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香港盛事多籮籮 / Hong Kong Has Abundant Major Events
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承接上文，社會上有聲音指，Taylor Swift不在香港舉辦世界巡迴演唱會，反映香港沒有足夠吸引力讓國際盛事落戶。我認為上述憂慮低估了香港這個亞洲國際之都的影響力。
事實上，香港每年所舉辦的國際盛事多不勝數，這些活動大多集中於會議展覽及獎勵旅遊（MICE）領域，普羅市民或者較少留意。撇除早前宣布延期的 DiorFall2024時裝展，單是今年上半年，香港就計劃舉辦86場體育賽事、大型展覽、高峰會議等不同類型的盛事。
香港地理位置優越，加上交通方便，會展服務業相當發達，每年都會舉行數以百計的會議展覽。例如每年3月和9月舉辦的香港國際珠寶展及香港珠寶首飾展覽會，都是亞洲區罕見的大型珠寶展覽。後者更是全球最大型的珠寶商貿展覽，今年設有約40個主題攤位，預計吸引超過3000個參展商來港。
除此之外，貿易發展局舉辦的香港玩具展亦是會展業的年度盛事之一。香港的玩具出口商現時主要為海外玩具品牌提供外判生產業務，向來以供應優質玩具見稱。得益於此，香港玩具展每年都吸引上千個參展商自全球各地慕名而來，尋找商機，是亞洲最大規模的玩具展之一。
香港今年亦爭取到多個具影響力的國際級盛事，包括首度來港舉辦的國際級高爾夫球賽LIV Golf以及國際潮流盛事 ComplexCon。
LIVGolf獲沙特阿拉伯主權財富基金贊助，總獎金折合約1.95億港元，是香港史上最高獎金的大賽之一。據報道，過去一周，主辦單位、球手、他們親友以及工作人員等，已預訂超過600間酒店房間，預計對本港酒店餐飲、旅遊業帶來相當高的經濟效益。ComplexCon更是首次在美國以外的地區舉辦，集結超過200名HipHop歌手、潮流藝術家及創作者，預計可吸引超過3萬名旅客來港。
由此可見，香港對盛事主辦商仍然具有相當吸引力，香港亦有能力搞好大型盛事，市民毋須妄自菲薄。
Hong Kong Has Abundant Major Events
Following the previous article, some voices argued that Taylor Swift not holding her world tour concert in Hong Kong reflected the city's insufficient appeal to host international events. I think this concern underestimates Hong Kong's influence as an Asian global city.
In fact, Hong Kong hosts countless international events every year, mostly concentrated in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sectors, which may receive less attention from the general public. Apart from the previously postponed DiorFall2024 fashion show, just in the first half of this year, Hong Kong has planned 86 sporting events, major exhibitions and conferences of various types.
With its geographical advantage and convenient transportation, Hong Kong's exhibition services industry is highly developed, hosting hundreds of conferences and exhibitions annually. For example, the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show in March and September, and the Hong Kong Jewellery and Jade Show are among Asia's largest jewellery exhibitions. The latter is also the world's largest jewellery trade fair, with around 40 thematic pavilions this year, expected to attract over 3,000 exhibitors.
In addition, Hong Kong Toy Fair organized by the Trade Development Council, is also a major annual event in the exhibition industry. Hong Kong toy exporters currently mainly provide OEM production services to overseas toy brands, known for quality toys. Thanks to this, the Toy Fair attracts thousands of exhibitors from around the world each year seeking business opportunities, being one of the largest toy exhibitions in Asia.
This year Hong Kong has also succeeded in attracting many influential international events, including the debut LIVGolf international elite golf tournament and the international trend event ComplexCon.
Hosted for the first time in a non-US location, ComplexCon is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors to the city, featuring more than 200 hip hop artists, fashion icons and creators.
This shows event organizers still view Hong Kong as highly appealing. The city is capable of hosting large-scale events well. Local residents need not underestimate themselves.
檢討特區政府投資策略
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財政司司長陳茂波剛於2月28日宣讀今年度《財政預算案》，提到「預計2023/24年度綜合赤字為1016億元」（第205段），然而，若計及發債725億元，實際綜合赤字應該有1741億元之鉅。
在這樣嚴峻的財政狀況下，特區政府的投資策略顯得特別重要，高效率高回報的投資策略，可改善特區政府的財政狀況。我認為，特區政府是時候積極檢討及改善其一貫投資策略。
特區政府近年設立大量不同用途的基金，主要以種子基金的模式運作，即是不動用本金，靠投資回報所得，來支持該基金的特定用途。這個模式無可厚非，但特區政府就「香港特別行政區政府獎學基金」（下稱「政府獎學基金」）提供的資料，便顯示特區政府就這類種子基金的投資策略有很多問題。
特區政府於2008年設立10億元的「政府獎學基金」，最初是向本港的傑出學生提供「卓越表現獎學金」。期後在2011年、2012年、2013年及2018年，分別獲得四次注資，獎學金的範疇也擴展至「才藝發展獎學金」、「外展體驗獎」、「展毅表現獎」等等。至於今次的注資主角「一帶一路獎學金」，則是於2016年新增的範疇，屬於「特定地區獎學金」旗下。
「政府獎學基金」以種子基金模式運作，即是在不動用本金的原則下，以投資回報來支付各個獎學金項目。補充文件指截至2024年1月下旬，「政府獎學基金」的本金為30億7000萬元，淨盈餘則有1億1000萬元。教育局認為這款項不足以支付未來的各項獎學金金額，於是要求第五度注資，並且要求10億元。
此外，當我查閱這五間投資管理公司的資料時，竟發現當中有四間是美國公司、一間是德國公司，卻沒有一間是香港「本地薑」，這點讓我相當不滿。眾所周知，在地緣政治及美西方資金撤出香港的情況下，本地基金經理經營困難，為甚麼特區政府不聘用本地基金經理？究竟是誰及以甚麼準則決定聘用哪些基金經理？是覺得外國的月亮特別圓？還是看不起「本地薑」？
最後，教育局指「政府獎學基金」的投資回報率以維持在4厘為目標，獲注資10億元後，預計每年可賺取的投資收入約4000萬元，扣除投資管理公司管理費等支出後，便可用作「一帶一路獎學金」新增名額的所需資金。然而，近年的實際回報率平均只是2厘，期間有年份是虧損的。環顧最新的投資市況，若購買特區政府的綠色債券，已可鎖定三年保底息率4.75厘。如果投資一些在港上市、風險低而回報高的公司，回報更高，這是普通市民也懂的投資常識。那麼，為甚麼還要把那麼細金額的本金，分拆給五間投資公司管理，付上高昂的管理費，換來再注資10億元的要求？還有，那筆本金當中，有多少是存於香港金融管理局賺取利息的？回報如何？
對於上述這些問題，教育局通通未能回答。不過，為免發出立法會議員不支持「一帶一路」的錯誤信息，會議當日我有舉手支持撥款。但是作為立法會議員，我必定會繼續跟進。
盛事經濟不缺一個演唱會 / A Concert is Not Necessary for Event-driven Economy
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旅客的消費模式在疫後出現顯著改變，青睞着重體驗的沉浸式旅遊，購物消費則退而其次，過往以消費購物為主的香港旅遊業受到一定影響。有鑑於此，特區政府正推動發展文化、藝術及體育相結合的盛事經濟，希望藉此帶旺旅遊業，振興本地市道。
但坊間有意見認為，特區政府在爭取大型盛事來港舉辦方面，面對不少困難。有聲音指，美國樂壇天后Taylor Swift的時代巡迴演唱會（The Eras Tour）沒有選擇香港而將新加坡定作東南亞唯一目的地，或反映香港在主辦團體當中缺乏吸引力，導致天后決定「捨港取星」。
然而，上述的觀點相當錯誤。事實是，特區政府根本沒有邀請Taylor Swift來港舉辦演唱會。據傳媒報道， Taylor Swift團隊之所以答應新加坡政府將星城定為東南亞唯一一站，除因為對方斥至少200萬至300萬美元巨資補貼外，主要是看中新加坡國家體育場這一個可容納5.5萬名觀眾的戶外表演場地。
香港現時未有一個戶外表演場地能夠媲美新加坡國家體育場，加上特區政府重視審慎理財，不會仿效新加坡花費大量金錢補貼。雖然特區政府素有如「M」品牌計劃及「文化藝術盛事基金」等措施支援各項文化藝術及體育盛事在香港舉行，但我認為香港過往一直由市場驅動，牽頭籌辦盛事活動的方針正確，特區政府毋須將所有工作「攬上身」。再者，考慮到庫房已連續5年「見紅」，耗費數以千萬計公帑資助歌星舉行演唱會的做法更需三思。
Taylor Swift不來舉辦演唱會，固然可惜，但這並不意味香港缺乏舉辦大型盛事的能力。相反，其實每年也有不同的國際盛事在港舉辦，下期將展開詳述。
A Concert is Not Necessary for Event-driven Economy
The consumption patterns of visitors have undergone significant changes post-pandemic, with an increasing preference for immersive experience-focused tourism over shopping. This has impacted Hong Kong's tourism industry which previously relied heavily on shopping consumption. In view of this, the HKSAR government is promoting the development of an event-driven economy integrating culture, arts and sports, hoping to boost tourism and stimulate the local market through this.
However, some opinions believe the HKSAR government faces many difficulties in attracting large-scale events to Hong Kong. Some commented that pop diva Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour not choosing Hong Kong and only making Singapore the sole Southeast Asian destination could reflect Hong Kong's lack of attractiveness among event organizers, leading to her decision to "ditch Hong Kong for Singapore".
However, the above views are quite mistaken. In fact, the HKSAR government had not invited Taylor Swift to hold a concert in Hong Kong. According to media reports, Taylor Swift's camp agreed to make Singapore the only Southeast Asian stop mainly because the local government invested at least $2-3 million in subsidies, and also saw the potential of the National Stadium which can accommodate 55,000 audience for outdoor performances.
Currently Hong Kong does not have an outdoor venue that can match the National Stadium in Singapore. Considering the HKSAR government's prudent fiscal stance, it would not follow Singapore's example of spending huge sums subsidizing events. While the government has support measures like the "M+ Programme" and "Arts and Culture Events Fund" to support cultural, arts and sports events in Hong Kong, I believe Hong Kong's past market-driven approach of facilitating events is correct, and the government need not take on all responsibilities. Moreover, it's prudent not to lavishly subsidize star concerts with tens of millions of public funding, given five consecutive annual deficits.
Taylor Swift not holding a concert here is understandably regrettable, but it does not mean Hong Kong lacks ability to host major events. In fact, different international events are held in Hong Kong every year, which will be detailed in the next article.