MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, at a media session today (November 15) after attending the “Patriots Collaborate for Good Governance” 2025 Legislative Council election forums: Forum for the Hong Kong Island East geographical constituency:

Reporter: Mr Tsang, with today’s fainting incident and also the earlier disruption of the debate, do you think that perhaps there needs to be some sort of improvement made to this sort of debates? Going further, will there be any measures considered, and will you perhaps decide for the next election or further elections to just leave the debates back to the independent TV stations or media to do it instead?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: Of course, we will absorb the experience in doing this forum, and in the future we will do our best to make arrangements so as to make it smooth. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a joint operation codenamed “Flashspear 2025” with Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department on November 17. The operation successfully neutralised a cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate. During the operation, officers from the Outside Investigation Section of the ImmD raided two residential units. Two Hong Kong residents – one man and one woman, aged 43 and 57 – were arrested. The arrested persons were believed to be the mastermind and core members of the cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate. In addition, Mainland authorities arrested two syndicate members and eight Mainlanders who were suspected to have contracted bogus marriages in Guangdong.
 
     From 2023 to 2024, officers from the ImmD and Mainland authorities found that multiple suspected bogus marriage cases had a similar mode of operation. Following in-depth analysis and investigations, a cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate headed by the arrested persons was identified. The syndicate used online trading platforms and instant messaging software to recruit and arrange bogus marriages between Hong Kong residents and non-local residents for profit. Furthermore, to attract more individuals to participate in bogus marriages, the syndicate incentivised those who were already involved by offering a “commission system”, so as to assist the syndicate in recruiting more people to participate in the bogus marriage activities. With each successful arrangement of a bogus marriage, the recruiter received a commission, thereby motivating them to enlist more individuals in these illegal activities.
 
     The ImmD believed that the syndicate had arranged for more than 60 bogus marriages between 2023 and 2024. The estimated transaction amount involved in the cases is over HK$7.5 million. During the operation, as of today, a total of 37 persons (18 men and 19 women, aged 20 to 65), including the two Hong Kong residents arrested during the operation today, were arrested. Thirty-two of them were Hong Kong residents, and five were non-local residents. The investigation is still ongoing, and more persons involved in the case may be arrested.
 
     The ImmD has been concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining residency by means of contracting bogus marriages with Hong Kong residents. The ImmD will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages and other related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residency in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residency status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin.
 
     An ImmD spokesman urged the public not to defy the law by participating in activities related to bogus marriages anywhere or making a false oath before Immigration Officers for the purpose of procuring a marriage in Hong Kong. Those directing others to contract a bogus marriage may also be guilty of the offence of conspiracy to defraud. The spokesman also urged the public to raise their alert when using online trading platforms and instant messaging software, and to avoid falling into the trap of bogus marriage syndicates.
 
     Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make false representations to Immigration Officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Any person who, for the purpose of procuring a marriage or a certificate or license for marriage, knowingly and wilfully makes a false oath or makes or signs a false declaration shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to, upon conviction, imprisonment for seven years and a fine. Anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and Youth Development Commission (YDC) jointly launched the 2026-27 (first round) HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland today (November 17). Eligible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are invited to submit applications.
 
The Government attaches great importance to youth development. The HYAB promulgated the Youth Development Blueprint at end-2022; it states that the Government will further strengthen the breadth and depth of Mainland and international internship and exchange programmes with a view to enhancing young people’s understanding of the country and supporting their integration into the country’s overall development. Through the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland, the HYAB and the YDC provide funding for NGOs to organise youth exchange projects on the Mainland for Hong Kong young people to enhance their awareness and understanding of the country’s development, foster exchanges with Mainland people and strengthen their sense of national identity. The Pilot Scheme on Subsidy to Grassroots Youth for Participating in Exchange Activities Outside Hong Kong that launched earlier will also continue to provide additional subsidies to grassroots youth with financial needs to participate in exchange projects under the 2026-27 funding scheme.
 
The 2026-27 funding scheme accepts two rounds of applications. Details of the first round are available on the YDC website (www.ydc.gov.hk/en/programmes/ep/ep_fundingscheme.html). Interested NGOs should submit their applications via the e-application system on or before December 29. The second round of applications will be launched in mid-2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2025 today (November 17):

Honourable Deputy Minister Almaz Turgunbaev (Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Kyrgyz Republic), Professor Frederick Ma (Chairman, Hong Kong Trade Development Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. It’s a great pleasure to welcome you to the 15th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference, and to Hong Kong, Asia’s logistics capital.

     A special welcome to Mr Turgunbaev, the Kyrgyz Republic’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications. He’s here to share with you the latest logistics developments, and business and investment opportunities, in Kyrgyzstan. And I am sure he’s eager to hear from you, too.

     After all, some 2 300 high-profile logistics leaders and professionals from more than 40 countries and regions are here for this year’s two-day conference. Here to learn more about prospects in Central Asia and the Middle East in special conference sessions. Here, too, for insight and intelligence spotlighting supply chain diversification, sustainability and green energy, innovation and technology, the low-altitude economy and much more.

     The conference theme this year, “Collaboration and Growth in the New Trade Landscape”, is a timely response to rising geopolitical tensions and the volatile global trade policies, which present considerable challenges for our maritime, aviation and logistics industries, from route planning and shipping fleet deployment to inventory and warehouse management.

     Nevertheless, as the Chinese saying goes, “where there are challenges, there are opportunities”. Geopolitical risks can be overcome by market diversification. Increased costs related to supply chain concerns can be offset, at least partially, by technology-enabled efficiencies.

     Hong Kong is well-positioned to weather the storm and seize new opportunities. We are an international shipping and trading centre strategically located in the heart of Asia, and a pivotal player in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. As the world’s largest manufacturing base, the Greater Bay Area commands an extensive air and sea transport network.

     Hong Kong is also the world’s busiest air cargo hub and one of its busiest sea ports. And I am confident we will create new and rewarding collaborations, while taking full advantage of the latest technologies to maintain the sustainable growth of our maritime, aviation and logistics sector.

     We are, for example, deepening our connections with both traditional and emerging markets. And we are exploring new opportunities in the Belt and Road countries.

     Today, I am particularly pleased to announce that Hong Kong has established Partner Port relationships with Guangxi port and Dalian port in the Chinese Mainland, and Port San Antonio in Chile. These ports are of strategic importance, and true to our character and policy priorities. As an international maritime centre, we connect the Chinese Mainland with the world and seek partners who support an open, international trade order.

     Hong Kong is also committed to building a sustainable future powered by digital and green transformation. Harnessing the power of AI, blockchain, cloud computing and other cutting-edge technologies, we are developing a Port Community System. Launching in January, it will enable real-time cargo tracking and facilitate data exchange across transport modes, boosting trade and capital flows digitally. That opens up new opportunities, from trade financing to more efficient customs declaration.

     The low altitude economy represents another promising growth area. Building on our initial regulatory sandbox pilot projects, we will introduce an advanced regulatory sandbox for complex scenarios, aimed at expanding the low altitude economy. This will facilitate its application in logistics and other innovative business sectors.

     We are also committed to Hong Kong’s rise as a green maritime fuel bunkering hub. It’s been a year since our Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering was published. With its orderly implementation, Hong Kong is emerging as a major port offering regular commercial bunkering services for multiple types of fuel.

     Our ambitions, however, are larger than that. We are looking to build the necessary infrastructure for Hong Kong to become a global centre of trade for green maritime fuel, especially those produced in the Chinese Mainland, by far the world’s biggest supplier.

     An equally green endeavour is our pursuit of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) expertise in the logistics field. In June, we published an ESG roadmap for the logistics industry, providing a clear pathway to ESG compliance. It will help strengthen the competitiveness of our logistics industry players, particularly SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), putting us at the forefront in the world’s continuing pursuit of sustainability.

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong has long thrived in the face of adversity. Resilience defines us as an international maritime centre and aviation and logistics hub.

     With Hong Kong as your partner, you can confidently ride the wave of opportunities this region has to offer, building strong supply chains together through our extensive business and transport networks and internationally recognised institutional strengths.

     My thanks to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for organising this year’s Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference. It is one of the two anchor events of this year’s Hong Kong Maritime Week, alongside the World Maritime Merchants Forum, which also opened today and continues through tomorrow.

     Hong Kong Maritime Week runs through November 22, packed full of forums, conferences, seminars, tours, visits, receptions, and much more, all under the theme “Navigating to a Greener Future” – where we all want to be.

     I wish you the best of business at the conference, and a memorable stay in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, and the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today (November 17) the credit card lending survey results for the third quarter of 2025.

Total card receivables increased by 1.4 per cent in the third quarter to HK$151.0 billion at end-September 2025, as compared to a decrease of 2.5 per cent in the previous quarter.
 
The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio remained unchanged at 0.45 per cent at end-September 2025. The quarterly charge-off ratio also remained unchanged at 0.64 per cent.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (November 17) the November 2025 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).
 
Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains two feature articles entitled “Statistics on Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong, 2024” and “Drug Situation in Hong Kong in 2024”. Statistics presented in the “Drug Situation in Hong Kong in 2024” article are based on the data source from the Security Bureau, Government Secretariat.
 
“Statistics on Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong, 2024”
 
Chinese medicine has a long history in Hong Kong. The Government has been adopting a multipronged approach to facilitate the development of the Chinese medicine sector in Hong Kong. The Chinese medicine sector comprises : (a) manufacture of Chinese medicines; (b) distribution of Chinese medicines, including import/export, wholesale and retail trades; and (c) practising Chinese medicine, including Chinese medicine practitioners of general practice, acupuncture and bone-setting.
 
This feature article discusses the updated situation of some Chinese medicine activities including the manufacture of Chinese medicines and the distribution of Chinese medicines, as well as the external trade of Chinese herbal medicines.
 
For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7398; email: asw@censtatd.gov.hk).
 
“Drug Situation in Hong Kong in 2024”
 
This feature article gives an overview of the drug situation in Hong Kong in 2024 by making reference to statistics derived from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse. Moreover, statistics on the “2023/24 Survey of Drug Use among Students” and law enforcement on drug offences are presented. These statistics and findings provide useful information on the latest drug situation in Hong Kong, and support an evidence-based approach to the formulation of anti-drug policy and measures. The drug problem has continued to ameliorate through the concerted efforts of the government and the community. According to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by around 40% over the past decade. However, phenomena such as increases in the reported number of young drug abusers in recent years, a high proportion of reported number of young adult drug abusers, and the involvement of young people in drug offences still warrant our attention.
 
For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Statistics Unit of the Security Bureau, Government Secretariat (Tel: 2867 2753; email: sb_stat@sb.gov.hk).
 
Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).
 
Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Buildings Department approved nine building plans in September, with four on Hong Kong Island and five in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, three were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial development, one was for a community services development, and one was for a factory and industrial development.

     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on eight building projects which, when completed, will provide 11 985 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 216 units, and 14 785 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of superstructure works for three building projects.

     The department also issued 16 occupation permits, with four on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon, and eight in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 51 721 sq m involving 1 004 units, and 100 005 sq m was for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in September totalled about $4.1 billion.

     In addition, three demolition consents were issued.

     The department received 2 485 reports about unauthorised building works (UBWs) in September and issued 898 removal orders on UBWs.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for September can be viewed on the Buildings Department homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 cum World Maritime Merchants Forum 2025 today (November 17):

Honourable Vice Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Honourable Director Zhou Ji (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (CPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Vice Minister Fu Xuyin (Vice Minister of Transport), Deputy Head Chen Feng (Deputy Head, Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR), Acting Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR), Chairman Miao Jianmin (Chairman of China Merchants Group), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. A very warm welcome to Hong Kong, Asia’s world city, and to the opening of Hong Kong Maritime Week 2025 and the fifth World Maritime Merchants Forum, which bring together our maritime cluster, and underline Hong Kong’s status as one of the world’s leading maritime centres.

     The theme for the Hong Kong Maritime Week, “Navigating to a Greener Future”, signals our shared destination. Complementing this, the theme of the World Maritime Merchants Forum, “Steering Sustainability Through Changes”, is our navigational chart for the journey ahead.

     In a world being reshaped by geopolitical discord, technological disruption and climate change, these themes are more than aspirational. They sound an alarm, a wake-up call to collective action.

     In this era of profound and complex transformation, Hong Kong’s role as a stable, reliable and dynamic maritime hub has never been more vital. The principle of “one country, two systems” is the cornerstone of our success, providing us with an unshakeable foundation.

     As our country’s only bilingual common law jurisdiction, Hong Kong offers a simple and low tax regime, free port status and the unfettered flow of capital, information and talent.

     Our standing is consistently acknowledged, and endorsed, by the international community. For the sixth consecutive year, Hong Kong ranked fourth, globally, in the International Shipping Centre Development Index. This pays tribute to our strengths in port infrastructure, maritime services and overall operating environment.

     Hong Kong is home to more than 1 200 port and maritime-related companies, a thriving cluster of global leaders in ship management, finance, insurance and law. The Hong Kong Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association’s launch ceremony, in just a few minutes, will mark a milestone development, further enriching our maritime services and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”.

     Our tax concession regime for high value-added maritime services continues to attract global businesses. And we are planning to extend half-rate tax concessions to physical commodity traders, further integrating the critical pillars of trade, commodities and shipping here in Hong Kong.

     Beyond our business-friendly foundations, our focus is firmly on the future. And the imperative for green growth is the defining challenge, and opportunity, of our generation. 

     With the International Maritime Organization’s Net-Zero Framework targeting to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in international shipping by around the year 2050, Hong Kong is determined to be at the forefront, as a premier green maritime fuel-bunkering centre.  

     Since publishing our Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering a year ago, we have materialised regular commercial liquefied natural gas and biodiesel bunkering. 

     Our vision is to become the epicentre of the global green maritime fuel trade. And our proximity to the Chinese Mainland, the world’s largest producer of green maritime fuel, is a critical advantage. We will continue to collaborate with maritime associations and business partners globally to drive the transition towards sustainability.

     Indeed, collaboration on an unprecedented scale is essential as we face challenges from geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism, technological disruption, and the climate crisis – issues too vast for any single economy to solve alone. 

     Let’s work together to build green shipping corridors and digital trade lanes that will define the future of safe, efficient and sustainable global shipping.

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is ready to be your partner. Our policy support, expertise, strategic vision and unwavering commitment can play a pivotal role in navigating the next era of shipping. Together, we can steer a course towards a more sustainable, prosperous and collaborative future.

     I wish you all a rewarding Hong Kong Maritime Week, a productive World Maritime Merchants Forum, and fair winds and following seas, in business as in life. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region