A guest (L) visits the 15th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in south China’s Hong Kong on Nov. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Lv Xiaowei)

HONG KONG, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) — The 15th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened here Friday, with over 500 exhibitors from different countries and regions showcasing fine beverages and wine-related products and services, hoping to broaden their market scope.

The three-day event was organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Sophia Chong, deputy executive director of the HKTDC, said that Hong Kong is a key connector to the wine and liquor market in Asia. As an elite global trading platform for fine wine, the fair brought tremendous opportunities for wine corporations at home and abroad.

Representing Riffel, a winery from Germany, Carolin Riffel said she was excited about doing business in Hong Kong. “It’s the first time we joined this exhibition. We hope to find importers in Hong Kong and the mainland, and to explore the Asian market,” she said.

Since the fair has attracted visitors from all over the world, Riffel said she was confident that they could find suitable business partners who are looking for high-quality organic wine and Riesling.

Guests visit the 15th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in south China’s Hong Kong on Nov. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Lv Xiaowei)

An exhibitor from southwest China’s Sichuan Province showcased a number of special wine products at the fair. Also a newcomer to the fair, the company’s representative Zeng Yan expressed their hope to promote Sichuan wine to the world.

The wine exports of Hong Kong, a free wine port, increased 41.6 percent to 2.35 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 300 million U.S. dollars) between January and September this year, according to HKTDC figures.

HKTDC will also hold a number of activities including conferences and seminars during the fair for the industry to explore wine business opportunities and the latest market trends.■