SHKP Read to Dream sponsors 1,000 students to visit Hong Kong Book Fair
The SHKP Reading Club, a long-running initiative of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), launched its annual Read to Dream programme at a ceremony during the Hong Kong Book Fair. This year’s programme is once again co-organized by SHKP and the Patriotic Education Centre of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers. As part of the initiative, SHKP will sponsor1,000 students from underprivileged families to visit the Hong Kong Book Fair to purchase books of their choice. The programme also featured reading-sharing sessions and will host a series of campus talks in the upcoming academic year. Through these activities, SHKP aims to foster a love of reading among students, inspire their interest in innovation and technology, and enhance their understanding of the country’s aerospace achievements, strengthening their sense of national pride.
Officiating at the launch ceremony were Ng Wun-kit, Legislative Council member; Oscar Wong, District Officer (Sham Shui Po) of the Home Affairs Department; Allen Fung, SHKP Executive Director; Amy Lam, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW); Yetta Li, Patriotic Education Centre Director; Will Li, Director of Consumer Goods and Lifestyle of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; and the Vice President of the Sham Shui Po Residents Association and District Council member, CHAN Kwok-wai. They were joined by 150 teenagers from 10 primary and secondary schools and the Sham Shui Po District.
District Officer (Sham Shui Po) Oscar Wong said: “Reading should never be limited to a particular genre. Whether it is literature, history, science or the arts, every book has the power to broaden students’ horizons and open the door to new worlds for students. More importantly, I hope everyone will take this opportunity to develop a daily reading habit and make reading an integral part of your life. This is a habit that will stay with you for life and bring lasting value.
SHKP Executive Director Allen Fung said: “Investing in young people is an investment in the future, and reading is one of the best ways to unlock their potential. As technology continues to reshape our world, SHKP hopes to help underprivileged students access a wider range of learning resources and use books as a gateway to a broader world of knowledge. We are delighted to once again partner with the Patriotic Education Centre. Through reading, we hope to inspire more young people to learn about the latest developments in innovation, technology as well as the country’s achievements in aerospace, strengthening their cultural confidence.”
The ceremony also featured a book-sharing session led by Ng Wun-kit; Lam Shuk Cho, Principal of Precious Blood Primary School (South Horizons), and Yetta Li. Drawing on their reading journeys and life experiences, the speakers explored two key themes: “STEM & Aerospace” and “Chinese Culture.” The lively and interactive session sparked enthusiastic participation.
As in previous years, SHKP provided each participating student a $250 book allowance, enabling them to purchase books of their choice on STEM, aerospace, or Chinese culture at the book fair.
To enhance the experience, the SHKP Reading Club set up a themed booth, “Reading Starship ( 穿「閱」星河號)”, at the book fair. Featuring immersive and interactive elements, the booth invited visitors to explore the wonders of aerospace science and technology in an engaging way.
Starting from the new academic year in September, the programme will organize 24 school talks covering China’s latest technology advancements, aerospace development and cultural heritage.
Since its launch in 2008, the Read to Dream programme has been dedicated to promoting reading among young people and encouraging them to broaden their understanding of the country. To date, over 34,000 primary and secondary school students have benefitted from the programme.
SHKP fully owns Guangzhou Tianhui Plaza
Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) recently acquired the respective one-third stakes in the Guangzhou Tianhui Plaza project previously held by Guangzhou R&F Properties and KWG Group. Following completion of the transactions, SHKP now has full ownership of the project, which comprises the one-million-square-foot IGC mall and the Conrad Guangzhou hotel with over 520,000 square feet of gross floor area and more than 300 rooms.
The acquisition was conducted at market value. In addition to the consideration paid, SHKP will also assume responsibility for the long-standing tax and debt issues of the JV project company, in which SHKP originally held only a one-third stake.
Situated in the heart of Guangzhou’s Zhujiang New Town CBD, IGC mall is surrounded by Grade-A office towers, luxury residences, and world-class hotels with direct access to Liede Metro Station. Backed by the Group’s proven operational expertise, it has become a premier shopping destination across the Tianhe and Pazhou districts.
Looking ahead, the mall will continue to diversify its retail offerings while embracing the latest consumer trends, introducing a Grab & Go gourmet market and a series of themed zones. Capitalising on its prime riverside setting, the mall will also bring to Guangzhou more high-quality F&B debut stores, further enhancing its appeal as a one-stop destination for family-oriented leisure and shopping. SHKP will also continue to strengthen its collaborative efforts with the Liede community to elevate the integrated experience of leisure, sightseeing, international cultural exchange, and premium cultural tourism.
SHKP remains confident in the future prospects of Tianhui Plaza. The Group will continue to invest in the project and enhance its operational performance, fully leveraging its expertise in large-scale mixed-use developments to establish Tianhui Plaza as a leading retail and lifestyle landmark in Guangzhou and across the Greater Bay Area.
SHKP signs HK$20 billion five-year syndicated credit facility
Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) today signed a HK$20 billion five-year syndicated term and revolving credit facility. The facility received overwhelming support, attracting a broad spectrum of 16 lenders and expanding from an initial amount of HK$5 billion to more than HK$26 billion at the arrangers’ co-ordinating stage.
SHKP Chairman and Managing Director Raymond Kwok said: “We are encouraged by the strong participation, which reflects the financial market’s strong confidence in SHKP and in Hong Kong’s future. We are grateful that our commitment to developing high-quality properties, along with our trusted premium brand, continues to be widely recognized by homebuyers, tenants, shoppers and the investment community.”
The facility’s proceeds will be strategically allocated. A portion will be used to refinance some of the Group’s existing debts, while the remainder will serve as working capital to support its business operations and developments, consistent with the group’s disciplined approach to prudent financial management.
Leveraging its premium brand, the Group has achieved fast asset turnover in its property development business even as the global economy remains shadowed by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and energy shocks. With the completion of several integrated projects, including the International Gateway Centre (IGC) in Hong Kong and ITC in Shanghai, the Group is also set to grow its recurring income base, and achieve substantial and stable recurring income.
As part of an eight-million-square-foot commercial hub in West Kowloon, IGC sits above the High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus and is seamlessly connected to Kowloon Station on the Airport Express. This unrivalled “rail+air” connectivity makes it an ideal base for major corporations expanding into the Mainland and global markets, helping position West Kowloon as “Central 2.0”. In addition to its strategic location, IGC boasts world-class sustainable features, having achieved ten major green building certifications or pre certifications under LEED, BEAM Plus, WELL, and others. It is also the first office development in the Greater Bay Area to receive the BREEAM International New Construction “Excellent” rating.
The Artist Square Towers, also in West Kowloon, is expected to be completed in 2027. Enhanced by extensive green open spaces, spectacular Victoria Harbour views, and the globally renowned West Kowloon Cultural District, West Kowloon is fast becoming Hong Kong’s future-focused international business district, where commerce, arts, culture, sustainability and retail converge.
SHKP continues to hold the highest credit ratings among property developers in Hong Kong, with an A1 rating from Moody’s and an A+ rating from S&P Global Ratings, both with stable outlooks.
The facility is backed by:
- Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited
- DBS Bank Ltd.
- The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
- Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited
- Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch
- Hang Seng Bank Limited
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited
- Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited
- Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
- Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- BNP Paribas
- China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch
- Chong Hing Bank Limited
- Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
- United Overseas Bank Limited
