logo
#

Latest news with #PatrickLau

Experts urge Hong Kong to be a ‘value partner', not just a ‘superconnector'
Experts urge Hong Kong to be a ‘value partner', not just a ‘superconnector'

South China Morning Post

time08-07-2025

  • Business
  • South China Morning Post

Experts urge Hong Kong to be a ‘value partner', not just a ‘superconnector'

Hong Kong should ensure it acts as a 'value partner' in addition to its role as a 'superconnector' between mainland China and the rest of the world, rather than a mere facilitator of connections, according to experts including the city's former commerce chief. Speaking at the South China Morning Post 2025 China Conference themed 'Where Capital Meets Innovation' on Tuesday, the former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said Hong Kong should not merely aim to 'connect the dots'. 'What we do to secure Hong Kong's position as described by the chief executive and all the previous leaders is we must bring value, and the value is not just gold plating, but also to create a dependable partnership that could join things together,' he said. 'Hong Kong must enter into the game of building this partnership.' Another speaker, Patrick Lau Hui-ping, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council said the city had remained resilient in merchandise trade despite external pressures. He highlighted that exports from the mainland, channelled through Hong Kong, had seen their global market share increase from 12 per cent to around 14 per cent, even after initial tariffs were imposed.

Packed stadium 'shows potential for football boom'
Packed stadium 'shows potential for football boom'

RTHK

time11-06-2025

  • Sport
  • RTHK

Packed stadium 'shows potential for football boom'

Packed stadium 'shows potential for football boom' A massive fan-designed poster was unveiled before kickoff. Photo: RTHK A sports professor at Baptist University is urging the government to build on the success of Tuesday night's match at Kai Tak Stadium, which saw the Hong Kong, China, team make its debut at the new venue in front of more than 42,000 fans. The qualifying match for the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 ended with the local team edging India in a 1-0 win. The outpouring of support was not only seen in the spectator stands, but also at the nearby Kai Tak Mall, where 300 SAR team kits were quickly sold out. Professor Patrick Lau from the Department of Sports and Health Sciences at Baptist University said the sold-out match was a testament to strong local fan support for the SAR squad and hinted at an excellent opportunity to promote the team. He said the government should focus on ways to strengthen the sport's identity. "With the strong team support by the fans, it will boost up the product extension," Lau said. "For example, yesterday, almost all the jerseys for the Hong Kong team were sold out immediately, well before the match started. "So I think we need to produce our Hong Kong team logos, our Hong Kong team songs." Additionally, Lau suggested building a museum dedicated to football in the SAR to introduce the sport's glorious history to a new generation of fans. "When we look back and track back our Hong Kong soccer team record, [it] is brilliant," he said. "So I think a very strong sport identity in soccer should be built through the introduction of the soccer museum. "It will help to further strengthen the background for the soccer industry in Hong Kong." Lawmaker Vincent Cheng, also vice chairman of the Major Sports Events Committee, urged the government to promote the "home ground economy" and the "fan culture economy". He told an RTHK radio programme that he also attended the match. Cheng said the atmosphere was very good with many spectators supporting the Hong Kong, China, team, and described the spectacle as "a sea of ​​red". "This represents a different audience demographic compared to past events – whether it's Coldplay, Rugby Sevens or Nicholas Tse's concerts," he said. "These are new spectators, fans who support local sports. "I believe we should fully seize this opportunity to energise these supporters, partners and sponsors. "Moving forward, leveraging this momentum to better develop our 'home ground economy' and 'fan culture economy' will be a crucial task."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store