China Guardian Hong Kong's 2025 Autumn Auctions held an Asian 20th Century and Contemporary Art Sale on October 8 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, achieving approximately HK$70 million (US$8.9 million) with an 85% sell-through rate. The top lot was Zao Wou-Ki's abstract canvas "27.01.83," which sold for HK$17.7 million (US$2.3 million), more than doubling its low estimate. The second-highest result was Li Chen's bronze sculpture "Dragon-Riding Buddha," which fetched nearly HK$11.15 million (US$1.4 million).
The sale underscores sustained demand for blue-chip Asian modern and contemporary art, particularly works by Zao Wou-Ki, whose "27.01.83" achieved a 67% increase in value over its last auction price in 2014. The painting's rare violet palette and its provenance from the Yageo Foundation—the collection of Taiwanese tech billionaire Pierre Chen—added to its appeal. The strong results also signal confidence in the Hong Kong auction market as a key hub for Asian art sales.