Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (July 16) that a renowned Mainland sports drinks brand, Jianlibao, has chosen Hong Kong as its regional headquarters, leveraging the city’s role as an international business hub and a gateway to overseas markets to expand globally.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau welcomed Jianlibao’s decision. He said, “We are happy to see that Jianlibao has established its regional headquarters in Hong Kong. It not only highlights the city’s unique advantages as a global business hub but also reinforces our position as a preferred destination for Mainland enterprises looking to expand internationally. Hong Kong has a sound legal system, world-class infrastructure and a vibrant business environment, which are conducive to Jianlibao’s strategy of expanding its global business.”

Jianlibao has been actively expanding its business in Hong Kong since its establishment in the city in 2024. The company has recently installed over 50 vending machines across various districts, including Central, Tai Po, and Hung Hom, making its healthy beverages easily accessible to visiting tourists, local families, and transit passengers. The company also supports local sports initiatives by sponsoring local sports team and events.

The Vice Chairman of Jianlibao Group, Mr Yeung Wan-chung, said the decision to set up its regional headquarters in Hong Kong is a strategic move by the company to expand its global footprint. He said, “We chose Hong Kong as our regional headquarters because of its unparalleled access to international markets and its reputation as a global financial and logistics hub.”

The Director of Jianlibao Asia, Mr Larry Yeung, explained, “Hong Kong’s strategic location, coupled with its dynamic business environment, provides us with an ideal platform to accelerate our global expansion. We are confident that this move will enable us to reach new markets and strengthen our brand presence worldwide.”

He added, “We plan to launch a new product series in Hong Kong to increase our exposure in the market. We are now actively preparing to enter the Southeast Asian market, with Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam as the first stops, and to expand our business to Australia, Canada and the United States to enhance our market presence.”

For more information about Jianlibao, please visit www.jianlibao.com.cn.

For a copy of the photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327571249.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, continued her visit to Beijing today (July 15). Members of the delegation, including the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Director of Home Affairs, Ms Priscilla To; and the Deputy Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (Home Affairs), Mr Paul Wong, also accompanied her.
      
Miss Mak called on the Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, today and reported on the work of the HYAB. These include the latest developments and future work plans of district governance, youth development and women’s affairs. She expressed gratitude to the HKMAO of the State Council for their support and guidance to the HYAB.

Miss Mak also called on the Vice Minister of the Society Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr He Zhiliang, to exchange views on grassroots governance work. District governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has entered a new phase, and the Government fully implements executive-led governance. The District Councils, “the three district committees” and Care Teams form a troika after improvements to district governance. Under the leadership of the District Officers, they co-operate to serve citizens in need and create synergy. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Home Affairs Department also organise training regularly to enhance District Council (DC) members’ capabilities in discharging their duties, such as arranging visits to Shanghai and Zhejiang for the DC members last year to learn about grassroots governance experiences in the country. Miss Mak said that the HYAB will continue to unite district forces and enhance service efficiency to increase the sense of happiness and contentment of the public.
      
Miss Mak then met with the Vice Minister of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, Mr Wang Zhigang, to exchange views on religious affairs. Miss Mak said that the HKSAR Government maintains close communication with religious groups in Hong Kong. She also pointed out the harmonious relationship between different religious groups and that they not only promote their teachings but also provide education, medical and welfare services, making significant contributions to building a harmonious community.
      
The inauguration ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at Chinese Academy of Sciences was held in the afternoon. The six-week Programme is an important co-operation project co-organised by the HYAB and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It provides Hong Kong youth with high-end scientific research internship opportunities during summer vacation every year.
      
Miss Mak congratulated the 20 Hong Kong young people who stood out in the highly competitive selection process. Speaking at the ceremony, she said that the National 14th Five-Year Plan has established Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre. Seizing the opportunities, the HKSAR Government is committed to nurturing scientific research talents, and the Programme serves as an important step in grooming future technology leaders. Miss Mak expressed her hope that the Programme would inspire students’ passion for scientific research and serve as the starting point for their contributions to the country and Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development in the future.   
        
Miss Mak will visit Hong Kong youth participating in the Mainland legal internship programme sponsored by the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Internship in the Mainland and organised by the International Youth Legal Exchange Federation tomorrow morning (July 16). She will learn about their experiences interning at Mainland law firms and large enterprises. Miss Mak will conclude her trip to Beijing and depart for Sichuan at noon, while several members of the delegation will return to Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

On the second day of a visit to Beijing, Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today called on State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) Executive Deputy Director Xu Qifang and other officials.

 

Miss Mak briefed Mr Xu on the work of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), including ongoing initiatives on district governance, youth development and women’s affairs. She also thanked the HKMAO for its support and guidance.

 

Miss Mak also called on Communist Party of China Central Committee Society Work Department Vice Minister He Zhiliang to exchange views on grassroots governance.

 

The HYAB highlighted that district governance in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has entered a new phase, with executive-led governance being fully implemented. It said that the District Councils, “the three district committees” and Care Teams form a troika, co-operating to serve citizens, under the leadership of District Officers.

 

The HYAB and the Home Affairs Department also conduct training to enhance District Council (DC) members’ capabilities in discharging their duties. Last year, this included arranging visits to Shanghai and Zhejiang for them to learn about grassroots governance on the Mainland.

 

Miss Mak said the HYAB will continue to unite district forces and enhance service efficiency to increase the public’s happiness and contentment.

 

She then met State Administration for Religious Affairs Vice Minister Wang Zhigang to exchange views on religious affairs.

 

Stressing that the Hong Kong SAR Government maintains close communication with religious groups in Hong Kong, she described the harmonious relationships between different religious groups, adding that in addition delivering teachings they provide education, medical and welfare services, making significant contributions to the community.

 

In the afternoon, Miss Mak attended an inauguration ceremony for a Youth Internship Programme at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

 

She highlighted that the six-week programme is an important co-operation project co-organised by the HYAB and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and gives Hong Kong youth high-end scientific research internship opportunities during the summer vacation every year.

 

Miss Mak congratulated the 20 young Hongkongers who made it through a highly competitive selection process.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, she commented the National 14th Five-Year Plan has driven Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology centre.

 

She also outlined that the Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to nurturing scientific research talent.

 

Miss Mak expressed her hope that the programme will nurture students’ passion for scientific research and serve as the starting point for their contributions to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development and to the country.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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

     A cocktail reception between the Legislative Council (LegCo) Members and the Consuls-General (CGs) as well as Honorary Consuls (HCs) in Hong Kong was held today (July 15) in the LegCo Complex, providing an opportunity for them to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

     Before the cocktail reception, the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, conducted a briefing for the attending CGs and HCs on the work of LegCo. He highlighted that the current-term LegCo has enacted a total of 117 bills, which is nearly double the amount compared to the same period of the previous term; and the amount of funding proposals approved exceed HK$650 billion. Mr Leung also emphasized LegCo’s efforts in collaborating with the Government to uphold the rule of law, attract investment and global talent to Hong Kong, advance the development of the Northern Metropolis, develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, support the development of fintech as well as innovation and technology industries, deepen international exchanges and co-operation, among other initiatives. The attending CGs and HCs then toured the Chamber of the LegCo Complex and the enhanced facilities of the LegCo Library. 

     A total of 30 Members attended the cocktail reception. Meanwhile, 37 CGs or their representatives and 11 HCs attended the briefing, guided tour and cocktail reception. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 14) seized about 10 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $5.5 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday inspected an air parcel, declared as carrying mosaic crystal and arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the parcel contained about 10kg of suspected methamphetamine concealed inside.

After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation in Sham Shui Po yesterday and arrested a 21-year-old male consignee and a 30-year-old man who was suspected to be connected with the case. The arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (July 16).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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 Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

​The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (July 15):

Five male patients (aged 65 to 90) of a medicine and geriatrics ward in PMH have been confirmed as carriers of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon testing since July 7. All patients are being treated in isolation. One of the patients has symptoms of infections and in critical condition due to his underlying disease. Two of the other four asymptomatic patients are in stable condition, while the remaining two are in serious condition.

The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
 

1. thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat today (July 15) released the latest issue of the Policy Pulse on “Strategies and edges of Hong Kong in hydrogen development”. This issue provides a brief overview of hydrogen energy development strategies in Hong Kong, the edges of promoting the hydrogen energy industry, the latest progress of improving relevant legislation by the Government, as well as relevant discussions of LegCo along with suggestions by Members.

     LegCo will resume the Second Reading debate on the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2025 tomorrow (July 16). The Bill seeks to regulate the use of hydrogen as fuel to ensure the safe application of hydrogen fuel. It also empowers the Government to introduce new subsidiary legislation to ensure the flexibility of updating the regulatory requirements. The Government intends to introduce subsidiary legislation in 2026 to cover the entire supply chain of hydrogen as fuel. 

     The Policy Pulse highlights that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government actively promotes the development of hydrogen energy, and promulgated the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong last year. Setting out four major strategies of improving legislation, establishing standards, aligning with the market and advancing with prudence, the Strategy aims to create an environment conducive to the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong in an orderly manner, so as to make preparations for the wider application of hydrogen energy in the future.

     With a “zero carbon emissions” feature, hydrogen is a new energy with significant decarbonisation potential. Our country is the largest hydrogen producer in the world, and strives to achieve the “dual carbon” goals of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. The SAR Government also targets to cut carbon emissions by half from the 2005 level before 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The Policy Pulse points out that, with its unique advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as the strengths in scientific research, robust legislation and energy infrastructure, Hong Kong has very great potential to become a demonstration base for the development of hydrogen energy in the country, and facilitate the development of the hydrogen energy industry in the Belt and Road region and other overseas places. In addition, as an international financial centre, Hong Kong can help enterprises with their green transformation by providing green financing and professional services.

     The Policy Pulse also introduces a number of measures by the SAR Government to support research and innovation in the hydrogen energy technology. These include setting up the Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel to co-ordinate the efforts in promoting the local use of hydrogen energy and initiate relevant trial projects. Meanwhile, the Government has launched several funding schemes that cover the research and development of hydrogen energy technology, and actively promotes talent training, technological exchange and application in relevant scientific and technological fields, so as to cultivate professionals with the specialised knowledge and skills to ensure the safe application of hydrogen energy technology.

     LegCo Members have long attached great importance to the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong. In March 2023, LegCo passed a motion advocating the SAR Government to comprehensively promote the development of hydrogen energy industry in Hong Kong. The LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs also visited hydrogen projects during its duty visit to Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the Greater Bay Area) in August of the same year, and has been following up on issues related to hydrogen energy. The Policy Pulse summarises various recommendations made by Members on hydrogen energy development. These include capitalising on the strengths of Hong Kong’s financial services industry to attract capital investment in the city’s hydrogen energy industry and reserve land for development. Furthermore, the Government should take the lead in developing green industries and make use of new development areas as a springboard to bring in quality hydrogen energy industries; formulate relevant policies on hydrogen energy pricing to stimulate demand for hydrogen energy; promote carbon index certification to include hydrogen energy into Hong Kong’s carbon emissions trading market; and actively research and develop local hydrogen production technology, among others.

     The Policy Pulse points out that hydrogen energy is an integral component of the country’s future energy system. Members urge the Government to collaborate with other cities in the Greater Bay Area on the joint research, development and promotion of hydrogen energy development projects to facilitate exchanges and co-operation between the two places across the hydrogen energy industrial chain, with a view to promoting the alignment of the safety monitoring and quality testing standards between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Members also advise the Government to speed up the development of a set of internationally recognised hydrogen energy certification standards, so as to assist the Greater Bay Area and even the entire hydrogen industry in the country to enter the international market.

     The detailed content of “Strategies and edges of Hong Kong in hydrogen development” is available on the LegCo Website. The Policy Pulse, published by the Council Business Divisions of the LegCo Secretariat, covers specific topics and offers a comprehensive overview of related policy developments and summarised discussions in LegCo.