SHKP Read to Dream promotes STEM through engaging activities
Sponsoring 1,000 students to visit Hong Kong Book Fair
The SHKP Reading Club, hosted by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), kicked off its annual Read to Dream programme with a fun-filled ceremony at the Hong Kong Book Fair yesterday. The ceremony was officiated by Christopher Kwok, SHKP Executive Director; Wong Kam-leung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers; Yetta Li, Patriotic Education Centre Director; and Jenny Koo, Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Approximately 300 teachers and students joined the celebration, marking the start of the inspiring initiative.
Mr Kwok said: “The country’s AI development has demonstrated remarkable growth despite the challenging international landscape. For instance, DeepSeek, established just two years ago, has achieved significant breakthroughs. Likewise, the country’s achievements in aerospace are equally inspiring. These accomplishments underscore the determination and perseverance of the Chinese people. We encourage all students to embrace this spirit and never give up as they pursue their dreams.”
In a video address, Lilian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: “Innovation and technology have developed rapidly in recent years. The country has attracted much attention in the fields of AI and aerospace. The HKSAR government strongly supports local universities and research institutions in conducting aerospace technology research. I hope SHKP Read to Dream 2025 will inspire more students to develop innovative thinking and a spirit of scientific inquiry by reading more books about STEM, especially AI and aerospace.”
Wong Kam-leung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, said “Every breakthrough in our country’s aerospace development opens up new horizons of imagination for young people in Hong Kong. Today you may simply be young readers, but tomorrow you could be Hong Kong payload specialists. Today you may be stargazing in the library, but tomorrow you could be undertaking critical missions at a lunar research station. Reading, AI, and aerospace may seem like separate paths, but with your passion and dedication, they can come together to create a bright future.”
Following the ceremony, students from eight primary and secondary schools took part in an AI and aerospace quiz. In addition to compulsory and buzzer rounds, the final interactive segment challenged students to assemble a rocket model as quickly as possible. SHKP hopes this engaging event would spark young people’s interest in aerospace innovation.
Launched in 2008, the SHKP Read to Dream programme fosters a love of reading among young people. To date, over 30,000 primary and secondary school students have benefitted from the programme. This year, SHKP once again partnered with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Patriotic Education Centre of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers to sponsor 1,000 underprivileged students to attend the book fair. Each student received a $250 book allowance to purchase their favourite books related to STEM, aerospace, or Chinese culture at the fair.
This year, the SHKP Reading Club’s book fair booth features an interactive spaceship game and a VR rocket launch simulation. Starting from new academic year in September, the Reading Club will also organize a series of school talks on STEM and Chinese culture, covering topics such as China’s latest technological and aerospace developments – all aimed at sparking students’ interest in STEM fields.
SHKP launches The Point Gold VIP membership programme
Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) has officially launched The Point Gold, an exclusive VIP membership under its integrated shopping mall loyalty programme, The Point. Designed to reward loyal customers, The Point Gold offers a curated selection of privileges and unique experiences as a token of appreciation for their continued support.
At today’s launch ceremony, SHKP Executive Director Christopher Kwok said: “The Point Gold distinguishes itself by leveraging SHKP’s diverse business portfolio, breaking the traditional boundaries of mall membership programmes. We combine resources from the Group’s malls, hotels, supermarkets, mobile communications service, and more, providing a unique array of privileges for Gold members. These offers have been carefully designed based on member feedback to meet their lifestyle needs.”
In addition to earning extra points and parking privileges, The Point Gold members can access a variety of exclusive benefits, including express service lanes at designated mall customer care centres, priority queues at selected restaurants and free reservations for EV super-charging service. These services are designed to meet members’ preference for expedited and hassle-free service, creating a more rewarding shopping journey for Gold members.
SHKP also rewards its Gold members with access to the first The Point Gold VIP lounge at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. This lounge offers thoughtful amenities such as charging stations, storage space, and complimentary refreshments. Gold members can relax and unwind in this private and comfortable space while shopping. SHKP will also partner with top international brands and tenants to host exclusive events for Gold members in the lounge. Upcoming activities include Enoteca’s “Exclusive Wine Journey Through Our Signature Selection” and Dior Beauty’s “Dior Prestige Beauty Class”. To celebrate the launch of The Point Gold, The Point will offer a series of flash deals for Gold members to redeem over six consecutive days next week.
The Point members who accumulate $100,000 in spending within a designated 12-month period will be upgraded to The Point Gold membership, enjoying exclusive privileges for 12 months, including:
- Extra point rewards: Earn 1.5x points on spending and 2x points on birthday month
- Parking and EV charging services: Extra one-hour free parking, free reservations for EV super-charging service
- Premium experiences: Express lanes at mall customer care centres, priority queues at selected restaurants
- Cross-brand membership upgrades: Complimentary upgrade to YATA GOLD, Go Royal Gold Premium, and SmarTone PriorityPlus™ Premium memberships
- VIP lounge: Access to The Point Gold VIP lounge at New Town Plaza
- Luxury hotel and merchant privileges: Exclusive offers at 10 luxury hotels under the Group (including The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong; W Hong Kong; Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong; Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and the Royal brand of hotels ), reservation privileges at TOWNPLACE WEST KOWLOON social club and Harbour North VIPet Lounge
- Exclusive events and rewards: Limited-time flash offers, exclusive spending rewards and lucky draws
The Point has also introduced a mid-tier rewards programme for members who have reached a designated spending threshold but have not yet attained The Point Gold status. Additionally, a new merchant platform will soon be launched, allowing our tenants to offer deals and rewards directly through The Point mobile app. This initiative aims to attract more customers to SHKP malls, driving increased business for tenants and creating a win-win situation.
SHKP’s customer-first philosophy has always sought to continuously enhance customer experience. The Instant Point Earn service was rolled out in 2024, enabling members to earn points instantly by simply scanning their member QR codes when paying electronically at participating merchants. The member-exclusive contactless parking service has been extended to 107 car parks managed by SHKP and Wilson Parking. Furthermore, the EV super-charging service launched in 2023 has expanded its network to cover all 18 districts of Hong Kong. Nearly 40,000 members have already benefitted from this service.
Upgraded Nature Rescue app supports clean-up initiatives and fosters greener Hong Kong
The Nature Rescue mobile app, co-launched by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and Green Power, has been comprehensively upgraded into an interactive platform that mobilizes individuals and organizations to actively participate in nature clean-up efforts. Leveraging the app’s new features, over 100 primary and secondary school students, volunteers, and partners recently joined forces at Tung Chung Bay on Lantau Island for a large-scale clean-up, removing approximately 173 kilograms of waste and recyclables.
Nature Rescue is Hong Kong’s first mobile app dedicated to countryside and coastal clean-up, designed to assist the public in organizing and participating in such activities. It has recently undergone a major upgrade, optimizing existing features and adding new ones. A key enhancement allows trusted green partners to use the online platform to initiate, organize and promote clean-ups, recruit and communicate with volunteers, and facilitate group messaging.
Led by SHKP Executive Director Christopher Kwok, Director of Environmental Protection Dr Samuel Chui, and Green Power Activator Dr Man Chi Sum, the clean-up activity brought together many guests and volunteers, including four green partners, namely, A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Hong Kong Cleanup, Plastic Free Seas and Sea Education Association; three voluntary organizations – the Agency for Volunteer Service, Hong Kong Christian Service Bliss OPlus (elderly centre) and SHKP Volunteer Team; and two schools – HKMA David Li Kwok Po College and Po Leung Kuk Castar Primary School.
Mr Kwok said: “With over 1,100 kilometres of coastline, maintaining the cleanliness of Hong Kong’s coastal environment year-round is a challenge that cannot be shouldered by the government, individuals, or any single organization alone. That’s why SHKP has proactively taken the lead in mobilizing the public and collaborating with trusted partners to protect nature together. Over the years, SHKP has implemented a ‘three-step strategy’ to support clean-up efforts. First, we launched the SHKP Love Nature Campaign in 2011, leading by example through hands-on clean-ups. Then, in 2018, we launched Nature Rescue app, creating a platform that unites clean-up activities occurring at different times and locations across districts, rallying and connecting like-minded individuals. Now, with Phase Three—the upgraded Nature Rescue—we are empowering our green partners to host activities and further expand community engagement.”
Dr Chui stated, “The Environmental Protection Department is committed to raising public awareness of nature conservation through education and community engagement. To maintain clean coastlines in the long term, the most crucial and effective approach is ‘waste reduction at source’. The current government has made unprecedented efforts in this area, resulting in a continuous decline in waste disposal since 2021 – a total reduction of 7.5% over the past three years. Our recycling rate has also risen from a low of 28% in 2020 to 33% in 2023. Visits to our community recycling network, GREEN@COMMUNITY, have exceeded 12 million, an 80% increase over 2023, with the weight of collected recyclables rising by nearly 60% year-on-year. Initiatives like clean-up activities not only strengthen community cohesion but also allows participants to personally experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s ecology and engage more in waste reduction at source.”
Dr Man noted, “Since 2018, Nature Rescue has achieved excellent results, organizing over 270 clean-up activities with more than 7,800 participants, collecting over 25 tonnes of waste and recyclables.” He also revealed plans to launch eco-hiking tours that incorporate eco-learning elements into clean-up efforts, featuring expert-led sessions to share ecological knowledge. The programme will also offer equipment rental services to support those who wish to the conservation efforts but lack the necessary gear.
Over the past year or so, Nature Rescue has added multiple new features including a real-time group chat for participant interaction and a QR code check-in system to simplify event check-in. Green partners have praised these upgrades, noting how the all-in-one platform significantly improves event planning, promotion, and volunteer recruitment.
The upgraded Nature Rescue has achieved remarkable results, organizing 71 clean-up activities last year (a 50% year-on-year increase) and attracting about 2,500 participants (a nearly 70% year-on-year increase). Volunteers removed more than 7,000 kilograms of waste, far exceeding the 2,400 kilograms collected in 2023.
Nature Rescue earlier partnered with SHKP’s The Point, an integrated shopping mall loyalty programme, enabling The Point members to earn redeemable points by participating in conservation activities, integrating leisure, healthy living, and environmental protection into everyday life.