Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Director-General of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises visits Hangzhou and Shanghai to promote Hong Kong’s advantages
During the visit to Hangzhou from May 13 to 15, Mr Yan engaged with several leading enterprises in AI and data science, and cultural and creative industries. Additionally, he met with representatives from the Hangzhou Science and Technology Bureau to explore collaborative opportunities. The discussions focused on how Hong Kong and the Yangtze River Delta region can leverage their respective strengths to fill gaps and capitalise on research opportunities, supported by global talent.
Mr Yan stated, “Hangzhou, renowned for its dynamic technology ecosystem and advanced AI research and development capabilities, has emerged as a key innovation hub in China. The city’s cultural and creative sector has experienced significant growth, particularly in the gaming industry, with recent successes like Black Myth: Wukong exemplifying its ability to fuse Chinese heritage with cutting-edge technology. We encourage more enterprises in the AI and cultural and creative industries to capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantages to expand globally while fostering the vibrant growth of local AI and creative sectors.”
Mr Yan started his visit to Shanghai on the afternoon of May 15. He highlighted the city’s role as a key economic hub and leader in life and health technology, driving innovation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. He emphasised how Hong Kong’s AI and data infrastructure could drive industry growth and foster cross-border collaboration.
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Apart from life and health technology industry leaders, Mr Yan also met with leaders of cultural and creative and advanced manufacturing industries, holding strategic discussions with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology to enhance the innovation ecosystem and foster high-potential ventures.Issued at HKT 19:40
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Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 comes into force
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Amendment Ordinance) was gazetted and came into force today (May 16).
The Amendment Ordinance received its third reading and was passed at the meeting of the Legislative Council last Wednesday. The Amendment Ordinance aims to amend the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance (Cap. 531) (the Ordinance), and seeks to, on one hand, set out a clearer mechanism to regulate reclamations in Victoria Harbour (the Harbour), in particular large-scale reclamations, for protecting the Harbour; and on the other hand, introduce a streamlined mechanism for small-scale reclamations which improve the functions and harbourfront of the Harbour as well as non-permanent reclamations in the Harbour, in order to facilitate and promote harbourfront enhancement for public enjoyment and to strengthen harbour functions.
According to the amended Ordinance, harbour enhancement reclamations and harbour non-permanent reclamations meeting certain criteria and are in the public interest, may be granted with exemption from the “Presumption against Reclamation” (the Presumption) by the Financial Secretary under the streamlined mechanism to facilitate these works which could benefit the community.
Other reclamations in the Harbour will still be subject to the stringent Presumption. To rebut the Presumption, it is not only necessary to consider the three considerations set out in earlier court judgment (which are now incorporated as part of the Ordinance), it is also obligatory to comply with the new statutory procedures, which include: to prepare an assessment on the “overriding public need” of the project, to publish the report for public comments and to submit the report and the comments received to the Chief Executive in Council for determination on whether the Presumption is rebutted.
A spokesperson for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said, all along, if any government departments or other persons have proposals to carry out reclamations in the Harbour, they must first be considered and approved (if granted) by the Government in accordance with the Ordinance. The amended Ordinance will more effectively regulate the Government in exercising the power to pursue reclamations in the Harbour. On the other hand, the amendments of the Ordinance do not change the right of members of the public in applying for judicial review against the decision of the Administration.
The spokesperson said, the Amendment Ordinance demonstrates the Government’s commitment to protecting Victoria Harbour, and also provides a more solid legal basis for the long-term protection of the Harbour. Moreover, the Government will have greater flexibility in connecting the harbourfront and enhancing the harbour functions, which will promote the better use of harbourfront resources, and creating with the community a Victoria harbourfront that everyone could be proud of. The Government has reiterated that there is no plan to initiate large-scale harbour reclamations to form land for housing, commercial or industrial developments.
With the amendments to the Ordinance coming into force, the DEVB and relevant departments are finalising the administrative guidelines, which will be completed and published within two months. During the consultation and examination of the legislative amendments, the Government received a number of suggestions on how to improve the harbourfront on both sides of the Harbour. The Government noted the views received. Subject to the availability of resources, the Government will exchange ideas with various sectors, with a view to leveraging the facilitations brought by the streamlined mechanism for taking forward more works that are conducive to the public’s enjoyment of the Victoria harbourfront.
Hong Kong’s first multi-storey, modernised, and environment-friendly pig farming project to hold briefing session and accept applications
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong’s first multi-storey, modernised, and environment-friendly pig farming project to hold briefing session and accept applicationsIssued at HKT 18:50
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HK seeking sustainable trade: SCED
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau gave a speech today at a session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Jeju, South Korea.
At a session themed “Prosperity through Sustainable Trade”, Mr Yau said that supply chains are the driving force of today’s global economy but are also highly sensitive and vulnerable to external shocks.
He outlined that Hong Kong, as an international shipping and logistics hub, has been implementing various measures to support sustainable supply chains, including “Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050” and a roadmap for sustainability disclosure.
“In parallel, enabling initiatives have been rolled out to equip micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the means to manage their environmental footprint and encourage market participants to improve sustainable business practices,” he said. “Funding schemes and capacity-building programmes have also been put in place to encourage the adoption of digital technologies by MSMEs to facilitate the digital transformation of supply chains.”
The commerce chief stressed that the issue of supply chains has always been an integral part of APEC discussions, adding that APEC’s role is even more important now than ever as cross-boundary trade and investments and supply chains face uncertainty and unprecedented challenges.
Mr Yau said he believes the collective goal of strengthening sustainable supply chains should never be a trade-off between sustainability and trade, but rather a synergy between the two. He emphasised that Hong Kong is committed to working with all member economies to drive progress towards shared prosperity through sustainable trade.
On the sidelines of the MRT Meeting, Mr Yau held a bilateral meeting with Japanese State Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry Ogushi Masaki to discuss various trade and economic issues.
Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning.
Launch of Port Community System project to drive smart port development (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Launch of Port Community System project to drive smart port development Issued at HKT 18:40
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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products (with photo)
Customs officer arrested a 49-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on February 17. A total of about 25 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 113 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $420,000 and a duty potential of about $83,000 in total, were seized from his personal baggage.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid tobacco commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:15
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Alert issued on fake Treasury texts
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Treasury Department today alerted the public to fraudulent SMS messages purportedly issued by the department which ask recipients to pay a fixed penalty offence via a hyperlink provided.
The department said it has no connection with the fraudulent SMS messages and has reported the case to Police for further investigation.
It reminded the public that the Treasury will not send SMS messages to ask recipients to settle payments via hyperlinks.
Postal services to Malta return to normal
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Post announced today (May 16) that, as advised by the postal administration of Malta, mail delivery services previously impacted by the implementation of a new import system by the local customs have returned to normal.
Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co Ltd to establish international headquarters and R&D centre in Hong Kong to provide hydrogen energy solutions (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
One of the strategic enterprises under the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co Ltd, officially inaugurated its Hong Kong office (Guofu Hydrogen Energy (Hong Kong) Development Co Limited) today (May 16). Guofu Hydrogen Energy plans to establish its international headquarters and research and development platform in Hong Kong, leveraging the city’s strengths as an international financial centre and innovation and technology (I&T) hub to expand its hydrogen energy business and related solutions.
The Deputy Chief Manager (Advanced Manufacturing and New Energy Technology) of OASES, Mr Eric Leung, attended the inauguration ceremony and stated, “As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, Hong Kong is committed to promoting sustainable development and the application of green energy technologies. Guofu Hydrogen Energy’s decision to establish its international headquarters and R&D platform in Hong Kong not only underscores the city’s dedication to green and new energy technology development but also further affirms its role as a bridge connecting the Mainland and international markets.”
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The President of Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co Ltd, Mr Wu Pinfang, said, “Hong Kong boasts a well-established legal system, an excellent business environment, and unique advantages in connecting the Mainland with global markets, making it an ideal choice for our business expansion. At present, Guofu Hydrogen Energy is leveraging Hong Kong’s regional advantages and global industry policies to advance the development of a global supply chain centre for hydrogen energy equipment.”
Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co Ltd, established in June 2016 with its headquarters in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, is a leading hydrogen energy storage and transportation equipment manufacturer and comprehensive industry chain solution provider in China. The company focuses on the research and development and manufacturing of core equipment for the entire hydrogen energy “production, storage, transportation, refuelling, and utilization” industry chain. Its product line covers water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, vehicle hydrogen supply systems (including high-pressure/liquid hydrogen storage cylinders), complete hydrogen refuelling station equipment, liquid hydrogen storage and transportation containers, and hydrogen liquefaction plant solutions.
For more information about Guofu Hydrogen Energy, please visit www.guofuhee.com.
Senior Appointment at Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (May 16) that the Financial Secretary, on the advice of the Governance Sub-Committee of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, has approved the extension of Mr Howard Lee’s appointment as Deputy Chief Executive for two years beyond the normal retirement age, effective October 2025. Mr Lee will continue to be responsible for reserves management, financial infrastructure and fintech development at the HKMA. He is also an Executive Director of the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited.
Issued at HKT 16:46