HK Food Expo Opens with Record ASEAN Participation, Showcoring City as Global Connector
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po (陳茂波) opened the annual Food Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this morning, expressing confidence in the city's ability to bring together international brands and regional enterprises . The event represents a significant milestone, with all 11 ASEAN nations participating for the first time, alongside 1,850 exhibitors representing over 30 countries and regions .
Key Points
- Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted Hong Kong's role as an East-meets-West centre at the opening ceremony
- All 11 ASEAN nations are taking part for the first time, joining 1,850 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions
- Products from 16 mainland provinces are featured alongside Hong Kong's new brand for local agricultural and fishery products
- The city is hosting more than 230 major events this year, with visitor numbers projected to grow 20 percent to about 3.6 million
- Doors opened at 10am, with queues forming as early as 6:30am for the popular HK$1 abalone promotion
- Secondary school students were among early shoppers, praising the bargains compared to market prices
- A seafood booth with games attracted long lines, with one participant winning products worth around HK$8,000 after queuing for two to three days
- A mother and daughter spent HK$2,000 on medicine, sauce, and snacks, noting increased variety and foot traffic
- One store owner reported optimistic sales expectations, projecting a 10 percent increase from last year
Why It Matters
The record-breaking participation at this year's Food Expo underscores Hong Kong's strategic role as a gateway connecting global brands with Asian markets, while the projected 20 percent growth in visitors signals recovering confidence in the city as an international events hub . Chan's emphasis on Hong Kong's strengths in certification, quality assurance, and branding highlights the city's competitive advantages in attracting major trade events amid regional competition .
The record-breaking participation at this year's Food Expo underscores Hong Kong's strategic role as a gateway connecting global brands with Asian markets, while the projected 20 percent growth in visitors signals recovering confidence in the city as an international events hub . Chan's emphasis on Hong Kong's strengths in certification, quality assurance, and branding highlights the city's competitive advantages in attracting major trade events amid regional competition .