Month: March 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today began his visit to Beijing by calling on Mainland officials and giving a keynote speech at a seminar on the 15th Five-Year Plan.

This morning, CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong met Mr Chan and other Hong Kong officials. Executive Deputy Director of CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Xu Qifang joined the meeting.

Mr Xia said that when President Xi Jinping heard Chief Executive John Lee’s report on the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region last year, President Xi stressed that Hong Kong and Macau should proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Noting that the 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its competitive edge, and facilitates the city’s better integration into and service of national development, Mr Xia said he believes the Hong Kong SAR Government will lead the community to formulate Hong Kong’s first five-year plan based on the practical situation, with a view to enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre.

Mr Chan thanked Mr Xia for his guidance and care for Hong Kong’s work on the economic and financial fronts. He also reported to Mr Xia on the city’s overall economic development and financial operations, as well as the work of the Hong Kong SAR Government to fully align with the 15th Five-Year Plan under the leadership of the Chief Executive, including the progress in formulating Hong Kong’s first five-year plan.

The Hong Kong SAR Government and various sectors will utilise Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, reinforce the development of industries with clear advantages, and nurture emerging and future industries, in order to grasp the vast opportunities offered by the 15th Five-Year Plan and contribute to the China’s high-quality development, Mr Chan remarked.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on Governor of People’s Bank of China Pan Gongsheng and China Securities Regulatory Commission Chairman Wu Qing, respectively, to discuss the development of the financial market and regulatory co-operation.

In addition, he delivered a keynote speech at a seminar on the 15th Five-Year Plan organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China.

Mr Chan said in his speech that Hong Kong has to proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan to serve the country’s needs while creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s high-quality development.

In this connection, Hong Kong can focus on three key areas in economic development, he explained.

First, Hong Kong can contribute to building a modernised industrial system and accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance of the country. Leveraging its strong scientific research capabilities and a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem, Hong Kong will empower various sectors and promote industrial upgrading through “AI+” and “Finance+”.

Mr Chan highlighted that Hong Kong welcomes enterprises to participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis. Specifically, the Hong Kong SAR Government has prepared “preferential policy packages” which offer possible land, tax concessions and financial support. Flexible co-operation models such as co-investment can also be adopted.

Another area is “supporting the country’s development in promoting high-level two-way opening up”. Mr Chan elaborated that Hong Kong, serving as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, will provide comprehensive support for Mainland enterprises to go global and for foreign enterprises to enter the Mainland market.

Furthermore, Hong Kong is able to bring together high-calibre talent from across the globe, Mr Chan said, noting that since the end of 2022, Hong Kong has received nearly 600,000 applications for various talent admission schemes, with nearly 280,000 people arriving in the city for work and development.

The finance chief’s Beijing visit will continue tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A Han dynasty-themed artefact exhibition jointly organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) will be held at the Heritage Discovery Centre from tomorrow to September 20. Admission is free.

“The Majestic Han: A Golden Age of Vigour & Cultural Integration” exhibition features significant archaeological finds unearthed on the Chinese Mainland and in Hong Kong, showcasing the dynamic and innovative Han dynasty, a golden era that made profound contributions to promoting exchanges between Chinese and Western civilisations.

The exhibition is presented in six thematic sections, covering political system, economic development, culture and beliefs, scientific and technological development, social life and external exchanges.

It features 252 groups of invaluable exhibits. Among them, 203 groups, including 40 grade-one cultural relics, come from museums and cultural institutions on the Chinese Mainland, and most of them are being shown in Hong Kong for the first time.

The remaining 49 groups are significant archaeological finds dating to the Han period unearthed in Hong Kong, selected by the DEVB’s Antiquities & Monuments Office. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said the Han and Tang dynasties were both golden eras in Chinese history. She remarked that the DEVB and the NCHA collaborated again to present this exhibition, following the success of the “Tang Vogue Beyond the Horizons: A Golden Era of Multicultural Integration & Openness” exhibition held last year.

Among the key exhibits from the Chinese Mainland are the Han precious bronze horse-leading figurine and bronze horse; an eaves end tile with Chinese characters Han Bing Tian Xia (Han unifies the realm); and a seven-storey painted pottery granary house with linked pavilion.

The key exhibits unearthed in Hong Kong include a pottery house unearthed at Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, as well as the Han period artefacts excavated at local significant archaeological sites such as Tung Wan Tsai in Ma Wan, So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun and Kau Sai Chau in Sai Kung.

Ms Linn said she anticipates that through these precious artefacts, members of the public and tourists will learn more about the glorious history of the Han dynasty and appreciate the remarkable virtues of traditional Chinese culture. 

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false statements by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office regarding Taiwan’s democratic achievements

March 15, 2026  

On March 14, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) criticized President Lai Ching-te’s remarks regarding Taiwan’s democratic achievements, attempting to distort the truth and mislead the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) refutes the statements made by the TAO and expresses its strongest condemnation.
 
Through sustained efforts to promote the democratic process, Taiwan smoothly completed its eighth presidential election on January 13, 2024, setting another milestone in its democratic development. The executive branches and parliaments of over 50 countries—including diplomatic allies, the United States, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia—promptly extended their congratulations and lauded Taiwan’s democratic accomplishments. In societies where citizens do not yet have the opportunity to exercise sovereignty through democratic elections, there is no doubt that they look forward to a day when they, too, can directly elect their president and determine the future of their nation and society.
 
MOFA reiterates that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the Chinese Communist Party regime has never governed Taiwan. This is the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. No attempts to distort Taiwan’s sovereign status can change the internationally recognized cross-strait status quo and objective reality. Taiwan’s future must be decided by the 23.5 million people of Taiwan. China has no right to interfere.
 
MOFA emphasizes that the government’s cross-strait policies are guided by mainstream public opinion and that the future of Taiwan must be determined by the people of Taiwan. MOFA calls on the Beijing authorities to engage in dialogue with the legitimate government elected by the Taiwan people, handle issues pragmatically, respond to the expectations of the international community and people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and adopt a responsible and mature attitude to jointly safeguard cross-strait peace and stability.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​Following is the speech by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, at the International Talent Forum of the Global Talent Summit Week this morning (March 19):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

A very good morning to you all. It is a privilege to join you at the International Talent Forum of the Global Talent Summit Week.

Yesterday’s programme provided a broad and strategic perspective on the forces reshaping our world. Through thoughtful exchanges among leading academics and industry leaders, we examined the future of work in a rapidly evolving global landscape, the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and the shifting relationship between education, innovation and talent development.

I think many of you still remember the keynote address delivered by the Nobel Laureate Professor Christopher A Pissarides highlighted the importance of skills development, strong institutions and forward-looking manpower policies in an era shaped by technology and global mobility. Mr Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, shared how a purpose‑driven organisation can attract, develop and retain world-class talent in service of our society. The fireside chat and three panel discussions on education, technology and talent further explored how enterprises and universities are adapting to artificial intelligence and global change, strengthening partnerships and building resilient talent pipelines.

The Day One programme reflected on how economies must respond to structural change, technological disruption and new expectations of the manpower landscape, and deepened our understanding of the global context in which talent strategies must now operate.

Today, we turn from global and theoretical perspective down to earth on a very practical front: it is about the delivery.

If Day One explored the “why” and the “what” of change, Day Two focuses on the “how”, a key which we are all good at. Today’s programme demonstrates how Hong Kong translates strategy into action. It reflects our determination to build a resilient and forward-looking manpower ecosystem capable of contributing to our country’s high quality development under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Moving beyond conceptual discussions, today’s programme highlights implementation. It brings together your leadership, cross-boundary collaboration, industry-academia-research partnership and organisational talent strategies into a coherent narrative. It shows how early engagement, institutional co-operation and enterprise practice can converge to create a sustainable and globally connected talent ecosystem.

This morning, we will witness an important milestone as Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) signs a Cooperation Agreement with Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, China. This agreement marks the launch of a strategic partnership aligned with Hong Kong’s priorities in innovation, sustainability and collaboration in the Greater Bay Area.

Through this partnership, we aim to foster new cross‑boundary initiatives and deeper industry connections, while strengthening our youth talent ecosystem. By empowering young professionals with international exposure and meaningful engagement, we invest in the next generation of leaders who will shape Hong Kong’s future.

Another key theme running through today’s programme is collaboration across boundaries and sectors. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Hong Kong will further align with national development strategies and deepen our role and contribution in supporting our country’s development. Leveraging our dual role as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talents, together with our strengths in education and innovation, Hong Kong is uniquely placed to connect global talent with the Chinese Mainland.

Enhancing synergy within the Greater Bay Area is not merely an economic objective; it is a strategic imperative for talent development. By facilitating mobility, fostering joint initiatives and encouraging complementary strengths, we unlock shared opportunities and reinforce regional competitiveness.

We recognise that sustainable talent development ultimately depends on what happens within organisations. Enterprises must anticipate future skills demand, invest in continuous learning and cultivate inclusive workplace cultures. Professional bodies and institutions play an important role in promoting standards, supporting lifelong learning and strengthening professional mobility. These practical efforts ensure that our manpower ecosystem remains agile, resilient and future‑ready.

Talent development must deliver tangible outcomes. It must create an enabling environment in which individuals can realise their aspirations, enterprises can innovate with confidence and society can advance with stability and resilience. Attraction, integration and retention are interlinked processes, and success requires co-ordination, commitment and sustained effort.

In recent years, the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government has enhanced the talent admission schemes to attract talents and professionals from around the world. Through HKTE, we provide one-stop support services to facilitate settlement and integration, strengthening the connection between policy vision and lived experience. Our objective is to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem where talent is valued, supported and inspired to contribute over the long term.

Equally important is our commitment to nurturing local talent. Investment in education, vocational training and skills upgrading ensures that our local workforce can adapt confidently to technological transformation and economic restructuring. By strengthening every stage of the talent pipeline from youth development to mid‑career advancement, we reinforce the resilience and vitality of our manpower ecosystem.

Hong Kong’s enduring strengths provide a solid foundation for these efforts. Our internationally recognised universities, robust intellectual property protection, rule of law, simple and competitive tax system, and deep global connectivity position us uniquely to bridge global expertise with national opportunity. These advantages enable Hong Kong not only to attract talent, but also to serve as a dynamic platform for collaboration, innovation and enterprises.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in an era defined by accelerated changes and uncertainty, talent remains our most valued and strategic asset. The transition from conceptual dialogue and global insight yesterday to deliberations on practical action today reflects our shared resolve to ensure meaningful and successful implementation.

Later today, we will also convene a closed‑door symposium bringing together senior officials from the Central Government, as well as representatives responsible for talent affairs from major Chinese Mainland cities and Macao. This high‑level exchange will enable candid dialogue on policy co-ordination, institutional alignment and practical collaboration. Through focused discussions on standards convergence, professional qualification recognition, the cross-boundary flow of innovation resources, and exchange of experiences, we seek to deepen co-operation and inject new momentum into the talent territory in a national context.

Before I conclude, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all organisers and partners who have contributed to the satellite events throughout the Global Talent Summit Week. Your vision, professionalism and steadfast support have significantly enriched the scope and substance of this Summit. Through your collective efforts, the Summit has evolved into a vibrant platform for dialogue, partnership and forward-looking action.

The achievements of this week stand as a testament to what can be accomplished when government, industry, academia and professional communities work all together in concert. It is this spirit of collaboration and shared purpose that will continue to propel Hong Kong forward.

By working together to strengthen our manpower ecosystem and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international talent hub, we will contribute with confidence and determination to sustainable development for the city and our country.

Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (HKIHRM) HR Excellence Awards 2025/26 awards presentation ceremony and gala dinner tonight (March 19):

President Choy (Mr Ian Choy, President and Advisor of the Awards Organising Committee, HKIHRM), Vice President Theresa Lui (Ms Theresa Lui, Vice President and Chairperson of the Awards Organising Committee, HKIHRM), Vice President Andy Luk (Mr Andy Luk, Vice President, HKIHRM), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you this evening at the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management HR Excellence Awards presentation ceremony, as part of the Global Talent Summit Week.

My heartfelt congratulations to the HKIHRM for hosting this meaningful ceremony, honouring organisations and professionals whose unwavering dedication and outstanding achievements have elevated the human resources profession in Hong Kong.

Talent is our most valuable asset and the engine of our future success. Exceptional talent is like a powerful vessel, but even the strongest ship needs favourable winds to reach its destination. Here in Hong Kong, we provide those tailwinds, acting as a catalyst to recognise ambition and offer a global stage for talent to work, live and prosper.

The National 15th Five-Year Plan provides a clear direction for Hong Kong’s future, with a strong emphasis on the integration of education, technology and talent to drive high-quality development.

In proactive alignment, the Chief Executive is leading all the government bureaux to formulate the first Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong, to outline a macro, strategic and forward-looking roadmap for Hong Kong’s development over the coming five years. Ultimately, it will facilitate the city’s deeper integration into the country’s overall development by consolidating our roles as an international financial, shipping, trade, and innovation and technology centre, and building Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent.

Tonight’s ceremony celebrates not only organisational accomplishments but also the collective progress of Hong Kong’s HR community in fostering inclusive and high-performing workplace cultures. The award-winning organisations exemplify visionary leadership and innovative HR practices. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to nurturing local professionals and retaining overseas talent, creating a powerful synergy where local expertise and global professionals combine to produce results far greater than the sum of their parts.

And this synergy has borne fruit. According to the IMD (International Institute for Management Development) World Talent Ranking 2025, Hong Kong has surged to fourth place globally – our highest-ever ranking – and first in Asia. This reflects our growing status as an international hub for high-calibre talent.

To further strengthen our global outreach and support services, the Government established Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) in 2023. The agency is dedicated to worldwide promotion, talent recruitment and comprehensive one-stop support to help talent settle in Hong Kong, from job-matching support to community connections.

HKTE’s efforts depend crucially on the strong support of the wider community and professional bodies like the HKIHRM. The Government will join hands with the community to advance local professionals’ development and overseas talent retention, and establish Hong Kong as the country’s gateway for talent.

In closing, I extend my sincere congratulations to all awardees and finalists. Just as we provide the favourable winds for exceptional talent to realise their full potential, your achievements continue to strengthen those winds for future generations. I trust the achievements recognised this year will continue to inspire the wider HR community to scale even greater heights. Thank you, and I wish you all a wonderful evening.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, had a bilateral meeting with the Ambassador of Barbados to China, Mr Hallam Henry, in Beijing today (March 19) and signed on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government a comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement (CDTA) with the Government of Barbados.
 
Mr Hui said, “This is the 57th CDTA that Hong Kong has concluded and also the second one this year. We will continue to pursue the signing of CDTAs with more tax jurisdictions with a view to consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial and trade centre as well as expanding our circle of friends with the global community.”
 
At the meeting, Mr Hui highlighted to Mr Henry Hong Kong’s “dual superpower” as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. He welcomed Barbadian enterprises, talent and capital to establish their presence and expand their business in Hong Kong, and take advantage of Hong Kong’s financial stability with a high standard of professional services to enter the Chinese Mainland market.
 
Mr Hui added, “The CDTA sets out the allocation of taxing rights between Hong Kong and Barbados, which will enable investors to better assess their potential tax liabilities from cross-border economic activities and avoid double taxation. This will foster a more attractive business environment for the two places, promoting bilateral trade and investment.”
 
Under this CDTA, any tax paid by Hong Kong residents in Barbados will be allowed as a credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the same income, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO). In addition, Barbados will exempt Hong Kong residents from withholding tax on dividends, which is currently 5 per cent in general.
  
The CDTA will come into force after completion of ratification procedures by both sides. In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive in Council will make an order under the IRO, which will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting. Details of the CDTA are available on the Inland Revenue Department’s website.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Flower Show 2026 (HKFS) will be held at Victoria Park from tomorrow (March 20) until March 29, running from 9am to 9pm daily. This year’s flower show features stock as the theme flower, under the theme “A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong”.

​     Stock is richly fragrant and comes in a dazzling array of colours. This year’s three-dimensional (3D) theme flower floral wall features five giant stocks, each composed of more than 30 3D flowers, and is set off with over 6 000 orchids, myosotis and other floral materials. In front of the wall is an expansive display of more than 14 000 tulips in different colours, which complements the 3D stock installation, creating a spectacular visual effect and making it an ideal photo spot for visitors.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A 76-year-old man charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud was convicted and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (March 18).

The Outside Investigation Section of the Immigration Department (ImmD) through intelligence analysis suspected the defendant had contracted a bogus marriage for obtaining residence status in Hong Kong. After a comprehensive investigation, the defendant was found to have conspired with his Mainland resident son and married his former sister-in-law, a Hong Kong resident, in 2011 under the arrangement of his son. By virtue of the marital relationship, the defendant and his son settled in Hong Kong and obtained residence status in Hong Kong in 2017 and 2021 respectively. The defendant divorced his bogus spouse after settling in Hong Kong.

The defendant was subsequently arrested by the ImmD and charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud. After trial, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment yesterday. The investigation of other suspects is still underway, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.

“The ImmD has been very concerned about non-Hong Kong residents staying in Hong Kong by means of a marriage of convenience, and will continue to spare no effort in combating the related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residence in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin,” the ImmD spokesman stressed.

“According to the Immigration Ordinance, any person who makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true to immigration officers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Moreover, according to the Crimes Ordinance, anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years,” the ImmD spokesman warned.