Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by SCED at APEC MRT Meeting discussion session on “Build an Open and Predictable Regional and Multilateral Trade and Economic Order” in Suzhou (English only)
Good morning, Chair and fellow Ministers. I would like to first express my sincere gratitude to China for organising the meeting in this beautiful city of Suzhou, and for its warm hospitality extended to myself and Hong Kong, China (HKC)’s delegation.
It has been nearly two months since the 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14). While only modest achievements were made in Yaoundé, we should make use of this APEC meeting with Trade Ministers to give a timely impetus and driving force to push forward respective trade measures for strengthening the multilateral and pluralistic trading mechanism, which is particularly crucial amid the turbulent global trade landscape. I sincerely hope that fellow colleagues could build upon the progress achieved at MC14 and expedite follow-up work on those important outstanding issues.
On WTO reform, notwithstanding that consensus on a formal reform process was not reached, the discussions led us to a clear commitment to continue our engagements in Geneva. We urge APEC economies to build on this progress, rise above our differences and collectively build a better WTO that we all seek.
Among the various issues discussed at the MC14, HKC strongly supports extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, as well as the continuation of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. For nearly three decades, the moratorium has provided certainty and stability for digital trade, which has become increasingly important in a turbulent world we now face. Without it, any tariffs imposed could stifle digital trade, raise costs, and hurt small and women-owned businesses the most. We therefore call on APEC economies to continue supporting both the moratorium and the related work programme.
In the meantime, also related to electronic commerce, HKC and 65 other WTO members have adopted the interim arrangements for the early implementation of the Agreement on Electronic Commerce, and are preparing for its prompt entry into force. We encourage all APEC economies to join this meaningful Agreement so as to build the momentum for its eventual incorporation into the WTO legal framework.
Against the backdrop of uncertainty and rising protectionism, the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core provides the much-needed stability, transparency and predictability to international trade, even though its functioning requires meaningful improvements. When its relevance or existence is called into question, APEC’s continued support is more important than ever. Leveraging APEC’s unique role as an incubator of ideas, we can help advance discussions on outstanding issues, build momentum in transforming the progress achieved at MC14 into concrete outcomes, as well as reinforce and modernise the rules-based multilateral trading system that serves all members.
This brings me to our work in APEC. APEC economies have been pursuing trade liberalisation through various means. Collectively, the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) is one of our long-term visions for deepening economic integration in the region, as enshrined in the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and various important leaders’ documents. As the global trade landscape has undergone unprecedented changes since the idea of FTAAP was first discussed some 20 years ago, HKC fully supports China’s efforts this year to develop an FTAAP document to inject new impetus into this initiative, and to demonstrate APEC’s ability to lead by example.
As part of HKC’s own efforts to contribute to the FTAAP agenda, we are actively seeking early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). We are grateful for the support from RCEP members, and have intensified engagements with RCEP for taking forward our accession request.
We look forward to RCEP’s next major milestone in setting up the Accession Working Group for HKC as soon as possible within 2026, and to the continued support in HKC’s accession bid. We strongly believe that our accession to RCEP would add concrete impetus to regional economic integration and help advance the FTAAP agenda. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 12:02
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Firing practice for June 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (June).
Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in June 2026:
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
————————————-
| Date | Time |
| June 1 (Monday) June 2 (Tuesday) June 3 (Wednesday) June 4 (Thursday) June 5 (Friday) June 6 (Saturday) June 8 (Monday) June 9 (Tuesday) June 10 (Wednesday) June 11 (Thursday) June 12 (Friday) June 13 (Saturday) June 15 (Monday) June 16 (Tuesday) June 17 (Wednesday) June 18 (Thursday) June 20 (Saturday) June 22 (Monday) June 23 (Tuesday) June 24 (Wednesday) June 25 (Thursday) June 26 (Friday) June 27 (Saturday) June 29 (Monday) June 30 (Tuesday) |
8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm |
Tsing Shan Firing Range
——————————-
| Date | Time |
| June 1 (Monday) June 2 (Tuesday) June 3 (Wednesday) June 4 (Thursday) June 5 (Friday) June 6 (Saturday) June 8 (Monday) June 9 (Tuesday) June 10 (Wednesday) June 11 (Thursday) June 12 (Friday) June 13 (Saturday) June 15 (Monday) June 16 (Tuesday) June 17 (Wednesday) June 18 (Thursday) June 20 (Saturday) June 22 (Monday) June 23 (Tuesday) June 24 (Wednesday) June 25 (Thursday) June 26 (Friday) June 27 (Saturday) June 29 (Monday) June 30 (Tuesday) |
8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm 8am-9pm |
FS visits Zurich, Switzerland
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, arrived in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday (May 21, Zurich time) and began his visit.
After arrival in Zurich, Mr Chan held a roundtable meeting with representatives of a number of banks, asset management institutions and family offices. He introduced the advantages and new development opportunities of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in areas including finance, innovation, trade and advanced manufacturing, and had in-depth exchanges on issues of concern to the participants. In addition, he also met with representatives of a major Swiss bank.
At the roundtable meeting, Mr Chan elaborated on Hong Kong’s economic and financial situation and latest developments. He pointed out that Hong Kong’s economy had maintained steady growth over the past two years or so, while its financial markets had remained active. Against the backdrop of the country’s strong support for Mainland enterprises to go global, more enterprises have raised funds in Hong Kong’s stock market to develop their overseas businesses. Hong Kong ranked first globally in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings both last year and so far this year, attracting many investors from the Mainland and overseas. At the same time, amid the current geopolitical landscape, many international investors regard Hong Kong as a safe harbour for capital and a springboard for diversified investment into the Mainland market, contributing to the strong performance of Hong Kong’s stock market. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively promoting continuous reform of the stock market, expanding connectivity with capital markets around the world, enhancing market liquidity and providing investors with more diversified investment choices. In various areas such as fixed-income and currency markets, asset and wealth management, and green finance, Hong Kong continues to promote product innovation and expand market scale. In addition, Hong Kong is actively developing gold and commodities trading markets to enrich the offerings of its international financial centre.
He also said that the substantial demand from high-net-worth individuals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia for cross-border asset allocation has prompted many overseas asset and wealth management institutions to expand their businesses in Hong Kong. On financial innovation, Hong Kong adopts a proactive and open attitude, promoting the application and development of digital assets under the principle of placing equal emphasis on prudent regulation and market development.
Mr Chan pointed out that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out the promotion of the development of a modernised industrial system, high-level opening up and co-ordinated regional development. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area enjoys strong advantages in frontier technology, advanced manufacturing, investment ecosystem and the pooling of high-end talent, and represents an important opportunity that international investors should not miss. The HKSAR Government is making every effort to promote Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development, accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and actively attract enterprises and high-end talent to establish a presence in Hong Kong, injecting stronger impetus into the city’s future economic development.
He welcomed Swiss financial institutions and family offices to expand their investment and business scale in Hong Kong, allocate more assets to the Hong Kong and Mainland markets, and seize these vibrant investment opportunities.
Yesterday, Mr Chan also called on the Chinese Consul General in Zurich and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, Ms Chen Yun. He introduced Hong Kong’s latest economic and social situation, and exchanged views with her on China-Europe relations and the global political and economic landscape.
Mr Chan will hold a roundtable meeting with representatives of local venture capital and private equity funds this morning (May 22, Zurich time). He will depart Zurich in the afternoon and arrive back in Hong Kong tomorrow morning (May 23, Hong Kong time).
Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2026 opens today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2026 (Info Expo) organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) will be held today and tomorrow (May 22 and 23) at Hall 3G of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the participation of around 30 post-secondary institutions and organisations, the latest information on multiple pathways will be provided to senior secondary school students, parents and teachers with a view to better preparing students for different articulation and career plans.
A spokesman for the EDB said that with the parallel development of the self-financing and publicly funded post-secondary education sectors, the Government has long been committed to providing quality, flexible and diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points for secondary school graduates.
In the 2026/27 academic year, there are about 52 700 full-time government-funded and self-financing locally accredited post-secondary places to be provided by various institutions, comprising about 24 100 undergraduate places and about 28 600 sub-degree places. Some institutions also provide the Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) and other programmes. Hence, there will be sufficient places for eligible students to pursue further studies in Hong Kong.
The opening ceremony of the Info Expo was officiated by the Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education (CSPE), Dr Alex Chan, with CSPE members and representatives of self-financing post-secondary institutions and relevant organisations in attendance.
The Info Expo provides information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for government subsidy schemes, vocational and professional education and training programmes and applied degree programmes) and DAE programmes, as well as relevant online platforms such as the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS), the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP), the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (Concourse) and the Qualifications Framework. There are also more than 10 thematic talks on various programmes, preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education, and experience sharing by post-secondary students.
Admission is free for the two-day Info Expo, and prior registration is not required. Secondary students, especially current graduates, parents and teachers, are all welcome to participate.
For the details of the Info Expo, please visit the event website (www.cspe.edu.hk/en/Resources-CareerGuidance-MultiplePathwaysExpo.html).
Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
The Education Bureau (EDB) will hold the Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2026 (Info Expo) in late May 2026 to provide information on various articulation opportunities for secondary school graduates and help them plan well for their further studies and career pathways.
Details of the exhibition:
Date: 22–23 May 2026 (Friday and Saturday)
Time: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Venue: Hall 3G of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Website: https://www.cspe.edu.hk/en/resources/careers-guidance/information-expo-on-multiple-pathways/
Around 30 post-secondary institutions and organisations will set up exhibition booths at the Info Expo to provide information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for various government subsidy schemes as well as vocational and professional education and training (VPET) programmes and applied degree programmes), the Diploma of Applied Education programmes, as well as relevant online platforms such as the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS), the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP), the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (Concourse), and the Qualifications Framework.
In addition, Hok Yau Club and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups will offer studies and career guidance services to students.
There will also be talks on multiple pathways, preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education, and experience sharing by post-secondary students. Institution and industry representatives will also provide first-hand information about various programmes and careers development.
Secondary school students, especially graduates, parents and teachers are all welcome to join. Please visit the event website for the exhibitor list and talk schedule.
RTHK wins 11 accolades at New York Festivals
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) scored a remarkable achievement at the prestigious New York Festivals Radio Awards and TV & Film Awards on May 21 (New York time), capturing a total of 11 accolades, comprising one Silver Tower, two Bronze Towers and eight Finalist Diplomas. The result attests to the international recognition of RTHK’s production standards and underscores RTHK’s unwavering commitment to telling the world good stories of Hong Kong through the power of sound and image.
The Silver Tower, presented under the “Entertainment: Music Special” category of the Radio Awards, went to the “Concert in the Park – A Salute to Love”, produced by RTHK Radio 4. Staged on Christmas Eve last year, the concert celebrated the bonds and affinities between composers, conveying messages of love and hope through stirring melodies. The programme showcased Hong Kong’s unique charm as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, offering audiences around the world a musical window into the city’s rich and multifaceted character.
The radio drama “Dragon’s Return to the Homeland”, co-produced by RTHK Radio 1 and the Guangzhou Broadcasting Network, claimed a Bronze Tower in the “Entertainment: Drama Special” category of the Radio Awards. Set against the backdrop of the mass participation events of the 15th National Games and inspired by the intangible cultural heritage of dragon boat racing, the drama features the voice talents of professional hosts and artistes from both cities, vividly portraying the cultural exchange and integrated way of life among the people of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. RTHK’s Production Services Division also captured a Bronze Tower in the “Craft Films/Production: Use of Technology” category of the TV & Film Awards, in recognition of its innovative integration of extended reality and augmented reality technologies in the special programmes of the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. The accolade highlights RTHK’s adoption of cutting-edge media technologies and its forward-looking approach to programme production.
A further eight RTHK programmes received Finalist Diplomas, spanning a diverse range of subjects including humanities documentaries, social issues, sports promotion and in-depth news features. Members of the public are welcome to revisit these award-winning productions on the RTHK website.
The Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan, remarked that these multiple international honours stand as solid testimony to RTHK’s world-class standards in content creation, production craftsmanship and journalistic professionalism. She affirmed that RTHK will continue to uphold its mission as a public service broadcaster, dedicating itself to producing quality programmes that tell good stories of Hong Kong and the country through diverse themes and innovative formats. RTHK aims to further elevate Hong Kong’s international communication capacity, share with the world the depth and richness of the city’s cultural heritage, and foster greater people-to-people connectivity.
Founded in 1957, the New York Festivals is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished awards in the global broadcasting industry, drawing entries each year from broadcasters across the world. It is recognised as a leading international benchmark for excellence in radio, television and film production.
14 building plans approved in March
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Buildings Department approved 14 building plans in March, with six on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and three in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, five were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, and five were for community services developments.
In the same month, consent was given for works to start on six building projects which, when completed, will provide 6 182 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 172 units, and 20 687 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notifications of commencement of superstructure works for four building projects.
The department also issued 18 occupation permits, with four on Hong Kong Island, six in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.
Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 31 910 sq m involving 775 units, and 48 386 sq m was for non-domestic use.
The declared cost of new buildings completed in March totalled about $3.2 billion.
In addition, five demolition consents were issued.
The department received 2 678 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in March and issued 754 removal orders on UBWs.
The full version of the Monthly Digest for March can be viewed on the Buildings Department’s homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).
SEE visits several food and beverage production enterprises in Xizang Autonomous Region
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, visited several food and beverage production enterprises in the Xizang Autonomous Region yesterday (May 21) to learn about the production of plateau food.
Mr Tse and the delegation yesterday visited an apple production base that utilises “plant dwarfing” technology in Shannan city to learn about the export situation of local agricultural products. This technology mainly controls the height of fruit trees, enabling high-density cultivation in the plateau environment. The total planting area of dwarfed apples in Shannan city is about 2 000 hectares, with an annual yield of nearly 3 000 tonnes.
The delegation also visited a plateau winery on the same day, which produces wine with plateau characteristics through its distinctive high-altitude cultivation.
The delegation then visited a food production enterprise in Xizang that provides airline catering services, to learn about the preparation of inflight meals. The enterprise has a daily production capacity of over 20 000 meals. It also engages in the production and sale of other food and bakery products.
In the afternoon, Mr Tse paid a visit to the Shigatse International Land Port to learn about its customs clearance process and external trade. He and the delegation then visited a brewery located on the Shigatse plateau. The brewery uses pure natural Xizang highland barley as the primary raw material for crafting beer with Xizang characteristics.
Mr Tse said the unique ecological environment of the Xizang plateau has nurtured various distinctive agricultural products. These diverse and high-quality plateau foods demonstrate the steady advancement of Xizang’s food industry in production standards, brand building and supply chain management. He said he hoped that this trip will encourage Mainland food enterprises to use Hong Kong as a base and window to expand their businesses to overseas markets, thereby consolidating Hong Kong’s role as a food import and export trade hub and facilitating Xizang food enterprises to “go global”.
Mr Tse will conclude his visit in the Xizang Autonomous Region today (May 22) and return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 23).
Tenders invited for site formation and infrastructure works at Tai Kei Leng and Shap Pat Heung, Yuen Long
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (May 22) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Site Formation and Infrastructure Works at Tai Kei Leng and Shap Pat Heung, Yuen Long (Contract No. CV/2026/01). The closing time for the tender is noon on July 17.
The works mainly comprise:
(1) site formation of about 5 hectares of land and construction of associated retaining walls and slopes;
(2) road improvement works at Shap Pat Heung Interchange;
(3) widening of Long Ho Road; and
(4) ancillary works including water supply, drainage, sewerage and landscaping works.
The works are scheduled to commence in December 2026 and will take about 48 months to complete.
The CEDD has commissioned Binnies Hong Kong Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can download the tender forms and other particulars from the e-Tendering System (e-TS). Tenderers must submit tenders in electronic format via the e-TS.
Details of the tender notice are available on the CEDD website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call Binnies Hong Kong Limited at 2601 1000 during office hours.
SED visits Switzerland with delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SED visits Switzerland with delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town
The delegation first visited the University of Basel, the oldest university in Switzerland, which was founded in 1460. The delegation toured Biozentrum, the flagship research centre of the university, to gain an in-depth understanding of its successful experience in conducting frontier scientific research and promoting the integration of industry, academia, and research. Leveraging its unique geographical advantage, Biozentrum has established exceptionally close partnerships with local multinational pharmaceutical corporations and leading innovation and technology companies in Basel, where the biomedicine and life sciences industries are highly developed.
The delegation met with the President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Mr Conradin Cramer, and the President of the University of Basel, Professor Andrea Schenker-Wicki, to learn how the University of Basel has successfully transformed fundamental research into practical medical and industrial applications through its excellent interdisciplinary research.
Dr Choi said that the Ngau Tam Mei site in the NMUT is also reserved for the development of life and health technology and related innovation. The development model of the University of Basel perfectly demonstrates how a top-tier higher education institution and frontier scientific research centre can drive deep integration of peripheral industries and create a powerful synergy. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government hopes to draw on the successful experience of the university and make reference to its practice in long-term fundamental research, promoting close collaboration with industries and leveraging geographical advantages, thereby optimising the industry-academia-research layout in the NMUT and the Ngau Tam Mei site.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited ETH Zurich, a globally acclaimed institution for nurturing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent and fostering industry-academia integration. The delegation met with the university management to learn more about the university’s campus development layout and spatial planning strategies. ETH Zurich created an organically connected research ecosystem through the high-level integration of cutting-edge research facilities, teaching spaces, as well as industry collaboration areas.
Dr Choi said that the layout of research facilities planned by the university enables researchers from different disciplines to conduct cross-disciplinary collaborations in a highly fluid space, and attracts industry partners by utilising the campus’ open spaces. This planning concept allows the teaching area, research area, and industry-academia collaboration area to complement each other, and has a high reference value for Hong Kong’s planning and construction of a modern university town in the Northern Metropolis that combines educational functions with industry driving force.
The UAS Alliance was established in 2024 to promote collaboration between Hong Kong’s universities of applied sciences, industries and stakeholders, with a view to driving the development of vocational and professional education and training while supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub. The Alliance comprises four post-secondary institutions as founding members, with Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Saint Francis University as full members, and Tung Wah College and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong as associate members.
On May 20 (Bern time), Dr Choi proceeded to Bern upon arrival in Switzerland and met with the President of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, to learn about EPFL’s experience in teaching and research.
EPFL is committed to promoting interdisciplinary research, particularly in key areas such as data science, biomedical engineering, robotics and advanced manufacturing, and cultivates students’ technical capability by adopting a “learning-by-doing” approach. It also fosters collaboration between researchers and industries by promoting knowledge and technology transfer.
Afterwards, Dr Choi met with the Head of International Relations Division of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, Mr Jacques Ducrest, to exchange views on the latest trends in different fields of international education and explore further co-operation between Hong Kong and Switzerland in education.
Dr Choi also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr Qian Minjian, and briefed him on the development of the NMUT in Hong Kong.
Dr Choi and the delegation will continue their visit to Zurich on May 22 (Zurich time).
Issued at HKT 11:55
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