Feb inflation up 1.4%

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Overall consumer prices rose 1.4% year-on-year in February, a smaller rate of increase than the 2% seen in January, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government’s one-off relief measures, underlying inflation was 1.1%, also smaller than that seen in January.

Compared with a year before, price increases were recorded in February in the following categories: alcoholic drinks and tobacco; electricity, gas and water; transport; housing; miscellaneous goods; meals out and takeaway food; and miscellaneous services.

Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged in basic food, clothing and footwear, and durable goods.

The Government commented that the underlying consumer price inflation stayed modest in early 2025.

Taking January and February together to remove the effect caused by the different timing of the Lunar New Year, the underlying composite consumer price index increased by 1.3% over a year earlier, same as the increase in December 2024. Price pressures on various major components stayed largely contained.

The Government also said overall inflation should remain moderate in the near term.

While domestic costs pressures might increase as the economy continues to grow, external price pressures should remain broadly in check, it added, noting that uncertainties stemming from geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts warrant attention.

HK ranks 3rd as global finance hub

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Hong Kong has maintained third place globally and continued to rank first in the Asia-Pacific in the Global Financial Centres Index 37 Report published today by the UK’s Z/Yen and the China Development Institute.

Hong Kong’s overall rating in the report increased 11 points to 760, slightly closing the gap with the first place rating.

The city’s rankings in human capital, infrastructure, and financial sector development rose to second in the world, while rankings in business environment, and reputational and general rose to third globally.

Hong Kong also ranked among the top in various financial industry sectors, ranking first globally in investment management, insurance, and finance, and third in banking.

In the report’s assessment of financial centres’ fintech offering, Hong Kong’s ranking leapt further by five places to fourth in the world.

The Government said the report fully recognises Hong Kong’s leading status and strengths as an international financial centre, noting that with the country’s staunch support, it will leverage the advantages under “one country, two systems”, actively integrate into the national development and deepen international co-operation to fulfil its roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”.

With finance as an important tool to support the real economy, the Government added that the policy initiatives announced in the 2025-26 Budget press ahead with the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s international financial market to create more new growth areas.

Wealth for Good speakers unveiled

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Government today announced the line-up of speakers for the third edition of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, due to take place on March 26.

This year’s summit, co-organised by the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong, has “Hong Kong of the World, for the World” as its theme. The event will strive to forge new connections and leverage Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages under “one country, two systems” to drive innovation, investment and sustainable growth.

Participants from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere in Asia will join Mainland and Hong Kong attendees at the event to exchange insights on art and culture, philanthropy, technology, and investments in artificial intelligence.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said world-class speakers, and decision-makers from family offices, will gather in Hong Kong to explore how the city’s strategic advantages can shape a bright future and legacy.

He added that attendees will get a feel for the unparalleled opportunities Hong Kong has to offer as a global family office hub that can drive sustainable growth and touch lives far beyond its own shores courtesy of its strong financial and legal infrastructure, global connectivity, and thriving professional and philanthropic ecosystem.

Distinguished international speakers at the summit will include the World Economic Forum’s Head of GAEA Luis Alvarado, ADLEGACY Founder Horst Bente, Swarovski International Holding Vice Chairman Robert Buchbauer, Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy Board Chairman Adrian Cheng, Gates Foundation Senior Advisor and Director Steve Davis, and Clinique La Prairie Chief Executive Officer Simone Gibertoni.

The line-up of speakers also includes BDT & MSD Partners Co-Chief Executive Officer Gregg Lemkau, Pony.ai Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer James Peng, Danantara Indonesia Chief Investment Officer Pandu Patria Sjahrir, Alibaba Group Co-founder and Chairman Joe Tsai, University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor Prof Irene Tracey, The Mall Group Chairwoman Supaluck Umpujh, and MiniMax Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Yeyi Yun.

Part of Hong Kong Super March, the summit is the flagship event of Hong Kong’s Wealth & Investment Mega Event Week, which also includes the Milken Institute Global Investors’ Symposium and the HSBC Global Investment Summit. 

FS to visit Beijing

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart today for Beijing, where he will attend the China Development Forum before returning to Hong Kong on March 24.

Mr Chan will give a speech at one of the forum’s sessions, call on relevant central ministries and institutions, and visit enterprises in the city.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui and Chief Executive of the Monetary Authority Eddie Yue will join parts of the trip.

During the absence of Mr Chan and Mr Hui, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will be Acting Financial Secretary, while Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan will act as Secretary.

Web summit to be held in HK

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong and World Internet Conference (WIC) Secretary General Ren Xianliang announced today the launch of the WIC Asia-Pacific Summit 2025 in Hong Kong.

Under the theme “Integration of AI & Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, the event will be staged at the Convention & Exhibition Centre on April 14 and 15.

For the first time, the WIC has designated Hong Kong to host the Asia-Pacific summit.

The bureau said the summit is expected to attract around 1,000 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including representatives from governments and enterprises, international organisations, leading corporations, experts and scholars.

Through exploring the latest trends in various technology areas, as well as in-depth exchanges of views and experiences, the event aims to enable all parties to seize the development opportunities brought about by digital and intelligent transformation, promoting high-quality development in innovation and technology (I&T), strengthening digital collaboration, and creating new momentum and new advantages for the development of the Asia-Pacific region.

At a press conference today, Prof Sun pointed out that the WIC choosing Hong Kong as the host affirms the city’s pivotal role of bridging China and the world as a dual platform, further strengthening its position as an international I&T centre.

The summit is expected to deepen regional co-operation in the I&T field, support Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre, and foster the development of the digital economy across the Asia-Pacific region, he added.

The event is organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau. In addition to the opening ceremony and the main forum on “The Future of Digital Intelligence”, there will be three sub-forums themed “Large Artificial Intelligence Models”, “Digital Finance” and “Digital Government & Smart Life”, where internationally renowned speakers will share their insights.

A government-enterprise dialogue session, a cybersecurity emergency response advanced training programme, and an information meeting on Practice Cases & Awards for Pioneering Science & Technology will also be held.

Govt concerned about ticketing errors

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau today said it is highly concerned about the errors made by Cityline in printing some of the tickets for the “Coldplay: Music of the Spheres World Tour”, and has requested Cityline to handle the matter swiftly and properly to ensure that ticket holders’ experience would not be affected.

The bureau learnt that Cityline has provided several remedial measures, including adding ticket exchange locations in Hong Kong and the Mainland, extending the ticket exchange time period until the performance starts, and refunding handling fees to affected ticket holders, in order to respond to the requests by those affected.

Tsing Yi leisure building opens

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Big fun:  The Tsing Yi Southwest Leisure Building children’s play room is the biggest of its kind in Hong Kong.

Big fun:  The Tsing Yi Southwest Leisure Building children’s play room is the biggest of its kind in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah opened the Tsing Yi Southwest Leisure Building today.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lau said the building’s completion shows the Government’s efforts to provide leisure and sports facilities in the community and to encourage the public to exercise regularly and have a healthy lifestyle.

Located on Chung Mei Road, the building has a sports centre, a swimming pool, and ample indoor and outdoor open spaces for public relaxation.

The sports centre features a 15-metre-high climbing wall – the first outdoor climbing wall in Kwai Tsing District.

The centre also has a multipurpose arena for ball sports, activity rooms, dance rooms and a children’s play room which is the biggest of its kind in Hong Kong.

Open year-round, the swimming pool is the district’s first indoor heated pool.

Rail link costs rise

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The latest cost estimate for the Shatin to Central Link project is $87.3 billion, exceeding the original entrustment cost assigned for the MTR Corporation by $16.5 billion.

The Government signed the entrustment agreement with the MTRC for the main works of project for $70.8 billion in 2012.

The Transport & Housing Bureau said the rail operator submitted its latest cost estimate for the project today, citing a number of reasons for the cost increase.

The major reasons include modification works, additional works and claims for associated delays arising from the archaeological findings and preservation works at Sung Wong Toi Station, the additional cost arising from the delay in site handover in Wan Chai, and the works at Exhibition Centre Station for providing flexibility for the topside development.

The Highways Department will ask the railway company to provide detailed information and in collaboration with its monitoring and verification consultant will critically scrutinise the estimate.

The bureau said the Government will apply for additional funding from the Legislative Council in a timely manner upon completion of the examination and confirmation of the latest cost estimate, so the rest of the works can be completed as planned.

With 79% of the overall works for the link completed by the end of October, the Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section and the Hung Hom to Admiralty Section of the link are expected to open in mid-2019 and in 2021, the bureau added.

First self-service library opens

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Relaxing reading:  Hong Kong’s first self-service public library station has opened in Sai Wan Ho.

Relaxing reading:  Hong Kong’s first self-service public library station has opened in Sai Wan Ho.

Hong Kong’s first self-service library station was launched today to offer round-the-clock services.

Located outside the Island East Sports Centre in Sai Wan Ho, the station has 300 English and Chinese books which can be borrowed.

Its stock is replenished every day.

Readers can use their library or Hong Kong identity cards to borrow and return books, pick up reserved materials and pay library fees with Octopus at the station.

It has a barrier-free design to create a comfortable reading environment for the public.

Environmentally friendly construction materials including bamboo have been used to bring more natural light into the station, reduce energy consumption and enable natural ventilation.

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department said the station has been rolled out on a trial basis to promote reading in the community.

It will launch two more self-service libraries at the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and a location near Tai Wai MTR Station in Sha Tin in the second half of next year.

Click here for details.

CS departs for Macau

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Matthew Cheung departed for Macau today to visit the city for the first time since becoming Chief Secretary.

Speaking to reporters before his departure, he said he will meet Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui.

He will also sign the Arrangement for Mutual Service of Judicial Documents with Macau Secretary for Administration & Justice Sonia Chan.

He said the pact is to ensure judicial documents are delivered smoothly and reliably between Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr Cheung said he will tour the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre to learn more about youth entrepreneurship in the city.

The visit will boost ties between the two cities, which is very important, he added.