HONG KONG – The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) are set to begin on Monday, marking the first time a national multi-sport event is co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The two games will have 46 events, with the NGD featuring 20 Summer Paralympics and Deaflympics events, six Winter Paralympics and Deaflympics events and 11 mass participation events, and the NSOG featuring nine competition events.  

Following the deadly Tai Po fire in Hong Kong, the organizing committee cancelled the games’ opening ceremony and torch relay. The closing ceremony will be simplified.

Meeting of scientific minds

The 2025 Greater Bay Area Science Forum will take place simultaneously across Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macao from Saturday to Monday, with the main session in Guangzhou.

This event will highlight three key focus areas: frontier technologies such as brain-computer interfaces and embodied artificial intelligence, the advancement of modern industries such as low-altitude economy and green energy, and high-level open cooperation through different global tech matchmaking events.

Themed “Industry-Research Integration Drives Smart Innovation in the GBA”, the forum has a remarkable lineup of keynote speakers, including Turing Award laureates, renowned academicians, and executives from leading enterprises across sectors.

Lightening up Macao

Themed “Lightscape· Horizon”, Light up Macao 2025 will be staged from Saturday to Jan 11. The event will illuminate Macao’s Nam Van, Northern and ZAPE district, coupled with community events and gastronomy.

Creative teams from Macao, the Chinese mainland, Portugal, Korea, Australia and the United States will bring 28 sets of light installations, interactive installations and illuminations in three main districts. The installations are free to visit from 6 pm to 10 pm every day during the event.

A six-minute 3D mapping show will be projected upon the Macao Grand Prix Museum façade every 15 minutes from 6 pm to 10 pm during the event.

From Fridays to Sundays, and on designated festive days during the event, a themed carnival offering culinary delights, cultural and creative booths and game booths will enliven the vicinity of areas near the Macao Grand Prix Museum.