Bun Carnival in Cheung Chau to be launched soon
The annual Bun Carnival in Cheung Chau is coming soon. The Bun Scrambling Final, which is the exciting finale of the event, will be held at the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground at Cheung Chau on the night of May 5. Physically fit climbers aged 18 or above are welcome to take part in the event.
The Bun Scrambling Competition comprises three stages - training, selection of finalists and the Bun Scrambling Final. All applicants who have completed the safety training sessions to be provided on April 6 on bun tower climbing and prevention of falls can enter the finalist selection exercise on April 13.
The final selection exercise will consist of two rounds. Twenty-four contestants recording the shortest time in the preliminary round (including no fewer than six female participants) will be eligible to enter the semi-final on the same day to compete for 12 finalist places (including no fewer than three female participants).
The 12 finalists will enter the Bun Scrambling Final to be held from 11.30pm on May 5 to 12.45am on May 6.
The Bun Scrambling Final will comprise male and female races. All 12 finalists will compete in the same race by scrambling for buns, which carry different scores at different points, on the bun tower within a time limit. The highest scoring male and female finalists will be the winners. Moreover, the participant who bags the highest number of buns within the time limit will be the prize winner of "Full Pockets of Lucky Buns".
To acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the winners and enhance the appeal of the event, any male or female athlete who has been the champion three times in the Bun Scrambling Competition since 2016 will be the "King of Kings" or the "Queen of Queens" of the competition.
The Bun Scrambling Competition Invitation Relay, as before, will be held immediately after the individual competition. Local Cheung Chau organisations are invited to participate by forming three-member teams to compete in the relay.
Persons interested in participating in the competition should complete SmartPLAY user registration and identity authentication, and submit their electronic ballot applications from February 17 to 28 via the SmartPLAY website (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home), the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) or Smart Self-service Stations. User registration at SmartPLAY is free of charge. To register as SmartPLAY users, please refer to the link (www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/website/en/user-registration/how-to-register.html).
The maximum number of entrants for the Bun Scrambling Competition is 200. All places will be allocated by ballot via SmartPLAY. Applicants who live, work or study at Cheung Chau will be accorded priority in the ballot. Details are provided in the prospectus available on the 2025 Bun Carnival dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/bun/index.html) from today.
Besides the Bun Scrambling Competition, this year's Bun Carnival will also feature a wide array of activities, including the Student Drawing Competitions and the Climbing Carnival. The drawing competitions are open for kindergarten and primary school students in the Islands District, aiming to promote their understanding of the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival's tradition of bun scrambling and local customs.
For the Bun Tower Climbing Team Relay to be held on the morning of April 27, local tertiary institutions, Government Departments, public utilities and commercial and industrial organisations will be invited to take part in it. Members of the public are welcome to watch the game on-site and cheer for the contestants. At the Climbing Carnival to be held in the afternoon on the same day, there will be a bun tower climbing fun day, game stalls, handicrafts making and variety shows. A Wishing Bun Tower will also be set up, and the winning entries of the Student Drawing Competitions will be displayed. Members of the public are welcome to attend the carnival.
The 2025 Bun Carnival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). For enquiries, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD at 2852 3220, or visit the 2025 Bun Carnival dedicated website.
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video)
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (January 8) began his visit to Jakarta, Indonesia. He attended the Think Business, Think Hong Kong Symposium organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in the morning, addressing over 1 500 leaders from the commerce and industry, financial, and innovation and technology sectors in Indonesia and nearby regions to promote Hong Kong's new advantages and new opportunities.
Mr Chan noted in his speech that Indonesia's economy has developed rapidly, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2 per cent over the past decade. The youthful labour force, fast-growing middle class, expanding consumer market and rapid urbanisation have made Indonesia an emerging market full of opportunities.
Mr Chan said that with the unique advantages of connections to both Mainland China and foreign countries under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong serves as the “super connector” and “super value-adder”. Hong Kong is not only an international financial, shipping and trading centre but also a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, making it the most convenient and efficient gateway for Indonesian enterprises to enter Mainland China.
In his speech, Mr Chan also highlighted Hong Kong's strengths in financial services and green technology. As a leading global financial centre, Hong Kong has full-chain fundraising capabilities. Through mutual access with the capital markets of Mainland China, Indonesian companies that are listed in Hong Kong can access both Mainland and international funds simultaneously. In light of Indonesia's massive infrastructure investment needs, infrastructure projects in Indonesia can be financed in Hong Kong through various channels such as public listings, real estate investment trusts, bonds, and even securitisation of the projects. In addition, Hong Kong is the world's largest offshore RMB business hub. With the continuous rise in trade between China and Indonesia, Indonesian businessmen holding RMB can take advantage of the various RMB-denominated investment and risk management tools offered by Hong Kong to earn better returns and manage risks effectively. They can also issue RMB-denominated securities in Hong Kong to raise funds to support their business development needs in the mainland. Regarding green and sustainable finance, Hong Kong's relevant standards are highly aligned with international ones, which can support Indonesia and the region's green transformation. Additionally, the Science Park and Cyberport have gathered many green technology companies that can provide innovative green solutions for Indonesian partners.
Mr Chan also introduced Hong Kong's advantages in high-value supply chain management services. Many companies are seeking to diversify risks by re-aligning their industry and supply chains. They require services such as trade financing, corporate treasury services, logistics management, and professional consulting. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder," Hong Kong is well-positioned to offer these services. Indonesian companies are encouraged to establish their international or regional business headquarters, corporate treasury centres, and supply chain management centres in Hong Kong.
Organised by the HKTDC, the Think Business, Think Hong Kong Symposium brought together about 120 government representatives, business leaders, start-uprepresentatives and professional service providers from Hong Kong to strengthen commercial connections between Hong Kong and Indonesia. An exhibition zone for professional services and start-ups was set up at the event to showcase products and solutions from Hong Kong companies, facilitating business matching between Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Afterwards, Mr Chan met with various senior government officials of Indonesia, including the Minister of Finance, Ms Sri Mulyani Indrawati; the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr Airlangga Hartarto; the Minister of Investment and Downstream Industries, Mr Rosan Perkasa Roeslani; and the Deputy Minister of Trade, Ms Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri. Mr Chan introduced them to the latest economic developments and opportunities in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, and discussed strengthening co-operation in bilateral trade, investments, finance and innovation and technology. He welcomed them to visit Hong Kong and lead business delegations to Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to explore more business opportunities and strengthen collaboration.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Wang Lutong, to understand the latest developments on collaboration between the country and Indonesia, and exchange views on strengthening economic and people-to-people relations between Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Mr Chan had lunch with key members of the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia to understand the Indonesian social economic conditions and business environment and their experience in Indonesia, and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
This evening, Mr Chan attended the Hong Kong Dinner organised by the HKTDC where he addressed 400 Indonesian leaders from commerce and industry to promote Hong Kong in business, culture, tourism and lifestyle.
Mr Chan will continue his visit to Jakarta tomorrow (January 9). He will depart for Hong Kong in the afternoon and arrive in Hong Kong in the evening.
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FS begins visit to Jakarta, Indonesia (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
