Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by CE at media session in Doha (with photo/video)
Chief Executive: I will now turn to our English-speaking friends in the media.
This marks my second duty visit to the Middle East since taking office. Our delegation comprises over 50 professionals and leaders of enterprises from Hong Kong plus Mainland China. The composition of the delegation demonstrates Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” under the principle of “one country, two systems”. Hong Kong is dedicated to capitalising on its connectivity with both Mainland China and the world, collaborating and synergising with economies and enterprises that are eager to pursue high-quality development with us.
I have set out three major goals for our visit to the Middle East this time. First, to strengthen government-to-government relations; second, to explore new areas of co-operation; third, to make friends and expand our network.
Yesterday, I had the honour of meeting His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. We also visited the Qatar Investment Authority. I introduced to them Hong Kong’s latest developments in finance, professional services, and innovation and technology. 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.
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.
The delegation has first-hand insights from the visit. The delegation visited the Qatar Foundation to learn about its R&D, education and community projects, and visited Lusail City to better understand the smart infrastructure in Qatar’s second-largest city.
Later today, I will visit an autonomous vehicle project at the airport — a project designed by a Mainland Chinese tech firm with its international headquarters in Hong Kong, and first piloted in the Hong Kong International Airport. This exemplifies our role as a launchpad for global innovation.
Tonight, we will depart for Kuwait and will announce the outcome of our duty visit later.
Reporter: Thank you honourable sir. I wanted to ask you if you could you give a rough figure of the value of the 35 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) that have been signed today? And if you can go into a little bit more about the sectors whereby Qatar and Hong Kong can both benefit from each other? For example, you mentioned earlier technology in autonomous vehicles manufactured by Yutong.
Chief Executive: There are 35 agreements signed within two days. I think that is quite a record. I am very glad that delegate members, plus our counterparts in Qatar, both have been very active and supportive in developing co-operation, collaboration and networking, and I see them really spending their time exchanging contact details and also exchanging ideas on how they can develop the relationship. The 35 co-operation agreements cover areas including economic co-operation, investment, technology, legal co-operation, finance, banking and also capital arrangement. If you want to look at the 35 areas of co-operation, I think if you look at the fullest, then you will see the focus areas of co-operation.
The result of these 35 agreements will have to be judged by those who will then continue their work. What a visit led by the Chief Executive will achieve, and can achieve, is opening the doors first with governments, so that the delegates, business players and entrepreneurs can then continue the liaison to open more doors, windows and opportunities. It is up to them to work hard, and this is something I will be demanding – for them to work hard. But if you look at my last visit to the Middle East, which was about two years ago, after we signed a number of MOUs, we have seen companies producing hydrogen buses for a country in the Middle East. We have seen, for example, on the stock exchange side, stock exchanges exchanging agreements for dual listing. We also see professionals set up their offices in the countries that I visited in the Middle East last time, and they have been receiving work orders and doing their services. I expect the delegates to continue these liaisons amongst themselves. But I am glad to inform you that the amount of enthusiasm is very strong. I will say that there will be more exchanges between not just governments, but in the private sector, chambers, businessmen and associations. And I will see not just exchanges between themselves, but also their participation in some of the events organised in Hong Kong, including both conferences, a lot of match-making deals, etc. I am very positive that the momentum will continue.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Issued at HKT 23:58
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Maritime Trade Summit set for Nov
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan met International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary General Guy Platten and his soon-to-be successor Thomas Kazakos today to go over plans for the second Global Maritime Trade Summit, which will be co-hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the ICS during Hong Kong Maritime Week in November.
Ms Chan said: “We hope that our co-hosting of the upcoming summit with the ICS will reinforce our shared vision of a connected, efficient, and resilient maritime ecosystem for the common interest of the global maritime community.
“The Transport & Logistics Bureau will spare no effort to leverage on Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre to ensure the event’s success.”
The Transport & Logistics Bureau outlined that it will work closely with the ICS in the coming months to bring the summit to fruition.
Views sought on biodiversity plans
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
With a view to updating the Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan of Hong Kong, the Government today commenced a public consultation to gather views from the community.
The consultation document has proposals spanning four strategic areas: nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building, and collaborative partnering.
To conserve nature, the Government proposes to continue taking measures to ensure the preservation of healthy ecosystems, for example exploring the implementation of “area-based” conservation measures, restoring degraded or declining habitats, and strengthening the protection of species of concern.
Separately, the Government proposes to further promote the adoption of biodiversity-friendly practices across all sectors of society. It plans to do so through mobilising resources to support the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, encouraging various sectors to leverage biodiversity opportunities, and supporting communities to develop stewardship responsibilities towards nature.
In terms of capacity building, the Government proposes to continue strategically investing resources in promoting research and nurturing talent. Initiatives include enabling innovative and high-quality research, promoting knowledge transfers and talent development, and strengthening institutions.
Furthermore, the Government proposes to foster a culture of collaboration to extend the benefits of nature conservation to broader communities, for example, by jointly taking actions with cross-boundary and international partners, promoting the exchange of experience and information, and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaborations.
The Government added that it will complete updating the Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan later this year to step up work on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, and to support global and national initiatives.
Members of the public can send in their views by post, by email or by fax on or before July 11. The Government will also invite organisations from relevant sectors to attend consultation sessions to collect views.
Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of second term of Customs YES Honorary Presidents’ Association (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of second term of Customs YES Honorary Presidents’ Association
The CYHPA comprises official and non-official members from different sectors, including legal, commerce and industry, healthcare, innovation and technology, youth services, education and sports, who tender advice and offer multifaceted forms of support to ensure the sustained development and activities of Customs YES.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan expressed gratitude to the members of the CYHPA for their longstanding partnership with Customs, which has laid a solid foundation for the future development of youth. While highlighting that Customs YES has nurtured numerous National Security Youth Ambassadors to promote national security awareness among the public, Mr Chan also encouraged young people to actively engage in social affairs and jointly uphold Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. Customs YES will continue to provide diverse exchange and learning opportunities, fostering youth to become future leaders who care about the country and have a global outlook while establishing a foothold in Hong Kong.
In his speech, Mr Chuang emphasised that Hong Kong’s youth are the future builders and successors of the “one country, two systems” and expressed hope that their participation in the nation’s major initiatives would strengthen their sense of ownership and responsibility. He also welcomed the five newly appointed honorary presidents and shared his aspiration to lead members of the new-term CYHPA in serving as a bridge, cultivating a new generation equipped with international perspectives, competence, and dynamism.
Since its launch in 2021, Customs YES has over 8 600 young members aged between 12 and 24. For further information of the scheme, please visit www2.customsyes.hk/Issued at HKT 21:47
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Speech by CE at “Partnering for Success – Hong Kong as a ‘Super Connector’ and ‘Super Value-adder'” High-level Business Luncheon in Qatar (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the “Partnering for Success – Hong Kong as a ‘Super Connector’ and ‘Super Value-adder'” High-level Business Luncheon in Qatar today (May 12):
Honourable Ambassador Cao Xiaolin (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar), Your Excellency Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari (Minister of Finance of Qatar), Your Excellency Mohammed (Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, Mr Mohammed bin Hassan Al-Malki), Your Excellency Sheikh Khalifa (Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani), Your Excellency Sheikh Ali (Chief Executive Officer of Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al Thani), Your Excellency Sheikh Faisal (Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends from Qatar,
Government launches public consultation on updating Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government today (May 12) commences a public consultation on updating Hong Kong’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP). The two-month consultation period will end on July 11.
The Government is committed to conserving Hong Kong’s natural heritage, safeguarding biodiversity and achieving sustainable development. To complement the country’s implementation of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity, the Government launched the first phase of the BSAP in 2016, proposing a total of 67 specific measures in four main areas. With the concerted efforts of various sectors of the community, stakeholders and the Government, the first phase of the BSAP has achieved fruitful outcomes.
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said, “Biodiversity is an integral part of our daily lives and is intricately linked to the prosperity of our city and the well-being and quality of life of our citizens. Hong Kong has extraordinary biodiversity relative to a city of its size. To strike a balance between meeting development needs and conserving biodiversity, all sectors of the community should work together to ensure sustainable development.”
To update the strategic areas and actions for the next phase of the BSAP, the Government launched a public consultation today to gather views from various sectors of the community. Taking into account the latest global and national biodiversity initiatives, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030), local circumstances and conditions, and views received during the consultation period, the Government will complete updating the BSAP later this year to step up the work on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, and to support the latest global and national initiatives.
The consultation document proposes four strategic areas:
(1) Nature conservation: Building on years of dedicated efforts and the implementation of the first phase of the BSAP, the Government has already implemented numerous conservation measures. The Government proposes to continue implementing nature conservation measures to ensure the preservation of healthy ecosystems, for example, by exploring the implementation of area-based conservation measures, restoring degraded or declining habitats, and strengthening the protection of species of concern;
(2) Deepening mainstreaming: The first phase of the BSAP has raised the awareness of biodiversity across society. The Government proposes to further promote the adoption of biodiversity-friendly practices across all sectors of society, for example, through mobilising resources to support the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, encouraging various sectors to leverage biodiversity opportunities, supporting communities to develop stewardship responsibilities towards nature, etc, with a view to building a prosperous city that coexists harmoniously with nature;
(3) Capacity building: The Government has continued to invest in biodiversity-related knowledge products and research projects, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub and setting up various funding schemes. The Government proposes to continue to strategically invest resources in promoting research and nurturing talent, for example, by enabling innovative and high-quality research, promoting knowledge transfer and talent development, strengthening institutions to support capacity building, etc, for enhancing individual and collective capacities and empowering everyone to actively contribute to the conservation of biodiversity; and
(4) Collaborative partnering: Hong Kong has a unique set of strengths, including international talent, a diverse cultural environment and close connections with international networks. The Government proposes to foster a culture of collaboration to extend the benefits of nature conservation to broader communities, for example, by jointly taking actions with cross-boundary and international partners, promoting exchange of experience and information on various fronts, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaborations, etc.
The consultation document can be downloaded from the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/Con_hkbsap/updating_bs
ap/updating_bsap.html). Members of the public can send in their views on or before July 11 by email (bsap@afcd.gov.hk), by post (Biodiversity Conservation Division, AFCD, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong), or by fax (2314 2802).
The Government will also invite organisations from relevant sectors during the consultation period to attend the consultation sessions to collect views.
CHP investigates two cases of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP investigates two cases of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP’s websiteIssued at HKT 18:48
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STL welcomes collaboration with International Chamber of Shipping to co-host second Global Maritime Trade Summit in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
STL welcomes collaboration with International Chamber of Shipping to co-host second Global Maritime Trade Summit in Hong Kong
“The HKSAR Government treasures our close partnership with the ICS and the global maritime industry. Being a staunch advocate of free trade with zero tariffs and a level-playing field for businesses, we hope that our co-hosting of the upcoming Summit with the ICS will reinforce our shared vision of a connected, efficient, and resilient maritime ecosystem for the common interest of the global maritime community. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will spare no effort to leverage on Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre to ensure the event’s success,” said Ms Chan.
“Geopolitical tensions are on the rise and fragmentation is disrupting global trade patterns. This creates significant challenges for our sector and for economies. The ability to hold this forum again in Hong Kong, one of the world’s key trade hubs, with both industry leaders and policymakers, creates an ideal opportunity to develop a clearer understanding of the benefits and opportunities of global trade. We look forward to working with the HKSAR Government in making this second Summit a valuable addition to advance global understanding,” said Mr Platten.
The inaugural Summit held in the Hong Kong Maritime Week in November 2024 was attended by ministers of foreign governments, leaders of international organisations and industry luminaries from around the world. The two-day Summit set a high benchmark for fostering international dialogue on critical issues facing global trade and shipping and exploring innovative solution to address pressing challenges facing the industry. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will work closely with the ICS in the coming months to bring the second Summit into fruition. Further details will be announced in due course.
Issued at HKT 21:14
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Investigation results of suspected intrusion into outsourced network system of operator of Kwai Tsing District Health Centre announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Investigation results of suspected intrusion into outsourced network system of operator of Kwai Tsing District Health Centre announcedIssued at HKT 21:11
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Chris Sun attends APEC meeting
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today attended the Seventh Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Jeju, South Korea, delivering speeches at two plenaries.
Adopting the theme “Sustainable Labour Markets and Jobs for the Future”, the HRDMM is aimed at promoting reforms to facilitate a flexible, inclusive, and resilient labour market.
In a keynote speech at this morning’s plenary, themed “Flexible & Vibrant Labour Market”, Mr Sun said that to address the challenges posed by the emergence of the so-called platform economy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has long been committed to protecting platform workers. He elaborated that this includes exploring measures for strengthen protections through a liaison group comprising representatives of the Government, platform companies and labour organisations.
According to a Thematic Household Survey conducted by the Hong Kong SAR Government, he added, platform workers are most concerned about work injury compensation. The Hong Kong SAR Government will introduce a proposal this year on ways to further enhance the rights and benefits of platform workers.
Mr Sun also briefed his audience on various initiatives implemented by the Hong Kong SAR Government to unleash the full potential of the labour force. These include the Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme, which launched last year, and the enhanced Employment Programme for the Elderly & Middle-aged.
During the afternoon plenary, themed “Responding to Future Jobs & Active Labour Market Policies”, Mr Sun gave a presentation on the Hong Kong SAR Government’s manpower policies and talent attraction measures.
He stressed that the main aim of these policies and measures is to nurture local talent while also attracting complementary outside talent, in order to enrich the local talent pool in ways that meet local social and economic development needs.
Mr Sun outlined Hong Kong’s multi-pronged strategy of training and retraining, including the establishment of two universities of applied sciences, as well as efforts to enhance employees’ professional skills through the Vocational Training Council.
He also spoke of the array of measures rolled out by the Hong Kong SAR Government to attract talent proactively and aggressively, and gave an account of how Hong Kong can leverage its unique advantages of enjoying the strong support at a national level while being closely connected to the world, in order to fulfill its role as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
Upon his arrival in Jeju yesterday, Mr Sun met Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim, who is also attending the HRDMM. He said he was delighted to meet Mr Sim again following a visit to Kuala Lumpur in mid-April.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on matters including how to strengthen the local workforce, occupational safety and health, improving the rights of platform workers, and ways to enhance vocational training and employee retraining with a view to alleviating manpower shortages.
Later, Mr Sun held a bilateral meeting with the Republic of Korea’s Acting Minister of Employment & Labor Kim Min Seok, during which they discussed various topics including foreign domestic helpers and the importation of labour.
Mr Sun briefed Mr Kim on the manpower shortages encountered by Hong Kong due to its ageing population, which he explained has resulted in a need for the city to continue attracting outside talent and labour as appropriate.
Mr Sun will conclude his engagements tomorrow morning, before returning to Hong Kong.