Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association (NHKBA), with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, organised the annual summer event under the theme “Financial Services and FinTech, Business and Professional Services” on July 7 (Amsterdam time) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The event gathered around 100 representatives from Dutch and European business leaders, and Hong Kong representatives to exchange insights on key sectors under the theme. 
 
Speaking at the event, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted the resilience of Hong Kong’s economy amid global challenges. She emphasised, “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong has maintained a solid institutional foundation of the rule of law, independent judiciary, robust regulatory regime, a low and simple tax system, and free flow of people, goods, capital and information, and has remained a trusted gateway to Asia and a market for global capital.”

Ms Yung cited Hong Kong’s rankings in a number of recent surveys as one of the world’s top three international financial centres, among the top three in global competitiveness, the freest economy in the world, and home to five universities ranked in the world’s top 100.

She further underlined that financial services remain a pillar of Hong Kong’s economy. She remarked, “Our deep capital markets, efficient banking system, and strong legal and regulatory infrastructure provide an ecosystem in which businesses from around the world can thrive. We are also embracing the future through fintech innovation.” 

Ms Yung also updated the audience on Hong Kong’s latest efforts to refine financial regulation to balance innovation with investor protection, including the recent completion of legislation on stablecoins. She also discussed Hong Kong’s leading role in green and sustainable bond issuance in Asia.

The NHKBA annual summer event concluded with networking sessions and engaging discussions on how Dutch and European enterprises can benefit from Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” between Europe, Asia, and China. The evening culminated in a dinner reception, at which the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, spoke on Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, yesterday (July 9) completed his four-day visit to the Urumqi Customs District and the Fuzhou Customs District. He attended the launching ceremony of the Fuzhou Customs District’s Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme during his visit.

During July 6 to 8, Mr Chan visited the Urumqi Customs to meet with the Director General in the Urumqi Customs District, Mr Hao Weiming. The two exchanged views on the promotion of Hong Kong’s economic and trade ties and exchanges with Xinjiang, as well as the exploration of co-operation opportunities and enhancement of collaboration between the two sides. Mr Chan also visited the Urumqi International Land Port, the Operation Monitoring and Inspection Control Centre of the Urumqi Customs District, and the Kalasu Ground Crossing to learn more about the intelligent cargo monitoring and customs clearance process of the China-Europe Railway Express in Urumqi. He expressed hope that both sides could reinforce the complementary strengths of the country’s southern and western gateways to contribute to the stability of the supply chain between Asia and Europe in the future.

During the visit, Mr Chan and the Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Zhu Lifan, toured the Khunjerab Ground Crossing Gateway, which is under the Urumqi Customs and has an altitude reaching 5 100 metres, to understand its significance in safeguarding the smooth operation of the China-Pakistan economic corridor and national security. They also discussed issues of mutual concern. Afterwards, they visited the Shuibulanggou Party Spirit Education Base.

Yesterday, Mr Chan went to Fuzhou to continue his visit and attended the launching ceremony of the Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme in Fuzhou Customs. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the official launch of the first Customs clearance point of the Scheme in Fuzhou Customs will help further promote interconnections and the flow of goods between Fujian, Guangdong and Hong Kong, marking a new breakthrough in clearance facilitation and co-operation between Mainland and Hong Kong Customs. Meanwhile, Mr Chan said he hopes that the extension of the Scheme to Fuzhou Customs would enhance the efficiency of cross-boundary intermodal transportation, bring Fuzhou’s various products to overseas markets, and consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong’s status and competitiveness as an international maritime centre, international aviation hub and international logistics hub, creating a win-win situation for trade between the two places.

At the event, the first transportation truck carrying transshipment goods departed from the first clearance point in Fuzhou Customs District through the Scheme, and arrived at Hong Kong International Airport via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point this morning (July 10), where the goods were transshipped to overseas destinations. Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Customs could streamline the clearance process and expedite the flow of cargo transshipments by reducing duplicated inspections of the same consignments under the Scheme.

In Fuzhou, Mr Chan also separately met with member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government Mr Zhang Fan; the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Feng Guoqing; and the Deputy Director General in the Fuzhou Customs District, Mr Lin Yuefei. He expressed his gratitude for their dedicated support and co-ordination in extending the Scheme to Fuzhou Customs District, and had discussions on leveraging opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and deepening co-operation.

Following Xiamen Customs District, Fuzhou Customs District is the second Customs District to implement the Scheme in Fujian Province. Hong Kong and Mainland Customs will continue to proactively expand the Single E-lock Scheme by establishing more clearance points in both places, and plan to extend the Scheme to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to attract more cargoes to Hong Kong for transshipment and increase the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s shipping and logistics sector.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Police’s National Security Department arrested four men on July 9 on suspicion of illegally participating in the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance, which engaged in activities aimed at committing subversion, in contravention of the offence of subversion under Article 22 of the National Security Law.
 
The arrestees, aged between 15 and 47, are being detained for investigation.
 
Police said that the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance was established in China’s Taiwan region in 2024 through a social media platform, with the objectives of committing subversion and achieving “Hong Kong independence”.
 
The organisation has publicly expressed its stance in support of secession and subversion on various occasions, it added.
 
An investigation revealed that the arrested persons held different roles within the organisation and were actively involved in its affairs, including planning publicity, liaising with external forces and organising related activities.
 
Police stressed that any person or organisation inciting secession, subversion or endangering national security in any form is committing a serious offence. Additionally, any person who contravenes the offence of subversion is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
 
The force said it will ensure that the law is observed and strictly enforced, and take resolute actions to hold offenders accountable. Furthermore, it emphasised that all illegal acts will be followed up to this end.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Lands Department today posted land resumption notices and acquisition notices for the San Tin Technopole (STT) (Phase 1) (First Batch) and the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) (First Phase), in accordance with the Lands Resumption Ordinance and the Land Acquisition (Possessory Title) Ordinance.

The land will revert to and vest in the Government on October 11.

For the STT (Phase 1) (First Batch), the Government will resume 1,309 private lots comprising an area of about 62 hectares. It will also acquire government land occupied by 20 graves and 42 urns, spanning 700 sqm, as well 25 fishponds, spanning 7.5 hectares.

For the establishment of the SPS WCP (First Phase), the Government will acquire about 85.2 hectares of government land occupied by 110 fishponds.

The department said October 11 is not the departure deadline for affected households and businesses. The department will post notices in relevant areas about three months before the departure deadlines. The affected parties are scheduled to depart in batches.

Departures for the STT Phase 1 Stage 1 works will be in batches mainly from the first quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2027, while departures for the SPS WCP (First Phase) will be in batches beginning from the fourth quarter of 2026.

The department said it will closely liaise with affected parties to handle compensation and rehousing matters.

It also outlined that the STT (excluding the Loop), with an area of about 540 hectares, will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 will cover about 365 hectares.

The works for Phase 1 are subdivided into two stages. Stage 1 will involve an area of about 158 hectares, while Stage 2 will cover 207 hectares. The Stage 1 works commenced late last year.

As previously stated publicly, the Government will not carry out pond filling works before commencing works for the SPS WCP.

Upon full development, the STT will provide about 50,000 residential flats, accommodating a new population of more than 150,000. It will also create about 160,000 employment opportunities.

The first intake under the Phase 1 Stage 1 development, of about 18,000 people, will start progressively from 2031 onwards.

The SPS WCP, spanning more than 300 hectares, will also be developed in two phases. Works for the First Phase, covering an area of about 150 hectares, will commence in 2026-27, with a targeted completion date of 2031.

The park will serve multiple functions: it will conserve the Deep Bay wetlands, facilitate the modernisation of the aquaculture industry, create environmental capacity, and compensate for impacts on fishery resources and ecology.

The entire park is expected to be completed by 2039, aligning with the estimated date of full operations at the STT.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today concluded his visit to Seoul by touring leading Korean innovation and technology (I&T) enterprise NAVER and Seoul’s Digital Media City.

NAVER engages in diverse fields such as electronic payments, e-commerce, fintech, information technology, cloud services, AI and robotics.

Mr Chan was briefed by the company’s management and research and development (R&D) heads on its development journey, technological innovations, application scenarios and future business directions.

He also had in-depth exchanges with them, and watched a demonstration of NAVER’s AI and robotics applications.

The Financial Secretary noted that Hong Kong is also making great strides in developing its AI sector and is actively enhancing the related infrastructure. Institutions such as the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks and Cyberport are working to build a more vibrant I&T ecosystem.

He highlighted that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong, being an international financial centre, offers a comprehensive range of fundraising options and a robust legal system that safeguards data and intellectual property rights.

Mr Chan welcomed NAVER to collaborate with Hong Kong partners in R&D and business development, and to leverage Hong Kong as a fundraising platform to support its international expansion.

The finance chief also visited Seoul’s Digital Media City where he met the management team to learn more about the project’s development history and future plans, and toured an exhibition showcasing how extended reality technology is being used to support urban development.

A project led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Digital Media City is home to numerous companies in digital media, film and entertainment, gaming and animation, information technology and more.

In addition, Mr Chan paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Dai Bing, to brief him on Hong Kong’s latest social and economic developments as well as the recent trends in its economic and trade relations with Korea.

They also exchanged views on the global geopolitical and economic landscape, regional trade co-operation and the development of China-Korea relations.

Mr Chan will depart for Hong Kong in the evening.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​The Home Affairs Department has opened the following additional temporary shelters for people in need:
 

Region	Venue	Address
New Territories (except Islands District)	Lei Muk Shue Community Hall	G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
New Territories (except Islands District)	Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School	37 Castle Peak Road, Sham Tseng, Tsuen Wan

 
Please refer to the annex for the full list of temporary shelters that are now open. For enquiries, please contact the emergency hotline on 2572 8427.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Chek Lap Kok this afternoon (July 10) in which a man died.

     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Seoul, today (July 10). He visited NAVER, a leading Korean innovation and technology (I&T) enterprise engaged in diverse fields such as electronic payments, e-commerce, fintech, information technology, cloud services, AI and robotics. Mr Chan was briefed by the company’s management and research and development (R&D) heads on its development journey, technological innovations, application scenarios and future business directions. He also had in-depth exchanges with them, and watched a demonstration of NAVER’s AI and robotics applications.

     Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong is also making great strides in developing its AI sector and is actively enhancing the related infrastructure. Institutions such as the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and Cyberport are working to build a more vibrant I&T ecosystem. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong, being an international financial centre, offers a comprehensive range of fundraising options and a robust legal system that safeguards data and intellectual property rights. He welcomed NAVER to collaborate with Hong Kong partners of relevant fields in R&D and business development, and to leverage Hong Kong as a fundraising platform to support its international expansion.

     Mr Chan also visited Seoul’s Digital Media City today. The Digital Media City is home to numerous companies in areas such as digital media, film and entertainment, gaming and animation, and information technology. It is a project led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Mr Chan met with the management team to learn more about the project’s development history and future plans, and visited an exhibition showcasing how extended reality technology is being used to support urban development.

     In addition, Mr Chan paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mr Dai Bing. He briefed the Ambassador on the latest social and economic developments in Hong Kong, as well as recent trends in Hong Kong-Korea economic and trade relations. The two also exchanged views on the global geopolitical and economic landscape, regional trade co-operation and the development of China-Korea relations.

     Mr Chan completed his visit to Seoul today and will depart for Hong Kong in the evening.