Month: June 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 4), in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, spoke on the Central Asia visit of the business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises. He was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong; the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Professor Frederick Ma; Chamber Council Member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Mr Jeffrey Lam; and Vice President of Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Company Limited Dr Hanson Liu. Following are the remarks by Mr Lee:
 
Reporter: Sir, welcome to Uzbekistan. My first question, Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial centres, and following today’s discussions, what concrete investment and projects or areas of economic (co-operation) between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan in the near future can we expect? And the second question, which sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy does the Hong Kong business community currently view as the most promising for investment, and why? And a short question, could you please tell us when the visa-free regime can be expected in the near future? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: I will answer your last question first. Both governments are working very hard to implement this 30-day visa-free arrangement. We have overcome the most difficult part; that is, both sides have worked on the details, and yesterday we exchanged the notes verbales on this matter. With the enthusiastic attitude of both governments, I think we can see very early implementation of the arrangement. I will push my colleagues to work harder, and I received the same assurance from my counterparts in the government of Uzbekistan.
 
     In regard to financial co-operation, I am very glad to know about the establishment of an international financial centre in Uzbekistan. Hong Kong has, I think, a lot of experience to share, including capital markets, asset management, green and sustainable finance, as well as the support of professionals to help upgrade and strengthen the financial centre. I see particular potential in co-operation in capital markets, connectivity, asset management, green finance, financial technology, and related professional services. All these help to foster mutual growth between our two places in regard to financial co-operation. I also want to suggest we co-operate in the area of gold trading, because Uzbekistan has a large production of gold and also has a strong gold reserve, and Hong Kong is quickly building a gold trading market. We hope to see more co-operation in this area, and I think this will be a win-win situation for both financial centres. Then, of course, the traditional stock exchange area is an obvious area for the two Exchanges to co-operate in. Already, the Hong Kong Exchange has been in communication with the Tashkent Stock Exchange, and further co-operation will ensure that investors and also market participants will gain even further mutual benefit. One other point I think Hong Kong and Uzbekistan can co-operate in is fintech, because while we develop financial markets and co-operation in this area, nowadays, technology in the financial sector plays an important role, and I think this is an area we can contribute to and bring mutual benefit to both sides.
 
     As regards your question about which sector looks to us as the most prominent sector for co-operation and for mutual development, you are asking a question which will probably involve a long list of sectors. We come here and, as Chairman Fred Ma of the Trade Development Council has indicated, the examples of agreements and co-operation are just so abundant that they range from the service sector to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development. I think the sky is the limit. A lot of Belt and Road projects are actively being pursued in Uzbekistan. For example, Uzbekistan sits in the heart of the corridor of Asia and Europe, so logistical development, railway development, and also how we can complement and supplement each other in cargo handling will be an area for a very wide range of co-operation. Of course, the financial side, which you have asked about, is an area of co-operation. Technology is also an important area, because technology is the future of different parts of the world; without technology, we will all fall behind. IT co-operation will be an area we will focus on, and already you can see there have been some agreements signed in this regard. So your question is one which indicates that the answer will be a big one, and I am glad, because that means the visit to Central Asia is a right decision. The opportunities are so many, and the potential is so unlimited.
 
     The last thing I would say is youth development and education. I am very impressed by the President’s 2030 strategy, in which human capital development and education are highly emphasised, and this is an area where I think Hong Kong can work together with Uzbekistan, because Hong Kong has achieved some good results in education, with five universities in Hong Kong among the top 100. We have three universities which have been rated as most international. We have scholarships for Belt and Road students. In fact, there are altogether some 6 000 students from Belt and Road countries studying in Hong Kong. Besides the scholarship offered by the Government, universities also offer a wide range of scholarships to students, Uzbekistan students included. So the areas of co-operation are wide. Thank you very much.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to commence its visit programme to Uzbekistan today (June 4). He met with local leaders, government officials and business representatives to deepen co-operation between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan in areas including trade, investment, finance, innovation and technology (I&T), and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Lee and the delegation arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, last night and met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Mr Bakhtiyor Saidov. Mr Lee and Mr Saidov jointly witnessed an exchange of notes between the two places on a mutual visa-free arrangement, which would allow a visa-free period of 30 days for visitors from both sides. The governments of both places will immediately advance the discussions of the detailed arrangements to strive for early implementation. Mr Lee said he looked forward to the early advancement of the relevant visa-free arrangement with Uzbekistan.

This morning, Mr Lee met with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, and Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr Jamshid Khodjayev to discuss ways to deepen economic and trade exchanges and co-operation. Mr Lee said that he was pleased to have the opportunity of meeting them in Uzbekistan for the first time, following his earlier meeting with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Hong Kong, when they led their delegations to visit the city.

Mr Lee said that Uzbekistan is an important trading partner of Hong Kong in Central Asia. Economic and trade ties between the two places have continued to deepen, and there are broad prospects for further co-operation. As an international trading centre, Hong Kong ranks first globally in economic freedom and is the world’s fifth-largest merchandise trading entity. He said that Hong Kong and Uzbekistan are respectively important gateways for trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific and Central Asian regions. The two places can leverage their complementary strengths to further enhance economic and trade co-operation and help enterprises explore broader markets. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong has been deepening economic and trade ties with its trading partners through its overseas Economic and Trade Offices. He said he looks forward to further strengthening bilateral co-operation with Uzbekistan in various areas in the future.

     Afterwards, Mr Lee met with the Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development, Mr Sardor Umurzakov, to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan. Mr Lee said that he hopes to build closer ties with the local government, enterprises and relevant institutions through the visit, with a view to achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

At noon, Mr Lee met with the President of Uzbekistan, Mr Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, to exchange views on furthering co-operation. Mr Lee said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He said that Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to further deepen co-operation and exchanges with Uzbekistan on various fronts in line with Uzbekistan’s goal of achieving high-quality development. The two places will join hands in seizing the opportunities from the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and promoting common development between the two places and the Central Asian region.

Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, and possesses abundant natural resources and a young labour force. In recent years, its Gross Domestic Product has maintained a robust growth, demonstrating enormous potential in economic growth, industrial development, green transformation and infrastructure development. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is committed to developing into an international hub for post-secondary education and an international hub for high-calibre talent. Hong Kong is pressing ahead with the promotion of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to attract more students from outside of the city to study and conduct researches in Hong Kong. He invited Uzbekistan to stage its major conferences and key projects in Hong Kong in the form of Asian chapters or roadshows. He also encouraged more young people from Uzbekistan to study in Hong Kong, building a stronger foundation for long-term co-operation between the two places through education, cultural and people-to-people exchange. 

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is actively developing into an international gold trading centre, attracting the storage, clearing and delivery of gold in Hong Kong and building a comprehensive gold trading ecosystem. He said that Uzbekistan has abundant gold reserves, and that Hong Kong can provide strong support to Uzbekistan in areas such as gold trading, reserve allocation and professional services, and create more mutually beneficial business opportunities for the two places.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan to discuss ways to facilitate business matching and expand market opportunities between enterprises of the two places.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended a business dinner and a signing ceremony for Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, where he introduced Hong Kong’s development opportunities and business advantages to local political and business representatives.

Mr Lee will continue to lead the delegation on its visit programme in Uzbekistan tomorrow (June 5).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 4) that, the department has always attached great importance to food safety and environmental hygiene, and has been stepping up inspections against licensed/permitted food premises, including fresh provision shops (FPSs). The FEHD stringently combats irregularities that could lead to rodent infestation or affect public health, with a view to safeguarding food safety and environmental hygiene.

In response to a recent complaint received concerning the appearance of rodents at a FPS on Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, the FEHD deployed staff yesterday (June 3) to inspect the FPS concerned. During the inspection, floor stains, signs of rodent activity, and cracks on ceiling and walls were detected. Prosecution was then initiated to the relevant person under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X); a Notice of Elimination of Vermin was also issued under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) Section 47(1), requiring the person-in-charge adopting necessary procedures to remove any items causing rodent infestation within specified time frame, failing which prosecution will be instituted. FEHD officers also provided health education and offered advice on rodent prevention and control to the person-in-charge and the staff of the premises, and reminded them to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. The FPS concerned has suspended business to carry out thorough cleaning and strengthen rodent prevention and control measures. The department will continue to monitor the hygienic condition of the premises and take appropriate actions to safeguard food safety and environmental hygiene. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened cleansing of nearby public areas and placed poisonous baits to prevent rodent infestation. 

The spokesman said, as of June 3 this year, the FEHD conducted about 91 500 inspections against licensed/permitted food premises across the territory, including about 6 200 inspections against FPSs. During the period, five licensed FPSs accumulated sufficient demerit points in breach of the Food Business Regulation, the FEHD thus ordered the FPSs concerned to suspend businesses from seven to 14 days. In addition, the department issued a press release on February 10 for a licensed FPS found with poor hygiene condition and serious rodent infestation. An immediate closure order was issued to the FPS concerned, and after the problems were thoroughly rectified, it was approved to reopen earlier. Another press release, issued on March 10, announced that the licence of a FPS was cancelled after breaching licensing condition. During the same period, FEHD officers issued 451 verbal warnings and 77 warning letters, and initiated 527 prosecutions against the irregularities found at the food premises concerned; including issuance of 173 verbal warnings and nine warning letters, and initiation of 125 prosecutions to the licensed FPSs.

Apart from stepping up inspections and enforcement, the FEHD also issued letters to the licensed/permitted food premises across the territory, reminding the trade of key points to note when handling and storing food during the summer period, as well as strengthening rodent control work. The FEHD reminded the trade to handle food properly, for example, keeping hot food that is prepared but not for immediate consumption at or above 60 degrees Celsius, and cold food at or below 4 degrees C; at the same time, following Five Keys to Food Safety, namely choose wisely, keep clean, separate raw and cooked food, cook thoroughly and safe temperature, in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. 

The FEHD further reminded the trade to reduce the risk of rodent infestation from three aspects, namely food, harbourage and passages of rodents, including the elimination of food sources and hiding places of rodents, as well as blockages of their dispersal routes. For example, properly storing food and food waste, maintaining cleanliness of the premises from inside to outside, avoiding accumulation of articles, and immediately sealed the holes and cracks on the walls, door frames, openings of pipes and other passages for the rodents. 

The spokesman emphasised that, the FEHD will continue to closely monitor the hygiene conditions of the food premises, and step up inspections and prosecution with reference to the risk assessment. If premises are found with poor hygiene condition, mishandling of food, or possibly causing rodent infestation, the department will adopt appropriate enforcement actions depending on actual circumstances, with a view to safeguarding public health. 

Under the relevant regulation, every person engaged in any food business, including FPSs, shall not knowingly suffer or permit in any food premises, the presence of rats, mice or insects; and shall adopt appropriate measures to protect the food from risk of contamination or deterioration. Operators must at all times keep every part of food premises clean, properly maintained, and in good condition. Offenders are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months. If a licensee/permit holder is convicted of an offence relating to food safety and environmental hygiene under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) and its subsidiary legislation, or breaches any licence/permit conditions, the FEHD may also register demerit points, issue verbal and written warnings, and suspend or cancel the relevant licence/permit under the established mechanisms. If the condition of a premises poses an imminent health risk, the FEHD has the authority to issue closure orders and immediately close the premises.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​Hong Kong Customs shut down a dangerous drugs storage and distribution centre in Mong Kok yesterday (June 3) and seized about 31 kilograms of assorted drugs. The total estimated market value was about $13 million. A 33-year-old man was arrested.

During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Mong Kok yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a man and seized about 1.6kg of suspected cannabis buds in a recycling bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a nearby residential unit for a search and further seized about 13kg of suspected heroin, 12kg of suspected ketamine, 3.6kg of suspected cannabis buds, 1.1kg of suspected cannabis candy, 128 suspected MDMA tablets, 12 millilitres of suspected cannabis oil, and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.

     The Investigation is ongoing.

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

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to begin a visit to Uzbekistan.

Mr Lee and the delegation arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, last night and met Uzbek Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov.

Mr Lee and Mr Saidov jointly witnessed an exchange of notes between the two places on a mutual visa-free arrangement, which would allow a visa-free period of 30 days for visitors from both sides.

The governments of both places will immediately advance discussions of the detailed arrangements to strive for early implementation. Mr Lee said he looked forward to the early advancement of the relevant visa-free arrangement with Uzbekistan.

This morning, Mr Lee met Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov and Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev to discuss ways to deepen economic and trade exchanges and co-operation.

Mr Lee said that he was pleased to have the opportunity of meeting them in Uzbekistan for the first time, following his earlier meeting the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Hong Kong, when they led their delegations to visit the city.

The Chief Executive noted that Hong Kong and Uzbekistan are respectively important gateways for trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific and Central Asian regions. The two places can leverage their complementary strengths to further enhance economic and trade co-operation and help enterprises explore broader markets.

Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong has been deepening economic and trade ties with its trading partners through its overseas Economic and Trade Offices, adding that he looks forward to further strengthening bilateral co-operation with Uzbekistan in various areas in the future.

Afterwards, Mr Lee met Uzbek Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development Sardor Umurzakov to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan.

At noon, Mr Lee met Uzbek President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev to discuss furthering co-operation.

Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to further deepen co-operation and exchanges with Uzbekistan on various fronts in line with Uzbekistan’s goal of achieving high-quality development.

He noted that the two places will join hands in seizing the opportunities from the joint development of the Belt & Road Initiative and promoting common development between the two places and the Central Asian region.

Mr Lee invited Uzbekistan to stage its major conferences and key projects in Hong Kong in the form of Asian chapters or roadshows. He also encouraged more young people from Uzbekistan to study in Hong Kong, building a stronger foundation for long-term co-operation between the two places through education, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is actively developing into an international gold trading centre, attracting the storage, clearing and delivery of gold in Hong Kong and building a comprehensive gold trading ecosystem.

He outlined that Uzbekistan has abundant gold reserves, and that Hong Kong can provide strong support to Uzbekistan in areas such as gold trading, reserve allocation and professional services, and create more mutually beneficial business opportunities for the two places.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended a luncheon hosted by the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry & Trade to discuss ways to facilitate business matching and expand market opportunities between enterprises of the two places.

In the evening, the Chief Executive attended a business dinner and a signing ceremony for memoranda of understanding, where he introduced Hong Kong’s development opportunities and business advantages to local political and business representatives.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Labour Department (LD), together with representatives from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), visited a public refuse collection point in Shau Kei Wan today (June 4) to distribute cooling products to frontline cleansing workers and promote the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work (GN) and the preventive measures in times of the Heat Stress at Work Warning to enhance their awareness of heat stroke prevention. They also called on employers and employees to make work arrangements in advance for adverse weather and extreme conditions.

     The Deputy Commissioner for Labour (Occupational Safety and Health), Mr Vincent Fung, together with the Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (Environmental Hygiene), Mr Arsene Yiu, presented cooling products to the frontline cleansing workers and reminded them to take appropriate precautions to prevent heat stroke during the high temperatures of summer. Mr Fung and Mr Yiu also inspected various welfare and heat stroke prevention facilities set up at the refuse collection point for frontline workers. The refuse collection point, which completed refurbishment works last year, is equipped with changing and personal storage spaces, as well as facilities for short breaks and meals, and provides equipment such as an air-conditioning system, hot and cold drinking water dispensers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and electric fans to provide a suitable resting environment for frontline staff. In addition, Mr Fung and Mr Yiu also gained a deep understanding of the various protective equipment provided to frontline cleansing workers, including new work uniforms with better sweat-wicking, breathability and reflective functions, portable waist-mounted fans, sun hats, new rain coats with thermoregulation functions and new work shoes with ergonomic design and good breathability to further enhance work safety.

     “Frontline cleansing workers face a higher risk of heat stress during summer. The LD has been maintaining close collaboration with various departments and the cleansing industry, striving to assist the industry in referencing and adopting the recommendations in the GN flexibly. We urge supervisors to establish clear work and rest arrangements at workplaces, to take heed of the levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning issued by the LD and to provide adequate cooling equipment based on the outdoor environment to safeguard the health and safety of our workers,” Mr Fung said.
      
     Mr Fung added that workers should also pay attention to their physical conditions. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as a headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest and drink water in a cool and shaded place, and inform employers or supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

     Apart from strengthening employers’ and employees’ knowledge of heat stroke prevention through promotion and publicity as well as education and training every summer, the LD will also step up its inspection of workplaces with higher risks of heat stroke, including construction sites, worksites of outdoor cleansing workers, gardening workers, and security guards. The LD urges relevant responsible duty holders to refer to the GN, assess the risk of heat stress on their employees during work, and take corresponding preventive measures based on the assessment results.

     In addition, Mr Fung appealed to the employers and employees to make prior work arrangements in times of adverse weather and extreme conditions by taking reference to the “Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and ‘Extreme Conditions'” (CoP) issued by the LD.

     For detailed information of the GN and other heatstroke prevention measures, employers and employees can visit the dedicated webpage launched by the LD at www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm or the Occupational Safety and Health Council at www.noheatstress.hk. The LD’s latest revised CoP can be downloaded from the department’s webpage www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 4) that the Hong Kong Science Museum will reopen tomorrow (June 5). The museum was temporarily closed on June 3 afternoon for carrying out urgent repair of the air conditioning system of the Exhibition Hall.