Month: November 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Regional Regulatory Forum Dinner Reception today (November 10):
 
David (Chairman of the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC), Dr David Sun), Janey (Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the AFRC, Ms Janey Lai), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good evening. It is my honour to join you all tonight at this dinner reception. First of all, I extend a warm welcome to all guests who have gathered here from near and far. Your presence and active participation in this forum send a strong message of confidence and firm support for Hong Kong’s capital markets, reflecting the deep trust placed in our city as a leading international financial centre.
 
Hong Kong’s accounting profession underpins its position as a global financial hub, with a robust and highly regulated community of practitioners. There were over 48 000 certified public accountants, of whom around 5 000 held practicing certificates authorising them to sign auditors’ reports, at end of October this year. Supporting this talent pool are approximately 1 200 registered audit firms and 700 corporate practices overseen by the AFRC. This strong professional infrastructure not only ensures rigorous financial oversight but also enhances Hong Kong’s competitive edge in cross-boundary wealth management and international capital markets.
 
This evening is not only a celebration of dedication and expertise but an opportunity to reflect on the pressing issues that shape the future of our financial markets and profession. Over the course of today’s fruitful discussions, we have explored critical aspects of governance that help to build trust and strengthen the resilience of our capital markets. These conversations remind us of the vital role that robust frameworks and ethical leadership play in sustaining market integrity and investor confidence.
 
Sustainability reporting in Hong Kong
 
Equally prominent were the dialogues on sustainability disclosure, emphasising how stakeholder engagement is essential to cultivating transparent and reliable reporting. As Hong Kong intensifies its commitment to sustainable finance, clear and meaningful communication remains fundamental to driving real progress and fostering trust from our investors. On this front, we introduced the “Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong” last December. This initiative aims to guide key public interest entities toward full adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board Standards by 2028, establishing a consistent global framework for sustainability reporting. 
 
     The AFRC has played a significant role in promoting sustainability assurance. The AFRC’s forthcoming public consultation on a proposed local regulatory framework for sustainability assurance represents an important step forward, underscoring our dedication to aligning Hong Kong’s regulations with global standards and advancing the profession’s development.
 
The forum has also highlighted quality challenges that the accounting and auditing sectors face in pursuit of long-term sustainability. Maintaining high professional standards is the backbone of our industry’s credibility, and addressing these challenges requires continuous vigilance, innovation, and collaboration. Another interesting topic covered at the forum was the profound impact of technological breakthroughs, especially artificial intelligence (AI), on accounting and auditing practices. The AI revolution presents both extraordinary opportunities and complex risks. Navigating this new landscape demands that we adapt our skills, frameworks, and regulatory approaches to ensure that technology enhances confidence in financial reporting.
 
Hong Kong’s strategic response
 
Hong Kong stands ready to meet these challenges head-on. We recognise that strengthening governance, improving disclosure as well as embracing innovation are not standalone goals but interconnected efforts vital for our sustained success as an international financial centre. Hong Kong has consistently benefited from strong national backing and extensive global connections. Through sustained efforts to enhance our financial infrastructure, Hong Kong has secured the top position in the Infrastructure pillar of the Global Financial Centres Index 38. These achievements demonstrate the confidence investors have in our financial markets and further solidify Hong Kong’s position as a key “super connector” linking Chinese Mainland with international markets.
 
Building on our strong regulatory foundations, we continue to refine policies to improve transparency and accountability, while embracing the major trends, such as fintech and green finance, to keep pace with the development of the market. For instance, we are proactively seizing the vast potential of fintech by building on the momentum of Project Ensemble, which facilitates live trading of tokenised assets and standardising the issuance of tokenised bonds.
 
The AFRC has a crucial part to play, which expertise, diligence, and integrity underpin the trust that global investors place in our markets. As new technologies reshape workflows and new sustainability expectations redefine disclosure norms, the role of the AFRC will grow even more indispensable in safeguarding the reliability of our financial ecosystem.
 
Hong Kong’s future as a premier financial hub depends on our ability to merge tradition with innovation, uphold rigorous quality standards, and promote open engagement between all market participants. The insights shared today will guide us in thinking deeper about professional development agendas, ensuring that Hong Kong continues to offer a world-class platform for capital formation.
 
In closing, let me express my excitement to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council for convening this important forum. My sincere thanks to all speakers, panelists, and attendees for your commitment to advancing excellence in governance, sustainability, quality, and technology within accounting and finance. Let tonight be an occasion to strengthen our connections, inspire new ideas, and renew our shared dedication to building a trusted and forward-looking financial market. 
 
Last but not least, I encourage all financial market participants to actively participate in the coming Legislative Council General Election on December 7 by casting your votes. It is of utmost importance for accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s economy and our markets. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said today it has fulfilled its performance pledge over the years by offering cremation sessions to applicants within 15 days of their applications.

The department was commenting in response to media enquiries about cremation services, and iterated that it is committed to providing the public with efficient and dignified cremation services.

It also highlighted that some 350 cremation sessions are available at different crematoria from tomorrow to November 25.

Applications can be submitted online at any time, or in person during office hours. The department stressed that all applicants are assigned a cremation session immediately, and that there are no instances in which applicants cannot obtain a cremation session within 15 days.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The first two competition events of the 15th National Games to be staged in Hong Kong – namely beach volleyball and men’s handball – concluded today.

The beach volleyball competition took place at Victoria Park and featured 104 athletes, representing 52 teams from across the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, in men’s and women’s events.

The men’s finals concluded this evening, with the Jiangsu team, the Liaoning team and the Shandong team claiming gold, silver and bronze respectively. The women’s finals took place on Saturday.

The men’s handball competition was held at the Kai Tak Sports Park’s Kai Tak Arena, and featured nearly 180 athletes from 10 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau. The Jiangsu team, the Anhui team and the Beijing team took the gold, silver and bronze medals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, met the media on the determination results of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee on the 2025 Legislative Council General Election this afternoon (November 10). Following are the remarks by Mr Tsang at the media session:
 
Reporter: We would like to ask about the arrangement for election forums. In the previous elections, the government has not spelled out the structures and arrangements of each forum. But why would the government have such an arrangement this time, and why do you ditch the arrangement for the candidates to questioning each other? Thank you.
 
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: We have stressed once and again that the government attaches great importance to the successful conduct of the LegCo election. For this time, we would like to organise and conduct the election forum so as to let our citizens and our voters to have a better understanding of the election platforms and also the beliefs of candidates, so that they can consider how to make that choice in voting.

     So this time, in terms of the scale, in terms of the organisation, that we trusted the government to organise such an election forum would be better. We decided to make the arrangement to organise the election forum this time. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source:

Lau Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to Lagi Keresoma JAWS President to Seiuli Francis Vaegalepa Vice President thank you for inviting us this morning. To distinguished colleagues from the media and diplomatic corp very warm good morning to you all. Ou te faatalofa atu ile taitai ole sauniga, vasega tusitala, faapea le mamalu ole auvalaaulia ua potopoto lenei taeao. Lagona lava le fiafia e auai ile faamoemoe ma faia le lauga autu, o lea faapena ona faaperetania atu.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today, I am deeply honoured for the invitation to be part of this ceremony. Before I begin, let me extend my deepest condolences for the recent passing of Rudy Bartley a former President of JAWS.

Although I did not know Mr. Bartley personally but, I have learnt of his significant contribution to the media in Samoa, and his close collaboration with Australia in the form of PACMAS in previous years on media-related work.

His legacy will no doubt continue to inspire many, and I think he would be proud of the milestone that we are celebrating here today. I want to congratulate the journalists of Samoa through the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) for the official opening of its headquarters.

This office space will serve as a vital hub for dialogue, collaboration and innovation in the media sector in Samoa. It will create new opportunities for growth and will help strengthen the principles of a free and independent press.

I’m proud that Australia was able to support this initiative through the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, known as PACMAS. The world’s media environment faces great challenges whether those are misinformation or disinformation or fragmentation of the media landscape, and social media.

For Australia’s part and I know this sentiment is shared by all democratic nations, our partnership with Pacific media is deep and longstanding. PACMAS supports enhanced skills, training and professional development, ensuring the diverse, independent, and resilient Pacific media sector.

In Samoa, we are proud to have tailored our support to deliver training in advance of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and before the election this year.

Being a watchdog in any society is not an easy task sometimes thankless, it requires courage, requires integrity, and persistence. Yet you know it, as we know it, it is one of the most vital pillars of any democratic nation.

We seek, as I know Samoa seeks and our democratic partners seek as well, a media environment that is rooted in our shared democratic values as well Truth, trust, transparency and respect, to the journalists here today you have a vital in keeping the government of the day to account, giving voice to the voiceless and ensuring transparency.

Australia strongly reaffirms its support for Samoa’s journalists and their right to report without fear or favour.

Manuia ma ia soifua.

November 10, 2025

Source:

KEYNOTE ADDRESS by Minister of Finance Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale – Molio’o

Talofa lava,

Reverend,

Honourable Ministers,

Your Excellency Will Robinson, members of the diplomatic corp,

President Lagi Keresoma,

Vice President Seiuli Francis Vaigalepa, members of JAWS,

friends of the media,

ladies and gentlemen

The Heart of a Nation Lies in Its Ethics

“O tala ma fa’aupuga, e fausia ai se aiga, se nu’u ma se atunu’u words and truth build a nation.”

And it is truth held with integrity that sustains it.

Every society is measured not only by its power, but by its principles. And nowhere is that principle more tested than in the space between truth and influence between the story that serves, and the story that sells.

We are here today not just to open an office, but to reaffirm a standard that good journalism is not defined by the number of readers, but by the weight of its integrity.

Ethics is not the shadow of journalism; it is its spine.

It is what gives this profession dignity and what gives the public its trust.

The media is both a mirror and a protector.

It reflects our nation back to itself its struggles, its hopes, its character.

But it must also protect not by shielding power, but by shielding truth from distortion.

In the stories you tell about women and children, you shape how Samoa sees its soul.

When we report on pain, we must do so with purpose.

When we uncover harm, we must do so with humanity.

A victim’s story is not a headline to exploit it is a call to compassion. Yet we must also acknowledge a growing challenge when truth is bent for attention, or stories are shaped to stir rather than to serve.

When facts are twisted to fit a narrative, trust is the first to break. Our people deserve reporting that enlightens, not entangles; that builds understanding, not confusion.

Because when truth is lost, every voice including the media’s loses its power.

When we reduce pain to spectacle, we wound twice first the person, then the public.

But when we report with dignity, we turn suffering into strength, and the nation rises.

In my time as Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, one truth has shaped every decision: leadership like journalism must be grounded in empathy.

We must learn to see through the eyes of the heart.

Because the heart brings clarity.

It sees the issue, not just the person.

It understands that the goal is not to condemn, but to correct; not to shame, but to shape; not to expose for attention, but to reveal for change.

That is what it means to name to change, not to shame.

That is what it means to practice ethical journalism with humanity.

Today, more than half of Samoa’s population are social-media users most of them women, around 53 percent.

But in our rural communities, four in ten households still lack internet access.

So the stories shared online are often the ones that shape how the nation thinks, feels, and acts.

Our data remind us of the weight of that responsibility:

One in eight Samoan women has faced intimate-partner violence in the past year.

Nine in ten children have experienced violent discipline at home in the past month.

These are not numbers for shock value they are human lives calling for responsible storytelling.

We do not report these truths to sensationalise we report them to humanise.

To remind Samoa that every woman and child deserves protection, not pity; visibility, not violation.

Good Media and True Partnership

Good media uplifts and enlightens.

It questions with courage but reports with care. It holds leaders accountable, but never forgets the dignity of those it writes about.

As Samoa advances under the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS 2021–2026) and our national vision Aiga Manuia, Nu‘u Manuia, Healthy Families, Resilient Communities, the media must continue to stand as a partner in protection not as a commentator on crisis alone, but as a catalyst for conscience.

When government and media walk together in truth and respect, our people rise with us.

“Let our stories be sails, not swords. Let them catch the winds of wisdom, not cut through the hearts of the people. For when truth walks with grace, a nation finds its light again.”

As we open this office today, may it remind us that journalism at its best is not merely about what is seen, but about what it helps our people to see more clearly. Behind every story is a person, a family, a truth and how we tell that story determines whether we build or break.

On behalf of the Government of Samoa,

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Journalist Association of Samoa.

May this new home be a sanctuary of courage, conscience, and compassion.

Fa‘afetai tele lava, ma ia manuia!

November 10, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (November 9) extended her warm congratulations to Hong Kong, China cyclist Lee Sze-wing on winning the gold medal in Women’s Road Cycling Individual at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (NG) defending her title.

Miss Law said, “I am thrilled and excited that Lee Sze-wing has won a gold medal for Hong Kong at the 15th NG. She has once again brought glory to Hong Kong following her gold medal at the last NG, fully demonstrating that Hong Kong athletes are capable of competing with top-tier athletes in high-level competitions.”

The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won two gold medals in sailing and cycling at the 15th NG.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended an annual sharing session for new Belt and Road (B&R) Scholarship recipients today (November 8) with over 100 new B&R Scholarship awardees for the 2025/26 academic year.

The Education Bureau (EDB) has been organising annual sharing sessions for new awardees since the 2024/25 academic year, with a view to helping them learn about different opportunities in Hong Kong and establish a platform for mutual support. By inviting past awardees to share their experiences of staying in Hong Kong for development after graduation, new awardees are encouraged to do so.

Speaking at the sharing session, Dr Choi said that the EDB is committed to attracting more international students, particularly those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and B&R countries/regions, to study in Hong Kong. The annual quota for the scholarship has been increased to 150, allowing more outstanding students to experience the unique blend of East meets West that Hong Kong offers. The EDB is determined to foster a more international campus environment, where students from different places can learn and grow together to gain diverse learning experience, and become good friends with their counterparts from other places to broaden network.

The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, also attended the sharing session. During the session, an awardee of the B&R Scholarship who had graduated shared that the scholarship allowed recipients to pursue advanced studies at world-class universities in Hong Kong, much like stepping onto the world stage, and that receiving the scholarship not only broadened their horizons, but also brought endless opportunities.

The Government introduced the B&R Scholarship in the 2016/17 academic year to encourage students from B&R countries/regions to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. Since its launch, the B&R Scholarship has been well received by outstanding students from B&R countries/regions and participating local universities. Up to the 2025/26 academic year, over 830 students from 57 B&R countries/regions have been awarded the scholarship.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs today (November 9) detected a drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.5 kilograms of suspected liquid methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $800,000.

A male passenger, aged 52 and preparing to depart from Hong Kong to Nadi, Fiji, was intercepted by Customs today. Upon search, Customs officers found the batch of suspected liquid methamphetamine camouflaged as wine inside his suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from or going to high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Health Bureau, the Department of Health (DH) and Radio Television Hong Kong co-organised an event today (November 8) to promote the Organ Donation Day 2025. By honouring and showcasing the outstanding achievements of organ transplant recipients in international sports events, the event aims to encourage the public to embrace the spirit of generosity by actively supporting and registering as organ donors, to rekindle hope for patients urgently awaiting organ transplants.

     Officiating and delivering a speech at the event, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “Despite the rapid advancement in medical technology nowadays, for some patients with organ failure, organ transplant remains the only hope to live on. Due to limited supply from donations of transplantable organs, many patients are struggling to battle their diseases every day, with some of them having passed away while waiting for suitable organs. Therefore, I appeal to members of the public to actively support organ donation by registering your wishes in the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR) now and informing your family members. This is crucial in shortening patients’ waiting time for organ transplants. Your decision can bring hopes for a new lease of life to patients waiting for organ transplant and their families.”

     Other officiating guests included the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Acting Deputy Director of Broadcasting, Mr Vincent Lee; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee. Representatives from various organisations actively promoting organ donation also attended the event to support Organ Donation Day.

     At the event, two organ transplant recipients who won awards at the 25th World Transplant Games in August this year shared their unforgettable experiences at the games. Their stories enabled the audience to witness not only their joy but also their perseverance in honouring the donors’ generous spirit through hard-earned medals. Organ Donation Day 2025 ambassadors Ms Michelle Wai and Mr Cheung Siu-lun also voiced their support for organ donation to more than 200 attendees.

     Besides sharing sessions, multiple organ transplant recipients teamed up with event hosts, university students and artistes in two groups to compete in three matches of pickleball, bowling and rhythmic fitness to showcase their skills. This allowed the public to witness how organ donation transforms recipients’ lives, enabling them to restore their precious health and empowering them to continue contributing to society.

     The Government has been working closely with community partners to promote organ donation and raise public awareness. Since its launch in 2016, more than 600 enterprises, organisations and schools have joined the Organ Donation Promotion Charter. In 2023, the CODR system was enhanced to facilitate the public to conveniently register or check their registration status via the “iAM Smart” mobile application, enhancing efficiency in identity authentication. This year, the DH has set up over 2 000 promotional booths across 18 districts in government or statutory bodies’ buildings, exhibitions, educational institutions, hospitals, District Health Centres, and other venues, and organised 10 health talks and train-the-trainer workshops. With ongoing publicity and promotional efforts through a multi-pronged approach, the number of registrations in the CODR has been steadily increasing in recent years, reaching a record-high of over 410 000.

     In Hong Kong, more than 2 000 patients and their families are still waiting in despair. The DH rolled out a new round of organ donation promotional campaign last month. From October 23 to December 3, the Organ Donation Promotion Vehicle will travel to various districts in Hong Kong, to remind the public of the “3Ss” motto of organ donation: to register their wishes in the CODR (Sign up), inform family members (Speak out), and advocate for organ donation among relatives and friends (Spread out). Members of the public can register for organ donation at the spot. Details of vehicle parking locations are available on the thematic website (www.organdonation.gov.hk/en/promotional_activities.html). Members of the public may also register through the CODR website (www.codr.gov.hk), or mail/fax application forms to the CODR Office. In future, the DH will continue to engage stakeholders to regularly review, co-ordinate and implement publicity and education initiatives on organ donation.

     For more information on organ donation, please visit the thematic website (www.organdonation.gov.hk), or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/organdonationhk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/organdonationhk) of Organ Donation at HK.