Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SCST witnesses signing of MOU between Hong Kong and Bordeaux on wine and food tourism promotion
Before the signing of the MOU, Miss Law and Dr Lam met with the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Thomas Cazenave; the Vice President of the CIVB, Mr Philippe Tapie; and the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux and President of the Bordeaux Tourism and Conventions Office, Mr Fabien Robert, to exchange views on strengthening cultural and gastronomic promotion ties. They jointly witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Wine and Food Tourism Promotion between the HKTB and the CIVB to facilitate collaboration in the promotion of fine wine and food.
“Following my official visit last year, I am delighted to be back in the world capital of wine to further strengthen the enduring ties between Hong Kong and France,” Miss Law said.
Miss Law also commented that the strong ties built with the CIVB and other key Bordeaux partners, together with the leadership of the Chairman of the HKTB, Dr Lam, and the Executive Director, Mr Anthony Lau, had made the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival held in October last year a resounding success, attracting over 160 000 attendees during the four-day festival.
Miss Law and Dr Lam earlier visited Villa Primrose, home to the BNP Paribas Primrose International Tennis Tournament, which runs from May 11 to 17. Beyond its sporting competitions, the tournament has become a major highlight of Bordeaux’s events, attracting visitors worldwide by offering a wide range of activities at the century-old Villa Primrose during the competition period.
On May 10 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law and Dr Lam visited the Bassins des Lumières. Opened in 2020 in Bordeaux, this world’s largest digital art centre is housed within a vast former World War II submarine base. It features immersive 360-degree digital exhibitions, where art is projected onto concrete walls and reflected in the water of four gigantic basins. Visitors walk across footbridges or sit on the bleachers to watch masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Matisse, Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí set to music.
Miss Law will continue her visit to Bordeaux on May 12 (Bordeaux time).
Issued at HKT 12:35
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Dance drama “Lady White Snake” to open Chinese Culture Festival 2026 in June to revive millennial legend with contemporary resonance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Dance drama “Lady White Snake” to open Chinese Culture Festival 2026 in June to revive millennial legend with contemporary resonance
While drawing from the beloved legend “The Legend of the White Snake”, the production breaks free from the traditional framework, reimagining the timeless tale through the lens of a psychological drama. The narrative follows a wife who, haunted by recurring dreams of the Green Snake, is taken by her husband to see a psychologist. Under hypnosis, the layers of her dreams are unveiled, embarking on a spiritual journey of pursuing self-determination. The programme constructs two parallel realms: the “contemporary” world – comprising the wife, the husband and the psychologist – mirrors the “ancient” world of Lady White (White Snake), Xu Xian and Fa Hai. Xiao Qing (Green Snake) flits between these two realms, symbolising the “untamed id” of the wife in search of her true self. White Snake and Green Snake exist as two sides of the same coin, with their conflict and eventual synthesis reflecting the struggles, choices and growth of modern souls.
The production retains iconic chapters of the traditional lore, such as “Borrowing the Umbrella on the West Lake”, “Encounter at the Broken Bridge” and “Flooding of Jinshan Temple”, while utilising the interplay of reality and illusion to create a dialogue between contemporary life and the ancient legend. The scenes are named after Solar Terms and traditional festivals, including Awakening the Insects, Grain Rain, Grain in Ear, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. These markers not only drive the narrative but also mirror the emotional arcs of the characters, demonstrating a refined application of traditional culture.
“Lady White Snake” blends Western ballet with Chinese classical dance, while infusing elements of modern dance and martial arts to create a unique multidisciplinary style. This fusion enriches the choreographic vocabulary, heightening the emotional expression of the characters and the overall narrative tension. The iconic scene “Encounter at the Broken Bridge” is presented through a ballet pas de deux depicting the encounter between the White Snake and Xu Xian, where the tossing and catching of an oil-paper umbrella conveys the subtle sentiments of oriental charm. The duet of Fa Hai and Xiao Qing features fluttering water sleeves and soaring leaps, showcasing the power and agility inherent in Chinese classical dance. Ensemble sequences – ranging from the modern supermarket shopping scene to the underwater world beneath the lake – utilise delicate and fluid body language to create unique tableaus steeped in oriental aesthetic resonance.
“Lady White Snake” brings together a “dream team” of top-tier artists from various disciplines and celebrated dancers. Tan YuanYuan serves as artistic director, with Zhou Ke, associate professor of the Directing Department at Shanghai Theatre Academy, takes on the role of director, and Luo Zhou, a national first-class scriptwriter and director of the Jiangsu Provincial Drama and Literature Creation Institute, acts as playwright – forming a female-led creative trio. The choreographer is Wang Peixian, a young dancer and faculty member of the Department of Musical Theater at Beijing Dance Academy. Music is composed by Xu Zhong, Artistic Director of Shanghai Opera House and a renowned conductor and pianist. The set design is the work of Gao Guangjian, Stage Design Director of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, together with Xiao Lihe, lighting designer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony, and renowned new media artist Feng Jiangzhou, who jointly create a stage space that seamlessly transitions between modern and classical aesthetics. Adding further brilliance to the production is costume design by Viola Zhang, an emerging post-90s designer.
In terms of casting, the “Moon” cast will take the stage on June 12, comprising principal dancer of the Suzhou Ballet, Ao Dingwen (as wife/Lady White); first principal dancer of the Shanghai Ballet, Wu Husheng (as husband/Xu Xian); as well as principal dancers of the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble, Tan Yimei (as Xiao Qing) and Song Yu (as psychologist/Fa Hai). The “Luck” cast will then perform in the second performance on June 13, featuring principal dancer of Cincinnati Ballet from the United States, Liu Sirui (as wife/Lady White); former principal dancer of the Béjart Ballet Lausanne from the Switzerland, Sun Jiayong (as husband/Xu Xian); as well as national first-class actors Wang Nianci (as Xiao Qing) and Su Hailu (as psychologist/Fa Hai) from the Youth Dance Company of Beijing Dance Academy. Dancers from the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble will participate in both performances.
The Shanghai Grand Theatre, the first world-class international theatre on the Chinese Mainland, opened in 1998. In 2022, it established the Shanghai Grand Theatre Creative Centre, which produces original works of “Oriental Stage Aesthetics Series” and commercial musicals, integrating Chinese aesthetics into contemporary expression and international narratives. The Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble is a long-renowned professional dance company on the Chinese Mainland. Its national dance drama “Dagger Society” is regarded as one of the foundation works of Chinese national dance drama. Over the years, the ensemble has nurtured numerous distinguished choreographers and performing artists.
“Dance Drama ‘Lady White Snake’ by Shanghai Grand Theatre” will be held at 7.30pm on June 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC). Tickets priced at $220, $300, $400, $520 and $620 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk
A number of extension activities will be organised for this programme. A pre-performance talk will be held at 7.30pm on June 10 (Wednesday) at AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, HKCC. Tan YuanYuan and main casts/creative team will share their creative journey of this dance drama. In addition, a dance masterclass will be co-organised by the LCSD and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), in which Tan YuanYuan will explain how to apply modern sensibility to a classic legend through leading a masterclass for students from the School of Dance of the HKAPA. It will be held at 2.30pm on June 11 (Thursday) at Dance Studio 1 of the HKAPA. Observers are welcome. The above-mentioned two extension activities will be conducted in Putonghua. Admission is free, and online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_1943.html#tab_8_0
The programme will also feature a session under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series”, with an open rehearsal to be held at 2.15pm on June 12 at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Admission is free for local primary and secondary school students to encourage them to participate in cultural activities and experience the wonders of Chinese culture and arts. Interested schools can call 2268 7323 for details.
The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2026 will be held from June to September. It will host various forms of distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities, affording the public and visitors more opportunities to appreciate and experience the beauty of fine traditional Chinese culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit www.ccf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:31
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Protecting lives with love, carrying forward the spirit of nursing professionalism
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Today (May 12) marks the annual International Nurses Day. Public hospitals of the Hospital Authority (HA) have recently organised various celebration activities to recognise and pay tribute to nursing colleagues for their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the public health. The HA also encourages colleagues to uphold and carry forward the spirit of Nightingale to provide high-quality and holistic care through professionalism and compassion.
The International Council of Nurses has designated May 12 as International Nurses Day every year, a day when nursing organisations around the world come together to discuss the future direction of the nursing profession. The HA has always placed great importance on the development of nursing profession. In addition to continually refining career pathways for the nursing staff, the HA also provides nursing colleagues with diverse training opportunities. The HA also attaches great importance to the well-being of nurses, and is committed to creating a supportive environment for their professional development.
SITI commences visit to Sweden
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Stockholm, Sweden on May 11 (Stockholm time). The visit aims to further deepen exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Sweden in innovation and technology (I&T), and to gain a deeper understanding of Sweden’s experience and achievements in a high degree of integration of education, technology and industry.
In the morning, Professor Sun visited KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and met with the Vice President of Global Relations, Professor Stefan Östlund, to exchange views on deepening international collaboration. KTH is the largest technical education and research university there. Professor Sun received a briefing on the Institute’s latest developments in innovation ecosystem and biotechnology research and development. Both sides also explored new collaboration opportunities in frontier fields such as life sciences.
Professor Sun pointed out that the National 15th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong developing into an international I&T centre, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, and supporting Hong Kong to build an international hub for high-calibre talent. Sweden possesses world-class research capabilities and an innovation ecosystem that emphasises on both scientific research and industry application. He said he hoped to learn from Sweden’s successful experience in the development of industry-academia-research integration, so as to transform the Northern Metropolis into an international hub of I&T and education, and promote the co-ordinated development of education and technology in the Northern Metropolis University Town.
Professor Sun then attended a roundtable luncheon hosted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. The Academy is the world’s oldest engineering sciences academy, dedicated to promoting engineering sciences and the advancement of industry for the benefit of society. At the luncheon, Professor Sun shared that Hong Kong is making every effort to develop into an international I&T centre by continuously improving its I&T ecosystem, converging global research talent, capital and technology, and promoting the deep integration of industry, academic and research sectors. He emphasised that with the unique advantage of enjoying strong support from the Motherland and close connection to the world, Hong Kong could act as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in facilitating I&T co-operation between the Chinese Mainland, Sweden and other European countries, as well as serve as a gateway for overseas enterprises to develop their businesses in the Mainland.
In the afternoon, Professor Sun visited the Karolinska Institutet and met with the Vice President, Professor Martin Bergö. They had an in-depth exchange on topics including the syngergistic innovation of industry-academia-research and attracting talent, and explored opportunities to further enhance collaboration between research institutes and higher education institutions in both places. The Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical schools, renowned for its life science research. Professor Sun was also briefed about the Institutet’s innovation and research outcomes transformation ecosystem, and he also learned about the Flemingsberg Science Foundation’s work in building a local life science cluster, as well as showcases of advanced therapies by local enterprises.
Professor Sun also visited the renowned SciLifeLab, a national life science laboratory to advance molecular biosciences. Jointly established by four universities including the Karolinska Institutet, KTH, the Stockholm University and the Uppsala University, the laboratory has fostered numerous Nobel Prize-winning R&D (research and development) achievements.
In the evening, Professor Sun attended a dinner reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. He stated in a keynote speech that Hong Kong is committed to promoting innovation and facilitating global collaboration, pointing out that Hong Kong and Sweden are both open and innovation-driven economies with highly compatible development directions. With I&T as the core of its economic strategy, Hong Kong is actively advancing key industries such as life and health technologies, AI and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing and new energy, and establishing partnerships with leading global research institutions through platforms like InnoHK.
Professor Sun pointed out that Hong Kong is advancing a number of crucial I&T development projects, including the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, new initiatives in AI and life and health technology, continuously expanding digital infrastructures, and the forthcoming HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund. These initiatives will further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international I&T centre. He sincerely invited Swedish enterprises, research talent and investors to deepen co-operation with Hong Kong.
Professor Sun also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr Zhou Limin, to introduce Hong Kong’s strategic positioning as an international I&T centre, and point out that under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will actively expand co-operation with international I&T partners, including Sweden, to continuously enhance its innovation capabilities and international competitiveness.
Upon his arrival in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10, Professor Sun immediately visited Tekniska Museet, which is the city’s largest museum of science and technology. The museum is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage related to science and industrial history and showcasing to the public how technology drives social, cultural and economic development. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will make good use of the two science-related museums in Hong Kong and relevant educational facilities to organise more diverse science popularisation activities to further enhance the public’s technology literacy.
Professor Sun will continue his visit to Sweden on May 12 (Stockholm time), and proceed to visit Helsinki, Finland later on the same day.
Women Empowerment Fund invites 2026-27 first-round applications
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Women Empowerment Fund invites 2026-27 first-round applications
Set up in June 2023, the Fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation and background, to unlock their full potential in their respective roles, thereby promoting women’s development in Hong Kong. From this year onwards, the annual funding for the Fund is increased to $30 million to strengthen support for women’s development.
The Fund is divided into general and thematic projects. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year general project is $400,000 and $800,000 respectively. The two current thematic projects under the Fund include the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme and the Programme on Women’s Participation in Community Services. The exchange programme will enable women to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of national affairs, and interact with local residents, thereby promoting women’s development. Each exchange project shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $120,000. In addition, the community services programme aims to encourage women to make use of their own strengths to plan and launch community service projects, thereby promoting care and inclusion. Each community services project shall be completed within one year, and the funding cap is $400,000.
This year, a new thematic project, the Programme on Women’s Career Development, will be launched. It focuses on providing employment-related support to women and empowering them to re-enter the workforce, make a career transition, and pursue their own careers. The funding cap for each one-year and two-year career development project is $500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively.
The Fund accepts two rounds of applications each year. The Guide to Application and the application form have been uploaded to the Fund’s website (www.wef.gov.hk/en/index.htmlIssued at HKT 16:00
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Speech by SITI at dinner reception co-hosted by London ETO and Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at a dinner reception co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden today (May 11, Stockholm time):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is a pleasure to join you here in Stockholm. Home to more than 40 unicorns, from global music icons like Spotify, to the creators of mobile games like Candy Crush Saga, Sweden has shown to the world how innovation has been a story of connection. Hong Kong believes in the same.
Hong Kong and Sweden are both open economies with a global outlook. We invest in people, education and scientific excellence. In today’s world, we are witnessing the convergence of major trends such as the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and digitalisation, and the reshaping of global supply chain. Hong Kong is determined to seize the opportunities these trends bring.
I&T (innovation and technology) are at the heart of Hong Kong’s economic future. Our I&T Blueprint, promulgated in 2022, sets out a coherent and forward-looking strategy to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, with a focus on life and health technologies, AI and robotics, as well as advanced manufacturing and new energy.
In recent years, Hong Kong has established an I&T ecosystem anchored by three major I&T Parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions. Through this framework, we hope to promote the positive interaction of research and development in the upstream, technology transfer in the midstream, as well as application and development of industries in the downstream.
Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities. Our academic excellence and research capability are among our greatest assets. To leverage our strengths and foster global I&T collaboration, our flagship R&D initiative, InnoHK, has built collaboration with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, including Sweden. Together, we have set up a total of 38 research centres under three clusters focusing on the research on health technologies, AI and robotics, and sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, pooling together more than 3 000 international research talents. We are proud to have Karolinska Institutet as a key collaborating partner in two of these centres, demonstrating the synergy between Swedish scientific excellence and Hong Kong’s research strengths.
We are also making bold and strategic investment in I&T infrastructure. The most exciting development is the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park).
Opened last December, the Hong Kong Park will become a world‑class hub for frontier research, technology translation, and pilot production. What makes it unique is its cross-boundary model combining Hong Kong’s robust R&D capabilities and international openness with Shenzhen’s industrial depth and manufacturing power. This is a perfect destination for Swedish companies that hope to tab into the vast Mainland market while at the same time enjoying the various convenience of doing business in Hong Kong – our low and simply tax system, free flow of capital, our common law system – to name but a few.
Here in Sweden which is a global leader in life sciences and health technology, let me share with you all that Hong Kong is establishing the Life and Health Research Institute with a focus on “AI and Life Sciences” in the Hong Kong Park. This Institute will leverage Hong Kong’s R&D strengths in life and health technology supplemented by artificial intelligence, attract leading global innovation and technology talents and research teams to Hong Kong. We hope to achieve more original results and pioneering breakthroughs, and accelerate the transformation of research outcomes, so as to allow Hong Kong to contribute to the health and well-being of humanity worldwide. On this, we very much welcome Swedish researchers, start-ups and enterprises to join this new Institute for more regional and global I&T collaboration.
AI is reshaping industries worldwide. Sweden has developed its national AI Strategy, and so has Hong Kong. Putting forward our national AI+ initiative, Hong Kong is focusing on “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach” to drive AI across multiple dimensions. The Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute will commence operation later this year. The Institute welcomes international collaboration including joint labs, researcher exchanges, and co‑development of AI governance frameworks, an area where Nordic countries are global leaders.
Our digital infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, now under construction, will provide 180 000 PFLOPS (peta-floating point operations per second) of computing power by 2032. It will serve as a secure, efficient international data hub that supports digital innovation and AI-related industries.
Hong Kong is also making use of market forces to develop our strategic technology industries. For example, we will soon launch a HK$10 billion funds-of-funds called the I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, approximately 11.9 billion Swedish kronor, to encourage market capital to invest in strategic industries. By selecting eligible professional fund managers to set up sub-funds, we hope to channel more market capital to invest in I&T industries and support the development of emerging and future industries of strategic importance to Hong Kong. We very much welcome capital from Sweden to join us on this exciting venture.
We are happy to see that our dedication to I&T has come to fruition. In the Global Innovation Index 2025 Ranking of World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters by World Intellectual Property Organisation, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster ranked first globally for the first time. In the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong ranked fourth globally. We also witnessed a record high of 5 200 start-ups in Hong Kong—an increase of around 40 per cent compared with five years ago. Over the past few years, we have also facilitated more than 600 leading I&T or high potential enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, including international names like AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Hong Kong is always open to global talent and ideas and will continue to play our role as a “super connector” and “super value‑adder” at an international level. As we look ahead, I am confident that the ties between Hong Kong and Sweden will continue to deepen and I look forward to the many possibilities we will create together.
May I thank the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sweden and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London for organising this reception. I wish everyone an enjoyable evening. Thank you.
Tender awarded for site in Tseung Kwan O for electric vehicle charging station
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Lands Department announced today (May 12) that the tender for a site, Tseung Kwan O Town Lot No. 137 at Po Hong Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, has been awarded to the highest tenderer, Sinopec (Hong Kong) Petrol Filling Station Company Limited (parent company: Sinopec (Hong Kong) Petroleum Holding Company Limited), on a 12-year land grant at a premium of $36,386,000. The site has an area of about 2 640 square metres for electric vehicle charging station purposes.
The tenderers, other than the successful tenderer, in alphabetical order, with the name of the parent company where provided by the tenderer in brackets, were:
(1) AX Xeco Limited; and
(2) Shell Hong Kong Limited.
Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for April 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 12) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for April 2026.
The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs decreased from 44.3 in March 2026 in the contractionary zone to 44.0 in April 2026, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. May 2026) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.5. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for some surveyed sectors dropped in April 2026 as compared with previous month, particularly for the restaurants (from 40.6 to 38.1), import and export trades (from 46.3 to 45.4) and wholesale trade (from 42.2 to 41.3).
The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades decreased from 46.8 in March 2026 to 46.1 in April 2026, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. May 2026) was 47.9.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business sentiment amongst SMEs was still cautious in April amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, but the situation stabilised somewhat. While the current diffusion index on business receipts for SMEs fell slightly from the preceding month, the outlook diffusion index rose back. Meanwhile, the overall employment situation remained generally steady.
Looking ahead, the evolving Middle East conflict remains a key source of uncertainty for local business sentiment, but sustained growth of the Hong Kong economy will provide support. The Government has taken targeted measures to ease the impact from high fuel costs and assist SMEs in navigating the fast-changing market environment, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Further information
The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to companies with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent companies in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own companies rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).
EV charging site sold
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Lands Department today announced that the tender for a site at Po Hong Road, Tseung Kwan O has been awarded on a 12-year land grant at a premium of $36,386,000.
Tseung Kwan O Town Lot No. 137 was awarded to Sinopec (Hong Kong) Petrol Filling Station Company, a subsidiary of Sinopec (Hong Kong) Petroleum Holding Company.
It has a site area of about 2,640 sq m and is designated for electric vehicle charging station purposes.
President Lai meets Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
On the morning of May 12, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and Wyoming have built a strong cooperative relationship in agriculture and education, and that in recent years, they have explored new opportunities for collaboration in such areas as the economy, trade, energy, and technology. The president said that Taiwan anticipates both sides continuing to leverage their respective industrial advantages and bolster collaboration while working hand in hand to build more secure and resilient democratic supply chains. Together, he said, we can make even greater contributions to Taiwan-United States relations, as well as to global prosperity and development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
This is Governor Gordon’s second time leading a delegation to Taiwan, with his first visit being in April last year. This demonstrates the great importance he attaches to Taiwan and shows that our partnership continues to deepen. I want to thank him for staunchly supporting exchanges between Taiwan and Wyoming since he took office in 2019. This has allowed both sides to build a strong cooperative relationship in such fields as agriculture and education. Many Taiwanese students are also pursuing education in Wyoming, further deepening the connections between our people and cultures.
In recent years, we have explored new opportunities for collaboration in such areas as the economy, trade, energy, and technology. For example, last year, the Wyoming Energy Authority and the Taiwan Association of Quantum Computing and Information Technology signed an MOU on jointly promoting the development of quantum technology. During Governor Gordon’s current visit, the University of Wyoming has signed research MOUs with Taiwan’s National Central University and National Atomic Research Institute, as well as a letter of intent with our Industrial Technology Research Institute. This further strengthens our cooperation in forward-looking technologies and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) as we work together to drive the net-zero transition and technological innovation. All of these developments clearly demonstrate the achievements of our joint efforts.
At present, we face supply chain restructuring and the challenges brought about by the AI era. Energy security and industrial resilience have thus become important issues of global concern. Wyoming’s strengths in critical minerals and low-carbon technology make it an indispensable partner in Taiwan’s transition. Going forward, we anticipate continuing to leverage our respective industrial advantages and bolster collaboration as we work hand in hand to build more secure and resilient democratic supply chains.
Additionally, Taiwan became the fourth largest trading partner of the US last year. I would like to thank the Wyoming State Legislature for passing resolutions in support of Taiwan for four consecutive years since 2023. These have backed Taiwan’s international participation and endorsed the signing of a Taiwan-US bilateral trade agreement.
This year, Taiwan and the US completed negotiations and signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and an MOU on investment. We also held the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue and signed the Joint Statement on the Pax Silica Declaration and Taiwan-US Economic Security Cooperation. Through the signing of a bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, we hope to further expand economic and trade cooperation and create win-win outcomes.
In closing, I would like to once again welcome Governor Gordon and the delegation. I am confident that with your support, Taiwan and Wyoming will continue to increase cooperation. Together, we can make even greater contributions to Taiwan-US relations, as well as to global prosperity and development.
Governor Gordon then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking time from his busy schedule to meet with the delegation and for the opportunity to meet with top officials from the Taiwanese government. He then stated that it has been an honor to be in Taiwan as well as to continue the work that Taiwan and Wyoming been doing together in honoring their historic relationships.
The governor indicated that on this visit, both sides have had a very eventful opportunity to talk about CCUS. He stated that we now have the opportunity to lead the world in this area, and that the willing partnership of Taiwan and Wyoming can demonstrate the economic viability and importance of reaching net zero. Governor Gordon further remarked that we live in a very interesting time where both the opportunities and the challenges before us have never been greater. He said that in friendship, we can advance the right ways of doing things to make sure that we leave this world a better place.
Governor Gordon continued on to say that with the agreements the two sides have signed, and through technologies like CCUS and small modular nuclear reactors, we can provide tremendous energy that will help power the AI revolution, which is very important to meet. He said that Wyoming is also eager to be able to supply natural gas and other energy materials to help the Taiwanese economy, and that they look forward to economic cooperation to be able to build infrastructure in the US.
Governor Gordon stated that as friends, Taiwan and Wyoming share many similarities. The people of Wyoming are entrepreneurial in spirit and hardworking, he said, just as the people of Taiwan are. He also remarked that they love small business, which is why Wyoming enjoys economic cooperation with Taiwan. The governor closed his remarks by stating that it is wonderful to be with friends, to see a beautiful horizon, and to know there is work to do, saying that together, we can accomplish much.