Chris Infotainment

Experiences to Try in Hong Kong A Culinary Collaboration Between France and China Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic, located in the heart of Hong Kong, recently welcomed a special guest from Beijing—Li Zhanxu of Qu Lang Yuan. This two-night residency brought together the talents of Li, whose restaurant is nestled in a tranquil courtyard in the historic Dongsi Hutong district, and Anne-Sophie Pic, the renowned French chef behind the Hong Kong outpost. The collaboration created a unique blend of French and Chinese culinary traditions, showcasing a poetic dialogue through food. The menu featured a seamless integration of techniques, with Pic’s signature comte berlingots infused with oolong tea and Alsatian venison paired with black garlic. This event was a sophisticated exploration of cross-border gastronomy, offering diners a texturally rich experience that highlighted the best of both worlds. The venue, situated on the 44th floor of Gloucester Tower in Landmark, can be booked through c...

Toby Chan, who won the Miss Hong Kong 2010 pageant, has left the luxurious mansion she once shared with her ex-boyfriend, businessman Benny Yeung, and is now residing in a smaller flat. Miss Hong Kong 2010 Toby Chan. Photo from Chan's Instagram According to reports, the 39-year-old moved out of the 3,000 sq.ft (279 sq.m) house in Kau To Shan earlier this month. She has since relocated to a 500 sq.ft flat in Wong Tai Sin, which she bought in 2020 for approximately HK$9 million (US$1.15 million). At a public event earlier this month, Chan confirmed that her nine-year relationship with Yeung ended three months ago. As reported by The Standard, she mentioned that the breakup was amicable, did not involve any third party, and was due to differences in values. It has been noted that Chan has embraced a more straightforward and independent way of living. This includes driving herself instead of using a chauffeur and reducing her discretionary spending. After winning the Miss Hong ...

A Guide to Hong Kong’s Festive Season: Events and Takeaway Menus As the year draws to a close, Hong Kong is alive with a variety of events and culinary delights that promise to make the holiday season unforgettable. From traditional feasts to unconventional twists on classic dishes, there's something for everyone this festive season. Cultural Celebrations and Artistic Displays One of the highlights of the season is the "Simple Gifts of Joy" celebration at Tai Kwun, which runs until January 4. This event features "Circus Plays," a program that brings in high-caliber international circus acts. Among the performances are the Asia premiere of The Genesis from Denmark and the Hong Kong premiere of Spiral Slide from the United States. In a more philanthropic twist, Upper House has partnered with artist Cj Hendry and auction house Phillips to create an art-led tree. The installation consists of 200 oversized plush green "juju" toys, each "adoptabl...

A Legacy of Light and Tradition One of the city's most prolific festive light designers recalls his career spent illuminating the Hong Kong skyline. It was December 1990, and he was four years old. Hong Kong then got much colder than it does today, but standing to his mother's right as they took in the Christmas lights, his younger brother to her left, the cold seemed to melt away. Wide-eyed and clutching his mother's hand, he gazed upon the illuminated towers and parapets of a snow-white castle. Angels perched on the battlements, haloes aglow. Fairy lights festooned the winter scene on the waterfront by Harbour City, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong's ascent was written in Christmas lights. Mirroring the emergence of a booming economy and a burgeoning middle class, the annual citywide illuminations have marked a tradition for many families in the former British colony since the 1950s. Our own family's ritual had begun in the 60s, when my mother, Clara Chung Lo-ling, w...

Hong Kong BN(O) Passport Holders Continue to Benefit from Five-Year Pathway The UK government has confirmed that holders of Hong Kong British National (Overseas) passports will continue to have a five-year pathway to permanent settlement. This decision marks a significant shift in the country's migration policy, described as the "biggest overhaul" of its legal migration system in 50 years. The announcement was made by the UK Home Office on Thursday. Earlier this year, the government had proposed extending the waiting period to 10 years, with potential reductions for individuals who make a strong contribution to British life. However, the final decision retains the original five-year route for Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders. “Hong Kong BN(O)s will retain their existing 5-year pathway to settlement,” the Home Office stated in a press release. The statement emphasized that while migration remains an essential part of Britain’s history, the recent surge in arrivals has...

Hong Kong experienced its coldest autumn temperature to date on Wednesday, with the Hong Kong Observatory recording 13.2 degrees Celsius at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui around 6 a.m. The cold snap was attributed to an intense northeast monsoon, which has significantly lowered temperatures across the region. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) reported that temperatures were about one to two degrees lower in parts of the New Territories. On Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak, the mercury dropped to 3.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m., according to the Observatory. This marked a notable drop in temperature compared to previous days. The weather conditions have also led to extremely dry air. At 10:30 a.m., relative humidity was recorded at 35 per cent, and the Red Fire Danger warning signal was in effect, indicating an extreme fire risk. This level of dryness is unusual for this time of year and has raised concerns among local authorities. The Observatory predicted “mainly cloudy and c...

Hong Kong's Evolving Role as a Financial Bridge Hong Kong is redefining its role in the global financial landscape, serving as a crucial link between mainland China and the rest of the world. As Beijing shifts its trade and investment strategies away from the United States, Hong Kong is once again emerging as a strategic platform for China's international ambitions. Janice Hu, chairwoman of UBS Securities, highlights the significance of this transition. She emphasizes that Hong Kong's position as an international financial hub is being reinforced by the city's ability to facilitate cross-border financial flows. According to Hu, these developments underscore Hong Kong's enduring role as a springboard for China's global economic aspirations. One notable example of this dynamic is Jiaxin International Resources' dual listing in Hong Kong and Astana in August. This was the first yuan-denominated deal on the Kazakh exchange, showcasing Hong Kong's growin...

Hong Kong's Rise as a Global Innovation Leader Hong Kong has solidified its position as a key player in the global innovation landscape, securing the top spot in the 2025 Global Innovation Index. This achievement highlights the city’s growing synergy with the Greater Bay Area, a dynamic economic region that is driving China’s development. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has surpassed Tokyo-Yokohama for the first time, showcasing the power of collaboration and shared resources. The success of this cluster is built on the combined strengths of three major cities: Shenzhen’s technological innovation, Guangzhou’s manufacturing expertise, and Hong Kong’s financial capabilities. This partnership has created a robust ecosystem that supports not only scientific research but also entrepreneurship and the development of new products and services. One of the notable additions to the 2025 index is a new ranking metric focused on venture capital. Hong Kong excels in this area, refle...