Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Remarks by DSJ at 61st session of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva (English only) (with photo)
Joining him for the meeting were representatives of the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau and the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. Officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attended the meeting as members of the Chinese delegation.
Following are the remarks by Dr Cheung at the session.
Agenda item 4 general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Mr President,
The implementation of the National Security Law has successfully safeguarded national sovereignty and security, and ensured long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, China.
It is every sovereign state’s inherent right to enact national security laws. China is no exception. For example, the United Kingdom has at least 14 pieces of national security legislation, including the sweeping National Security Act of 2023. It is hypocritical of any country to demand another country to repeal its own national security law and leave it defenseless.
Jimmy Lai’s case was mentioned yesterday. I am obliged to point out that he was defended by a team of lawyers of his own choice and received a fair trial for his offences endangering national security. The court’s verdict and sentence were published with detailed reasons, for which he chose not to appeal. Lai has received appropriate treatment in custody and never made any complaint. Any suggestion that certain individuals should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.
All in all, we oppose the biased allegations concerning Hong Kong’s situation, which have ignored the objective facts demonstrating our remarkable achievements.
Mr President, let me share with you some figures. Last year, Hong Kong was ranked the world’s freest economy, No.1 in global IPO (initial public offering) market rankings, and No.1 as Asia’s largest hedge fund hub and cross-boundary wealth management centre.
The common law system of Hong Kong is internationally renowned. Hong Kong was ranked the second-most preferred seat of arbitration worldwide last year. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently, fairly, impartially and openly. Judgments of the Court of Final Appeal were cited as persuasive authorities in overseas common law jurisdictions on close to 50 occasions in the past six years.
These are testaments to the trust and confidence that businesses and people have in the freedom, stability and the rule of law of Hong Kong.
We will continue to safeguard national security and protect legitimate rights and interests of all individuals. Thank you, Mr President.
Agenda item 5 general debate on human rights bodies and mechanism
Mr Vice-President,
China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue and co-operation on human rights issues within the UN framework on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
The human rights of Hong Kong residents are constitutionally guaranteed and protected under the National Security Law. The provisions of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) as applied to Hong Kong are incorporated in local law.
Human rights protection is further underpinned by the rule of law and the Judiciary which acts impartially and independently.
Since the enactment of the National Security Law over five years ago, prosecutions for national security offences constituted less than 0.2 per cent of all criminal proceedings.
We note that the representative of the Netherlands mentioned Chow Hang-tung’s case. We urge member states to respect the rule of law and refrain from interfering with on-going legal proceedings in Hong Kong’s court.
We are firmly committed as ever to the protection of human rights and always seek to make improvements based on actual circumstances. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 22:20
NNNN
Global talent week commences
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week), which highlights Hong Kong’s position and advantages as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent, commenced today.
Organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), the GTS Week’s two flagship events, the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo, are running today and tomorrow. From now until March 29, HKTE will also collaborate with local and overseas partners to host nine satellite events focusing on the integration of education, technology and talent.
Addressing the GTS Week opening ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee pointed out that Hong Kong is fast rising as an international talent hub, driven by a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy that integrates talent development with economic transformation, technological advancement and regional co-operation.
While economic indicators and technological achievements are important, human development remains the ultimate goal, the Chief Executive stressed, noting that policies in education, innovation and infrastructure will be further refined to ensure Hong Kong remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, where global talent feels welcomed, valued and supported.
The city will continue to uphold openness, deepen international engagement and align closely with national development strategies, he added.
Vice Minister of Human Resources & Social Security Yu Jiadong said in his speech that Hong Kong, in recent years, has been fully committed to boosting the economy, proactively attracting talent, leveraging the role as the country’s gateway for talent. He remarked that this year’s GTS Week has successfully established an important platform for all parties to exchange experiences, providing strong support for accelerating the development of a high-calibre talent hub.
Prior to the GTS Week’s opening session, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun accompanied Mainland official delegates to tour the CareerConnect Expo. They visited the HKTE exhibition area, as well as the thematic zones for education, technology and talent.
The GTS Week will continue tomorrow, with the International Talent Forum themed “Connecting Global Minds” to be webcast live, and the CareerConnect Expo to be open from 10am to 5.30pm at Hall 3F of the Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Speech by CE at Global Talent Summit Week (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by CE at Global Talent Summit Week (English only)
Honorable Vice Minister Yu Jiadong (Vice Minister of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security), Professor Gong Qihuang (President of Peking University), Director Chen Wei (Director of Bureau IV of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council), Nobel Laureate Professor Christopher A Pissarides (Nobel Laureate; Regius Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, London School of Economics), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong for Global Talent Summit Week, the second edition.
This year, we welcome some 7 000 of you from around the world. You are here because Hong Kong is fast rising as an international talent hub. This week, you will see exactly why.
Global Talent Summit Week features the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo. The Forum, under the theme “Connecting Global Minds”, puts a welcome spotlight on education, technology and talent, and their essential integration.
CareerConnect Expo offers five thematic zones and participation from about 70 companies, education and technology institutions and government departments. Companies engage directly with professionals seeking fresh opportunities and partnerships, here in Hong Kong and in the Greater Bay Area.
New this year are nine satellite events, focused on talent and human resources. They include conferences, recruitment fairs and corporate award ceremonies.
The collective result, I’m confident, will be a week, and more, of high-powered insight and intelligence covering careers, talent development and wide-ranging possibilities.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a time of profound global transformation, with artificial intelligence, digital innovation and accelerated technological advancements reshaping industries and redefining skills. Equally unsettling is the impact of demographic change on global talent.
Finding and retaining talent have become central to economic strategy and public policy worldwide. Governments and companies alike recognise that competitiveness no longer depends solely on capital or physical infrastructure, but above all, on people, their knowledge, creativity and adaptability.
Hong Kong, I’m here to tell you, approaches this global challenge with clarity, commitment and determination.
Thanks to the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong benefits from the strong support of our country, China, while maintaining extensive international connectivity.
This unique advantage allows us to remain a highly open, globally engaged economy, firmly anchored within the high-quality development of our country.
We serve as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, connecting the Chinese Mainland and global markets, enabling the free flow of capital, information, technology and people. International companies and investors access opportunities in our country through Hong Kong, while Chinese Mainland enterprises engage confidently with the world here.
And guided by the national strategy, we are strengthening our roles and focus, enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre and an international aviation hub, and, among others, building an international hub for high-calibre talent. These policy priorities offer high-quality and high-value opportunities for global talent across a wide range of disciplines.
Our strategy is comprehensive and forward looking. We integrate talent development with economic transformation, technological advancement and regional co-operation.
We are expanding partnerships among universities, research institutions and industries to accelerate innovation, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship.
Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100. Remind you Hong Kong is a small city; we only have 1 100 square kilometres. Building on this international recognition, we are increasing pathways for graduates and researchers to translate knowledge into practical solutions and enterprises.
We are fast-tracking development of the Northern Metropolis – an area bordering Shenzhen and covering one third of Hong Kong’s landmass – as an international innovation and technology centre.
We are developing co-operation within the Greater Bay Area, which is an area with a combined population of over 87 million and a strong manufacturing and innovation base across 11 cities. The Greater Bay Area offers immense opportunities for cross-boundary collaboration and talent mobility.
No less important, Hong Kong remains firmly committed to openness and internationalisation. Our rule of law, independent judiciary and dependable institutions provide stability and confidence.
Our simple and competitive tax regime, and open and internationalised business environment, attract companies and investors from around the world.
Quality of life is another Hong Kong strength. We offer world-class public services and transport, together with a bountiful, East-meets-West cultural scene.
Our efforts, I’m pleased to say, have been widely recognised. In the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025, Hong Kong rose to fourth, globally, from ninth position the year before, while ranking first in Asia.
This achievement reflects the strength of our education system, the openness of our economy and the vitality of our institutions. It reflects a telling vote of confidence from global talent.
As of the end of February, we have approved over 410 000 applications under our various talent admission schemes. And more than 270 000 professionals have arrived in Hong Kong.
Building a global talent hub requires constant renewal, active engagement and sustained collaboration. Global Talent Summit Week fully embodies this commitment, turning the entire week into a dynamic exchange of ideas and opportunities.
In connecting policymakers, industry leaders, scholars and professionals, it creates networks and partnerships that will endure long beyond this week.
But even as global competition for talent intensifies, our objective should not be to outcompete one another. Rather, our goal must be to expand opportunities through co-operation and shared progress.
Hong Kong has long embodied that ideal. And we will continue to uphold openness, deepen international engagement and align closely with our national development strategies.
We will further refine our policies in education, innovation and infrastructure, ensuring that our city remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, that talent from around the world feels welcomed, valued and supported here.
Above all, we will continue to place people at the centre of our vision for the future. Economic indicators and technological achievements are important, but human development remains our ultimate goal.
When individuals are free to realise their potential, innovation flourishes, economies develop and advance and societies thrive.
Ladies and gentlemen, Global Talent Summit Week reflects our shared belief that talent transcends borders and connects the world.
I wish you all a productive and inspiring Summit Week. And find time to enjoy the art, culture and entertainment that Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, has long been celebrated for. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 11:42
NNNN
Keynote speech by SCST at Hong Kong Tourism Overview 2026 (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the keynote speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Hong Kong Tourism Overview (TO) 2026 today (March 18):
Dr Peter Lam (Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)), distinguished guests, industry leaders, friends from the travel industry, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my absolute pleasure to join you today. Honestly, I cannot believe that this is already my second TO attended in the capacity of Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Last year, I shared three messages at the TO. I said, firstly, that we must effectively capitalise on our motherland’s strong support. Secondly, I said we must savour our traditional strengths and reinvent them into new offerings. Thirdly, I said I invited everyone to be a tourism ambassador and, as such, Hong Kong’s success lies with us all. With these in mind, we had a very industrious year, and I believe it is in order for the tourism trade collectively to congratulate ourselves on a job very well done!
Review of 2025 and snapshot of Q1 2026
Under the strong leadership of Dr Peter Lam, and the hard work of Anthony Lau (Executive Director of HKTB) and his team, I’d like to call this “the returning of the heavyweights” (重磅回歸, pun intended). We laid incredible groundwork, which resulted in the impressive report card that was just outlined by Peter – Hong Kong welcomed 49.9 million visitors, a robust 12 per cent increase over 2024. As an illustration, the 2025 episode of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival earned Hong Kong much praise, and saw a 30 per cent growth in terms of daily average attendance and a 40 per cent growth in terms of daily token spending. Many guests named it one of the best wine and dine festivals they have ever attended and already looked forward to returning this year. We showed the world loud and clear: Hong Kong is back, and back big time! This year, 2026, is the Year of the Horse. In Chinese culture, the horse signifies a force of nature, representing vitality, unbridled energy, with tireless drive to forge ahead for success.
We have already kick-started this year with incredible momentum. From the pulsing energy of the Chinese New Year (CNY) Night Parade and the breathtaking fireworks over Victoria Harbour to the CNY race day in Sha Tin, visitor arrivals for the first two months of 2026 surged 18 per cent year on year; that is to say nearly 10 million visitors have already visited Hong Kong this year. So, true to the Chinese zodiac sign, 2026 is our year to gallop, and today, here at the TO, we are sharing with you our roadmap for this thrilling ride.
First of all, our target. In 2026, we expect annual visitor arrivals to reach 53.8 million, representing an increase of approximately 8 per cent over 2025. Looking at the vibrancy of our streets and our packed events calendar, I have full confidence that this target is within our reach quantitatively. But we are not just chasing numbers; we are pursuing value, quality and lasting impact. Today’s travellers crave unique experiences that money alone cannot necessarily buy. For example, they want to feel the thunder of drums at dragon boat races on Victoria Harbour; the electric buzz as a top-ranking, purebred, fine horse charges to victory at Happy Valley or Sha Tin. They seek emotional resonance – a scene of the old Hong Kong they saw on a TV drama or movie during their childhood, or a taste of pineapple char siu bun in either a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant or your typical cha chaan teng around the street corner. Young or mature, today’s tourists are discerning, digitally savvy, and demand authenticity. If they have a common purpose, it is to take a wonderful story home.
So what should we do to give our tourists a good time, a wonderful story? I say we propel Hong Kong into a new era of quality upgrades and deep integration of culture, sports and tourism, in full alignment with our nation’s freshly announced 15th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong is evolving from a destination on our own into a premier show window for our motherland.
Specifically, we embrace the concept of “+Tourism”. In essence, this is a strategic pivot: take the sectors where Hong Kong already shines – culture, sports and mega events – and apply the “+Tourism” multiplier to unlock their full potential. It is about weaving our rich cultural heritage, stunning city and natural landscapes, and adrenaline-pumping sports events into one unforgettable tapestry.
Dominating the mega events calendar
First, let’s talk about the engine driving Hong Kong tourism forward in 2026 – mega events.
We are earnestly solidifying our status as a year-round, world-class capital of mega events.
At the heart of our cultural beat is the return of Art March. With an expanded footprint, the Hong Kong Arts Festival kicks off the cultural calendar, presenting over 45 productions, featuring more than 1 100 international and local artists. We are showcasing Asian premieres of world-renowned works alongside original local productions across music, opera, dance, theatre and Chinese performing arts. If your heart is set on grabbing a piece of art to take home, ComplexCon, Art Central, and of course Art Basel will soon take the stage one by one, turning our entire city into a living gallery of fine works of all kinds.
We are also in the golden era of sports tourism. Just in the last 10 weeks, we have already witnessed the success of the Hong Kong Marathon, Hong Kong International Horse Show, World Snooker Grand Prix and LIV Golf Hong Kong. And the spectacle doesn’t stop here.
This coming Sunday, March 22, all eyes will be on the Hong Kong Derby. As the pinnacle of the four-year-old classic series, we are positioning it as more than a race under our “+Tourism” strategy. Imagine high-value visitors flying in for the thrill of the races, then exploring Art Basel, and capping the night with Michelin-starred dining. That is one facet of Hong Kong lifestyles that surely mesmerises.
And in just a few weeks, we will feel the ground shaking with passion as the Hong Kong Sevens takes centre stage at our Kai Tak Sports Park celebrating its 50th anniversary. Kai Tak Sports Park, recently named by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Greatest Places, is a game-changer for Hong Kong, giving us the capabilities to host events and international concerts that were hitherto impossible. Its crown jewel, the Kai Tak Stadium alone, has welcomed over 2 million spectators and ranked third for ticket sales and fifth for gross revenue worldwide last year, leading all Asian venues in both categories.
Our efforts won’t stop. As announced in the 2026-27 Budget, $1.66 billion will be allocated for the Hong Kong Tourism Board to scale up flagship events, extend event durations, and introduce new themed light festivals. We will further intensify the crossover of culture, sports, and tourism, ensuring the “Mega Events + Tourism” multiplier effect turns visitor flow into consumption flow, and short-term buzz into long-term economic gain.
Deepening our unique narrative
Beyond mega events, we are sparing no effort in deepening our unique narrative. One important facet we have been developing is perhaps the most universal language of all: food.
Gastronomy is our calling card. Following the success of World’s 50 Best Bars, we will host the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 awards next Wednesday (March 25), cementing our title as the culinary capital of Asia.
Complementing this is the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s “Taste Hong Kong” campaign, curating the best of our culinary world for global travellers. From the fiery dai pai dongs in Temple Street to the quiet precision of Michelin-starred mastery; from a comforting bowl of wonton noodle to an innovative degustation menu – there is no doubt that the best version of every flavour is right here in Hong Kong.
I mentioned the Wine & Dine Festival just now. This year it will be presented as a city-wide celebration of all things food and beverage that is ever so vibrant and colourful. I eagerly await the gathering of top culinary talents and renowned wineries to create unique tasting experiences at our Central Harbourfront, demonstrating the powerful appeal of Hong Kong’s gastronomic offerings.
I also mentioned telling the unique, irresistible Hong Kong story. We are capitalising on the “set-jetting” phenomenon – where travellers visit locations seen in films and dramas – through the cinematic journey at the revitalised Kowloon Walled City and the Yau Ma Tei Police Station, both of which are immersive environments where visitors can step into some of the most memorable scenes from Hong Kong cinema.
Our world-class cultural anchors – M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum, where two-thirds of visitors are tourists – will continue to amaze. Following the blockbuster “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” exhibition, we will leverage our role as an East-meets-West centre for culture and arts to present more groundbreaking dialogues between East and West.
Our theme parks and attractions are also powering ahead. For Hong Kong Disneyland, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary until June, a new Pixar-themed experience and a new exciting Marvel-themed area are in the pipeline. Ocean Park is charging toward the 2028 opening of its new adventure zone, featuring bungee jumps and zip lines. We will continue to enhance the infrastructure and appeal of our theme parks to welcome even more families and friends.
With compelling itineraries offering diverse experiences for high-value travellers, we are proud to see Hong Kong’s cruise tourism continues to thrive, with a 26 per cent increase in ship calls in 2025 compared to 2024, and cruise passenger throughput up by 22 per cent. Things on this front are looking good this year as well. For example, we had cruise ships berthing in Hong Kong every day during the Chinese New Year Golden Week, new luxurious ships calling, and triple, even quadruple berthing are often seen in our busy terminals. Beyond on-shore spending of our cruise visitors, economic benefits also arise from the operation of cruise ships, such as berthing fees, reprovisioning, hiring of ground handlers, as well as the spending of crew members themselves of each cruise ship.
Driving regional synergy
We cannot speak of strength without acknowledging our hinterland. To Hong Kong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is not just a neighbouring region; it is our accelerator.
We are unlocking the boundless potential of the GBA. Over the past years, the Central Government rolled out measures to facilitate visitor arrivals to Hong Kong. The multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen residents, the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme (粵車南下) in 2025, as well as four more ports connecting Hong Kong as the entry points for international tourists to visit the Mainland under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. All these have unleashed tremendous opportunities for our tourism trade by enabling more convenient travel to our city.
The successful cohosting of the National Games with Guangdong and Macao showcased the power of integrated regional collaboration. We will further deepen Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector between the world and the GBA by developing more multi-destination travel products for international travellers. One can fly into our world-class airport, spend a few days enjoying the cosmopolitan flair of Hong Kong, take the High-Speed Rail to explore the heritage of other GBA cities, and finish with a fun stop in Macao. The experience is seamless.
Hospitality as the soul of tourism
Having outlined our key strategies, here is my biggest appeal to you all. Our goal is clear and simple: to make Hong Kong a destination where every visitor is delighted to stay, reluctant to leave, and eager to return. We can build the biggest stadium, host the biggest stars and exhibit world-class treasures – but none of that matters without the software. None of that matters without you – the travel agents, hoteliers, attractions, restauranteurs, airline operators, our tour guides, our service providers and so many more. You are the ones who deliver the experience. You are the ones who turn a trip into a memory.
Hospitality is Hong Kong’s core soft power. But we must adapt to the specific and changing needs of our visitors. For our growing Muslim visitor segment, we are expanding Muslim-friendly infrastructure, increasing Halal-certified dining options, and providing prayer facilities at major attractions to ensure that they feel truly welcome and comfortable. For MICE visitors, we are adopting a “Bleisure” (business + leisure) mindset – blending business efficiency with exclusive leisure experiences – to inspire visitors to extend their stay. For family visitors, we are enhancing family-friendly amenities city-wide, ensuring that exploring Hong Kong is stress-free for parents and magical for children.
I am proud to say that our tourism family has always been defined by professionalism, efficiency and sincerity in serving our visitors. To acknowledge these heroes of hospitality, we have championed excellent performers across retail, dining, and hospitality through extensive media coverage. We are celebrating the concierge who works miracles, the taxi driver who acts as an impromptu tour guide, and the shop assistant who treats a customer like an old friend. These are our living ambassadors.
Storytelling has become the core competency we are cultivating. We must equip frontline staff with not just information, but narrative tools to share the beauty of our landscapes, the craft behind our dim sum, and the stories behind our skyline.
Thank you.
LCQ17: Improving situation of road signs being blocked
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ17: Improving situation of road signs being blocked
Question:
It has been reported that road signs in Hong Kong are blocked by the foliage of roadside trees from time to time, rendering important traffic signs not clearly visible and posing potential risks to road safety. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
| Year Both HyD and LCSD have carried out trimming work in a timely manner upon receiving the above cases. None of these cases involved traffic accidents caused by delayed trimming. In addition, if the HyD discovers during regular road maintenance inspections or receives reports stating that there are overgrown roadside posing imminent danger to road users (e.g. branches and leaves extending into the carriageway seriously obstructing traffic signs), it will immediately arrange urgent trimming to ensure the safety of road users even if the trees concerned are not under its maintenance. Over the past three years, the HyD received two cases each year concerning traffic signs being seriously obstructed by roadside trees under the jurisdictions of other departments or private lot owners requiring immediate arrangement of urgent trimming. (2) The HyD engages contractors through term contracts to conduct regular inspections of roadside trees under its jurisdiction at specified frequencies (generally once every three to six months), and to trim trees obstructing traffic signs, traffic lights, and street lights as soon as possible according to the inspection findings. The HyD also requests its contractors to identify slopes/planting areas that require more frequent tree trimming, and arrange at least three trimming operations at these locations between April and October each year. Meanwhile, the LCSD also conducts regular inspections of trees under its jurisdiction, including checking for protruding branches to the carriageway that obstruct vehicle passage, impair drivers’ visibility, affect traffic signs, or pose potential risks to vehicles.Issued at HKT 11:10 NNNN LCQ8: Application for Hong Kong permanent resident statusSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region LCQ8: Application for Hong Kong permanent resident status In consultation with the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Immigration Department (ImmD), my reply to the question of the Hon Michelle Tang is as follows:
|