Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Postal services to Jamaica subject to delaysIssued at HKT 14:52
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Speech by SCED at plenary session of APEC Ministerial Meeting (2) (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the plenary session themed “Connect” at the 36th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in Gyeongju, Korea, today (October 30):
Thank you, Chair.
I would like to first thank the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for his insightful remarks.
We gather at the time when the global trading landscape is undergoing profound transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements, escalating geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism, increasing fragmentation and other emerging issues like climate change. All these are reshaping the international trade order.
In navigating this increasingly complex landscape, the multilateral trading system underpinned by the World Trade Organization (WTO) continues to play a pivotal role. The WTO, with its core principles of non-discrimination and co-operation as well as various critical roles and functions, has led the world trade to flourish for decades. In these unprecedented and challenging times, we believe that an open, stable, transparent, inclusive and predictable rules-based international trading environment is more crucial than ever, particularly for less developed economies, enabling them not just to survive but also to thrive on emerging opportunities.
Notwithstanding the importance of the WTO, it is imperative that the WTO recalibrate its priorities and strategies to remain relevant. The WTO must update its rulebook, not only on substance but also in the way it works, to better meet the demands of today’s global economy. Full-scale engagements are taking place to improve the WTO’s functions, and we remain hopeful that these efforts will yield meaningful deliverables at the 14th Ministerial Conference scheduled for next March.
While navigating reforms for the WTO amid the multilateral gridlock and geo-economic fragmentation, economies have resorted to plurilateral and regional activities. Plurilateral initiatives are a logical and realistic vehicle to make progress in the interim, particularly when it is increasingly difficult to achieve consensus across all WTO membership. That said, we should maintain the supremacy of the multilateral trading system in governing global trade, through leveraging APEC as the premier forum for multilateral engagement. As an incubator of innovative ideas, APEC has a unique role to play in fostering regional dialogue, contributing constructively to the ongoing WTO reform process and facilitating international co-operation.
APEC itself has also been active in addressing issues that affect the region, such as enhancing the resilience of our supply chains against shocks and threats. Being an externally oriented economy, seamless and effective supply chains are essential to Hong Kong, China. Among other strategies, we have leveraged technological innovations, not least artificial intelligence, in this context. For instance, AI is applied to facilitate customs enforcement, cargo clearance and matchmaking for airline partnerships. We are also actively building connectivity on trade single window with key trading partners such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We look forward to sharing our experiences with member economies, so that we can jointly enhance the resiliency and adaptability of the supply chains in the region.
Hong Kong, China remains committed to working with member economies to overcome the challenges we face, whether they are short-term shocks or long-term structural shifts, so that we can achieve shared prosperity.
Thank you.
Base rate lowered to 4.25%
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Monetary Authority announced today that the Base Rate has been set at 4.25% with immediate effect.
The decrease follows a 25-basis point downward adjustment in the target range for the US federal funds rate on October 29.
The base rate is the interest rate forming the foundation upon which the Discount Rates for repurchase transactions through the Discount Window are computed.
It is currently set at either 50 basis points above the lower end of the prevailing target range for the US federal funds rate, or the average of the five-day moving averages of the overnight and one-month Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rates, whichever is higher.
EPD and HKIQEP jointly hold symposium to promote green economy (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals (HKIQEP) today (October 30) cohosted a symposium titled “Advancing the Green Economy through Innovation and Collaboration” at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong.
As one of the programme highlights of the 20th Eco Expo Asia, the symposium brings together government representatives, industry leaders, academics and professionals to foster professional dialogue, deepen partnerships, and promote Hong Kong’s vision in sustainable development and the green economy.
In his welcoming speech at the symposium, the President of the HKIQEP, Mr Freeman Cheung, said the HKIQEP firmly believes that technology and collaboration are the key driving forces of promoting sustainable development. A cleaner, wiser and more sustainable Hong Kong can be built by enhancing environmental assessment, advancing smart city development and leveraging the collaborative strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, officiated at the symposium. In his speech, he highlighted that this year’s Policy Address sets out the Government’s commitment to fostering a green and low-carbon living environment and promoting the commercialisation of green information and technology outcomes, thereby developing Hong Kong into a demonstration base for green technology. He further stressed that collaboration between public and private sectors, academia and professional organisations is crucial to achieving these goals.
Dr Chui said, “Our collaboration should transcend geographical constraints, actively leverage opportunities brought by the development of the GBA and the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, and share expertise in environmental protection and green solutions. Next year, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will set up the B&R sustainable green development training centre to nurture talent in international environmental protection. The training centre will serve as a base for connecting the HKSAR with the global network for sustainable green development co-operation. The EPD is looking forward to working closely with the HKIQEP to contribute to regional and global sustainable development goals.”
The symposium featured in-depth discussions on various important themes, including smart environmental assessment, biodiversity technology, green finance, and supply chain decarbonisation. Attendees unanimously agreed that cross-departmental collaboration and the integration of green innovative technology solutions are pivotal to achieving Hong Kong’s climate action and sustainable development goals.
At the symposium, the HKIQEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the GBA Eco-environmental Science Center and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment respectively, to deepen cross-regional co-operation and enhance professional capacities. Dr Chui witnessed the signing ceremony.
Intensifier les lien avec la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Le président du gouvernement Alcide Ponga a fait le bilan de sa visite en Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée du 26 au 29 octobre 2025. Une séquence qui s’inscrit dans une dynamique de réintégration pleine et entière de la Nouvelle-Calédonie au sein de son environnement mélanésien.
Une étape décisive dans la réintégration régionale de la Nouvelle‑Calédonie
Après les Îles Salomon en septembre, cette mission en Papouasie-Nouvelle‑Guinée précède celles prévues au Vanuatu (décembre 2025) et aux Fidji (premier trimestre 2026). Ces déplacements visent à redynamiser les relations politiques, économiques, éducatives et culturelles entre la Nouvelle‑Calédonie et les pays voisins de l’arc mélanésien.
Cette visite marque une nouvelle étape dans la mise en œuvre du cadre conjoint de coopération signé en 2018 par les deux chefs de gouvernement, qui fixe les grandes orientations des partenariats à développer entre Port Moresby et Nouméa.
« Il faut nous ouvrir à d’autres horizon et nous réintégrer dans notre région, a affirmé le président du gouvernement. Nous pouvons nous inspirer de nos voisins dans certains domaines et leur offrir notre expertise dans d’autres. Nos frères mélanésiens sont demandeurs de pistes de coopération avec la Nouvelle-Calédonie et ce, dans de nombreux secteurs ».
Le déplacement a également permis de soutenir activement la mission économique conduite sous la bannière Team France Export – Nouvelle-Calédonie, un dispositif fédérant les entreprises calédoniennes désireuses d’explorer le marché papou et plus largement océanien.
Un dialogue politique renforcé
Le président du gouvernement a rencontré le Premier ministre James Marape ainsi que le ministre des Affaires étrangères Justin Tkatchenko. Ces entretiens bilatéraux ont permis de réaffirmer la volonté partagée de consolider la relation politique et diplomatique entre les deux territoires, en l’élargissant à de nouveaux champs de coopération.
Les deux parties ont convenu de donner corps au cadre conjoint de coopération à travers des projets concrets dans les domaines :
- économique et commercial ;
- sportif et culturel ;
- éducatif, notamment via les échanges universitaires et la création de nouveaux cours de langue française en Papouasie‑Nouvelle‑Guinée.
Définir ensemble les priorités sectorielles
Au-delà du dialogue politique, cette mission a permis d’engager un travail de fond pour identifier les secteurs prioritaires de coopération sur la base d’échanges avec des acteurs majeurs du développement papou.
Les rencontres ont notamment porté sur :
- l’énergie ;
- les mines ;
- le transport aérien, à travers Air Niugini ;
- la coopération portuaire avec les autorités du Port de Rabaul et les perspectives de développement du transport maritime.
Ces échanges contribueront à bâtir une feuille de route concertée, établie sur les complémentarités entre la Nouvelle‑Calédonie et la Papouasie‑Nouvelle‑Guinée.
Mise en valeur du savoir‑faire calédonien
La présence de la mission économique Team France Export – Nouvelle‑Calédonie a constitué un temps fort de cette visite. Le président du gouvernement s’est félicité de la participation d’une délégation d’entreprises calédoniennes ambitieuses, venues présenter leurs savoir‑faire et explorer les opportunités d’affaires dans un marché encore peu connu.
Leurs présentations de qualité ont permis de mettre en lumière l’expertise calédonienne dans plusieurs secteurs de pointe. Ces entreprises incarnent la capacité du tissu économique calédonien à s’ouvrir à la région et à contribuer activement à l’intégration régionale par leurs activités.
Le président a également rencontré à Port Moresby un expert calédonien représentant Airbus. « Ce parcours exemplaire illustre la compétence et le rayonnement des talents calédoniens à l’échelle régionale, a indiqué Alcide Ponga. Son expérience constitue une source d’inspiration pour les jeunes de Nouvelle‑Calédonie, les encourageant à saisir les opportunités que leur offre leur espace océanien ».
Une coopération tournée vers l’avenir
Cette visite a permis de consolider la relation de confiance nouée entre les gouvernements de Nouvelle‑Calédonie et de Papouasie‑Nouvelle‑Guinée, en posant les bases d’une coopération durable, équilibrée et bénéfique pour les deux parties.
Elle confirme la volonté du gouvernement calédonien de construire, aux côtés de ses partenaires mélanésiens, un avenir partagé fondé sur la solidarité, l’ouverture et le développement mutuel au sein de la région Pacifique.
Speech by SCED at plenary session of APEC Ministerial Meeting (1) (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by SCED at plenary session of APEC Ministerial Meeting (1) (English only)
Thank you, Chair.
On behalf of the Hong Kong, China (HKC) delegation, let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to Korea for the warm hospitality and for hosting us in this historic and beautiful city of Gyeongju.
The rapid development of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is fundamentally changing our societies at an unprecedented pace. To fully harness the benefits and smoothen the transformation process, HKC strongly supports deepening APEC’s digital co-operation to foster economic growth and address common challenges. To this end, I would like to offer three suggestions.
First, we must provide an enabling environment for digital innovation to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. This calls for strengthening infrastructure and adopting an application-oriented approach to promote deep integration of AI across the economy. HKC has been taking concrete actions. In terms of infrastructure, apart from the Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre established last year, we will develop an additional high-performing data facility cluster to provide advanced computing power for innovation. To promote AI adoption, we are attempting regulatory innovations like the AI sandbox for financial institutions, accelerating the digital transformation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and upgrading our trade architecture with AI. Our Government is also leading by example. As announced by our Chief Executive in his Policy Address last month, we are forming an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to drive technological reform and modernise workflows across government agencies.
Second, we must ensure that the benefits of digital advancement are shared across all sectors. With a people-centred approach, HKC is tackling key challenges such as digital divides and job displacements that are impeding an inclusive digital transition. Besides developing a strategic blueprint that will incorporate AI literacy into the core curriculum and enhance teacher training to ensure our next generation is future-ready, we are also reforming retraining programmes and strengthening re-employment support for our current workforce.
Third, we should leverage APEC’s unique role as an incubator of ideas to advance digital co-operation. Over the past decade, APEC has made significant strides in its digital agenda, from the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap to the APEC AI Initiative this year. We particularly commend Korea’s leadership in mainstreaming AI across APEC’s agenda, effectively connecting it to both traditional and emerging issues such as trade, demographic changes as well as cultural and creative industries. HKC is pleased to endorse these efforts and will continue to actively contribute to APEC’s co-operation.
In closing, HKC recognises AI as a key enabler to realise the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040. We look forward to working together with fellow member economies to leverage digital co-operation and build a vibrant digital ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific region for the prosperity of our people and future generations. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 12:22
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TD issues pilot licence for autonomous vehicles to approve cross-district trial in Kowloon East
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
TD issues pilot licence for autonomous vehicles to approve cross-district trial in Kowloon EastIssued at HKT 11:23
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City sets course for yacht economy
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Hong Kong boasts 1,180km of shoreline and 263 islands, making it ideal for yachting.
In the recent 2025 Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee proposed, for the first time, to develop the city’s yacht economy, and to establish Hong Kong as a key yachting hub in Asia.
Initiatives include providing 600 additional yacht berths at the former Lamma Quarry, expansion of the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter and the Hung Hom Station waterfront projects, and a planned yacht bay at Airport City, which will include berths that can accommodate superyachts of over 80m in length.
More convenience
Stephen Wong, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) recently held a discussion with prominent figures in the yachting industry to explore the sector’s prospects.
He highlighted that there are new measures in place that mean incoming boats can avoid prior booking, giving seafarers greater convenience.
Hong Kong Boating Industry Association Chair Lawrence Chow agreed that this is a positive development, applauding “the regulations of making it more convenient for visiting yachts to come to Hong Kong, with these new anchorage spaces, and then also streamlining the customs, immigration and quarantine facilities.”
Full ecosystem
The Policy Address also provided details of the proposals for the yacht bay at Airport City.
Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association Executive Director Suzy Rayment stressed the importance of welcoming more high-spending visitors, and remarked that the superyacht industry brings a full ecosystem of jobs and services to Hong Kong.
“For example, you need to have berthing, fuelling and provisioning, and so Hong Kong as a whole benefits from these yachts coming in, because they spend a lot of money,” she said.
Miss Rayment added that many yacht owners manage their vessels through family offices, and that they may also own private jets or have a helicopter on their yachts.
For Mr Wong, the emphasis on high-value yacht owners aligns well with the city’s strategy of attracting family offices, as well as its efforts to build the city’s reputation as an art trading hub.
Complementing this perspective, Mr Chow said that more boats coming in will mean more career opportunities for captains and crew, a growing role for the maintenance sector, and new opportunities for Hong Kong’s mega event industry.
“When we have, for example, the Hong Kong Marina there, it could possibly host some international events in the heart of the city. That really puts Hong Kong on the map.”
Key gateway
Mr Wong also underlined Hong Kong’s strategic role in connecting regional yacht communities, as well as its potential to serve as a springboard into the Greater Bay Area.
He said the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association is active in organising prestigious events, such as international yacht shows, that attract important business travellers.
Miss Rayment explained that the association works across the Asia-Pacific area with regional neighbours including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan.
She described Hong Kong as a fantastic hub because of its well-established boating community, which includes 70-plus superyacht owners.
“And if we add in the Greater Bay Area, that is going to be quite amazing.”
Co-ordinating role
The industry stakeholders also applauded the CEPU’s co-ordination efforts, including its hosting of a roundtable discussion on the yacht economy in March. The forum gathered insights from industry leaders, Legislative Council members and government bureaus.
Mr Chow praised the rapid progress made so far and the way the CEPU has brought together different stakeholders, commenting “It means a lot.”
Miss Rayment affirmed that industry associations can offer information of a technical nature that will be invaluable to policy-makers going forward.
Mr Wong added that the CEPU looks forward to collaborating further with industry players to help Hong Kong’s yacht economy develop its potential.
Murder and suicide in Tsing Yi
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police are investigating a murder and suicide case happened in Tsing Yi today (October 29) in which a man and a woman died.
At 2.29pm, Police received a report that a man was found lying unconscious outside Hang Chi House, Cheung Hang Estate, suspected of having fallen from height.
Police officers sped to the scene. The 82-year-old man was certified dead at scene. Officers later located a 56-year-old woman lying unconscious inside a unit in Wang Sum House, Cheung Wang Estate. Sustaining head injuries, she was certified dead at scene.
Initial investigation revealed that the man had allegedly attacked the woman with a blunt object inside the unit in Wang Sum House.
Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.
Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Kwai Tsing District is underway.
Police National Security Department arrests two men and three women
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force arrested two local men and three local women, aged between 32 and 60, in Kowloon and the New Territories yesterday (October 28). They were suspected of committing offences contravening the Public Order Ordinance (Cap 245), for “aiding and abetting riot”, “incitement to riot” and “conspiracy to incite riot”, as well as the offence of “sedition” under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They were also suspected of “perverting the course of public justice”.
Police investigations revealed that the arrested persons were suspected of manufacturing and providing weapons for frontline rioters who participated in multiple riots in late 2019, with the intention of causing serious casualties. One of the arrested men, aged 34, was also suspected of repeatedly posting seditious posts on his social media platform, which included inciting hatred against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and encouraging unlawful behavior. Another arrested woman, aged 50, was suspected of “perverting the course of public justice” by attempting to assist one of the arrested men in removing evidence related to the case.
During the operation, a total of about $250,000 in cash was seized, believed to be related to the case. The arrested persons are being detained for further enquires. Police operation is ongoing.
Police stressed that anyone participating in or supporting acts that undermine public peace and endanger national security is committing a serious offence. The maximum penalties for offences of “rioting” and “sedition” upon conviction are 10 years and seven years of imprisonment respectively. Police will continue to uphold the principle of “laws are observed and strictly enforced, to bring offenders to account” and will take resolute enforcement actions.