Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Hong Kong and Bangladesh signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) today (September 9) to strengthen mutual investment protection, with a view to enhancing the confidence of investors, expanding investment flows and further strengthening the economic and trade ties between the two places.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, signed the IPPA on the margins of the Belt and Road Summit with the Minister of Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute of Bangladesh, Mr Khandakar Abdul Muktadir.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     All Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) expressed their deep condolences today (September 9) on the passing of former Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the first- and second-term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and extended their sincere sympathies to his family.
 
     The President of the LegCo, Dr Starry Lee, said that Mr Tung had a lifelong dedication to loving the country and Hong Kong, displaying a deep affection for the nation and home, as well as a strong sense of responsibility. He dedicated himself to leading the smooth establishment of the HKSAR, steadfastly implementing the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, while telling the good stories of Hong Kong to the international community. He wrote a groundbreaking chapter for Hong Kong’s smooth transition and glorious return to the motherland at a critical juncture, standing out as an outstanding contributor to “one country, two systems”.
 
     Dr Lee pointed out that Mr Tung always kept the livelihood of the public close to his heart and put people first. During his tenure, he led his team to respond imperturbably to unprecedented and severe tests, including the Asian financial crisis and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic. Taking the well-being of Hong Kong and the public as his top priority, he was committed to resolving deep-seated problems and social conflicts in Hong Kong. At the same time, with great foresight, he devoted himself to strengthening the economic and trade ties as well as synergized development between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and driving policy initiatives in innovation and technology, education, housing and elderly care, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term development.
 
     Dr Lee praised Mr Tung for his benevolence and kindness, and expressed her appreciation for his effort in winning people over by virtue. His selfless contributions and remarkable achievements to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and national development are invaluable. His noble character will live forever in the hearts of the public and serve as an exemplar for future generations. All LegCo Members will surely uphold Mr Tung’s conviction that “When Hong Kong succeeds, the country will benefit. When the country succeeds, Hong Kong will prosper”, continuing to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages to contribute to the nation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 9) expressed profound sorrow over the passing of the former Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Tung Chee Hwa.

Mr Tung became the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR in 1997, serving in the position until March 2005. He served as Vice-Chairman of the 10th to 13th National Committee of the CPPCC from 2005 to 2023. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2006.

“Mr Tung was the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR. His distinguished leadership rendered exemplary contributions to the smooth process of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, as well as the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and the Basic Law. During his tenure of over seven years, Mr Tung successfully steered Hong Kong through the turmoil of the Asian financial crisis and led the people of Hong Kong in overcoming a wide range of challenges through concerted efforts, thereby facilitating a robust economic recovery and maintaining social prosperity and stability. With visionary foresight, he instituted mechanisms to promote economic and trade ties and co-ordinated development between Hong Kong and the Mainland, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s enduring competitiveness. His contributions to Hong Kong were exceptionally significant.

“Upon the conclusion of his tenure as Chief Executive in 2005, Mr Tung assumed the office of Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, where he continued to offer his counsel at the national level and further contributed to the prosperity, stability and sustained development of Hong Kong. He was also instrumental in uniting the city to foster in depth exchanges between Hong Kong and the international community, elevating Hong Kong’s role and influence on the global stage. Mr Tung dedicated his life to serving the country and Hong Kong. I am profoundly grieved by his passing, and his life-long and monumental contributions to Hong Kong will forever be etched on our memory. On behalf of the HKSAR, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family,” said Mr Lee.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Sheung Shui last night (September 8) in which a man died.
 
Police received a report at 10.19pm that a 53-year-old man allegedly collapsed while driving a private car along Pak Wo Road towards Sheung Shui. The private car reportedly went out of control and rammed into a kerb.
 
Police officers sped to the scene. The driver was trapped inside the private car and rescued by firemen. Sustaining no superficial injury, the driver was rushed to North District Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 11.28pm.
 
A suspected apparatus for smoking dangerous drugs was also seized from the private car.
 
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is under way.
 
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.
 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 11th Belt & Road Summit is being held over two consecutive days from today at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, with Chief Executive John Lee speaking at the opening session.

Speaking at the opening session, Mr Lee reiterated that under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of China, while maintaining far-reaching international connectivity.

“With the world struggling with unprecedented change and geopolitical fragmentation, connectivity, co-operation and consensus are essential. That is precisely what the Belt & Road Summit offers.

“Hong Kong’s merchandise trade with Belt & Road countries rose by nearly 17% last year, reaching about US$323 billion. Close to 1,500 companies from Belt & Road countries have established offices in Hong Kong, up about 17% from 2022. Over 100 Belt & Road companies are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with more in the pipeline.”

Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong said the central government will leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in innovation and technology to drive co-operation in emerging fields along the Belt & Road.

Receiving business delegates from Hong Kong earlier this year, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov proposed digital co-operation with Hong Kong on artificial intelligence and fintech.

Uruguayan Vice President Carolina Cosse said China and Uruguay – the first country in Latin America to formally express its support for the Belt & Road Initiative – share core mutual interests.

She said Uruguay recognises Hong Kong’s distinctive comparative advantages as a premier international financial, trading and shipping centre, all functioning under the constitutional framework of “one country, two systems.”

“We also follow with the utmost interest the development of the Greater Bay Area, of which Hong Kong is an integral part,” she added.

The theme of this year’s summit is “Advancing High-Quality Development · Embarking on a New Journey”, and it includes sessions focused on going global, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said the summit has facilitated remarkable achievements across infrastructure connectivity, financial integration, digital innovation and sustainable development since its inception in 2016.

“As a super connector and super value-adder, Hong Kong drives multilateral co-operation, business matching and open trade, while providing the financial and professional expertise to turn dialogue into concrete achievements.”

The summit will witness the exchange of over 60 government-level agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs), as well as business MOUs and transactions with Belt & Road partners. The total value of projects and deals concluded in recent days is over US$3.1 billion.

More than 6,000 leaders and professionals from over 70 countries are attending the summit.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Tung Chee Hwa, the former Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Mr Tung served as Chief Executive from 1997 until March 2005. He subsequently served as Vice-Chairman of the 10th to 13th National Committee of the CPPCC from 2005 to 2023 and was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2006.

Mr Lee said Mr Tung’s distinguished leadership was exemplary in contributing to the smooth process of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, and to the implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and the Basic Law.

“During his tenure of over seven years, Mr Tung successfully steered Hong Kong through the turmoil of the Asian financial crisis and led the people of Hong Kong in overcoming a wide range of challenges through concerted efforts, thereby facilitating a robust economic recovery and maintaining social prosperity and stability.

“With visionary foresight, he instituted mechanisms to promote economic and trade ties and co-ordinated development between Hong Kong and the Mainland, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s enduring competitiveness. His contributions to Hong Kong were exceptionally significant.”

Mr Lee added that upon concluding his tenure as Chief Executive in 2005, in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC he continued to offer national-level counsel and further contribute to the prosperity, stability and sustained development of Hong Kong.

“He was also instrumental in uniting the city to foster in-depth exchanges between Hong Kong and the international community, elevating Hong Kong’s role and influence on the global stage. Mr Tung dedicated his life to serving the country and Hong Kong.

“I am profoundly grieved by his passing, and his life-long and monumental contributions to Hong Kong will forever be etched on our memory. On behalf of the HKSAR, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region