While the 10th Belt and Road Summit drew business and diplomatic power brokers to Hong Kong recently, a select group of Muslim delegates from the B&R regions were treated to a halal dining experience but with a distinctly Cantonese flavour.
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) rolled out the red carpet at Chinesology, the city’s first high-end halal-certified Chinese restaurant, offering guests a taste of Cantonese cuisine tailored to Islamic dietary laws. The dinner was part of HKTB’s broader push to showcase Hong Kong as a welcoming destination for Muslim travellers.
The summit, held over two days (September 10-11), brought together officials, business leaders, and industry pioneers from across the Belt and Road network. With many attendees hailing from Muslim-majority nations, HKTB seized the opportunity to highlight the city’s growing Muslim-friendly tourism offerings — which now include 195 halal-certified restaurants.
Chef Saito Chau, culinary director of Chinesology, took centre stage during the dinner, sharing insights into the philosophy behind traditional Cantonese cooking. Guests were served a curated menu that blended authenticity with halal standards — a rare pairing in the world of Chinese fine dining.
