Month: May 2025

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Making of subsidiary legislation under Safeguarding National Security Ordinance

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Acting Chief Executive in Council today (May 13) approved the making of the Safeguarding National Security (Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Regulation (the Regulation) under section 110 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and the making of the Safeguarding National Security (Declaration of Prohibited Places) Order (the Order) by the Acting Chief Executive under section 42 of the SNSO, to provide for specific details in respect of the provisions in Chapter V of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKNSL) concerning the mandate of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OSNS), in order to fulfil the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s constitutional duty to further improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security. Both pieces of subsidiary legislation were gazetted on the same day and came into effect immediately.

National security is within the purview of the Central Authorities. Article 48 of the HKNSL provides that the Central People’s Government (CPG) shall establish in the HKSAR the OSNS, which shall perform its mandate for safeguarding national security in accordance with the law. Chapter V of the HKNSL provides for the mandate of the OSNS, including overseeing, guiding, co-ordinating with, and providing support to the HKSAR in the performance of its duties for safeguarding national security. Also, the OSNS shall, upon approval by the CPG, exercise jurisdiction over a case concerning an offence endangering national security under the HKNSL in a circumstance specified in Article 55 of the HKNSL. According to Article 61 of the HKNSL, the relevant departments of the HKSAR Government shall provide necessary facilitation and support to the OSNS in performing its mandate in accordance with the HKNSL, and shall stop any act obstructing the performance of such mandate and hold those who commit such act liable in accordance with the law. The HKSAR Government must perform its constitutional duty to enact local legislation for the better carrying into effect of the relevant provisions of the HKNSL.

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Choi Yuk-lin heads to Korea

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin will begin her visit to Korea today where in addition to touring Jeju and Seoul, she will attend the 7th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Jeju.

 

Ms Choi will speak at thematic sessions at this year’s AEMM, which is on the theme of “Bridging Educational Gaps & Promoting Sustainable Growth in the Era of Digital Transformation”.

 

The education chief will introduce Hong Kong’s advantages as an international hub for post-secondary education, and share the developments and achievements in the city’s digital education.

 

Ms Choi also plans to exchange views with education ministers of the APEC economies.

 

Additionally, she will visit local schools to learn about Korea’s latest developments in education before concluding her tour on May 16.

 

During Ms Choi’s absence, Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai will be Acting Secretary.

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Algernon Yau to attend APEC mtg

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will depart Qatar for Jeju in Korea today to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting.

           

With “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” as its theme, those taking part in the APEC meeting, scheduled for May 15 and 16, will discuss topics under the three priorities of “Connect, Innovate, Prosper”.

 

Mr Yau will participate in thematic sessions and meet trade ministers of other member economies to exchange views on issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the MRT Meeting.

           

He will return to Hong Kong on May 17. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary.

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Conférence fiscale et sociale : un accord-cadre pour le quotidien des Calédoniens

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

La conférence sociale et fiscale qui s’est tenue du 22 au 25 avril, sous l’impulsion du gouvernement, a réuni l’ensemble des partenaires économiques et sociaux afin d’établir des pistes de transformation du modèle économique et social calédonien. Ces journées d’échanges ont abouti à un accord-cadre, qui prévoit un ensemble de réformes à court, moyen et long terme, dans les secteurs de l’économie. Il a été signé ce 12 mai au gouvernement.

La conférence consacrée aux enjeux sociaux et fiscaux de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, menée sous l’égide de Christopher Gygès, membre du gouvernement chargé du travail, de l’emploi, de l’économie et de la fiscalité, a permis de dresser un diagnostic partagé de la situation actuelle et d’aboutir à un accord global. Celui-ci définit les trajectoires de réformes sociales et fiscales, afin de relever les défis majeurs que sont l’emploi, le pouvoir d’achat et la compétitivité des entreprises.

Un accord partagé pour tracer la voie

Cette feuille de route partagée a pour vocation de guider l’action collective dans les mois et années à venir. Elle marque une volonté commune de restaurer la confiance, d’assurer la soutenabilité du modèle social et de construire ensemble un avenir plus juste, plus prospère et plus solidaire pour la Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Le président du gouvernement Alcide Ponga a tenu à saluer le travail effectué en concertation entre les partenaires sociaux et le gouvernement, en rappelant les enjeux à venir. « Ça c’est le cadre sur lequel on s’est mis d’accord, maintenant l’objectif est de se mettre au travail ».

Les grands objectifs de l’accord répondent à des priorités partagées entre l’ensemble des acteurs :

  • restaurer l’équilibre des comptes publics et sociaux d’ici cinq ans ;
  • pouvoir d’achat : hausse des revenus et lutte contre la vie chère ;
  • compétitivité des entreprises et attractivité du territoire ;
  • retour et accès durable à l’emploi ;
  • réforme et simplification de la fiscalité.

 

 

Cet accord s’articule autour de trois axes structurants :

  1. Construire un nouveau modèle économique, social et fiscal
  2. Structure et niveau des prix
  3. Favoriser le retour à l’emploi et l’inclusion.

Vers un nouveau modèle de financement plus juste et plus soutenable

L’accord propose d’analyser une baisse ciblée des charges sociales pesant sur le travail des salariés et des agents publics, compensée par un transfert vers une fiscalité à assiette large.

Ce mécanisme vise à :

  • augmenter le pouvoir d’achat des salariés et des agents publics ;
  • partager plus équitablement la richesse créée ;
  • renforcer la compétitivité des entreprises ;
  • relancer durablement la croissance.

Afin de parvenir à ce changement structurel, l’accord prévoit d’établir plusieurs scénarios qui prendront en considération un plan d’économies de dépenses notamment avec une transition numérique du système de santé (fiche de salaire, dossier partagé, numéro unique, etc.).

Des mesures concrètes pour les Calédoniens

Le protocole prévoit de réaliser un certain nombre d’études afin de prendre des décisions rapidement et d’établir quelles sont les mesures réalisables.

 

Parmi les réformes à mener en faveur du pouvoir d’achat, il est envisagé :

  • l’augmentation des salaires via le transfert progressif des charges sociales vers une fiscalité à assiette large
  • l’extension du nombre de produits de première nécessité régulés (de 15 à 60). Ces derniers seront exonérés de droits de douane ;
  • la création d’un nouveau « Bouclier qualité prix » en 2025 ;
  • la baisse des droits de douane sur des produits de grande consommation ;
  • la réduction du fret maritime grâce à une péréquation nationale ;
  • l’élargissement du dispositif d’intéressement aux entreprises de 11 à 50 salariés et défiscalisation de la prime pour les salariés.

D’autre part, l’accord plaide pour plus de transparence économique à travers notamment le lancement d’un audit sur les dispositifs de régulation de marché ou encore une étude des marges de la grande distribution par l’Autorité de la concurrence.

 

 

Afin de favoriser la compétitivité des entreprises et l’attractivité économique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, plusieurs mesures sont également à l’étude, telles que la réduction progressive de l’impôt sur les sociétés sur trois ans pour un taux compris entre 20 et 25 %, ou encore l’exonération d’impôt sur les sociétés pendant trois ans pour toute nouvelle entreprise.

Enfin, l’accord-cadre a pour objectif d’encourager le retour à l’emploi. Il prévoit notamment l’instauration d’une nouvelle loi du pays sur le chômage partiel, avec des leviers de maintien et de retour à l’emploi, le lancement d’une plateforme emploi avec numéro unique, ou encore le déploiement d’outils numériques pour favoriser l’inclusion.

Les conjoints devraient également être pris en compte dans le dispositif de l’emploi local. De plus, certaines conventions collectives seront révisées afin de mieux valoriser les compétences et le budget de la formation en alternance sera revu à la hausse.

Pour faire face à l’urgence économique et sociale, plusieurs mesures sont déjà lancées et seront examinées en séance du gouvernement dans les semaines à venir.

« Parmi les premières mesures, il y a une loi qui permettra de maintenir les gens dans l’emploi avec la création d’une allocation de maintien et de retour à l’emploi et une exonération des charges patronales. De plus, la liste des produits de première nécessité sera élargie de 15 à 60 produits, ce qui est significatif pour le pouvoir d’achat des Calédoniens. Et il est également prévu des mesures sur la fiscalité des entreprises », a expliqué Christopher Gygès.

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London ETO supports showcase of Hong Kong artisans in London (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

London ETO supports showcase of Hong Kong artisans in London
The “Embracing Craft, Connecting Culture” exhibition is being held at the Royal Society of Sculptors (108 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RA) from May 12 to 18.  On May 17, Hong Kong artisans will host Lingnan Penjing demonstration and panel discussion.
Issued at HKT 1:20

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Multiple agreements reached in Qatar

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Continuing his visit to Qatar, Chief Executive John Lee today met local government and business leaders there, and witnessed the reaching of 35 agreements or memoranda of understanding among government departments, enterprises and institutions from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Qatar.

 

In the morning, Mr Lee met Qatar’s Minister of Labour Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri to discuss plans for enhancing talent exchanges. Highlighting that Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities and is on a path to become an international hub for post-secondary education, Mr Lee emphasised that the city offers a Belt & Road Scholarship to encourage students from countries or regions in the Belt & Road Initiative to pursue studies in the city. He invited more young people from Qatar to study in Hong Kong and develop careers in the city.

 

Afterwards, the Chief Executive and members of his delegation attended a roundtable meeting with representatives of the Qatari Businessmen Association and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

 

Extolling Hong Kong’s robust legal system, resilient financial system and simple and low tax regime, Mr Lee said he welcomed Qatari enterprises to capitalise on the city’s advantages in connecting with both Mainland China and other parts of the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. He added that Qatari enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s financial, logistics and professional services, and its bridging roles, to tap into the Mainland market.

 

In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended a business lunch where he spoke of Hong Kong’s development opportunities and business advantages to over 300 local political and business representatives.

 

He also took the opportunity to announce that Hong Kong and Qatar have substantially concluded negotiations on an Investment Promotion & Protection Agreement, and will begin discussions on mutual recognition arrangements for their respective Authorized Economic Operator Programmes, in order to create a more favourable environment for the flow of capital and goods.

 

In addition, the Chief Executive revealed that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders can visit Qatar visa-free for up to 30 days. He said he looks forward to deepening co-operation with Qatar, adding that Hong Kong and Qatar can jointly seize development opportunities brought by the Greater Bay Area and the Belt & Road Initiative.

 

Government departments, enterprises and institutions from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Qatar also announced 35 memoranda of understanding or agreements covering economic co-operation, investment, technology, legal collaboration, finance, banking, and capital market development.

 

Besides co-operation between Hong Kong and Qatar, two agreements were signed directly between Mainland and Qatari enterprises to foster co-operation in financial services and high-end manufacturing. A tripartite agreement was also signed among Hong Kong, the Mainland and Qatar to strengthen co-operation in fintech, covering Web3 and artificial intelligence.

 

After the lunch event, Mr Lee visited Hamad International Airport in Doha to learn about an autonomous vehicle pilot project there.

 

The project involves participation by UISEE, a Mainland Chinese enterprise which has established its international headquarters in Hong Kong. Having also collaborated with Hong Kong International Airport on autonomous vehicle projects, UISEE has drawn on those experiences to promote its technology to overseas clients.

 

Mr Lee and the delegation will depart for Kuwait tonight.

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HKETO, Brussels supports the Hong Kong architecture exhibition at Venice Biennale (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supports the architecture exhibition “Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive”, staged at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – Biennale Architectettura 2025 – at La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) in Venice, Italy, from May 10 until November 3, 2025. 
 
Addressing at the grand opening of the Hong Kong Exhibition on 9 May (Venice time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union in Brussels, Miss Shirley Yung, highlighted Hong Kong’s unique urban identity: “From cooperative housing and multifunctional public complexes to modernist industrial buildings, the exhibition showcases how creativity, community, and sustainability underpin Hong Kong’s architectural energy”. Miss Yung added: “As a city where East meets West; Hong Kong’s architecture embodies a vibrant balance of tradition and innovation, local character and international vision, sustainability and forward-thinking design.”
 
“Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive” is a Collateral Event of the Venice Biennale. It is organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation, Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and sponsored by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, HKETO, Brussels and other partners.

              

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35 pacts signed on CE’s Qatar visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee said 35 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements have been signed during his visit to Qatar.

At a media session in Doha, Qatar today, Mr Lee emphasised that this is his second visit to the Middle East since taking office. He outlined that his delegation comprises over 50 professionals and leaders of enterprises from both Hong Kong and Mainland China.

“I have set out three major goals for our visits to the Middle East this time,” he said. “First, to strengthen government-to-government relations. Second, to explore new ideas of co-operation. Third, to make friends and expand our network.

“We agreed to deepen collaboration across sectors between Hong Kong and Qatar. We have also expanded our business networks. During this visit, we have achieved 35 MOUs and agreements, spanning trade, investment, technology, legal co-operation, financial markets and so on.”

He added: “In addition to Hong Kong-Qatar co-operation, two agreements were reached between enterprises from Mainland China and Qatar, supporting the development of financial services and advanced manufacturing.

“A tripartite agreement among organisations from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Qatar was also reached, focusing on fintech collaboration, showcasing Hong Kong’s bridging role between different economies.”

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CE leads delegation to continue visit to Qatar

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CE leads delegation to continue visit to Qatar 
In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Minister of Labour of Qatar, Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, to discuss plans on enhancing talent exchanges between Hong Kong and Qatar, with a view to promoting cultural exchanges and communication between the two places. Noting that Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities and is actively developing into an international hub for post-secondary education, Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong offers a Belt and Road Scholarship to encourage students from Belt and Road countries or regions to pursue post-secondary studies in the city. This initiative aims to attract more outstanding non-local students and talent to Hong Kong. He welcomed more young people of Qatar to study and develop their careers in Hong Kong.
 
After that, Mr Lee and the delegation attended a roundtable meeting with representatives of the Qatari Businessmen Association and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry respectively. Highlighting Hong Kong’s robust legal system, resilient financial system and simple and low tax regime, Mr Lee welcomed Qatari enterprises to capitalise on Hong Kong’s advantages in connecting with both the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. Qatari enterprises can also leverage Hong Kong’s high-quality financial, logistics and professional services, as well as its bridging roles to assist enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, tapping into business opportunities on the Mainland market.
 
In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended a business luncheon co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Addressing the luncheon, Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong’s development opportunities and business advantages to over 300 local political and business representatives. Noting that the Middle East is a key region under the Belt and Road Initiative, Mr Lee said this marks his second visit to the Middle East since taking office, and that he was very pleased to see the continuous strengthening of ties and co-operation between Hong Kong and the region. Pointing out that Qatar is Hong Kong’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle East region, Mr Lee announced that Hong Kong and Qatar had substantially concluded negotiations on the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and would begin discussions on mutual recognition arrangements for their respective Authorized Economic Operator Programmes, creating a more favourable environment for flows of capital and goods. He also announced a new arrangement allowing Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders to visit Qatar visa-free for up to 30 days. He said he looks forward to further deepening co-operation with Qatar in such areas as economy and trade, tourism, and culture. He said that Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises complement each other’s strengths, and that Hong Kong will continue to play its bridging role to serve enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, with a view to deepening international exchanges and co-operation. Hong Kong and Qatar can jointly seize the significant development opportunities brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
 
During the luncheon, government departments, enterprises, and institutions from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Qatar exchanged and announced 35 MOUs and co-operation agreements covering economic co-operation, investment, technology, legal collaboration, as well as finance, banking, and capital market development. In addition to the co-operation between Hong Kong and Qatar, two agreements were signed directly between Mainland and Qatari enterprises to foster co-operation in financial services and high-end manufacturing. Furthermore, a tripartite agreement was signed among Hong Kong, the Mainland, and Qatar to strengthen co-operation in fintech, covering Web3 and AI, leveraging the respective technological strengths of each region for mutual development.
 
Afterwards, Mr Lee visited Hamad International Airport in Doha to learn about the operation and effectiveness of its autonomous vehicle pilot project and to examine the application of autonomous buses. The pilot project, which had participation by a Chinese enterprise, UISEE, set a precedent for applying autonomous driving technology at airports in the Middle East region. UISEE is one of the leading companies in autonomous driving technology on the Mainland, having established its international headquarters in Hong Kong as a springboard to expand its business globally. The company collaborated with Hong Kong International Airport on autonomous vehicle projects to enhance the safety and operational efficiency of airport logistics, drawing on the successful experiences to promote the technology to the international market. Hamad International Airport, which is the latest pilot site of UISEE, demonstrated the co-operation among Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Qatar.
 
Mr Lee and the delegation will depart for Kuwait tonight.
 
Issued at HKT 23:58

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