A long queue can be seen outside betting centers at the Hong Kong Jockey Club this week, with people trying their luck for a chance to win the record-breaking Mark Six Lunar New Year Snowball prize. The lottery, which promises a jackpot payout of up to HK$188 million for a single winning unit, is expected to attract record-high turnover this year.
Despite the turmoil caused by the coronavirus and the political tension in Hong Kong, the racing product remains strong and resilient. That is reflected in the increased prize money on offer this season, which includes a 20% boost to the domestic centrepiece BMW Hong Kong Derby.
The second Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum awards ceremony wrapped up on Monday (March 19) with a total of 24 prizes awarded to films and film industry talent. Among them, director Toe Yeun’s animation project A Mighty Adventure won the SkyFilm animation award. The Taiwan-Hong Kong co-production follows the escapades of three small animals and their friendships.
In a time of economic uncertainty, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is taking a stand against protectionism by promoting free trade. The government is also stepping up efforts to create a more dynamic business environment for the local economy and increasing funding for the entrepreneurship development fund. The Hong Kong Entrepreneurship Awards have been revamped this year to reflect these latest developments.
A new scholarship programme has been launched by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine to recognise outstanding research in clinical practice and medicine. Applications are welcomed from principal authors of articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 2021 and 2023. The research should take Hong Kong as the primary subject of inquiry and explore its unique position in global, comparative or theoretical perspectives.
As China continues to tighten its grip on Hong Kong, the spirit of freedom is still alive in our city. This is exemplified by the winners of this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, who might not be famous or well-known, but they are real life heroes who show genuine acts of charity, civic awareness and goodwill. They are people who believe in their own dreams, and they are true survivors against all odds.
A total of 5 Hongkongers were nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, namely Jimmy Lai, Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, Gwyneth Ho and Joshua Wong. Their fervent dedication to protecting freedoms in Hong Kong and campaigning for democracy deserve international recognition. The South China Morning Post has teamed up with the CFHK to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes and share their inspiring stories. These heroes might be ordinary, but they embody the true spirit of Hong Kong and inspire us all. Their stories are an inspiration for us to live with integrity, perseverance and courage in these challenging times.