Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SCED: Hong Kong as go global platform creates vast opportunities for both Mainland and Malaysian businesses
The visit is one of the outbound missions organised by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) under Mr Yau’s steer to enable Mainland enterprises looking to go global to visit overseas markets to gain a better understanding of the local market situation.
In the morning, the delegation attended a business seminar cum networking lunch organised by Invest Hong Kong. The event provided a platform for connecting the visiting Mainland delegates with potential Malaysian partners across sectors and for exchanging experiences among Mainland enterprises, local and Hong Kong business leaders and professional service providers on unlocking cross-border opportunities through Hong Kong.
Delivering his opening remarks at the event, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong has always been serving as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” connecting the East and the West, and bringing together both capital and opportunities. With this strategic role, coupled with the many strengths of Hong Kong, the city is prepared to serve as the ideal springboard linking the Mainland and Malaysia.
On this note, Mr Yau shared with participants the work of the GoGlobal Task Force, set up last October to assist Mainland enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, including Malaysia, through Hong Kong, and the vast opportunities for Malaysian businesses and industries to join hands with Mainland counterparts wishing to establish a presence in Malaysia.
“For instance, Malaysian business and professional service providers will benefit from the new demand for services from incoming Chinese Mainland enterprises. Enterprises from both countries can form joint ventures and partnerships to jointly expand businesses in Malaysia and across the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, or reciprocally venture into the Chinese Mainland market,” he noted.
“The key is that, we see new opportunities arising from collaboration and investment from Chinese Mainland companies, and this collaboration will translate into stronger bonding and mutual benefits that will be a win-win outcome for both countries.”
Other guests attending the seminar included the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Sim Tze Tzin; the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Mr Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, and the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau. The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, also attended and moderated a cross-professional forum.
Witnessed by Mr Yau and Mr Sim, Invest Hong Kong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MIDA to enhance co-operation on the sidelines of the seminar. Members of the delegation also exchanged two MOUs with local enterprises and chambers of commerce separately.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Ant International, and met with Senior Vice President of the company and the Chief Executive Officer of Antom, Mr Gary Liu, to learn more about its latest development, particularly its innovative digitisation solutions empowering SMEs in Malaysia and also Mainland companies going global. Both sides also exchanged views on fostering partnership between Mainland and Malaysian enterprises via Hong Kong as a platform.
The delegation then proceeded to visit Hong Leong Manufacturing Group, one of the country’s largest diversified conglomerates engaging in automotive, semiconductors and building materials businesses, where they met and had an exchange with the President of the Group, Mr Kwek Leng San, to learn more about the group’s latest business strategy and the local market situation.
In the evening, Mr Yau had a dinner meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong, to get an update on the latest economic development of Malaysia and exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Malaysia, and ASEAN as a whole amid the change in the global economic landscape.
Mr Yau will attend the signing ceremony of an MOU between the Hong Kong Competition Commission and the Malaysia Competition Commission tomorrow (August 13) before returning to Hong Kong.
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Fatal traffic accident in Tin Sum
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fatal traffic accident in Tin Sum
Police received a report at about 3.20pm that a 71-year-old man reportedly collapsed while driving a coach inside Shing Mun Tunnels towards Tsuen Wan bound tunnel tube. The coach suspectedly lost control and rammed into a kerb inside the tunnel.
Sustaining no superficial injury, the coach driver was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 5.13pm on the same day.
Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1344.
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Hong Kong Customs organises Customs YES summer tour to Hainan (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs organises Customs YES summer tour to Hainan
The delegation visited the Wenchang Yaoguang Rocket Viewing Platform to witness the launch of a national satellite up close, and was briefed on national aerospace development matters by an aerospace expert. The delegation also toured the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site and the iSpace AITR Factory for Reusable Launch Vehicles to learn about rocket launch procedures and aerospace base operations, as well as the strategic positioning of the commercial aerospace industry under the National 15th Five-Year Plan. In addition, members participated in space food tasting and simulated spacesuit experiences at the Hainan Aerospace Shenzhou Science and Technology Museum.
As 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 100th anniversary of the convening of the First Qiongya Congress of the CPC, the delegation visited the former site of the Congress and the Hainan Chronicles Museum to gain a detailed understanding of the revolutionary history of the CPC in Qiongya and Hainan Province’s development journey. The delegation also visited various prominent historical and cultural landmarks, including the Hainan Museum, the Wenchang Confucian Temple, the Haikou Clock Tower and Qilou Old Street, experiencing the city’s vibrancy and the historical and cultural ambience in Hainan.
To deepen members’ understanding of the Hainan FTP and national development strategies, the delegation visited the Wenchang Base of Animal and Plant Quarantine Centre of Haikou Customs District, the centralised inspection site of the Xinhaigang and Nangang “Second-Line Port” (for freight) in Haikou to learn about the infrastructure of the Hainan FTP, island-wide special customs operations and related customs supervision arrangements. Members also visited the Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex, the Huawei Hainan Digital Experience Centre and the Sanya Yazhou Bay Deep Sea Museum of Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City to understand the development opportunities for enterprises arising from the Hainan FTP’s duty-free policies and trade facilitation measures, as well as the key directions in building a strong maritime nation under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
To learn about the sustainable development and ecological conservation work in Hainan, members visited the Leiqiong Global Geopark, the Blue Ocean Conservation and Rescue Centre and the Sanya Coral Reef Ecology Institute, which also deepened their understanding of the sustainable tourism development policies in Hainan. The delegation then proceeded to the Yazhou District National Modern Agriculture (Seed Industry) Industrial Park to experience farming activities, allowing them to learn about the national agricultural modernisation through action.
This study tour received partial funding from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission. It is also one of the Tour to the Motherland for a Hundred Youth activities organised by Hong Kong Customs. Customs YES will continue to organise various activities in the future, in alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the relevant directions of the first Hong Kong Five-Year Plan being formulated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, with aims to broaden the horizons of young people, enhance their understanding of the national development and the positioning of Hong Kong’s development, encourage them to proactively equip themselves and give full play to their strengths, and actively integrate into the country’s overall development.
During the tour, Mr Chan also met with the Director General in the Haikou Customs District, Mr Liu Yangwu, to have comprehensive discussions and exchanges on matters including customs supervision under the Hainan FTP, Authorized Economic Operators and trade facilitation measures.
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Singapore ETO supports Asian Youth Orchestra’s Hanoi concerts to foster cultural exchanges (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Singapore ETO supports Asian Youth Orchestra’s Hanoi concerts to foster cultural exchanges
The tour runs from August 2 to 23, comprising 11 performances in nine cities, including Hanoi, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo. This year’s orchestra comprises about 100 young musicians from 13 countries and regions across Asia, namely the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, etc.
The first Hanoi concert was held at the Ho Guom Opera House yesterday evening (August 12). Under the baton of guest conductor John Axelrod and featuring pianist Stephan Xie, winner of the 2025 Tianjin Juilliard Piano Festival, the orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s “Capriccio Italien”, Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” and Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5”. The concert attracted an audience of about 700 and was well received.
As part of its efforts to promote cultural exchanges and deepen Hong Kong’s ties with Vietnam, the Singapore ETO invited the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr He Wei, and his wife, Ms Sun Chang, as well as representatives from the Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the local business and cultural sectors, chambers of commerce and the Hong Kong community in Vietnam, to attend the concert.
The Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, also attended the concert in Hanoi this evening to show her support for the AYO. She also met Hong Kong members of the orchestra to learn more about their participation in the tour and offered encouragement to the young musicians.
Ms Hung said that the Singapore ETO was pleased to support the AYO in bringing its young musicians and music to audiences in Vietnam. The Hanoi concerts not only provide the young musicians with valuable opportunities to showcase their talent on an international stage, but also promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Hong Kong and Vietnam through music.
She added that Hong Kong, as an East-meets-West centre for international arts and cultural exchanges, has a vibrant arts and cultural scene with strong international connections. The Singapore ETO will continue to support Hong Kong artists and arts groups in reaching out to audiences in Southeast Asia and promote exchanges and collaboration between Hong Kong and the region.
The AYO will stage its second concert at the Ho Guom Opera House today (August 13), under the baton of its Principal Conductor, Joseph Bastian, and will feature pianist Anna Tsybuleva.
Founded in Hong Kong, the AYO brings together outstanding young musicians from across Asia through auditions. Each summer, members of the orchestra undergo an intensive period of rehearsals and training before embarking on an international concert tour, performing under distinguished conductors and alongside renowned soloists. Since its inaugural concerts in 1990, the AYO has performed extensively in Asia and beyond and has played an important role in nurturing young musical talent and fostering cultural exchange through music.
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CE mourns Zhu Rongji
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee today expressed profound sorrow over the passing of former Premier Zhu Rongji.
Mr Lee noted that Premier Zhu had always held the development of Hong Kong close to his heart and supported the city’s growth. Premier Zhu had visited Hong Kong on multiple occasions in his different positions, reaching out to Hong Kong people from all walks of life.
He said that Premier Zhu had remained committed to firmly upholding the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Mr Lee added that Premier Zhu had supported Hong Kong during his premiership in staying united and striving to leverage its strengths amid such challenges as the Asian financial crisis, resolutely upholding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong as an international financial centre.
“I am sincerely grateful for his care and support for Hong Kong’s economic and social development over the years.
“I am profoundly saddened by the passing of former Premier Zhu. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I extend my deepest condolences to his family,” he said.
Opportunities explored in Malaysia
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today led a business delegation to explore new economic opportunities in Malaysia.
The group includes representatives from Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong chambers of commerce and other key industry organisations. The visit was organised by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, which is jointly led by Mr Yau and Invest Hong Kong.
The visit began with a business seminar and networking lunch hosted by Invest Hong Kong. The event provided Mainland delegates with direct networking access to potential Malaysian business partners.
Delivering his opening remarks, Mr Yau highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” that links capital and opportunities between the East and the West. “With this strategic role, coupled with the many strengths of Hong Kong, Hong Kong is prepared to serve as the ideal springboard linking the Chinese Mainland and Malaysia,” he said.
On the sidelines of the seminar, Invest Hong Kong signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority to deepen bilateral co-operation. The signing was witnessed by Mr Yau and Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry.
Director-General of Investment Promotion Alpha Lau described the trip as a major success in helping Mainland enterprises leverage Hong Kong to expand into Malaysia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. She noted that the delegation attended the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s “Think Business, Think Hong Kong” event to meet local business leaders.
“Malaysia being a very key economy within the ASEAN region, we arranged for them to meet not only the government agencies, but also to meet potential key partners.
“More ASEAN companies are now also using Hong Kong as a platform to expand further into the Greater Bay Area, or the Chinese Mainland as a whole, and some of them even use Hong Kong to further develop their business in the rest of the world,” she added.
Mainland delegates hailed the trip as fruitful.
Communications executive Athena Zhao called the task force an accelerator for companies going global, noting its help in connecting businesses with crucial legal and financial services.
Mainland technology executive Max Zhao added that official government endorsement provided direct access to senior-level local counterparts.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Ant International to learn about digital solutions empowering small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia. They exchanged views on fostering partnerships via Hong Kong with Antom Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Liu.
The group also visited Hong Leong Manufacturing Group, one of Malaysia’s largest diversified conglomerates, to discuss market strategies with Group President Kwek Leng San.
In the evening, Mr Yau held a dinner meeting with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Finance Liew Chin Tong to discuss economic trends and exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong, Malaysia and ASEAN.
Mr Yau will attend an MOU signing ceremony between the competition commissions of Hong Kong and Malaysia tomorrow before returning to Hong Kong.
Tax amendment bill clarified
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau today confirmed that remuneration distributed by proprietary trading businesses does not qualify for tax concessions proposed under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The Government introduced the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Preferential Tax Regimes for Funds, Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles and Carried Interest) Bill 2026 into the Legislative Council (LegCo) in June. The bill aims to enhance preferential tax regimes for privately offered funds, family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by single family offices, and carried interest.
A key measure involves expanding the scope of the preferential tax regime for carried interest. Beyond currently covered private equity investments, other eligible fund profits may also yield eligible carried interest, qualifying for profits tax and salaries tax concessions.
Responding to media enquiries, the bureau noted that the preferential regime applies only to eligible carried interest distributed by funds as defined under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO).
Under the IRO, a fund must generally satisfy the requirement that participating persons do not have day-to-day control over property management. A business trading or holding assets using proprietary capital to generate profits for its own account – commonly known as proprietary trading – fails to meet this definition. Remuneration from such businesses is therefore excluded from the proposed tax concessions.
The bureau added that eligible carried interest must be determined by the fund’s operating or investment management agreement. The returns received by fund managers or qualifying employees must be non-discretionary and based on investment performance. Eligible investment management services include seeking capital for the fund, researching and advising on potential investments, acquiring, managing or disposing of fund property, and assisting investee entities in raising capital.
The bill also proposes refining distribution requirements to accommodate different practical arrangements for carried interest.
The LegCo Bills Committee has completed its clause-by-clause examination of the bill. The Government aims to resume the second reading debate within the second half of this year, with the measures taking effect from the year of assessment 2025/26. The Government has no plans to further expand the scope of these preferential measures.
The bureau stated that the Government maintains close liaison with the industry to explain the policy intent. Active dialogue with stakeholders on implementation details will continue. The enhancements are expected to attract more global capital and encourage more funds to be established and operate in Hong Kong.
EMSD announces test results of LPG quality in July 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 10) announced that the department collected seven liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples from auto-LPG filling stations and LPG terminals on a random basis in July 2026 for laboratory tests. The results show that the LPG quality of all these samples complied with auto-LPG specifications.
The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/publications/general/results_of_lpg_sample_analysis/index.html). Enquiries can also be made to the EMSD’s hotline on 2333 3762.
In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.
HKTE visits New Zealand and Australia to attract talent (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan, led a delegation to visit New Zealand and Australia from July 29 to August 7 to attract local talent to pursue their careers in Hong Kong.
The HKTE delegation met with representatives from five top 100 universities, namely the University of Auckland in New Zealand, Monash University and the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia, as well as the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia. The delegation organised five promotional events, and participated in career fairs hosted by three of these universities to introduce various talent admission schemes as well as development opportunities and prospects in Hong Kong to students and alumni of the universities.
HKTE also co-organised two start-up roundtable sessions with Invest Hong Kong in Melbourne and Sydney to present to local start-up representatives the entrepreneurship development and financing opportunities in Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and a talent engagement event with the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association in Auckland.
In addition, HKTE invited a representative from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation to join the delegation to outline industry development and opportunities in Hong Kong, as well as an Australian practising accountant who is also an innovation and technology entrepreneur, and a New Zealand talent living in Hong Kong, to share their experiences in starting a business, working and settling in the city.
Mr Chan said that the visit focused on attracting talent in biotechnology and professional services sectors. HKTE will continue to attract professionals needed by Hong Kong and help them settle in the city, thereby supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international hub for high-calibre talent.
Allowing dogs to enter restaurants running smooth in first month
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The new measure of allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants has been implemented for one month since July 9. A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (August 9) that during this one-month adaptation period, the overall operation was generally smooth with a satisfactory level of compliance. Members of the public and restaurants made their choices according to their preferences and needs, and have gradually adapted to the new arrangement.
The spokesman pointed out that the first phase of the new measure sets a quota of 1 000 restaurants, and the number of permitted restaurants has increased from about 940 at the beginning to over 980 at present, reflecting the steady and continuous implementation of the measure in responding to community aspirations. However, the FEHD reminded operators that before applying for allowing dogs to enter, they must carefully consider the market positioning, customer base, and operational conditions of their restaurants, and make sufficient preparations before implementation to achieve the intended outcomes. A waiting list mechanism is established under the policy to ensure that when individual restaurants decide to withdraw, the released quotas can be reallocated swiftly and in an orderly manner.
The spokesman added that it was within expectations that assistance from the department regarding compliance with relevant regulations would be needed in the initial stage of implementation. Following continuous inspections, publicity, and education by the department, individual non-compliant behaviors have been properly rectified. As the adaptation period ends today, the department will conduct flexible inspections based on risk assessments. If non-compliance is detected, enforcement action will be taken immediately without prior warning.
Over the past month, FEHD’s dedicated team continued to inspect restaurants across various districts to provide support to each permitted restaurants, as well as enhance the compliance awareness of them and customers through publicity and education. All parties were generally able to comply with the relevant regulations. As of August 8, dedicated officers have conducted about 29 600 inspections of permitted restaurants across various districts, issued a total of 77 verbal warnings, and taken enforcement actions against serious non-compliance behaviors, including issuing warning letters to licensees of three permitted restaurants for persistent non-compliance of cooking or heating food on dining tables, and instituting two prosecutions against failure to securely hold dogs on leashes. In addition, dedicated officers also proactively inspected non-permitted restaurants, and instituted prosecutions against six of them in breach of the regulation for allowing dogs to enter.
The FEHD emphasised that both restaurants and customers must abide by the law and regulations, and expressed hope that all parties will respect each other, earnestly fulfill their respective responsibilities, and jointly promote pet inclusivity.