Dear Readers,

On the occasion of the Chinese New Year 2024, I have a great pleasure to extend my sincere greetings and heartiest felicitations to people of Hong Kong. May the Year of the Dragon bring blessings of fortune, health and happiness, peace and prosperity in the life of Hong Kong people. I fervently hope that this festive occasion and its cultural tradition will connect people of both Hong Kong and Bangladesh, with joy for celebration.

Happy Chinese New Year 2024!

Israt Ara

Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong

Dear Readers,

As the Year of the Dragon unfolds, I extend my warmest greetings for a prosperous and auspicious Chinese New Year. This year holds significant importance for our nations, continuing the momentum from the last year’s joyous celebrations. In 2023, we commemorated the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China, which is a testament to the enduring friendship that binds our countries. Proudly embracing the “Year of Friendship,” we committed to fostering closer ties at both individual and cultural levels.

Since 1997, Cambodia has contributed proudly to the vibrant cultural exchange that defines Hong Kong. Through tourism, trade, and cultural collaborations, we’ve strengthened a bond echoing the spirit of the dragon, a symbol of strength, wisdom, and prosperity.

In 2024, we mark a crucial year for further strengthening our ties. Both nations actively embrace the “Year of People-to-People Exchange,” focusing on building bridges of understanding at the individual level. This aligns perfectly with the ongoing development of the “Diamond Cooperation” framework, a comprehensive partnership promising shared prosperity across political cooperation, production capacity, quality, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges.

May this Chinese New Year usher in an era of continued prosperity and collaboration for our communities. Warmest wishes for happiness, good health, and deep bonds of friendship in the year ahead.

Pech Puthisathbopeaneaky

Consul General of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Hong Kong

Dear Readers,

As the Consul General of Egypt in Hong Kong SAR, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes to all of you on the joyous occasion of the Chinese New Year. This festival marks the beginning of a new lunar year, symbolizing fresh beginnings, harmony, and prosperity.

The Chinese New Year is not only a significant celebration for the Chinese community, but also serves as a reminder of the cultural diversity and unity that exists in Hong Kong. It is a time when families and friends come together, reflecting on the past year and embracing new opportunities that lie ahead.

Egypt and Hong Kong share a long history of exchange and cooperation, both culturally and economically. We greatly value the deepening ties between our two regions and the contributions of the Chinese community to the vibrant fabric of Hong Kong’s society. Your hard work and dedication have played a vital role in the success and prosperity of this dynamic city.

As we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, which is known for its strength, wisdom, and good fortune, let us draw inspirations from these qualities and strive for a brighter future. Let us embrace the spirit of togetherness and extend our hands in friendship and understandings. May this new year bring you all good health, happiness, and fulfillment in all your endeavors. May it be a year of renewed hope, where dreams are realized and aspirations come true.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Sincerely,

Baher Sheweikhi

Consul General of Egypt in Hong Kong and Macao

Dear Readers of Bauhinia Magazine,

I would first like to express our heartfelt congratulations to you and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of friendly People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the Year of the Dragon for the Chinese New Year. Wish you greater security, stability and well-being.

During the time when I have spent so far in this beautiful, vibrant and prosperous city, I have witnessed signs of joy and happiness on many occasions, such as the celebration of the 26th anniversary of the establishment of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of People’s Republic of China, and the New Year’s celebrations of 2024, in addition to our participation in all the events and forums that were organized by relevant authorities in Hong Kong.

Through the sound governance and ambitious policies of the Hong Kong SAR Government, life has returned to normalcy after the measures have been put in place to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, relations were revitalized, and the wheel of economy has moved forward, which has reinvigorated Hong Kong’s position as a global financial and trade centre.

As the Consul General of the State of Kuwait in Hong Kong, we have been committed to strengthening and developing our bilateral relations at various levels, especially in my opinion, we share common values. This includes the mutual willingness and desire to benefit from the opportunities provided by both sides, as each side offers great potentials that will enable one another to achieve desired development and attain sustainable goals. We also hope that through bilateral meetings, we can achieve a more proactive and dynamic relationship, as well as deepening common understandings on the rich culture and civilization of each side.

As we enter the Year of the Dragon, I believe that the ancient Chinese wisdom is heralding a great bound for Hong Kong, just like a flying Dragon, soaring through the sky, injecting vitality and bringing good fortune and prosperity to the city.

In conclusion, I reiterate our sincere wishes that the New Year will be a year of peace, stability and prosperity for the government and people of Hong Kong, and that more ambitious goals and progress will be achieved.

Naser S A Sh Alghanim

Consul General of the State of Kuwait in Hong Kong and Macau

Dear Readers,

On behalf of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Hong Kong SAR, PRC, I am delighted to wish readers of Bauhinia Magazine a Happy Chinese New Year.

The year of 2024 marks an important milestone in bilateral relations between Malaysia and People’s Republic of China as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, following the signing of the Joint Communiqué between Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and Premier Chou Enlai on 31 May 1974. To commemorate this important milestone, a series of programmes and activities have been planned, but not limited to, exchanges of high-level visits, issuance of commemorative stamps, and cultural performances.

In line with the “One Country, Two Systems” policy and One China Principle, Malaysia and Hong Kong SAR enjoy excellent relations characterised by robust trade and investment ties, close people-to-people exchanges, education, tourism, and cultural bonds. The extension of visa-free period (90 days) for Hong Kong SAR passport holders to Malaysia announced during the maiden visit of Chief Executive John Lee to Malaysia in July 2023, will undoubtedly further enhance business, tourism, and people-to-people ties. The frequent exchanges of visits between Malaysia and Hong Kong, particularly at the government level, serve to strengthen our ties.

I am optimistic that the Year of the Dragon will usher in a new era of opportunities, be it in Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. In this vein, I wish to reiterate my call to the business community here and the region to embrace Malaysia as your strategically-located gateway to ASEAN. Make Malaysia your prime, cost-efficient launching pad or support base to enter ASEAN or even Asia. In the same breath, Hong Kong can be Malaysia’s gateway to Mainland China, whereas Malaysia becomes Hong Kong’s gateway to ASEAN.

Once again, I would like to wish all our friends in Hong Kong SAR a Happy Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Dragon bring you good health, boundless happiness, and abundant prosperity!

Muzambli Markam

Consul General of Malaysia in Hong Kong

Dear Readers,

On behalf of the Consulate General of Panama in Hong Kong, I wish all the readers of Bauhinia Magazine a Happy Chinese New Year.

May good fortune fall upon you. Wish you abundance and prosperity every year. With the year of the Dragon approaching, I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt greetings to the residents in Hong Kong. The past few years have been a challenge, but there’s always light at the end of tunnel and I feel we are one step out of it.

Chinese New Year in Panama is an event that continues to grow as relations between Panama and the People’s Republic of China strengthen. Having a big community of Chinese residents in Panama, we have embraced a lot of Chinese culture and gastronomy. These last few years, commercial and tourist activities have been taken place to celebrate the new year, the dragon boat races, kite and tambourine festival, making it an opportunity for coexistence, healthy entertainment and cultural exchange between both countries.

On that note, The Consulate General is working with organizations to arrange a number of exciting cultural and social events in Hong Kong and we hope to see you and further expand our cultural exchanges.

I would like to wish you all in Hong Kong SAR happiness and prosperity on this Chinese New Year!

Jaime Andres Campuzano

Consul General of Panama in Hong Kong

Greetings from the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong!

The new year seems to have arrived at a faster pace, and with great anticipation and celebration due to the resurgence of Hong Kong’s post-pandemic energy. What a bustling metropolis where the new and old blend.

The year 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon. It symbolizes rebirth and revitalization. It is expected to bring stability and advancement. It is expected to inspire people to embark on fresh opportunities and prospects. With all these positive attributes, I am certain that 2024 will bring bigger and better things to Hong Kong and its people.

I look forward to a stronger collaboration and cooperation between Hong Kong and the Philippines especially on trade, tourism, and people-to-people engagement.

On behalf of the more than 220,000 Filipinos who have found a second home in Hong Kong, I wish everyone good health, great happiness, and prosperity in 2024.

Congratulations Bauhinia Magazine and I wish you more success.

Happy Lunar New Year to all.

GERMINIA V. AGUILAR-USUDAN

Consul General of Philippine in Hong Kong

Dear Readers,

It gives me a pleasure in my capacity of the Consul General of Russia in Hong Kong to address the readers of prestigious Bauhinia Magazine and to send my heartfelt congratulations on the New Year of Dragon!

May the Year of Dragon bring people of Hong Kong abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.

This auspicious occasion also presents an opportunity to celebrate the strong bond between Russia and Hong Kong in the context of Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive strategic partnership. Let the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between people of Russia and China continue to flourish, fostering mutual understandings and collaborations in various fields.

As we embark on the Year of the Dragon, let us strengthen the ties between our countries, promoting cultural exchanges, economic partnerships, and people-to-people connections. Together, we can create a brighter future filled with shared success and prosperity.

Wish everyone a year filled with joy and happiness. May the Dragon’s energy ignite your spirit and empower our bilateral relations to reach new heights!

Anatoly Kargapolov

Consul General of the Russian Federation in Hong Kong and Macao

Dear Readers,

A very happy Lunar New Year to everyone!

In the past year, Hong Kong has steadily emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, and its economy has remained firmly on track for recovery. It is heartening to see the city’s streets and shops once again filled with the familiar hustle and bustle of business and tourists. Much credit should go to the Hong Kong government for its efforts in organising successful campaigns such as “Hello Hong Kong” “Happy Hong Kong” and “Night Vibes Hong Kong”, and implementing strategic policies to attract talents, enterprises, and investments from all over the world. Hong Kong has also benefited substantially from the post-pandemic economic growth of China and the region, and is well-positioned to gain even more from its ongoing integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Singapore, too, has rebounded strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic, aided by our strong economic fundamentals and global connectivity. The Singapore economy achieved 1.2 percent growth in 2023 , and is projected to grow by 1 to 3 percent in 2024. Singapore’s air passenger traffic has recovered to 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, and we received more than 12.5 million visitor arrivals in 2023, double that of 2022. As the key trading, financial, aviation and shipping hub for Southeast Asia, Singapore is positioning itself to better facilitate the growing trade and investment links in the region. As the hubs of Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, Singapore and Hong Kong should do more to strengthen our partnership and add value to our respective hinterlands.

The year of 2023 was a fruitful year for Singapore-Hong Kong relations. In July, Singapore was honoured to host the Chief Executive, John Lee, who chose Singapore as the first stop of his inaugural regional tour of Southeast Asia. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat hosted CE Lee on separate occasions during his visit. Earlier in the year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan visited Singapore and met Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Other Hong Kong leaders who visited Singapore in 2023 included Secretaries Chris Tang, Winnie Ho, Sun Dong, Alice Mak, and Chris Sun.

These government-level exchanges reflect the deep and enduring ties between Singapore and Hong Kong. They are testament to how there remains much potential for us to further enhance our economic partnerships, people-to-people exchanges, and connectivity. Looking ahead, the global environment remains challenging for small, open, and externally oriented economies like Singapore and Hong Kong. Yet, I am confident that together, we will overcome the obstacles that lie in our way, build upon the positive momentum of 2023, and deliver mutual benefits for our people.

As we usher in the year of the Dragon, I look forward to seeing Hong Kong’s economy rising higher and stronger. I also wish to take this opportunity to wish readers a vibrant and fruitful Lunar New Year!

Ong Siew Gay

Consul General of Singapore in Hong Kong

Dear Readers,

I send my best wishes to all, observing the Lunar New Year on February 10th to Hong Kong, China, and the world. The United Arab Emirates is home to more than 200 nationalities. Over 220,000 overseas Chinese who celebrate this Lunar New Year in the UAE, which is an essential part of our community.

May the Year of the Dragon bring opportunity, peace, happiness and health to all.

Shaikh Saoud Ali M. A. ALMUALLA

Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Hong Kong

May the Year of the Wood Dragon be a year of adventure, opportunity and growth! From the Consulate General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Hong Kong, we wish you good health, happiness and success.

O’Brien Ernesto GUERRA CÓRDOVA

Consul General of Venezuela in Hong Kong

Dear friends!

On behalf of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong and Macao SAR, PRC and in my personal capacity, let me congratulate you on the coming New Year 2024 of the Dragon.

In Chinese culture, the Dragon symbolizes happiness, energy, determination and luck.

In this regard, in 2024, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, we intend to further develop cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong in various areas, including trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

The Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong are of great interest to Kazakhstan and we invite Chinese friends to actively cooperate with us, invest in joint projects, open companies and factories, conduct trade and business with our citizens, as Kazakhstan has all the conditions for this.

Taking into account that the year of 2024 is announced as the year of tourism of Kazakhstan in China and established visa-free regime between our countries, we invite Chinese friends to visit our beautiful country, to see the beautiful nature, to get acquainted with the rich culture and history of the Kazakh people, as well as to taste local delicacies.

Taking this opportunity, I wish all readers of Bauhinia magazine good health, happiness and success in 2024!

May all your plans and dreams come true this year!

Sincerely yours,

Seitakynuly Almas

Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong and Macao

（This article was published in the February 2024 issue of Bauhinia Magazine）