Day Reception of Hungary Commemorating 70th Anniversary of 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the National Day Reception of Hungary Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight today (October 21):

Acting Consul-General Dr Olga Gégény (Acting Consul-General of Hungary to Hong Kong), Deputy Commissioner Hua You (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is a pleasure to be here with you tonight in honour of Hungary's National Day - this year celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

This month also marks the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China, our country, and Hungary.

Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We are dedicated to our role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between our country and the world. That very much includes Hungary. Last year, about US$1.2 billion - nearly 8 per cent of the total trade between the Chinese Mainland and Hungary - was routed through Hong Kong.

Hong Kong was also Hungary's third-largest Asian investor in 2024, with an inward foreign direct investment stock of 4.1 billion euros.

I'm pleased to note that the ties between Hong Kong and Hungary are strong and growing.

Last month, our Trade Development Council organised a Hong Kong Logistics Services Mission to Budapest. The mission helped to better realise the long-term promise in combining the strengths of our respective logistics hubs. Together, I'm confident we can boost connections between our two economies, and between Central and Eastern Europe and Asia.

Last month, too, our Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, was in Hungary, looking to expand I&T (innovation and technology) links between our two economies. There, he visited the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting, which is dedicated to the early detection of diseases through infrared, electric-field molecular technology. And I'm pleased to note that the Center will work with one of our universities and carry out research projects in our city.

In March, Corvinus University of Budapest signed a co-operation agreement with an InnoHK Centre of another one of our universities. Their joint research project seeks to enhance the trustworthiness of artificial intelligence.

Supported by the National 15th Five-Year Plan and spurred by Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, we are committed to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. There is much Hong Kong and Hungary can achieve in working together, given your country's strong industrial base and world-class I&T talent and capabilities.

Hong Kong is fast rising as an I&T hub, anchored by the Northern Metropolis development and our growing integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. And I invite Hungarian companies and strategic professionals to look to the Northern Metropolis, and Hong Kong in general, for their innovative future.

I see, also, vast opportunities for our co-operation in finance. I'm pleased to note that the National Bank of Hungary plans to send a high-level delegation here next month for our annual Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival.

Last year, this event attracted a record high of over 45 000 professionals from some 120 economies. It also featured over 1 000 speakers, more than 30 Mainland and international delegations and some 800 exhibitors, including Hungary's National Innovation Agency.

Beyond business and finance, Hong Kong has enjoyed a wealth of Hungarian arts and cultural performances this year, with more on the way.

That includes the culture of wine. Hungary, one of the world's oldest wine-producing countries, will feature a fine wine pavilion at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair next month. And, needless to say, Hungarian wine will be turning heads at the Wine & Dine Festival, set to make its highly anticipated return next week.

On that note, I wish Hungary continued prosperity in the years to come, and all of you a wonderful evening. Thank you very much.

Speech by CE at National Day Reception of Hungary Commemorating 70th Anniversary of 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by CE at National Day Reception of Hungary Commemorating 70th Anniversary of 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS urges public not to consume batch of imported ready-to-eat turkey meat product due to possible temperature abuse

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (October 21) urged the public not to consume a batch of ready-to-eat turkey meat product imported from the United States (US) due to possible temperature abuse during storage. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Oil Braised Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

Brand: Mckenzie

Place of origin: US

Batch number: 26175

Best before date: September 7, 2027

Importer: Etak International Limited

"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notification from the US authorities that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it might have undergone possible temperature abuse during storage. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers and retailers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.

The importer concerned has stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected batch of the product, and initiated a recall according to the CFS’s instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2526 2371 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

"If meat and poultry products are subjected to temperature abuse during storage, this can facilitate the growth of foodborne pathogens or lead to spoilage. Infected individuals with foodborne pathogens may experience symptoms such as fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. However, severe complications may occur in newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals," the spokesman added.

The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of the product and seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images