Asia+ Festival 2024 Celebrates Cultural Diversity with Over 100 Performances from Nearly 30 Countries.

Speech by SCST at ceremony of Asia+ Festival 2024 cum Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2024

​Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, at the ceremony of Asia+ Festival 2024 cum Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2024 today (November 10):

Dear Consuls-General, representatives of overseas cultural organisations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

Welcome to the Asia+ Festival 2024. It gives me great pleasure to address you at the second edition of Asia+ Festival, and welcome you to today's carnival that showcases the charm of different cultures in Asia and beyond.

Inaugurated last year, Asia+ Festival is a new platform for cultural and artistic exchange that celebrates the cultural diversity of Asia, the Middle East and Belt and Road regions. We are honoured to see the recognition of the Festival as one of the items in the list of "People's Livelihood and People-to-people Connectivity Projects" in the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi in 2013, has opened up a new path for international exchanges and co-operation. Thanks to the unique "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys unparalleled connectivity with both the Mainland and the rest of the world, and is actively developing into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

The Asia+ Festival aims to establish itself as an international cultural brand that contributes to cultural bonding and integration between countries and regions. To achieve this goal, the Asia+ Festival goes one step further this year, featuring distinguished artists from nearly 30 countries across Asia, the Belt and Road regions and beyond, and offering more than 100 performances and activities. The number of participating countries and programmes has significantly increased compared with last year, with a projected attendance of over 100000. The second edition also extends its reach to new venues and introduces more outreach activities to engage local communities more extensively.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you, Consuls-General and representatives of overseas cultural organisations in Hong Kong, for your support for this Festival and the fascinating programmes you have contributed. I wish the Festival a great success and all of you a delightful afternoon. Thank you.

SEE begins visit to Azerbaijan

​The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, joined the Chinese delegationto attend the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan.

Upon his arrival in Azerbaijan on November 11 (Azerbaijan time), Mr Tse, together with the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, met with the Financial Services Development Council and Friends of the Earth (HK) to learn about the outcomes of the side event jointly organised by the two organisations at the China Pavilion in the venue of the COP29 on the same day. They also discussed issues including green finance, green transformation of economies and international carbon market.

Mr Tse and Ms Yan met with the head of the Chinese delegation, Mr Zhao Yingmin, yesterday morning (November 12, Azerbaijan time) to exchange views on the progress of the COP29, the international carbon market, and the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region Government's work in combating climate change.

Afterwards, Mr Tse held a bilateral meeting with representatives of Bangkok, a member city of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, to share the strategies and experiences of the two cities in combating climate change and to exchange views on co-operation and exchanges between the two places.

In the afternoon, Mr Tse visited the Garadagh (Area 60) Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant to learn about the strategy and progress of energy transition as well as the latest development of and experience in renewable energy in Azerbaijan.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Hong Kong Observatory will hold a side event titled "Climate Action: From Climate Science to Opportunities to Develop New Energy" at the China Pavilion in today (November 13, Azerbaijan time) afternoon. Mr Tse will attend the side event and deliver an opening speech.

SEE begins visit to Azerbaijan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Azerbaijan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Azerbaijan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE begins visit to Azerbaijan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases