Latest news with #AristoSham
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong can chart path for high-quality growth in the space economy: Regina Ip
A top adviser to Hong Kong has called for the local government to aim for the space economy as the city's answer to stimulating high-quality economic growth, while seeking to host top-tier international events such as the Apec finance ministers' meeting to enhance global ties and boost local consumption. Advertisement Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the key decision-making Executive Council and chairwoman of the New People's Party, also proposed a HK$50 million (US$6.4 million) fund on Wednesday to support local young musicians and artists to train and compete overseas, inspired by award-winning pianist Aristo Sham Ching-tao. The proposals were part of her party's submissions to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu ahead of his third policy address, which was expected to be unveiled in September. Ip said that Hong Kong was 'well positioned' to look into outer space and its commercial potential, adding it would complement the low-altitude economy, which the city's leader vowed to boost in his 2024 policy address. 'We have scientists in our university already engaged in supporting the nation's open space development,' lawmaker Ip told reporters after the proposals were submitted. Advertisement 'We are well positioned to provide financial support, fundraising support … We have a common law system that can help our government provide input into how to regulate open space for peaceful uses,' she added, describing the suggestion as one of the party's key suggestions. She cited a Goldman Sachs research report in March, which showed that the global satellite market was expected to become seven times bigger, from US$15 billion in 2024 to US$108 billion in 2035.
South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham wins 2025 Van Cliburn competition
Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham Ching-tao, 29, won the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the US state of Texas earlier this month. He is the first pianist from Hong Kong to win this award. This achievement sets him on the path to global fame. The announcement of his victory earlier this month followed two-and-a-half weeks of eager waiting. Live streams of the contest's four tough rounds, with 28 competitors from 15 countries, received a combined 20 million views from 145 countries. Sham's name was read out by jury chairman Paul Lewis to loud cheers in the packed Bass Performance Hall. The winner stepped on stage wearing a bow tie and a smile to receive his medal and trophy. Sham started playing the piano at the age of three with his piano teacher mother at home in Hong Kong. He began competing internationally at the age of 10 while attending Diocesan Boys' School. He studied under Shirley Ip and Professor Eleanor Wong at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He was featured by British broadcaster Channel 4 in its 2009 documentary The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies.
RTHK
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
HK enjoys top music education: Aristo Sham
HK enjoys top music education: Aristo Sham Aristo Sham said music teaching in Hong Kong is among the best in the world. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition website. Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham says he is honoured to put Hong Kong on the global culture map by showing the world that the city is able to cultivate high-level artists. The remark came after Sham won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a top classical music contest held every four years in the United States. Speaking at a virtual press conference on Thursday, Sham described the competition as the 'end-game' for him. 'It's one of these competitions that really set you up for life. Whatever you want to do in your career, if you win a prize, it really gives you such an opportunity and also such a platform on a global scale,' he said. Sham said music teaching in Hong Kong is among the best in the world. 'I would say that studying music in Hong Kong is at a very high level internationally. The music education, especially at a young age, in Hong Kong is really at the highest level globally, there are very few places that can provide as solid and as high level of a foundation,' he said. Sham also said every musician and performer requires global exposure and knowledge from different cultures. 'It's great that Hongkongers have the opportunity to study overseas, and with the fact that they are able to have such a great foundation in Hong Kong, I think there are a lot of opportunities for success,' he said. Sham thanked Hong Kong people for their support, saying he is glad to be able to perform in the city on August 30 as the first stop of a concert tour in Asia.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Thank you, Hong Kong, says pianist Aristo Sham after historic Van Cliburn competition win
Aristo Sham Ching-tao, the first pianist from Hong Kong to win the gold medal in the Van Cliburn Piano Competition, has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from the city following his victory in one of the world's toughest and most prestigious music competitions. Speaking from New York, Sham said: 'I am overwhelmed by the support in Hong Kong since the news of my win . I really did not expect that.' Born in Hong Kong, he left to study overseas at the age of 14, but remains closely connected to the city despite spending much of his time abroad. 'Nowadays, I am mostly based in New York and spend time in Sweden, where I studied with a professor since 2017, and come back to Hong Kong three to four times a year because my parents are [t]here,' he said at a news conference. Aristo Sham speaking in an online news conference on June 12, 2025. Photo: The Cliburn Sham said he had a tough time during the Covid-19 pandemic when concerts were cancelled and he had visa issues because of to different countries' border restrictions. He credits his decision to study at The Juilliard School in New York 2023 for the career restart that made him feel he was ready for the Van Cliburn competition.
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong pianist hits right note for home-grown talent
Talent is a precious commodity in the search for drivers of economic growth, and Hong Kong is at the forefront when it comes to competing for the gifted. Its talent admission schemes attract tens of thousands of new residents on initial visas. As well as being a magnet for talents, it is nice for the city to be seen to nurture those of its own. Advertisement An example is Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham Ching-tao, who has just won the 2025 edition of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, putting him on track for global stardom. Sham, 29, is the first pianist from the city to win the event, named after a famous American pianist and held once every four years in Fort Worth in the US state of Texas. Sham started on the piano at three with his mother, a piano teacher, at home in Hong Kong and began competing internationally at 10 while attending Diocesan Boys' School and studying at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. One thing that sets him apart as a talent is that he chose subjects other than music when he studied at London's Harrow School, before moving to the United States, where he graduated from Harvard University with an economics degree and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory. Advertisement Sham already tours extensively, playing with the London Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic and the English Chamber Orchestra among others. One of his teachers at the arts academy, Professor Eleanor Wong, said his achievement would inspire the next generation of young musicians from the city.
