HONG KONG CONNECT


	Annual update of aggregate list of eligible universities under TTPS The Government announced on December 27 that the annually updated aggregate list of eligible universities (aggregate list) under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) will take effect on 1 January, 2025. This round of updates to the aggregate list reflects the changes in 2024 to the top 100 universities/institutions in four world university rankings (namely the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities Rankings and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities) in the past five years; and the top five universities/institutions providing specialised hotel programmes on the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of “hospitality and leisure management” in the past five years. Starting from 1 November 2024, the aggregate list also includes the top five specialised institutions on the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of “Art and Design” in the past five years and the top 20 ranked Mainland universities under the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Best Chinese Universities Ranking in the past five years. More details here.

	Record high numbers of companies and start-ups affirm Hong Kong’s increasing attractiveness to businesses According to the results of the 2024 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong and the 2024 Startup Survey released by the Government on 17 December, the number of companies in Hong Kong with overseas or Mainland parent companies rose to 9 960 in 2024, while the number of start-ups in Hong Kong increased to 4 694, both reaching record highs. The results demonstrate that Hong Kong is becoming increasingly attractive to businesses and remains an ideal place for Mainland and overseas enterprises to set up or expand their operations. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said that with Hong Kong’s unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong is the best two-way platform for overseas enterprises to tap into the Mainland market and for Mainland enterprises to go global, and therefore is their prime destination for investment. Companies from the Mainland continued to top the list, proving once again that Hong Kong is Mainland enterprises’ preferred platform to go global. Mr Yao also pointed out that as the only city in the world where the global advantages and the China advantages come together in a single economy, Hong Kong will continue to proactively play the bridging roles as a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’, attracting overseas enterprises to invest in the Mainland while assisting Mainland enterprises to tap into overseas markets, thereby creating stronger impetus for growth in Hong Kong’s trade and economic development. More details here.

	Hong Kong Awards for Industries honours 79 companies To commend 79 local companies for their outstanding achievements, the 2023-24 Hong Kong Awards for Industries (HKAI) Presentation Ceremony was held on 16 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The HKAI aims to recognise the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong enterprises in the manufacturing and services industries in enhancing their competitiveness in various aspects and in their endeavours towards high value-added activities. The HKAI also helps promote Hong Kong brands. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr John Lee, addressed the ceremony and said that the award-winning enterprises and products come from various industries and sectors, and all demonstrate the spirit of Hong Kong enterprises to strive and persevere. The enterprises have been pursuing breakthroughs in improving the level of design of products and equipment, unleashing creativity, engaging in upgrading and transformation, applying innovation and technology, and enhancing service experiences, thereby achieving high value-added development and promoting Hong Kong’s quality brands. Mr Lee added that the Government has been sparing no effort in helping small and medium enterprises accelerate the process of upgrading and transformation, digitalisation and green transformation, and explore new markets. More details here.

	12^th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of People’s Republic of China The Government hosted a welcome home reception at the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre on 17 December for the HKSAR Delegation to the 12^th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People’s Republic of China (NTGEM) returning from the Games held from November 22 to 30 this year in Sanya, Hainan. The HKSAR took part in the Games for the first time with a total of 66 athletes participating in three competition events. The athletes achieved remarkable results and were awarded in all four events with one second prize and four third prizes in total. The HKSAR Delegation also won the Sportsmanship Award. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Head of the Delegation, Miss Rosanna Law, officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to the athletes with outstanding performances as well as expressing gratitude to the coaches and support teams for their dedication. More details here.



	Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema 2024 in Melbourne “Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema in Melbourne” was held on 5 to 7 December. The touring Hong Kong film programme, presented by HKETO Sydney and the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, showcased six new and restored Hong Kong films, namely “The Last Dance”, “Love Lies”, “Stuntman”, “The Unwavering Brotherhood”, “Peg O’ My Heart” and the restored classic “Happy Together”. HKETO Sydney hosted a reception before the screening “Love Lies” in Melbourne on 5 December. Around 80 guests across the filming, cultural, government, business and media sectors attended the reception to exchange ideas with relevant actors, directors and producers and learn about the vibrant and innovative film productions of Hong Kong. Director Ho Miu-ki and producer Chan Hing-kai of “Love Lies”, actress Michelle Wai of “The Last Dance”, directors Albert Leung and Herbert Leung of “Stuntman”, as well as actor Mark Cheng of “The Unwavering Brotherhood” participated in the sharing sessions with audience members after the screenings of the respective films. More details here.



	*IBF World Cup (Hong Kong)* With the support of the International Bowling Federation (IBF), The Hong Kong, China Tenpin Bowling Congress will host the IBF World Cup in Hong Kong from 5 to 14 January 2025. Approximately 280 bowlers from 32 countries and regions around the globe will compete for the championship title. The tournament is organised by IBF and the Hong Kong China Tenpin Bowling Congress (HKCTBC) and it will be conducted in accordance with the International Bowling Federation Statutes and Playing Rules as of September, 2019. It is also one of the 2025 Asian Ranking tournaments where ranking points will be awarded. More details here.

	*IBF Para Bowling World Championships (Hong Kong)* For the first time in Hong Kong from 17 to 24 January 2025, about 250 athletes with disabilities from around 20 countries and regions across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania will compete for honours in various levels of singles, doubles and team events. IBF Para Bowling World Championships, an official IBF Para Bowling Championships will be organised by IBF and HKCTBC under the Patronage of China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee. More details here.

	*Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2025 (Hong Kong)* The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (SCHKM) 2025 will take place on 9 February 2025, maintaining the enrolment quota of around 74,000. As a mega event in Hong Kong, SCHKM 2025 promotes positivity across the city, spreading the joy of the race to local shops along the routes and the wider communities. To ramp up the excitement and promote the mega event economy, the organiser will rally nearly 1,000 local shops in the race districts to participate in the SCHKM 2025 in an alternative way by cheering for runners on the race day, together encouraging the runners to run faster and further, turning the event into a citywide carnival for spectators. More details here.

	*Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show (Hong Kong)* The Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show will be one of the highest profile sporting events taking place in Hong Kong in 2025. Taking place from 14 to 16 February 2025 at AsiaWorld Expo, this exciting new event will play host to FEI 5 International Show Jumping. A celebration for all, it will feature competition from outstanding international horses and riders, thrilling equestrian displays, national showjumping and dressage displays. In addition to first-class sporting action, the show will feature fabulous shopping, great entertainment, informative and fun equestrian talks as well as a delightful culinary experience in the Lifestyle Shopping Village. More details here.

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