Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Announce Collaborative Plans for Upcoming National Games and Inclusive Events. – Charm

Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao hold “open to inclusive, progress together” joint press conference for NG, NGD and NSOG in Guangzhou

The Guangdong Provincial Executive Committees for the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Preparatory Office for the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Macao (Preparatory Office in Macao) today (July 8) held a press conference on the topic of “open to inclusive, progress together” in Guangzhou to introduce the details of preparation progress for the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG, and the upcoming operational work plan among the three places.

The Director of the Office of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG and Deputy Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Huang Mingzhong; the Head of the NGCO, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; and the Head of the Preparatory Office in Macao, Mr Pun Weng-kun, addressed the conference, highlighting the collaborative progress of the three places. Hong Kong cyclist Wong Kam-po and Macao martial arts athlete Li Yi also shared their aspirations.

Mr Huang said at the press conference that the cohosting of the 15th NG by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, under the steer of the central ministries including the General Administration of Sport of China and the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has built an innovative co-ordination mechanism. Through close liaison and co-ordination, alignment has been reached in six key areas: cross-boundary events, port clearance, manpower and vehicle accreditation, food safety, green initiatives, and competition schedule. The three places have pioneered a “three-place three-integration” cohosting approach – integrated communication, direction, and operation.

Mr Yeung said, “Hong Kong firmly adheres to the principles of ‘green, inclusive, open and clean’ while implementing the requirement of organising a ‘simple, safe and wonderful’ event. We maintain strict budget control, optimise resource allocation, and prudently scale events to ensure practical preparations.” He highlighted that the cross-boundary athletics marathon and road cycling events, which will be co-organised by Hong Kong, are signature events of the 15th NG, requiring meticulous tripartite planning and co-ordination in route design and expedited clearance for athletes, spectators and vehicles. This cross-boundary collaboration enhances the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)’s overall competitiveness and fosters people-to-people exchanges in the GBA. Wong said that with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as the race course, the cross-border road cycling race is an iconic event with beautiful scenery and a challenging course as well.

Mr Pun said that preparations for the 15th NG have entered the countdown phase. They will collaborate with different sectors of society to strengthen the organisational work for the events, enhancing the atmosphere of community-wide participation in the 15th NG. This includes ongoing visits to communities and schools, connecting with promotional activities for culture, tourism, and sports, and launching franchised products in Macao.

Various franchised products were also showcased at the press conference, with designers explaining their creative concepts. Hong Kong will soon set up sales points in various districts to sell a variety of franchised products related to the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG, including products with unique Hong Kong features.

For more information on the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Hong Kong, please visit the thematic website (www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/en/index.html), as well the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2025nationalgames.hk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/2025nationalgames.hk).

SCST continues visit to France

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Bordeaux, France, in the company of the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Dr Peter Lam.

On the morning of July 7 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law met with the President of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), Mr Allan Sichel. The CIVB, responsible for promoting Bordeaux wines globally, discussed opportunities to enhance collaboration with Hong Kong. Miss Law highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG)’s efforts to host signature mega events, including the annual Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, which provides unique experiences for visitors. She invited the CIVB to make further, and even better, use of Hong Kong as a platform to promote Bordeaux wines to the Mainland of China and other markets in Asia. Both parties exchanged ideas on creative approaches to attract a global audience and elevate the event’s appeal.

Later, Miss Law met with the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Pierre Hurmic; the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux, Ms Céline Papin; and the President of the Bordeaux Tourism and Conventions Office, Ms Brigitte Bloch. During the meeting, Miss Law highlighted the HKSARG’s and the HKTB’s intention to build on the unique brand of the Wine and Dine Festival to make it a platform for fostering cultural exchanges and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Bordeaux. Mr Hurmic expressed enthusiasm for increasing the presence of Bordeaux wines in the Chinese and Asian markets through a strong presence in the festival.

In the afternoon, Miss Law held discussions with the President of Great Wine Capitals Global Network, Mr Jacques Faurens; the Director General of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Pascal Faugère; and the Chief Executive Officer of Vinexposium, Mr Rodolphne Lamseyse. They discussed the challenges of marketing Bordeaux wines during the current economic conditions and explored best practices for organising international trade shows and events. Miss Law emphasised the potential for Hong Kong and Bordeaux to collaborate in enhancing each other’s attractiveness as global tourism destinations.

Miss Law also met with France’s Minister for Tourism, Ms Nathalie Delattre, to explore ways to strengthen tourism connectivity between Hong Kong and France. She highlighted Hong Kong’s unique offerings, including its gastronomy, arts, sports, traditional festivals, mega events and stunning outdoors as key attractions for French audiences. Miss Law introduced the 2025 Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, scheduled for October, as an excellent opportunity for Bordeaux wines to gain greater visibility. Ms Delattre reaffirmed the strong relationship between Hong Kong and France with regards to wine and other fields, and expressed her commitment to fostering collaboration in bilateral tourism.

Miss Law was given a guided tour of La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s iconic cultural centre and wine museum dedicated to promoting the universal culture of wine. The immersive and sensory exhibits provided an inspirational exploration of wine’s journey from ancient civilisations to modern-day winemaking. Miss Law was impressed by its creative storytelling and remarked on the potential for similar initiatives to promote cultural heritage in Hong Kong.

On July 8 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law visited two Bordeaux wineries, Château L’if and Château Le Pin, where she deepened her understanding of Bordeaux’s winemaking traditions and explored potential synergies to incorporate Bordeaux wines into Hong Kong’s wine tourism initiatives.

Miss Law will conclude her visit to France and depart for Hong Kong on the morning of July 9 (Bordeaux time).