Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Import and Export (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 gazetted
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, “We are grateful to the Legislative Council for passing the relevant bill to provide the legal basis for the implementation of TSW Phase 3, achieving another important milestone on trade facilitation. The TSW not only overhauls and enhances the document submission workflows between participating government agencies and the trade, but also enhances the efficiency of cargo clearance in Hong Kong and helps consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre and a logistics hub. The Government is pressing ahead with the development and testing of the information technology (IT) system of TSW Phase 3, with the target of rolling out the services by batches from 2026 onwards.”
The Government is implementing the TSW in three phases to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the trade to lodge business-to-government trade documents for trade declaration and cargo clearance. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the TSW have been in full service since 2020 and 2023 respectively, covering 42 types of trade documents in total. Phase 3 is the final and most complex phase of the TSW. It involves a large volume of documents submitted by a wide range of stakeholders, covering Import and Export Declarations (TDEC), cargo information required to be submitted under different transport modes (including Advance Cargo Information, Cargo Manifests and Cargo Reports), and applications for Certificates of Origin and Dutiable Commodities Permits. The IT system of Phase 3 will replace the long-established GETS and major cargo clearance systems of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), and the trade will be required to use the TSW to submit relevant trade documents.
Features of Phase 3 include: To provide sufficient time for the trade to migrate to the new system, the Amendment Ordinance has included provisions on transitional arrangements to allow parallel run of TSW Phase 3 and GETS for a certain period of time. The C&ED will also launch a series of publicity, promotion and training programmes and provide support services prior to the rollout of Phase 3 services to ensure a smooth transition for the trade.
The main provisions of the Amendment Ordinance come into operation today, except for some provisions relating to the deletion of the existing legal framework of GETS, which shall take effect on a day to be designated by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise by notice published in the Gazette.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Gazettal of two pieces of subsidiary legislation under Copyright Ordinance
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Gazettal of two pieces of subsidiary legislation under Copyright Ordinance
The above two pieces of subsidiary legislation are made under section 46(1) of the Ordinance. They aim to specify libraries, museums and archives and prescribe conditions for certain permitted acts for use of copyright works, and at the same time replace the Copyright (Libraries) Regulations (Cap. 528B) currently governing some of the relevant permitted acts.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, “The Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 (the Amendment Ordinance), which came into operation on May 1, 2023, not only has strengthened copyright protection in the digital environment, but also maintained a proper balance between copyright protection and reasonable use of copyright works. The Amendment Ordinance has introduced and expanded the permitted acts for specified libraries, museums and archives to facilitate their reasonable use of copyright works in their collections during daily operations, promoting research, private study, as well as knowledge dissemination and preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Therefore, it is necessary to update the relevant subsidiary legislation to facilitate the above.”
The spokesperson added that the Government had earlier conducted a public consultation on the legislative proposals for the two pieces of subsidiary legislation and had carefully considered and taken on board the views of stakeholders. The proposals will provide specified libraries, museums and archives with a statutory framework which is clear and complies with the Ordinance, thereby enabling them to more effectively perform and fulfil their functions in education and the inheritance of knowledge and culture.
The two pieces of subsidiary legislation will be tabled before the Legislative Council on July 16 for negative vetting. Upon completion of the relevant legislative procedures, the Government will carry out publicity and educational activities to enhance the awareness of the relevant provisions among the specified libraries, museums, archives and their users, and to enable the relevant stakeholders to get fully prepared before the two pieces of subsidiary legislation come into effect on January 1 next year.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Appointments to Financial Reporting Review Panel
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Financial Reporting Review Panel
The appointments and reappointments, made in accordance with the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588) (AFRC Ordinance), are:
New Convenors
———————-
Mr Paul Donald Hebditch
Mr Eric Tang Ying-cheung
Mr Tang Yiu-chung
New Members
———————-
Ms Fanny Hsiang Yuet-ming
Mr Alexander Kaung Wai-ming
Mr Lam Chi-ki
Ms Carrie Lau Kar-yee
Mr Jason Li Jiasheng
Mr Ng Chun-man
Ms Elza Yuen Wai-yiu
Reappointed Member
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Mr Jacob Lee Chi-hin
A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau today (July 11) said, “The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) is a key regulator for corporate governance of companies listed in Hong Kong. One of the statutory functions of the AFRC is to initiate enquiries concerning non-compliance with legal, accounting or regulatory requirements in a listed entity’s financial reports.
“The FRRP, a statutory body established under the AFRC Ordinance, is indispensable to the discharge of the AFRC’s statutory functions of enquiries. The work of the FRRP will benefit from the rich experience and professional knowledge of the members.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the two outgoing Convenors and nine outgoing members for their valuable contribution to the work of the FRRP in the past years,” the spokesman added.
When an enquiry case arises, the AFRC may appoint one Convenor and four or more members from the FRRP to form a Financial Reporting Review Committee which will enquire into the relevant non-compliance of the case. The Committee will submit an enquiry report on the case to the AFRC for consideration and, where appropriate, follow-up action.
Issued at HKT 11:00
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Rates and Government rent due July 31
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Rates and Government rent due July 31Issued at HKT 11:00
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Appointments to SCOLAR announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 11) announced the reappointment of Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) for two years with effect from July 1, 2025.
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, “Under Dr Chan’s outstanding leadership over the past four years, SCOLAR continues to collaborate with various stakeholders to organise and support a wide range of activities promoting biliteracy and trilingualism. These efforts are dedicated to enhancing local language strengths at various levels of the community, developing Hong Kong’s language and talent capital, and creating a more conducive language learning environment for the community. “
The EDB also reappointed eight serving members and appointed four new members to SCOLAR, with their terms ending on June 30, 2027.
Dr Choi also thanked the outgoing members, Ms Joanne Fong Yee-man, Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him, Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung, and Dr Tse Wai-lok, for their sterling service and contributions to the work of SCOLAR.
“The Government will continue to work closely with SCOLAR to create and cultivate an environment conducive to language learning, with a view to enhancing the public’s biliterate and trilingual proficiency,” she said.
The updated membership list of SCOLAR is as follows:
Chairperson
—————
Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen
Reappointed members
—————————-
Mr Kenny Chan Ngai-sang
Ms Katherine Cheung Marn-kay
Ms Cheung Shin-yee
Mrs Cindy Chow Lok Mei-ki
Mr Mohan Datwani
Professor Lo Yuen-yi
Mr Pang Chor-fu
Professor Zhu Xin-hua
Newly appointed members
———————————-
Ms Ip Wan-ting, Belinda
Ms Lam Chui-ling, Nancy
Mr Kenneth Ng King-tsun
Professor Tam Kar-yan
Ex-officio members
————————
Deputy Secretary for Education
Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council’s Committee on Chinese Language Education
Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council’s Committee on English Language Education
Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council’s Committee on Early Childhood Education
Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals
Secretary-General of Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority or representative
SCOLAR was set up in 1996 to advise the Government on language education issues in general and on the use of the Language Fund.
Units providing day child care services will not open today
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Units providing day child care services will not open today
Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
“As announced by the Government earlier, units under the Social Welfare Department providing child care centre services, services under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, and after school care programmes for pre-primary or primary school children, will not open to the public today (July 11). Members of the public in need may contact the centres or services units concerned for assistance.”
Issued at HKT 5:21
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Suspension of Day Schools and Rescheduling of Secondary One Registration Day
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Classes of all day schools, including secondary schools, primary schools, special schools, kindergartens, and kindergartens-cum-child care centres, are suspended today (July 11). If classes of evening schools are required to be suspended tonight, the Education Bureau will make the announcement in due course.
Meanwhile, the Secondary One registration originally scheduled for today is rescheduled to next Monday, July 14. If parents are unable to register in person or through an authorised representative on the above dates, please contact the allocated secondary school or the School Places Allocation Section of the Education Bureau (Tel: 2832 7700 or 2832 7740) to make appropriate registration arrangements.
Four men arrested by Police National Security Department
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force took enforcement actions on July 9 and arrested four men, aged between 15 and 47, who were suspected of illegally participating in the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance, which was established in China’s Taiwan region and engaged in activities aimed at committing subversion, in contravention of the offence of subversion under Article 22 of the National Security Law. The arrested persons are being detained for investigation.
The Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance was established in 2024 through a social media platform, with the objectives of committing subversion and achieving “Hong Kong independence”. The organisation has publicly expressed its stance in support of secession and subversion on various occasions. Investigation revealed that the arrested persons held different roles within the organisation and were actively involved in its affairs, including planning publicity, liaising with external forces and organising related activities.
Police stressed that any person or organisation inciting secession, subversion or endangering national security in any form is committing a serious offence. Any person who contravenes the offence of “subversion” is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Police will ensure that the law is observed and strictly enforced, and will take resolute actions to hold offenders accountable. All illegal acts will be followed up to this end.
Dutch and European business leaders share insights on “Financial Services and FinTech, Business and Professional Services” at annual NHKBA summer event (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association (NHKBA), with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, organised the annual summer event under the theme “Financial Services and FinTech, Business and Professional Services” on July 7 (Amsterdam time) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The event gathered around 100 representatives from Dutch and European business leaders, and Hong Kong representatives to exchange insights on key sectors under the theme.
Speaking at the event, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted the resilience of Hong Kong’s economy amid global challenges. She emphasised, “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong has maintained a solid institutional foundation of the rule of law, independent judiciary, robust regulatory regime, a low and simple tax system, and free flow of people, goods, capital and information, and has remained a trusted gateway to Asia and a market for global capital.”
Ms Yung cited Hong Kong’s rankings in a number of recent surveys as one of the world’s top three international financial centres, among the top three in global competitiveness, the freest economy in the world, and home to five universities ranked in the world’s top 100.
She further underlined that financial services remain a pillar of Hong Kong’s economy. She remarked, “Our deep capital markets, efficient banking system, and strong legal and regulatory infrastructure provide an ecosystem in which businesses from around the world can thrive. We are also embracing the future through fintech innovation.”
Ms Yung also updated the audience on Hong Kong’s latest efforts to refine financial regulation to balance innovation with investor protection, including the recent completion of legislation on stablecoins. She also discussed Hong Kong’s leading role in green and sustainable bond issuance in Asia.
The NHKBA annual summer event concluded with networking sessions and engaging discussions on how Dutch and European enterprises can benefit from Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” between Europe, Asia, and China. The evening culminated in a dinner reception, at which the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, spoke on Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Urumqi Customs and attends launching ceremony of Fuzhou Customs District’s Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
​The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, yesterday (July 9) completed his four-day visit to the Urumqi Customs District and the Fuzhou Customs District. He attended the launching ceremony of the Fuzhou Customs District’s Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme during his visit.
During July 6 to 8, Mr Chan visited the Urumqi Customs to meet with the Director General in the Urumqi Customs District, Mr Hao Weiming. The two exchanged views on the promotion of Hong Kong’s economic and trade ties and exchanges with Xinjiang, as well as the exploration of co-operation opportunities and enhancement of collaboration between the two sides. Mr Chan also visited the Urumqi International Land Port, the Operation Monitoring and Inspection Control Centre of the Urumqi Customs District, and the Kalasu Ground Crossing to learn more about the intelligent cargo monitoring and customs clearance process of the China-Europe Railway Express in Urumqi. He expressed hope that both sides could reinforce the complementary strengths of the country’s southern and western gateways to contribute to the stability of the supply chain between Asia and Europe in the future.
During the visit, Mr Chan and the Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Zhu Lifan, toured the Khunjerab Ground Crossing Gateway, which is under the Urumqi Customs and has an altitude reaching 5 100 metres, to understand its significance in safeguarding the smooth operation of the China-Pakistan economic corridor and national security. They also discussed issues of mutual concern. Afterwards, they visited the Shuibulanggou Party Spirit Education Base.
Yesterday, Mr Chan went to Fuzhou to continue his visit and attended the launching ceremony of the Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme in Fuzhou Customs. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the official launch of the first Customs clearance point of the Scheme in Fuzhou Customs will help further promote interconnections and the flow of goods between Fujian, Guangdong and Hong Kong, marking a new breakthrough in clearance facilitation and co-operation between Mainland and Hong Kong Customs. Meanwhile, Mr Chan said he hopes that the extension of the Scheme to Fuzhou Customs would enhance the efficiency of cross-boundary intermodal transportation, bring Fuzhou’s various products to overseas markets, and consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong’s status and competitiveness as an international maritime centre, international aviation hub and international logistics hub, creating a win-win situation for trade between the two places.
At the event, the first transportation truck carrying transshipment goods departed from the first clearance point in Fuzhou Customs District through the Scheme, and arrived at Hong Kong International Airport via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point this morning (July 10), where the goods were transshipped to overseas destinations. Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Customs could streamline the clearance process and expedite the flow of cargo transshipments by reducing duplicated inspections of the same consignments under the Scheme.
In Fuzhou, Mr Chan also separately met with member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government Mr Zhang Fan; the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Feng Guoqing; and the Deputy Director General in the Fuzhou Customs District, Mr Lin Yuefei. He expressed his gratitude for their dedicated support and co-ordination in extending the Scheme to Fuzhou Customs District, and had discussions on leveraging opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and deepening co-operation.
Following Xiamen Customs District, Fuzhou Customs District is the second Customs District to implement the Scheme in Fujian Province. Hong Kong and Mainland Customs will continue to proactively expand the Single E-lock Scheme by establishing more clearance points in both places, and plan to extend the Scheme to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to attract more cargoes to Hong Kong for transshipment and increase the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s shipping and logistics sector.