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Xia Baolong concludes HK visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong today had an engagement session with district leaders and visited a Community Living Room (CLR) in Hong Kong.

In the morning, Mr Xia, together with Chief Executive John Lee and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak, met chairmen and representatives of the 18 District Councils at the engagement session. Mr Xia received briefings on their district work.

Accompanied by Mr Lee and Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, Mr Xia inspected the facilities of the To Kwa Wan CLR to learn about the execution of the CLR Pilot Programme by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. He also took the opportunity to interact with its users.

Mr Xia concluded his visit and left Hong Kong in the evening.

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Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day  
     The theme of this year’s READ was “One Force”, aiming to demonstrate to aspiring candidates the unity and solidarity of the Police Force in safeguarding Hong Kong. Through various experiential activities, participants were given opportunities to gain a better knowledge of the selection process, foundation training programmes at the Police College, and the diversified police duties. Participants were able to submit applications and undergo part of the initial screening on the spot. Top performing applicants in the group interview for Recruit Police Constables were invited to attend their final interview on the same day.
 
     Additionally, the HKPF announced the introduction of the “Probationary Inspector DSE 4+ Express”, effective from July 1. Those who have obtained Level 4 or above in Chinese Language and English Language subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, or equivalent, and have passed the Aptitude Test of the Common Recruitment Examination will be deemed to have passed the Probationary Inspector Written Examination, and gain direct access to the Extended Interview. The measure will expedite the selection process so that candidates meeting the above requirements can join the Police Force as soon as possible, enhancing the Force’s capacity to attract high-calibre candidates in the job market.
 
     A number of new sessions have been added to READ, including the “Escape Room”, an interactive mystery-solving game, together with the “Crime Scene Investigation Mobile Laboratory” of the Identification Bureau, which enabled participants to experience criminal investigation and evidence collection in a simulated crime scene; the “Barrack and Living Quarters Tour”, which introduced visitors to the accommodation arrangements and welfare benefits for married junior police officers and trainees; and the “Unit Display”, which allowed Police officers to interact with the public through games to demonstrate the strength and skills of elite units.
 
     For the first time, the Technical Services Division, the Communication Branch, the Police Band, Traffic Wardens and Police Communications Officers, set up booths to demonstrate to the public the diverse roles of the Force. Other recruitment activities included selection workshops for Probationary Inspectors and Recruit Police Constables, interactive exhibitions of various Police units, sharing sessions on training experience, and workshops on physical fitness tests.
 
     The READ recorded an attendance of 2 397. A total of 505 on-spot applications were received, of which 158 for Probationary Inspector posts, 273 for RPC posts, and 36 for Police Constable (Auxiliary) posts, and 38 for the Cadet Programme. Applicants included students of local and overseas tertiary institutes and working people.
 
     The Force accepts job applications year-round. Persons who are interested in applying for Probationary Inspector, Recruit Police Constable or Police Constable (Auxiliary) can complete the application form at the “HKPF Recruit” mobile application 
Issued at HKT 18:59

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HK wine trade promoted in Bordeaux

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau continued his visit to Bordeaux in France to promote Hong Kong’s advantages as a wine and liquor trading hub to the trade.

Mr Yau held a business roundtable with representatives of the trade of Bordeaux wine, Cognac and Armagnac to discuss the latest developments of the trade and enhance co-operation on promoting wine and liquor trading.

He highlighted the business opportunities brought about by the strong growth in the demand of wine in the vast Asia-Pacific market, noting that market research revealed China’s wine market generated approximately US$31 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to reach US$54 billion in 2030, an annual growth rate of almost 10%.

With Hong Kong’s wine duty abolished in 2008, the city is now an international wine trading hub and one of the world’s top three wine auction centres, Mr Yau added.

As regards liquor, the commerce chief said that France remains one of Hong Kong’s top liquor trading partners.

In 2024, Hong Kong imported US$831 million worth of liquor, and France was its second-largest import market, accounting for 30% of the total. Brandy continued to be a leading category, particularly through high-end retail channels catering to the Mainland market.

Mr Yau outlined that Hong Kong took introduced a two-tier liquor duty system last October, under which the duty rate was reduced from 100% to 10% for the portion above $200.

“As a ‘super connector’, linking the East and West, Hong Kong with its strategic location and unique advantages plays a pivotal role in the global liquor trade as a gateway to the fast-growing Asia and Mainland markets.”

Between 2013 and 2023, imports of spirits in Asia grew 79.3%, a significantly faster rate than the global increase of 42% in the same period. The Mainland is now the third-largest importer of Cognac.

Mr Yau pointed out that Hong Kong’s signature events such as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, along with biennial events such as ProWine Hong Kong and Vinexpo Asia, provide French producers with unparalleled platforms to promote their brands to international buyers, distributors and liquor enthusiasts.

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Paul Chan to visit Tianjin, Beijing

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart tomorrow for visits to Tianjin and Beijing, and return to Hong Kong on Thursday.

Mr Chan will lead a delegation from the innovation and technology sector to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025 in Tianjin. He will participate in several thematic sessions to deliver speeches and engage in discussions.

The delegation includes senior executives from the Science & Technology Parks Corporation, Cyberport and the Hong Kong Investment Corporation as well as leaders of startups under their umbrella specialising in artificial intelligence, biomedicine technologies, green and new energy technologies and aerospace technologies.

The Annual Meeting of the New Champions gathers leaders from governments, businesses, think tanks, academia and representatives from international organisations. Around 1,700 participants from over 90 countries and regions will discuss how entrepreneurship and innovation can drive economic growth in rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscapes.

Mr Chan will also meet officials from relevant central authorities, leaders of Tianjin as well as political and business leaders from other regions to brief them on Hong Kong’s latest developments and its new advantages and opportunities.

In Beijing, the Financial Secretary will attend the 10th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and meet other governors in addition to officials from relevant central authorities.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui will depart for Beijing today. He will attend some activities of the AIIB’s Board of Governors annual meeting.

During Mr Chan and Mr Hui’s absence, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan will be acting secretaries respectively.

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Flag raising marks NSL promulgation

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Security Bureau today held a flag-raising ceremony at the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy to mark the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

The bureau led the disciplined services, the auxiliary services and disciplined services youth groups, and collaborated with youth uniformed groups subvented by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau for the first time, to hold the ceremony.

The Police Band, disciplined services ceremonial guard and youth uniformed groups marched in with Chinese-style foot drill. The Fire Services Department’s flag party conducted the ceremony during the playing and singing of the national anthem, accompanied by a fly-past by a Government Flying Service helicopter, and concluded with a performance by the Police Band.

Officiating at the event, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law have laid a solid legal foundation for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

The security law is a solid shield protecting Hong Kong, safeguarding the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems”, and protecting the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong people, he added.

Mr Chan also officiated at the award presentation for the literature and art creation competition to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the security law. The competition encouraged colleagues of the bureau and disciplined and auxiliary services to create artistic works on how the National Security Law fortifies national security and protects social stability.

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Commissioner for Belt and Road to lead delegation to Indonesia and Malaysia

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Commissioner for Belt and Road to lead delegation to Indonesia and Malaysia 
Indonesia and Malaysia, two of Hong Kong’s major trading and investment partners, are undergoing rapid infrastructure development, while Hong Kong has a pool of experienced professionals in related areas such as engineering, architecture and design, surveying, legal services and finance. The visit will focus on promoting the advantages of Hong Kong’s professional services related to infrastructure development, with a view to exploring further collaboration opportunities with Indonesia and Malaysia and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
 
In addition to meeting with government officials, business leaders and representatives of professional organisations and enterprises, the delegation will also attend presentations of signature projects in Indonesia and Malaysia to explore business collaboration. The Belt and Road Office will organise business luncheons in both countries to promote Hong Kong’s business advantages, highlighting its pivotal role as a “super value-adder”.
 
The delegation comprises representatives from professional and commercial sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises. They will visit Indonesia from June 23 to 24, and Malaysia from June 25 to 26.
Issued at HKT 12:00

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SCED promotes Hong Kong’s advantages as wine and liquor trading hub in Bordeaux, France (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SCED promotes Hong Kong’s advantages as wine and liquor trading hub in Bordeaux, France  
On June 20 (France time), Mr Yau held a business roundtable and met with representatives of the trade of Bordeaux wine, Cognac and Armagnac to exchange views on the latest developments of the trade and enhance co-operation on promoting wine and liquor trading.
 
Mr Yau first shared with the trade the business opportunities brought about by the strong growth in the demand of wine in the vast market of Asia Pacific. He said market research revealed that China’s wine market generated approximately US$31 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to reach US$54 billion in 2030, reflecting an annual growth rate of almost 10 per cent. He added that with Hong Kong’s wine duty abolished in 2008, the city is now an international wine trading hub and one of the world’s top three wine auction centres.
 
Turning to liquor, Mr Yau said that France remains one of Hong Kong’s top liquor trading partners, In 2024, Hong Kong imported US$831 million worth of liquor, and France was Hong Kong’s second-largest import market, accounting for 30 per cent of the total. Brandy continued to be a leading category, particularly through high-end retail channels catering to the Mainland market.
 
Mr Yau added that last October, Hong Kong took another step by introducing a two-tier liquor duty system under which the duty rate was reduced from 100 per cent to 10 per cent for the portion above HK$200. As a “super connector” linking the East and West, Hong Kong with its strategic location and unique advantages plays a pivotal role in the global liquor trade as a gateway to the fast-growing Asia and Mainland markets. Between 2013 and 2023, imports of spirits in Asia grew 79.3 per cent, a significantly faster rate than the global increase of 42 per cent in the same period. The Mainland is now the third-largest importer of Cognac.
 
Mr Yau added that Hong Kong’s signature events, such as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, along with biennial events such as ProWine Hong Kong and Vinexpo Asia, provide French producers with unparalleled platforms to promote their brands to international buyers, distributors and liquor enthusiasts.
 
Mr Yau said that coupled with its premier location, free flow of capital and free port status, Hong Kong, as the world’s freest economy and the third-most competitive economy globally, is the best partner for the Bordeaux wine and liquor sector to tap into the tremendous opportunities in the Asia market, notably the Mainland.
 
On June 21 (France time), Mr Yau took the opportunity to visit vineyards in Bordeaux to learn about their operations and promote Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s wine and liquor trading hub.
Issued at HKT 9:00

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