Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident that happened in Sham Shui Po this morning (September 11) in which a man died.

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Regarding the case concerning the “Hong Kong Alliance” (the Alliance), Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung, who were charged with incitement to subversion (contrary to Article 23 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL)), following the verdict of conviction delivered by the Court of First Instance of the High Court on August 21, sentences were handed down today (September 11). Chow Hang-tung was sentenced to imprisonment for seven years and three months, and Lee Cheuk-yan was sentenced to imprisonment for seven years. Ho Chun-yan, who had earlier pleaded guilty, was sentenced to imprisonment for five years and two months, and the “Hong Kong Alliance” was sentenced to a fine of $1,500,000.

The court ruled that the present case was of a “serious nature”, pointing out that although the HKNSL had been implemented at the material time, some individuals were still unwilling to accept the exercise of sovereignty by the state over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, nor were they willing to accept the constitutional order established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (the Constitution) and the Basic Law. The defendants engaged in criminal acts of incitement amid a turbulent and unsettled social atmosphere, putting national security and public order at greater risk. The defendants possessed mobilising power and influence in Hong Kong. Their criminal activities persisted for as long as 14 months, and were committed through various activities and online platforms. The relevant activities were city-wide with an extensive reach, influencing people of different age groups, and their potential harm must not be underestimated. Despite the defendants’ belief that their agenda might be in breach of the Constitution and the HKNSL, they recalcitrantly pursued their course of conduct after the HKNSL came into effect, vigorously advocating and promoting their agenda, which was premeditated.
 
The court reiterated in its reasons for sentence that the HKNSL had no retrospective effect and that the defendants were put on trial not because of their political ideology or their conduct before the HKNSL. They were convicted solely on the basis that they had committed acts prohibited under the HKNSL after the HKNSL came into effect.
  
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “The court has pointed out clearly in its reasons for the verdict of conviction handed down earlier that the very aim of the Alliance’s agendas was to overthrow and undermine the leadership by the Communist Party of China (CPC) under the Constitution. The defendants intended to cause others to lose confidence in the CPC by stirring up hostility and causing division, so as to achieve the objective of undermining the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). After the implementation of the HKNSL, the defendants refused to pull back from the brink and were bent on acting wilfully, attempting to make use of the Alliance to subvert state power.
 
“This case shows that anyone who intends to incite subversion and endanger national security will ultimately be punished in accordance with the law and such acts will absolutely not be tolerated. The law never allows anyone to openly harm one’s own country and compatriots by employing confounding tactics under the pretext of human rights, democracy and freedom. As pointed out by the court in the reasons for verdict, what the defendants did in this case had already gone beyond the scope of lawful freedom of expression, and constituted acts of inciting others to subvert state power by unlawful means. The sentences today demonstrate the court’s confirmation that the offences committed by the defendants were extremely serious and warrant severe punishment to uphold the rule of law.”
 
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said, “The Constitution of the PRC is the fundamental law of the state. The Constitution and the Basic Law jointly establish the constitutional order of the HKSAR. The basic and core components of the Constitution, such as those related to constitutional order, national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, shall apply to the HKSAR. The core of the constitutional order of the state is the establishment of the CPC’s position as the governing party. The leadership by the CPC is the core of the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution. Article 1 of the Constitution expressly prohibits any organisation or individual from damaging the socialist system. Article 22 of the HKNSL explicitly prohibits anyone from organising, planning, committing or participating in acts by force, threat of force or other unlawful means with a view to subverting state power, such as overthrowing or undermining the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution, or overthrowing the body of central power of the PRC. Under the Constitution, overthrowing or undermining the leadership status of the CPC is tantamount to overthrowing or undermining the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution to which Article 22 of the HKNSL refers.”

The spokesman also pointed out, “The HKSAR Government has noticed that various western countries, anti-China organisations, politicians and foreign media have recently launched malicious attacks and smears on various cases including this case. The HKSAR Government has reiterated on multiple occasions, just as the court has stated clearly, the defendants of this case were put on trial not because of their political views or beliefs. The court would only consider the laws and evidence relevant to the case to decide whether the prosecution is able to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt. All defendants received a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong, as guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, free from any interference.”
 
The spokesman stressed, “The HKSAR Government has the responsibility to safeguard national security, and will resolutely combat acts and activities endangering national security. In this regard, the HKSAR Government will, in accordance with the principle of the rule of law, ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, and prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.”

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee said today that the law never allows anyone to openly harm their own country and compatriots by employing confounding tactics under the pretext of human rights, democracy and freedom.

Mr Lee made his remarks following the sentencing of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance and related figures Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung, who were charged with incitement to subversion under Article 23 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL).

The Court of First Instance handed down its sentences today. Chow Hang-tung received seven years and three months in prison, while Lee Cheuk-yan was sentenced to seven years. Ho Chun-yan, who had previously pleaded guilty, was given five years and two months. Additionally, the Hong Kong Alliance was fined $1,500,000.

The court ruled that the present case was of a serious nature, pointing out that although the HKNSL had been implemented at the material time, some individuals were still unwilling to accept the exercise of sovereignty by the state over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, nor were they willing to accept the constitutional order established by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law.

The court noted that the defendants engaged in criminal acts of incitement amid a turbulent and unsettled social atmosphere, putting national security and public order at greater risk. The defendants possessed mobilising power and influence in Hong Kong. Their criminal activities persisted for as long as 14 months and were committed through various activities and online platforms. The relevant activities were citywide with an extensive reach, influencing people of different age groups, and their potential harm must not be underestimated.

Despite the defendants’ knowledge that their agenda might be in breach of the Constitution and the HKNSL, they recalcitrantly pursued their course of conduct after the HKNSL came into effect, vigorously advocating and promoting their premeditated agenda.

The court reiterated in its reasons for sentencing that the HKNSL had no retrospective effect and that the defendants were put on trial not because of their political ideology or their conduct before the HKNSL. They were convicted solely on the basis that they had committed acts prohibited under the HKNSL after the HKNSL came into effect.

Mr Lee said that the court pointed out clearly in its reasons for the verdict of conviction handed down earlier that the very aim of the alliance’s agendas was to overthrow and undermine the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) under the Constitution. The defendants intended to cause others to lose confidence in the CPC by stirring up hostility and causing division, so as to achieve the objective of undermining the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

He said that after the implementation of the HKNSL, the defendants refused to pull back from the brink and were bent on acting wilfully, attempting to make use of the alliance to subvert state power.

“This case shows that anyone who intends to incite subversion and endanger national security will ultimately be punished in accordance with the law, and such acts will absolutely not be tolerated,” Mr Lee said.

“As pointed out by the court in the reasons for verdict, what the defendants did in this case had already gone beyond the scope of lawful freedom of expression, and constituted acts of inciting others to subvert state power by unlawful means.

“The sentences today demonstrate the court’s confirmation that the offences committed by the defendants were extremely serious and warrant severe punishment to uphold the rule of law,” he added.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said that Article 1 of the Constitution expressly prohibits any organisation or individual from damaging the socialist system.

Article 22 of the HKNSL explicitly prohibits anyone from organising, planning, committing or participating in acts by force, threat of force or other unlawful means with a view to subverting state power, such as overthrowing or undermining the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution, or overthrowing the body of central power of the PRC.

Under the Constitution, overthrowing or undermining the leadership status of the CPC is tantamount to overthrowing or undermining the fundamental system of the PRC established by the Constitution to which Article 22 of the HKNSL refers.

The Hong Kong SAR Government also pointed out that it has taken note that various western countries, anti-China organisations, politicians and foreign media have recently launched malicious attacks and smears on various cases including this case.

It has reiterated on multiple occasions, just as the court has stated clearly, that the defendants in this case were put on trial not because of their political views or beliefs. The court will only consider the laws and evidence relevant to the case to decide whether the prosecution is able to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants received a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong, as guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, free from any interference.

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that it has the responsibility to safeguard national security, and will resolutely combat acts and activities endangering national security.

In this regard, it will ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, and to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the opening speech by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, at the opening session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Beijing today (September 10):
 
Thank you, Chair.
 
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the National Energy Administration of China, for hosting the 16th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting, and for the hospitality.
 
Sustainability and prosperity can, and must, complement each other. To achieve both, we need to join forces and embrace innovative solutions.  
 
Hong Kong, China is fully aligned with APEC’s goals to reduce APEC’s aggregate energy intensity by 45 per cent by 2035 against the 2005 level; and to double the share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 compared to 2010. With concerted efforts of our community, as of 2023, the aggregate energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has already decreased by around 35 per cent from 2005.
 
Our carbon emissions peaked in 2014 and have already dropped by about a quarter. With a per capita carbon emission of around 4.41 tonnes in 2024, Hong Kong, China compares well with our counterparts among the more advanced economies. Our goal is to reduce carbon emissions by half before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.
 
Hong Kong, China continues to be the freest economy in the world, and a trusted common law jurisdiction. As an international financial centre, we are well positioned to promote green financing. The volume of green and sustainable bonds arranged in Hong Kong, China amounted to around US$38 billion in 2025, ranking first in the Asian market for eight consecutive years.
 
As a global premier destination for hosting world-class mega-events, Hong Kong, China continually brings people together. Just earlier this week, we launched our third “Hong Kong Green Week” which is our flagship sustainability event to offer a platform to drive dialogues and collaborations on multiple issues ranging from climate resilience, green technology to green trade. And before long we will host another flagship event in October, the 21st Eco Expo Asia, which aims to bring global industry leaders and government representatives together to share, collaborate and innovate. Therefore, I would warmly invite all of you to visit our city and join the upcoming events this October.
 
Thank you, Chair.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the launch event of Sohar International Bank in Hong Kong today (September 10):

Your Excellency Ambassador Al Hinai (Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry of Oman, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai), Your Excellencies, Nicholas (Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho), Alpha (Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is a pleasure to join you for the opening of Sohar International’s representative office – the first presence of an Omani bank in Hong Kong, and Sohar International’s first office in Asia. We are proud to serve as your gateway to this region, and grateful for your confidence in our city.

To our friends who have travelled from Muscat and Sohar, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.

Sohar International’s arrival reflects a broader momentum. Over the past few years, Hong Kong and the Middle East have drawn steadily closer – in trade and investment, finance, innovation and culture. Our trade with the Gulf states has grown strongly, while Gulf sovereign investors are allocating a significantly greater share of their global portfolios to Asia. This is more than a passing trend. It is a structural shift in capital and commerce, and Hong Kong is well placed to help connect the two regions. Your presence here is a welcome affirmation that these ties are deepening.

Others this evening will tell Sohar International’s story far better than I can. Let me simply say that becoming Oman’s second-largest and fastest-growing bank in less than two decades is a remarkable achievement. You bring to Hong Kong not only a wider geographical reach for our banking sector, but also deep market knowledge and strong connections across the Gulf. We are delighted to welcome you to our financial community.

Oman occupies a strategic position along the maritime Belt and Road. Your office here can help channel capital and facilitate trade and investments along these important routes. To support those flows, Hong Kong offers financial, legal and other professional services essential to projects in infrastructure, logistics, energy, agriculture and food security.

Hong Kong-Oman collaboration is already taking good shape. Future Fund Oman, part of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), has partnered with a Hong Kong-headquartered alternative asset manager to launch Oman’s first Energy Transition Fund.

And I am delighted to note that this morning, the OIA has announced its plan to participate in Hong Kong’s vibrant start-up ecosystem by investing up to HK$250 million as a partner to the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund established by the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government.

Projects like these bring together Omani sovereign capital, international investors, Hong Kong investment expertise and projects in both places. That combination illustrates how our strengths can complement one another. It also creates further opportunities for project finance, loan syndication and treasury solutions.

The partnership we celebrate tonight works both ways. For Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises looking to expand into the Gulf, Sohar International is a partner with deep sovereign and corporate relationships, first-hand market knowledge, and the experience to help businesses find the right opportunities and build the right connections.

In turn, Hong Kong offers your clients a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and across Asia, in particular the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. They can draw on our capital markets, our asset and wealth management industry, our insurance and risk management expertise, our growing family office ecosystem, our top-notch talent pool, and the world’s deepest pool of offshore Renminbi liquidity. Under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong combines close connectivity with the Mainland and internationally familiar business practices. This allows us to serve not only as a “super connector”, bringing businesses and markets together, but also as a “super value-adder”, helping those connections deliver lasting value.

You also arrive at a time of considerable strength for our financial sector. Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management business reached a record US$5.4 trillion at the end of last year, up 20 per cent, while net fund inflows nearly tripled. We have enhanced the tax and regulatory environment for funds and family offices, and we are strengthening our capabilities in green and transition finance. For a bank with strong roots in energy, trade and infrastructure financing, Hong Kong offers you ample scope to prosper.

Ladies and gentlemen, a representative office is just a beginning. We look forward to supporting your growth and helping you turn new connections into lasting partnerships. My door – and those of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and InvestHK (Invest Hong Kong) – will always be open.

Let me close by congratulating Sohar International on this important milestone. I wish you every success in Hong Kong and across Asia. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Mark Woo, today (September 10) met with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, and a delegation at the Customs Headquarters Building. The meeting aimed to forge closer ties and strengthen business connections between the two sides. The Consul General of Laos, Mr Ammala Saenchonghack, also attended the meeting. 

Mr Woo welcomed Mr Kommasith and his delegation to visit Hong Kong Customs. The two sides held a high-level meeting and exchanged views on advancing the Trade Single Window, promoting trade facilitation, and exploring areas of mutual interest. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Single Window Project Management Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.
​
Hong Kong Customs will continue to maintain close collaboration with international partners in order to promote trade facilitation and uphold the position of Hong Kong as an international trade centre and logistics hub.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at Future of Low Altitude Economy – An Inter-City Dialogue (Commercialisation and Standardisation) Forum today (September 10):

Professor Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Professor Nancy Ip); Professor Cheng (Vice-President for Research and Development of the HKUST, Professor Tim Cheng); the Honourable Elizabeth Quat (Legislative Council Member and Founding President of the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance, Dr Elizabeth Quat); Mr Guo of OCMFA (Counsellor of Policy Research Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Guo Xin), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and partners throughout our interesting journey of the LAE (low altitude economy) development,

I have been looking forward to this event for months because apart from having the staunch support from Professor Ip, Professor Cheng and the Honorable Dr Quat on the LAE development, this very special place, that is the HKUST means a lot to us. In just less than one and a half years ago, we are back to this place where we held the LAE Regulatory Sandbox launching ceremony back in March last year.

Time flies, and technological advancement would not wait for us. With the dedication and passionate support of the University, and a lot of stakeholders around in this auditorium, we have achieved quite a lot. Moments ago, Professor Cheng has summarised and highlighted a number of key achievements and visions for the months ahead. What I intend to share with you all is to take stock of what we have worked on so far, what we have achieved, what we are planning at the present moment, and most importantly, our landing zone – what we hope to achieve in a year or, say, three years’ time.

Next week will be the announcement and launching of the Chief Executive’s Policy Address and Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan. No matter whether the LAE subject will be featured or not in these two important documents, the concept and mindset of having a five-year planning horizon is very critical and important to the development of LAE in Hong Kong.

Just a year and a half ago, right at the Piazza next to us, the Government announced that 38 projects were selected under our LAE Regulatory Sandbox, officially bringing the LAE into our city’s regulatory framework.

My gratitude also goes to the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance for cohosting this event with the HKUST. This creates another ideal platform for us to dive into inter-city collaboration and dialogues on how we can joint hands in driving the commercialisation and international standardisation of LAE, a theme which is actually featured in the Belt and Road Summit and the event throughout today.

Through the LAE Regulatory Sandbox, we have provided a safe and controlled testing ground for innovative LAE solutions and applications. These trials have culminated in the regularisation of diversified scenarios of LAE applications. These applications do not only contribute to substantial productivity gains, but also major enhancements to emergency response, operational safety and more importantly, innovative and technology advancement. Since June 2025, more than 140 applications have been approved by the Government, namely, the Civil Aviation Department, in accordance with our applicable guidelines and technical circulars. When the media asks whether or not we are still trying out or keeping on testing, the focus and highlight in our subsequent publicity or promotion should impress upon the community that LAE applications in Hong Kong have gone into the regularisation stage, and no longer just at a trial and test stage. The guidelines promulgated by the Civil Aviation Department form the essential foundation and backbone for the standardisation of LAE. Though we are still some distance apart towards the harmonisation or international standardisation, I think we are actually moving along that path already, and some kind of standardisation and parameters have been emerging. Building on this foundation, we are redoubling our efforts in launching the “Regulatory Sandbox X” to tackle more advanced and complicated scenarios for LAE applications such as cross-boundary logistics operation and unconventional aircraft including those for carrying passengers.

Commercialisation and standardisation are really two sides of the same coin. You cannot scale a technology commercially unless the world trusts that it is safe and certifiable, and you cannot build reputable international standards without operational data and evidence from real-world application scenarios.

I know we are joined today by guests from Kuala Lumpur. Last month, our team alongside with the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance visited Malaysia and Indonesia to meet with regulatory bodies to discuss LAE applications and standardisation. In particular, we have shared with them our valuable experience in the LAE Regulatory Sandbox regarding standards harmonisation. The absence of unified international standards in LAE is a pain point we all share. We have to acknowledge that and be aware of these pain points and shortcomings.

No single city can establish a global standard alone. That is why we are joining hands with all the stakeholders in different cities and our GBA partners to proactively reach out to various jurisdictions across the globe that recognise the potential of LAE development. On this note, I am glad to share that my bureau, on behalf of the HKSAR Government, just exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Kazakhstan at the Belt and Road Summit yesterday to lay the foundation and groundwork for deepening our collaboration in LAE development. In gist, the MOU covers a few aspects, namely standards harmonisation, talent cultivation and regulatory exchange.

I believe that the upcoming session, where distinguished scholars, stakeholders, technical experts, and industry professionals from key cities across the Chinese Mainland will take to this stage to sign a joint statement of intent, is another great example of collaboration in LAE as well. This agreement pledges collaborative and collective action to benchmark airworthiness and safety certification, advanced air traffic management and cybersecurity, while harmonising cross‑border logistics and data protocols, and promoting international exchanges.

Just a moment ago, I saw from a slide in Professor Cheng’s presentation on the development of the use of AI in traffic control systems which cuts across air, land and sea. My bureau also oversees different areas of air, land and sea transport. The advancement of technology actually does not stop in LAE but also applies to other aspects as well. The development of an LAE traffic control system gives us a very good opportunity to leverage our expertise and to expand our resources to other areas.

Now, onto a key question: why is Hong Kong so vital to setting global standards? It comes down to our rare combination of advantages. To name a few, we have a very robust common law system, globally respected aviation expertise, and our unique status as a sophisticated international financial and a commercial centre, enjoying strong support and close partnership from the Chinese Mainland, our motherland. Most importantly, we have a high-density environment perfect for real-world testing. While our unique topography and very dense population did pose a great challenge to our LAE applications, these give us valuable, unique data and experience to promote Hong Kong and lead the world in global standard setting. We have different scenarios and challenges on the ground, and a whole cluster of experts and industry professionals. We are a good melting pot. I look forward to trusted institutions including the HKUST for us to put Hong Kong into that unique and advantageous position.

Through concerted efforts alongside our neighboring cities, I am fully confident that our robust legal system and internationally renowned aviation regulatory framework will serve as the cornerstone for globalising LAE standards.

Equally important is Hong Kong’s role as an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises to go global. We always say that Hong Kong is a “super connector” and a super value-added platform. This is no different in the aspect of LAE. I am happy to share with you all that, at the Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation held recently in Malaysia, EHang presented to the International Civil Aviation Organization and over 210 participants from 40 civil aviation authorities and international organisations Hong Kong’s inaugural eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) pilot trial at Cyberport two weeks ago under the LAE “Regulatory Sandbox X”. It was widely circulated on social media and attracted high circulation rate.

The presentation was very well received. This is a vivid testimonial demonstration of Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department being a trusted international regulatory standard setter, or in Chinese we say 金漆招牌. We set the 金漆招牌 to all state-of-the-art eVTOL or other unconventional aircraft being manufactured in and supplied from our Chinese Mainland. It also demonstrates to the world that the Government embraces the wisdom of the industry, academia and research institutes for establishing new standards shaping the new world of LAE. Yes, we embrace that and we are more than willing to collaborate with you all.

We provide an internationalised environment for domestic LAE solutions to showcase their capabilities to global buyers, while supporting their overseas expansion with top-notch professional services. Through large-scale exhibitions and international outreach, we serve as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to propel our country’s LAE development and industry onto the global stage.

I am sure you will have many more in-depth exchanges ahead, and I have no doubt that today’s conversations which started from this morning and will last this afternoon, and the relationships we build through this gathering and the exchange sessions will endure well beyond this afternoon. Once again, thank you all for bringing your expertise to Hong Kong. I hope to see you all in the very near future. Thank you very much.