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Hong Kong’s first exchange-traded fund directly tracking physical gold prices posted a sharp rise on its trading debut on Thursday, underscoring renewed investor appetite for safe-haven assets as bullion climbed to a fresh all-time high in international markets.

The Hang Seng Gold ETF gained more than 9% within hours of listing, according to exchange data, drawing robust turnover from institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to gold without holding the metal outright. The launch coincided with spot gold touching a record level just below $2,500 an ounce, driven by a combination of monetary policy expectations, geopolitical uncertainty and sustained central bank demand.

Market participants said the strength of the debut reflected pent-up demand in Hong Kong for simple, exchange-based gold products that track global prices more closely. While futures-linked and commodity-basket funds have existed for years, the new ETF is structured to mirror spot prices using physical gold holdings, reducing tracking error and rollover costs.

Gold’s advance has been underpinned by expectations that major central banks are approaching an inflection point in interest-rate policy. Slowing inflation in the United States and Europe has reinforced the view that rate cuts could come later this year, weakening the dollar and lowering the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold. The metal has also benefited from persistent buying by central banks seeking to diversify reserves amid currency volatility and sanctions-related risks.

In Hong Kong, the ETF’s issuer said the product was designed to meet demand from investors who view gold as both a hedge against macroeconomic shocks and a portfolio diversifier. The fund allows trading in local currency during market hours, offering an alternative to offshore accounts or over-the-counter bullion purchases.

Analysts noted that the timing of the launch proved advantageous. Global gold prices have risen by more than 20% over the past year, supported by strong inflows into bullion-backed products in Asia and the Middle East. In contrast, flows into some gold ETFs listed in North America had been uneven earlier in the cycle, reflecting higher real yields and competition from cash-like instruments. That pattern has shifted as expectations around policy easing firmed.

Hong Kong’s exchange has been seeking to broaden its commodity and currency-linked offerings to attract regional capital, particularly from mainland investors using cross-border trading channels. Although access rules vary by product, fund managers said interest from family offices and private banks was a key driver of early demand for the gold ETF.

Spot gold’s climb to record territory has also been fuelled by geopolitical tensions spanning Eastern Europe and the Middle East, alongside concerns about sovereign debt sustainability in several advanced economies. Such factors have reinforced gold’s role as a store of value during periods of heightened uncertainty.

Bullion dealers in Asia reported steady physical demand from jewellery manufacturers and investors, even as higher prices tempered buying in some price-sensitive markets. Premiums in major trading hubs narrowed but remained positive, signalling underlying support rather than speculative excess.

The strong opening performance of the Hang Seng Gold ETF contrasts with more subdued debuts for some equity-linked funds in the city this year, highlighting the divergence between defensive assets and riskier sectors. Equity markets in the region have faced headwinds from uneven growth prospects and regulatory uncertainty, pushing some investors to rebalance portfolios towards commodities and hard assets.

Industry observers cautioned that gold prices can be volatile in the short term, particularly if inflation data or central bank guidance shifts market expectations. A stronger-than-expected rebound in growth or a delay in policy easing could trigger profit-taking after the metal’s sharp run-up. Even so, many strategists maintain that structural factors, including reserve diversification by monetary authorities and long-term fiscal pressures, provide a supportive backdrop.

Citigold Private Clients will gain access to alternative asset classes including private equity and private infrastructure

HONG KONG SAR and SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2026 – Citi Hong Kong and Citi Singapore have announced strategic partnerships with leading global private market firms Blackstone, Blue Owl and KKR, to launch evergreen funds for high net-worth clients who are seeking enhanced wealth solutions and greater portfolio diversification.

Through the partnerships, Citigold Private Clients in Asia and the Middle East will gain access to private markets, including equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. These alternative asset classes have traditionally been reserved for institutional investors.

The funds will be structured in an evergreen format, offering simplified access to private markets with more flexible subscription and liquidity terms than traditional closed-ended private markets solutions, subject to a minimum initial holding period.

The launch of the funds has started and the funds will continue to be rolled out in the next few months.

Citigold Private Clients will be able to diversify their portfolios, capture opportunities for uncorrelated returns and long-term growth, as well as participate directly in the value creation inherent in private markets assets.

Ms Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth, Asia North and Australia, Citi, said: “In today’s complex and volatile market, our clients are rightly seeking resilient, diversified sources of returns beyond traditional public markets. This collaboration with Blackstone, Blue Owl and KKR directly addresses that demand, providing sophisticated access to private markets that were once the exclusive domain of institutional and private bank investors. This is more than a product expansion, it’s a significant step in our commitment to delivering comprehensive wealth management solutions to our affluent clients, and empowering our clients to build long-term portfolios fit for the future.”

Ms Yeo Wenxian, Head of Wealth for Asia South, Citi, said: “We are excited to work with Blackstone, Blue Owl and KKR to leverage their industry leadership, investment expertise and robust deal-sourcing capabilities. These investment vehicles will deepen and broaden Citi’s comprehensive wealth management offerings, further cementing our role as a trusted partner to our clients in their wealth journeys.”

Mr Ed Huang, Head of Asia Pacific for Blackstone Private Wealth, said: “We are delighted to build on our longstanding relationship with Citi, combining its robust network and Blackstone’s position as the world’s largest alternatives manager, with proven performance in scaled offerings and a 23-year track record serving individual investors. We remain committed to expanding access to institutional-quality private market opportunities for Citi’s high-net-worth clients, helping them diversify their portfolios. Education is the cornerstone of our platform, and we look forward to deepening our partnership by providing enhanced resources and insights into private markets.”

Mr Sean Connor, CEO and Global Head of Private Wealth at Blue Owl Capital, said: “Our global partnership with Citi for their platform expansion in Asia is a critical milestone in our collective effort to provide best-in-class access to the private markets for investors. We are pleased to bring Blue Owl’s differentiated investment capabilities, all-weather solutions, along with dedicated service and support for Citi financial advisors and their clients. Our priority is to continue to provide differentiated access to institutional-grade solutions that empower investors to unlock the full potential of the private markets in their portfolios with leading global partners like Citi.”

Ms Jacqueline Zhuang, Managing Director and Head of Global Wealth Solutions Asia Pacific ex-Japan at KKR, said: “This strategic partnership with Citi provides their advisors and clients across Asia and the Middle East with differentiated access to KKR’s suite of evergreen private equity, infrastructure and private credit strategies. Individual wealth investors expect access to the same private markets investment opportunities as institutions. Together with Citi, we are focused on delivering a comprehensive solution that combines investor service, education, and access to KKR’s differentiated investment capabilities.”

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About Citi

Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

Additional information may be found atwww.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the theme of “Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape”, the AFF welcomed more than 150 distinguished speakers from around the world.

A new Global Business Summit was held throughout day-two of the AFF yesterday, to further integrate finance with key industries and drive innovation and economic development.

Co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, the summit explored how finance empowers businesses. It also examined how Hong Kong can support Chinese Mainland enterprises to “go global”, and the prospects for foreign enterprises entering the Mainland market.

In his opening remarks at the summit, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, highlighted trade, finance and innovation and technology as the three principal drivers of future economic growth.

“Hong Kong is not just a platform that connects capital, market, projects, talent and opportunity. Hong Kong is willing to be a strategic partner to help you grow, scale up and go global,” Mr Chan said.

On building a more vibrant tech ecosystem, Mr Chan said the HKSAR Government is determined to attract the world’s leading frontier-technology enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

“We welcome technology and industrial enterprises to establish a presence in the Northern Metropolis. Where justified, we are prepared to tailor incentive packages, which may include land grants, premium concessions, tax incentives and other facilitation measures. Everything is negotiable,” he said.

Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, in his welcome remarks at the summit, said: “In these unpredictable times, working together on shared goals adds to the agility and resilience of our economies, our industries and businesses, and our communities. Hong Kong, under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, is perfectly suited to host these conversations and promote cross-sector collaboration, as a super connector, super value-adder and super collaborator.”

A series of plenary sessions held during the summit included the Business Plenary I – Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global, and Business Plenary II – Strategic Collaboration for Shared Growth, focusing on the latest opportunities in global market expansion and inbound foreign investment.

The Global Business Summit also featured a series of discussion sessions covering high‑growth, high‑value sectors, including biomedicine and healthcare, green energy, new consumer trends, artificial intelligence and robotics.

Speakers included representatives of prominent enterprises in the respective fields, such as Banking Circle, Infineon AG, Investcorp, JP Morgan, Revolut, Triton Partners, Amgen, Merck, DexForce Technology, JD.com, Pictet Group, AI² Robotics, Galbot and Tencent.

Paul Polman, a business leader, investor and philanthropist who is dedicated to advocating for systemic change, climate action, and social equality, delivered the Keynote Luncheon speech (January 27). He shared his “Net Positive” corporate sustainability strategy, which he has championed in recent years, focusing on advancing sustainable development.

Meanwhile, this year’s AFF Deal-making session, co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, attracted over 280 investors and over 600 investment projects, resulting in more than 800 one-on-one meetings that successfully connected global capital with investment opportunities.

The AFF also marked the start of this year’s International Financial Week, featuring14 industry events that span a wide range of globally watched financial and business topics, including ASEAN opportunities, digital finance, green finance, family offices, private equity and alternative investments. Together, these events underscore Hong Kong’s unique role as the region’s most comprehensive and diversified international financial centre.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #AFF #Finance #Business #Economic

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By K Raveendran Gold pushing decisively past the $5,000-a-troy-ounce threshold at the same moment the US dollar slides to a four-month low is not just a dramatic coincidence of charts. It marks a psychological rupture in global markets, challenging assumptions that have underpinned portfolio construction and macroeconomic thinking for decades. What once belonged to the […]

The article When Gold Breaks Five Thousand And Dollar Blinks appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Bangkok will host Wiki Finance Expo Thailand 2026 in April, positioning the Thai capital as a focal point for discussions on financial technology, digital assets and Web3 innovation across Southeast Asia. The event is scheduled to take place at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, bringing together industry executives, policymakers, investors and technology developers at a time when the region’s digital finance ecosystem is expanding at pace.

The expo is expected to draw thousands of participants from Asia, the Middle East and Europe, reflecting Bangkok’s growing role as a neutral convening hub for global fintech dialogue. Organisers have indicated that the programme will centre on payments innovation, decentralised finance, blockchain infrastructure, digital asset regulation and the integration of artificial intelligence into financial services. These themes mirror broader shifts in global finance, where traditional institutions and technology-driven platforms are increasingly intersecting.

Thailand’s selection as host underscores the country’s strategic importance within Southeast Asia’s fintech landscape. Bangkok already serves as a base for regional operations of banks, digital payment firms and cryptocurrency exchanges, supported by a large consumer market with high smartphone penetration and rising adoption of cashless payments. Regional analysts note that Southeast Asia’s fintech sector has moved beyond experimentation, with platforms scaling rapidly across borders in areas such as e-wallets, buy-now-pay-later services and tokenised assets.

Wiki Finance Expo has established itself as a travelling forum, with earlier editions held in cities including Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Thailand edition is expected to build on that track record by offering a mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions and business matchmaking sessions. Industry leaders from blockchain firms, digital asset custodians, payment processors and trading platforms are likely to outline strategies for navigating regulatory complexity while pursuing growth in emerging markets.

A central focus of the Bangkok gathering will be Web3, an area attracting increasing interest from both venture capital and established financial institutions. Developers are using blockchain-based architectures to reimagine trading, lending and data ownership, while governments across Asia are assessing how to balance innovation with consumer protection. Participants are expected to debate how decentralised technologies can coexist with existing financial systems rather than replace them outright.

Regulation is set to be another major thread. Southeast Asian jurisdictions have taken varied approaches to digital assets, ranging from proactive licensing frameworks to tighter restrictions on retail participation. Thailand has introduced structured oversight for digital asset businesses, aiming to reduce systemic risk while allowing innovation to continue. Discussions at the expo are expected to explore how clearer regulatory pathways can attract institutional capital and encourage responsible product development.

The event also comes as cross-border payments remain a priority for the region. High remittance flows, driven by labour mobility and trade, have highlighted inefficiencies in legacy systems. Fintech firms are increasingly promoting blockchain-based settlement and real-time payment networks as solutions. Panels in Bangkok are expected to examine whether these technologies can achieve scale while meeting compliance and security requirements.

Beyond policy and technology, the expo is positioned as a commercial platform. Start-ups will have opportunities to pitch to investors, while established companies can seek partnerships or market entry strategies. Organisers have emphasised the importance of connecting global capital with Southeast Asian innovation, particularly as funding patterns shift towards projects with clearer revenue models and regulatory alignment.

Tourism and hospitality stakeholders in Bangkok are also expected to benefit from the influx of international delegates. Large-scale business events have become an important segment of the city’s post-pandemic recovery strategy, complementing leisure tourism. Hosting a high-profile fintech expo aligns with efforts to brand Bangkok not only as a travel destination but also as a regional business and technology centre.

Co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), this year’s AFF, themed “Co-creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape”, takes on added significance being the first such event of China’s 15^th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

“Featuring more than 150 prominent speakers, from Hong Kong, throughout the Asian region and around the world, the Forum will inspire insight and innovation, create partnerships and explore fresh business opportunities,” John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, said in his opening remarks at the Forum.

Mr Lee also spoke of the boundless opportunities for Hong Kong under the unique principle of “one country, two systems”, that assures Hong Kong of the unwavering support of China, while continuing to expand its global markets and reach.

“This unparalleled positioning solidifies our institutional strengths: the rule of law, a judiciary that exercises its power independently, an open and transparent market, the free flow of capital and a low and simple tax regime,” Mr Lee said.

Mr Lee later witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Shanghai Gold Exchange, marking a new milestone in deepening co-operation between the gold markets of Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The agreement was signed by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, and the Chairman of the Shanghai Gold Exchange, Yu Wenjian.

“The agreement just now signed is far more than a formal document,” said Mr Hui.

“It represents a resolute commitment to advancing the synergistic development of Hong Kong and Shanghai as premier international financial and gold markets. It reflects our joint determination to deepen the integration and complementary strengths of Hong Kong and Shanghai, so that together we can expand our share and influence in the global gold market, and better support Renminbi internationalisation.”

Mr Hui outlined the strategic significance of the agreement and the overall development blueprint for Hong Kong’s gold market.

“In recent years, amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and ongoing restructuring of the international monetary system, the strategic importance of gold has become even more pronounced,” Mr Hui said.

The agreement covers two major forward-looking areas of co-operation: establishing a high-level, collaborative governance structure for Hong Kong’s new gold central clearing system; and opening new avenues for physical infrastructure synergy and market interconnectivity.

“The signing of this agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange marks the dawn of a new chapter—one in which Hong Kong and Shanghai join forces to shape the future of global gold markets,” Mr Hui said.

A discussion session on gold trading themed “Global Spectrum – Gold Exchange” features expert panelists invited to examine recent market developments and share insights on Hong Kong’s role, potential and opportunity as a world-class gold trading centre. Speakers include overseas experts James Emmett, Chief Executive Officer, MKS PAMP SA and David Tait, Chief Executive Officer, World Gold Council.

Other highlights on day one of the AFF include a keynote luncheon speech by Dr José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, former Prime Minister of Portugal, and current Chairman of Goldman Sachs International Advisory Board, to share his insights on the current global landscape and macro‑level challenges.

Other notable speakers today include Zou Jiayi, President of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific) of the Asian Development Bank; Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Treasury and Finance of Türkiye; Klemen Boštjančič, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Slovenia; H.E. Waleed Saeed Abdul Salam Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of Securities and Commodities Authority of United Arab Emirates; Burkhard Balz, Member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank; Rhee Chang-yong, Governor of the Bank of Korea; and Gokul Laroia, Chief Executive Officer Asia of Morgan Stanley.

The AFF serves as the opening event of the International Financial Week in Hong Kong, featuring over 10 partner activities covering a range of global financial and business topics, including ASEAN opportunities, asset and wealth management, and artificial intelligence.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #AFF #HKTDC #FSTB #finance

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UABBHK 2025 transformed traditional architectural exhibitions into a dynamic civic performance, positioning artificial intelligence (AI) not as a tool, but as a platform to co-create ethical, inclusive, and human-centred futures. Through immersive installations, public workshops, and experimental formats, UABBHK 2025 invited audiences to participate in the design of the city — in real time.

“The Biennale has not only showcased the possibilities of design in the AI era, but also activated a civic platform where architecture, technology and public imagination intersect,” said Ar. Allen Poon, Chairman of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation, during the ceremony. “Today’s conclusion marks both a milestone and a beginning — a new phase of creative exploration among Hong Kong, Shenzhen and the world.”

Exhibition Highlights: Tech Meets Imagination

UABBHK 2025 unfolded across two venues, Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) and the newly opened East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC), showcasing 25 curated exhibits by architects, artists, researchers, and technologists from Hong Kong and beyond. Teams from 10+ regions, including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, as well as Australia, Austria, Italy, Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA, explored how AI can be integrated into architectural thinking, spatial storytelling, and participatory design. Among the highlights were 4 video screening works that extended the exhibition’s themes through cinematic and documentary perspectives, addressing topics such as displacement and homecoming, the entanglement of code and culture, and speculative futures shaped by collective memory and student-led design fictions. Interactive installations like Prompt[Pond]ering, Sentient Mirror, and Collaborative Ephemeral Pavilion invited audiences to co-design spaces through AI-driven interactions. Works such as LANdLine Project and Flower Market Imaginaries grounded these future-facing visions in Hong Kong’s unique community and cultural context.

“In curating UABBHK 2025, we imagined AI not as a threat, but as a collaborator — a partner in rehearsing the future of our cities,” shared by Dr. Jimmy Ho and Ar. Aron Tsang, Lead Curators of UABBHK 2025. “We are proud to have created a platform that enables technology to be tangible, and civic imagination visible.”

Extending Impact: Public Programmes on Innovation & Collaboration

To extend the UABBHK 2025’s engagement beyond the galleries, two flagship public programmes were launched to bring AI and urban thinking into action: the ArchiTech Hackathon and the Hetao Vision: AI Video Competition.

ArchiTech Hackathon: Bridging Architecture and AI

Held earlier on the 24 January morning and co-hosted with Google Developer Group Hong Kong (GDGHK), the ArchiTech Hackathon was a first-of-its-kind 3-hour collaborative event that brought together 40 architects, developers and students — half from the HKIA Young Architects Group (YAG) and half from GDGHK — to explore how AI can support architectural workflows. The participants learned to use Google’s Gemini model and no-code platforms to build AI agents for architectural design code compliance.

Led by Mr. Frankie Wu from GDGHK, Ms. Adeline Chan and Ar. Owen Lam, Executive Curators of UABBHK 2025, the event embodied UABBHK’s vision by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration between the tech and design communities, showcasing AI as a practical and imaginative tool for the built environment.

The winning team is Mr. Eric Chan and Ar. Toby Chiu. They successfully built the AI ​​agent for the competition in an astonishing time of 3 minutes, 56.32 seconds within a 60-minute timeframe, and was able to answer 10 questions, as required by the competition, completing the complex professional architect exam questions with 90% accuracy under four minutes.

Hetao Vision: Innovative AI Video Competition

Also announced during the ceremony were the winners of the Hetao Vision AI Video Competition, which invited creators to imagine the future of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (HSITP). All entries were required to be fully AI-generated — both visually and aurally — using tools such as Runway, Pika Labs, Suno, and Udio.

The competition explored how AI can democratise futurology, letting creators of all backgrounds envision interconnectivity, innovation, and inclusiveness across the “one river, two banks” vision of Hetao.

The winning video,titled 深港河脈：一河兩岸的科創樞紐宏圖(Shenzhen-Hong Kong River Network: A Grand Vision for a Science and Technology Innovation Hub Across Both Banks) by Mr. Zhang Xiaoshan, was praised for utilising AI to create a convincing narrative of a cross-border innovation hub, demonstrating a profound understanding of the development of the Hetao area. Two additional finalists were also recognised for their distinctive storytelling and technical creativity.

A public screening of the shortlisted videos will be held in the Hetao Science and Technology Innovation Centre, in February 2026, allowing the public to reflect on the role of AI in imagining future urban life.

What’s Next: Visit UABBSZ and Explore the Living Archive

UABBHK 2025 will continue its journey in the Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Shenzhen) (UABBSZ) from January to March 2026. Whether you participated in the Hong Kong Edition or missed it, we warmly welcome you to visit the parallel venue of UABBSZ, at the Shenzhen Hetao Science and Technology Innovation Centre. Come and view the selection of UABBHK 2025 exhibits, continuing the creative dialogue and collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

In addition, UABBHK 2025’s ideas and output will remain accessible through a dedicated digital gallery website and a forthcoming archive booklet, both will preserve the curatorial vision, exhibited works, and public interactions from this edition. These resources will serve as an open, living archive — a springboard for future conversations across architecture, AI, and urban futures.

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About The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation is a non-profit making organisation established and incorporated in 2014 for charitable purposes. The objects for which the Biennale Foundation is established are:

• To promote creativity and advance the understanding, appreciation and interest of architectural and design excellence
• To encourage cross-border and cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration among creative professionals from Hong Kong, other parts of the Greater China region and overseas
• To support art, design, architectural and cultural education for students and youth, the community, and policy makers
• To create a favourable environment for study, research and experimentation of design, art and architectural works in an exhibition scale
• To energise and revitalise specific sites of interests by introduction of cultural and creative events

About the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA’s strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.