The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrated its 60th anniversary with the Wan Chai Community Art Creation Workshop, held today at the Hong Kong Book Fair. Around 100 students from primary and secondary schools in Wan Chai created drawings of Hong Kong landmarks and city scenes, collaborating with local artist Jane Lee, known as Messy Desk. The students' artwork will inspire a large-scale piece to be unveiled in October, underscoring the HKTDC's commitment to community and youth development while promoting Hong Kong's trade and business.
HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma and Executive Director Sophia Chong attended the event to admire the students' depictions of Hong Kong's economic and industrial strengths. Prof Ma stated, “The Wan Chai Community Art Creation Workshop enables young people to draw a vibrant picture of Hong Kong through art. Every pen stroke vividly reflects their perspective on the city’s global role. The HKTDC has been based in Wan Chai for decades, helping link Hong Kong with global markets. Through this project we are fostering the growth of Wan Chai’s creative sector and the exchange of ideas, creating momentum for the future.”
Centring on the theme “Hong Kong Trade · Connecting the World,” Jane Lee engaged the community through art, integrating students' ideas into a large-scale artwork commemorating the HKTDC’s 60th anniversary. The artwork incorporates Hong Kong landmarks, scenes from exhibitions and conferences, and elements depicting the shipping and air freight sector, alongside community and business life. Its creative expressions convey Hong Kong’s “Four Centres and One Hub” positioning under the national 15th Five-Year Plan, highlighting the city’s role as an international financial, shipping, trading, and innovation and technology centre, as well as a global hub for high-calibre talent.
The workshop deepened participating students' understanding of the HKTDC’s role and Hong Kong’s trade development. Their drawings will be compiled to inspire the final artwork, which will undergo final refinement by the artist. The large-scale artwork will be displayed from 2 to 29 October at the eastbound tram stop at O'Brien Road in Wan Chai, allowing the public to witness this milestone in the HKTDC’s 60th anniversary.
During the Hong Kong Book Fair, the HKTDC also facilitated free visits to the Book Fair, the Sports and Leisure Expo, and World of Snacks for participating students, enabling them to take part in a range of cultural activities and broaden their horizons. This initiative underscores the HKTDC’s dedication to nurturing young talent and fostering community engagement.
For more information about the HKTDC’s 60th anniversary celebrations, visit https://60.hktdc.com/en. Media enquiries can be directed to the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department. The HKTDC, a statutory body established in 1966, promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub, with over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland. It organizes international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions to create opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs, and provides market insights via research reports and digital news channels. More information is available at https://www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
