Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the reception in celebration of the establishment of the Consulate-General of Uruguay in Hong Kong today (May 9):

Your Excellency Minister Mario Lubetkin (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay), Your Excellency Ambassador Fernando Lugris (Ambassador of Uruguay to China), Consul-General Federico Lage Cabeza (Consul-General of Uruguay to Hong Kong), Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to be here on this important occasion – the establishment and opening, in Hong Kong, of the Consulate-General of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

     The opening of the Consulate-General is testament to the long-standing, and growing, ties between China and Uruguay, and it is important to note that the two countries have now enjoyed diplomatic relations for 37 years, with their relations elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership status in 2023.

     In March, President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Han Jun, attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of Uruguay. Minister Han conveyed China’s wish to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and boost bilateral trade in goods and services. 

     Hong Kong and Uruguay also maintain good relations in trade. In 2024, our bilateral merchandise trade rose 8.8 per cent over the previous year, to more than US$120 million. You probably note that the number eight is considered a lucky number for Chinese people. So the double eights here in this 8.8 per cent growth are music of double luckiness to my ears.

     Our increased trade, and the opening, today of the Uruguay’s Consulate-General, underlines the long-term promise of our economic prospects and people-to-people ties.

     Uruguay, after all, is a high-income economy built on free market policies in Latin America, with a large middle class which is strong and growing. It’s also a founding member of Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, which has a population nearing 300 million. Uruguay, I’m pleased to add, is a participant in our country’s Belt and Road Initiative.

     Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys our country’s strong support, and maintains unparalleled connectivity with the world. I thank Commissioner Cui for telling so much about the ingredients and success factors of Hong Kong under “one country, two systems”. Hong Kong maintains unparalleled connectivity with the world that includes our pivotal roles in such national strategies as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Greater Bay Area is a cluster city that counts Hong Kong, Macao and nine prosperous cities in Southern China. 

     The Greater Bay Area boasts a collective population exceeding 87 million and a combined GDP rivalling the world’s 10th largest economy. It gives Hong Kong a high-end consumer market more than 10 times larger than what our city’s alone can offer.

     We are Asia’s largest financial centre and the world’s third largest, behind only New York and London. Not surprisingly, Hong Kong also ranked fourth and fifth, globally, in foreign direct investment inflows and outflows. 

     As the world’s largest offshore Renminbi service centre, Hong Kong is a critical investment hub linking investment sources and destinations between Mainland China, Southeast Asian markets, and the world. 

     Like Uruguay and our country, Hong Kong is committed to free trade and the multilateral trading system. Goods, capital, people and information flow freely here – and it always will. In spite of challenges posed by emerging protectionism and geopolitical tensions, we strongly believe that free and open trade is key to our pursuit of high-quality development, together with a world of investors and economies.

     Hong Kong’s commitment to the rule of law and a judiciary that exercises its powers independently, to our common law system, and to protecting the rights of our people and businesses, is no less fundamental to our economy, our community and our future. 

     Hong Kong, in brief, is the ideal gateway for Uruguayan companies, and investors, looking to tap into the far-reaching promise of Mainland China and the rest of Asia.

     Beyond business, arts and culture – including the art and culture of eating and drinking well – is as central to life in Hong Kong as I know in Uruguay. Hong Kong, after all, is the rising East-meets-West arts and cultural centre; it is also a hub for international exchange.

     Ladies and gentlemen, the formal establishment and opening, today, of the Consulate-General of Uruguay in Hong Kong marks an auspicious new stage in the growing relations between our two economies, and our two peoples. 

     The Hong Kong SAR Government, and the businesses and people of Hong Kong, welcome you, and look forward to working with you. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Inauguration Ceremony of Von Neumann Institute, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today (May 9):

Consul General (Consul General of Hungary in Hong Kong, Dr Pál Kertész), Harry (the Council Chairman of the HKUST, Professor Harry Shum), Nancy (the President of the HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip), Professor Jia (the Director of Von Neumann Institute, HKUST, Professor Jiaya Jia), Clara (the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation, Ms Clara Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​Hong Kong Customs on April 30 and May 1 detected three sea smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels. A large batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods and parts with a total estimated market value of about $120 million was seized.

Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs on April 30 and May 1 identified two ocean-going vessels preparing to depart from Hong Kong for Pakistan and Thailand respectively at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals for inspection. A large batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods and parts, including central processing units, computer desktops, servers, hard disks and computer accessories, was seized inside five containers.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Customs is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for tackling smuggling activities and has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on related crimes.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today met Ombudsman Jack Chan to follow up on the Direct Investigation Operation Report on Government’s Regulation of Occupational Safety & Health in Construction Industry, and discussed the Ombudsman’s findings, analyses and recommendations extensively.
 
They had in-depth discussions on the bottlenecks and inadequacies in the occupational safety and health (OSH) regulatory system for the construction industry and candid exchanges on strengthening the management systems of government departments, particularly on the leadership and supervisory responsibilities of management personnel, as well as issues such as performance accountability among departmental managerial staff.
 
The Labour Department and the Buildings Department are taking follow-up actions on the recommendations of the report, which was published by the Office of the Ombudsman on April 16. 

The Labour Department has amended the OSH legislation to increase the penalties. Apart from planning to start a trial of using small unmanned aircraft for inspections, investigations and evidence collection in the second half of 2025, it also aims to explore the use of automatic speech recognition to assist in taking statements, thereby improving the efficiency of frontline officers in law enforcement.
 
Both departments have strengthened collaboration and improved the inter-departmental referral mechanism. The Buildings Department improved the internal monitoring system for case handling in early 2025 and speeded up processing of omitted cases, and is reviewing lowering the threshold for instigating disciplinary actions to enhance deterrent effect.
 
Meanwhile, the Government will introduce a bill into the Legislative Council to amend the Buildings Ordinance in the first half of 2026 to enhance the regulatory regime for registered contractors.
 
Mr Chan said that the Government attaches great importance to the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation report and appreciates the valuable observations and recommendations put forward by the Ombudsman.
 
In accordance with the Chief Executive’s instruction, the working group, led by the Chief Secretary, will ensure that all departments conscientiously and proactively follow up on the recommendations, while strengthening the establishment of departmental management systems at source and reinforcing performance accountability of the management to effectively improve governance efficiency, he added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau will lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation to visit Beijing and Jiangsu from May 11 to 16.

 

Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang will lead the delegates as they visit Beijing from May 11 to 14, while Permanent Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Gracie Foo will lead the group’s visit to Jiangsu from May 14 to 16.

 

In Beijing, the delegation will meet officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other central ministries. It will then meet officials of Jiangsu and study developments in the province.

 

The visit arrangement has been in place since 1999 to enhance communication and exchanges between the two sides.

 

During Mr Tsang’s absence, Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Clement Woo will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Department of Justice today held its biennial “Mediate First” Pledge Event to encourage the community to use mediation for dispute resolution, with around 900 participants from different sectors taking part in the activity.

 

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said in the opening remarks that mediation is the future of dispute resolution, adding that Hong Kong has a mature development in the field of mediation.

 

He emphasised that the city will continue to promote mediation in dispute resolution and connect local, regional and global parties, fully demonstrating its vibrancy and charm as the Capital of Mediation.

 

A forum was held as the first part of the event, followed by a panel discussion exploring the role of the Judiciary in promoting mediation. Family mediators and mediation institutions from different sectors shared their insights and discussed with stakeholders the direction in promoting family mediation in the future.

 

The afternoon session began with another panel discussion, highlighting the collective efforts of the Government and stakeholders on ways to promote and deepen the mediation culture.

 

Additionally, students who participated in the peer mediation training spoke on the use of mediation to resolve peer disputes and the benefits it brought.

 

The event concluded with Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan delivering closing remarks.

 

Fifty-two pledgees were presented awards in recognition of their achievements in promoting and adopting mediation in the course of their business operations. More than 1,000 organisations and individuals have signed the pledge since its launch in 2009.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, was invited to meet with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; and relevant senior officials, today (May 9) to deliberate on the findings and analyses of the investigation by the Office of The Ombudsman into the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health in the construction industry and exchange views on strengthening departmental management systems and reinforcing performance accountability.  
 
The Ombudsman said, “I must, once again, express my gratitude to the Chief Executive for his recognition of our work.  I am also very grateful that he has announced earlier that the Chief Secretary for Administration will lead a working group to conduct in-depth reviews of recommendations in the direct investigation operation reports issued by the Office of The Ombudsman to ensure that government departments will actively follow up on the recommendations from these investigations.  I am also grateful for the Chief Secretary for Administration’s invitation to this meeting.  During our meeting today, we had an in-depth and focused deliberation on my Office’s investigation findings as regards the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health in the construction industry, and a candid discussion on the bottlenecks and challenges.  We also had a thorough exchange of views on ways to strengthen departmental management systems and reinforce performance accountability.  I am pleased to learn that the working group led by the Chief Secretary for Administration will monitor relevant departments’ follow-up actions to ensure full implementation of our recommendations.  I am also pleased to note that the Labour Department and the Buildings Department have been actively following up the recommendations of our report and commenced various work including enhancing effectiveness of enforcement and expediting the processing of cases omitted earlier.  The current-term Government is committed and determined to strengthen departmental management systems, reinforce performance accountability among departmental managerial staff, and enhance public service management and efficiency, demonstrating its devotion and dedication to fostering good governance.  My Office will give full support and co-operation in enhancing the effectiveness of public administration to ensure high-quality and efficient public services.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) supported the Asia tour of Hong Kong theatre group Zuni Icosahedron in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to promote cultural and artistic exchange between Hong Kong and Malaysia.

     The featured programme of the Asia tour, titled “Left Unsaid”, is a Cantonese dark drama adapted from the original play by the Artistic Director of the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, Nick Yu. The play starred Hong Kong veteran actors Cecilia Yip and Kenny Wong and featured the adaptation, direction, and stage design by Co-Artistic Director of the theatre group Mathias Woo. The performance integrated theatre with art technology, showcasing a blend of theatrical aesthetics and multimedia innovation.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony today (May 9), the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, said that under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is strategically positioned as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been promoting cultural and arts development. The Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development promulgated last year sets out a clear vision, principles and strategic directions for the future development of the arts, culture and creative industries in Hong Kong.

     “Zuni Icosahedron has actively fostered cross-city, cross-field, and cross-culture exchanges. ‘Left Unsaid’ premiered in Hong Kong in November last year and has received enthusiastic reception. The Kuala Lumpur stop marks its first overseas performance, and next week it will take part in the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chinese Theatre Cultural Festival in Guangzhou, further promoting regional cultural exchange,” she said.

     Miss Cheng added that the HKETO Jakarta will continue to support Hong Kong performing arts groups and local cultural and creative industries in showcasing their work on the international stage, with a view to exploring wider development opportunities.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region