Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Hong Kong Celebrates Chinese New Year with Grand Receptions in Brussels and Paris

HK

Hong Kong Celebrates Chinese New Year with Grand Receptions in Brussels and Paris
HK

HK

Hong Kong Celebrates Chinese New Year with Grand Receptions in Brussels and Paris

2025-01-30 18:40 Last Updated At:18:48

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year

​The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Brussels, Belgium on January 27 to kick-start its series of celebration activities for the Year of the Snake. It was followed by a reception held in Paris, France on January 28.

More Images
HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The reception in Brussels has been named one of the most celebrated social events in the diplomatic circle in Europe and attracted some 270 guests from officials from the European institutions, national governments, diplomatic missions, as well as senior representatives from trade and business, academia, arts and cultural sectors, the media as well as the Chinese community. The event was supported by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society.

The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union,Ms Shirley Yung, pointed out in her welcoming remarks that Hong Kong has maintained its distinctive advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, including a common law system, an independent judiciary, free flow of capital, goods, information and talents, and a free port with low and simple tax system. "Hong Kong remains the prime gateway and super connector between China and the rest of the world, offering unmatched opportunities for entrepreneurs, artists, innovators and talents."

Ms Yung said 2025 would be a spectacular year for Hong Kong to be filled with countless mega events. "Hong Kong's appeal as a global destination continues to grow", Ms Yung said as Hong Kong recorded 45 million visitors in 2024. "This growth reflects the unique experiences Hong Kong offers", Ms Yung added. She also highlighted that Kong Kong has substantially reduced the liquor tax, making it an even more attractive hub for global wine and liquor trade.

To showcase Hong Kong's unique blend of natural beauty, urban vibrancy, and cultural richness, the guests in Brussels were welcomed by a mini-exhibition on the charms of Hong Kong contributed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Coincided with the much celebrated re-launch of the direct flight between Brussels and Hong Kong coming August, the guests attending the reception in Brussels were encouraged to visit Hong Kong to grasp the unmatched opportunities offered by the city for entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators alike.

HKETO, Brussels also took the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. A cross-media performance fused with Chinese kung-fu, modern electronic music, comic and animation inspired by Hong Kong action movies was presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) in collaboration with different Hong Kong artists.

HKETO, Brussels organised another Chinese New Year reception in Paris (January 28) which attracted 300 guests of various backgrounds including government representatives, businessmen, academic, the media and members of the local Chinese community. The guests were greeted by an enchanting music performance comprising Chinese and European classics and Hong Kong pop presented by Hong Kong artists, showcasing our unique East-meets-West culture. The reception was hosted in co-operation with Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the France Hong Kong Business Association.

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Belgium and France to celebrate Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Marine Police detected six large-scale maritime smuggling cases involving cigarettes and drugs during joint anti-smuggling operations

Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police conducted joint operations from February 12 to 19 targeting large-scale maritime smuggling activities and six cases involving suspected illicit cigarettes and suspected dangerous drugs were detected. During the joint operations, a total of about 16.93 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes and 459 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds were seized.

Customs and police officers conducted anti-smuggling operations in Sai Kung and Lantau Island from February 13 to 16 and detected four suspected illicit cigarettes smuggling cases. A total of 4.1 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $19 million and a duty potential of about $13.5 million, found in four goods vehicles and the waters nearby. The four goods vehicles involved in the cases were also detained.

At small hours on February 18, Customs found a suspicious unattended fishing vessel in Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized 12.83 million suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $57 million and a duty potential of about $42 million, inside the compartments of the vessel.

Later on the same day, Customs intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel in the waters off Lamma Island, during which persons onboard the fishing vessel threw numerous nylon bags into the sea. Customs officers then took immediate action to board the vessel and retrieved the subject nylon bags from the water. Upon inspection, a total of about 459kg suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $118 million, were found inside the nylon bags. Three local men, aged between 44 and 60, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested in the operation.

Investigations on the above mentioned six cases are ongoing.

Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies. Customs will continue co-operating and exchanging intelligence with the Police, Mainland and international law enforcement agencies, with targeted anti-smuggling operations carried out at suitable times to disrupt these activities.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the Dangerous Drug Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking or illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Hong Kong Customs and Marine Police detected six large-scale maritime smuggling cases involving cigarettes and drugs during joint anti-smuggling operations  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Marine Police detected six large-scale maritime smuggling cases involving cigarettes and drugs during joint anti-smuggling operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Recommended Articles
Hot · Posts