Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     A spokesperson for the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) stated today (November 5) that LegCo firmly supports the sentence handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court in accordance with the law concerning Wong Chi-fung’s offence of “conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security”. The sentence fully demonstrates the rule of law and justice, reflecting that under the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), anyone attempting to endanger national security will inevitably be severely punished in accordance with the law.

     The LegCo spokesperson stated that the United States Congressional-Executive Commission on China made malicious attacks and smears regarding the sentencing of this case, and even demanded the unconditional release of Wong Chi-fung, which is a complete trampling upon the rule of law. The LegCo spokesperson urged various Western countries, anti-China organisations and politicians, as well as some foreign media, to immediately stop making irresponsible remarks on the adjudication of judicial cases in the HKSAR, and to cease interfering in Hong Kong’s judiciary in any form.

     The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that Wong Chi-fung’s offence endangering national security was extremely serious, and as ruled by the court in its reasons for sentence, the offence was of a grave nature. At the material time, Hong Kong was confronted with the severe impact of social turmoil and riots, and was facing very high risks to national security and the rule of law. At such a critical time, he and his accomplices showed no repentance and continued to act recklessly as agents of foreign countries and external forces following the implementation of the HKNSL, wantonly persisting in conspiring to collude with foreign countries or external forces to endanger national security, in a vain attempt to exert pressure on the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government through external forces. Wong Chi-fung continued to call for foreign sanctions through his own social media accounts and mainstream Western news media or outlets, showing that he was evidently one of the masterminds of the case and an advocate at the forefront.

     The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that the evidence against Wong Chi-fung was conclusive and he chose to plead guilty, reflecting the sufficiency of evidence gathered by the Police to apprehend based on which the Department of Justice prosecuted offenders endangering national security in accordance with the law. The court handed down the sentence based on the facts of the case and legal principles, setting out the relevant reasons in detail and fully reflecting that Hong Kong, as a society underpinned by the rule of law, adheres to the principles that laws must be observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account. The sentence handed down by the court is proportionate with the gravity of his offences and expresses community’s abhorrence at his crimes. This sentence serves as a powerful deterrent to all those attempting to collude with external forces to undermine national interests.

     The LegCo spokesperson emphasised that Hong Kong’s judicial system is protected by the Basic Law, and the Judiciary exercises judicial power independently, free from interference. When adjudicating national security cases or cases of any other nature, the courts of the HKSAR consistently uphold procedural justice that the convictions and sentences in all cases are strictly based on evidence in accordance with the law, rather than on the political stance, background or identity of any individual. All defendants receive fair trials under the protection of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, and their lawful rights are fully safeguarded.

     The LegCo spokesperson pointed out that since the implementation of the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong’s social order has been restored to stability, and the foundation of the rule of law has become even more solid. Numerous international indicators clearly show that Hong Kong’s business environment and international competitiveness maintain a leading position, including being once again ranked this year as the world’s freest economy, ranking second globally in world competitiveness, and third worldwide as an international financial centre, with its rule of law index also remaining high. Hong Kong Legal Week 2026, held this month, has brought together top-tier legal professionals and organisations from around the globe, and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law has established its first office outside its Rome headquarters in Hong Kong, further demonstrating the international community’s high recognition of Hong Kong’s rule of law.

     Facts have proven that security is the prerequisite for development. Only by upholding the coordinated pursuit of development and security can Hong Kong maintain a long-term free and open environment, stabilise market confidence, and expand international connections. The LegCo spokesperson reiterated that as an integral member of the HKSAR’s governing team, LegCo will, as always, support the HKSAR Government in resolutely safeguarding national security, protecting the lawful rights and interests of citizens, and fully preventing, suppressing and punishing acts and activities endangering national security. read more

     The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force today (November 5) took enforcement action in Mong Kok and arrested a 34-year-old local man. He was suspected of contravening the offence of "importing a publicatio… read more

     ​​The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (November 5) expressed strong opposition to the remarks made by the spokesperson of the United States (US) Consulate General in Hong Kong in response to media enquiries concerning the sentencing of Wong Chi-fung in relation to the offence of “conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign countries or with external elements to endanger national security” (contrary to Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL)). The HKSAR Government stated that the relevant remarks are groundless attacks and smears which are obviously despicable political manipulation, and strongly condemned the same.

     ​A spokesman for the HKSAR Government pointed out, “Before the implementation of the HKNSL, Wong Chi-fung, Law Kwun-chung and others persistently colluded with foreign countries or external elements, actively lobbied the US to pass legislation relating to Hong Kong, and openly solicited foreign countries to impose sanctions against China and the HKSAR. In this case, Wong Chi-fung pleaded guilty to the charge and the relevant facts of the offence, including conspiring with absconder Law Kwun-chung and others to solicit, through various means, foreign countries or external elements including the US to impose sanctions or blockade or to engage in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China and the HKSAR, and their officials (such as the US revoking the special treatment enjoyed by Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region under the US law). It is manifest that the relevant acts have endangered national security, and the malicious intentions behind the relevant hostile actions of the US have been seen through by all.

     ​”The court also clearly pointed out that Wong Chi-fung and Law Kwun-chung were the masterminds of the case and the advocates at the forefront calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions and hostile measures. After the implementation of the HKNSL, they persisted in acts endangering national security. The court sentenced Wong Chi-fung to 10 years’ imprisonment, and the reasons for sentence are well-reasoned and sound, pointing out that it is necessary to express the community’s abhorrence of the defendant’s scheme and acts together with others to collude with foreign forces or external elements to endanger national security, and to serve the imperative of deterrence.”

     ​The spokesman stated, “It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR Government to safeguard national security, and the Government is determined and will continue to resolutely combat and pursue those anti-China and destabilising elements as well as agents of external forces. We will ensure that laws must be observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security. The HKSAR Government urges the spokesperson of the US Consulate General in Hong Kong to immediately stop making non-constructive and irresponsible remarks on the HKSAR’s resolute work in safeguarding national security, and to refrain from fabricating facts to mislead the public.” read more

     ​Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Swiss Business Excellence Night 2026 today (November 5):

Your Excellency Mr Daniel Freihofer (Consul General of Switzerland in Hong Kong), Mr Qin Hong (Deputy Director-General of the Policy Research Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Ben (Co-President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Mr Benjamin Sigg), Benno (Co-President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Mr Benno Jaeggi), distinguished guests, friends of Hong Kong, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. It is a great pleasure to join you for the third Swiss Business Excellence Night, and to help open Swiss Month 2026.

     Switzerland and Hong Kong enjoy a long and productive friendship. Last year, our bilateral trade reached some HK$93 billion, up around nine per cent over the previous year. Much of it is a trade in beautiful things: watches, jewellery and precious metals.

     The investment story is just as strong. Some 320 Swiss companies operate in Hong Kong, including 70 regional headquarters. They range from banking to insurance, pharmaceuticals and precision engineering, luxury and logistics.

     On a personal note, I travel to Davos every January for the World Economic Forum, and so I have enjoyed Swiss hospitality at its warmest and Swiss weather at its coldest. In May this year, I visited Zurich, where I hosted roundtables with Swiss banks, asset managers, family offices and venture investors. I was heartened by their strong interest in Hong Kong as the springboard into the Greater Bay Area and Asia. Each visit renews my respect for how a small, open economy competes on quality, trust and innovation. That is a model Hong Kong understands well.

     We meet at a time when geopolitics and technological disruption are reshaping trade and capital flows. As the world looks to Asia for diversification and growth, our country, China, continues to offer vast opportunities for international businesses, with its steadfast commitment to high-level opening up and a consumer market of unmatched scale.

     Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, promulgated in September, sets out how we will connect that opportunity with the world, anchored on “four centres and one hub”. Three of the centres build on long-standing strengths: international finance, trade and shipping. The fourth, an international innovation and technology centre, will take shape in the Northern Metropolis, where Hong Kong’s research base and international talent meets the Greater Bay Area’s strengths in commercialisation and advanced manufacturing.

     This positioning creates natural space for collaboration between Hong Kong and Switzerland.

     Start with asset and wealth management, where Switzerland and Hong Kong are the world’s two leading centres. Technology is now the fastest-growing source of billionaire wealth worldwide, and much of that wealth is being made in Asia. Consider our IPO market. In the first nine months of this year, 116 listings raised more than HK$388 billion, a record for the period, and over half of that came from technology companies in AI (Artificial Intelligence), semiconductors and robotics. Every listing creates new wealth, and new clients for wealth managers.

     At the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit earlier this week, I took the chance to meet the heads of some of the world’s largest asset and wealth managers. They told me they are optimistic about the prospects here, and are expanding their presence. Switzerland’s deep pool of wealth managers have every reason to expand in Hong Kong, as wealth grows in the Chinese Mainland and across Asia.

     Then there is an emerging field: gold and commodity trading. As global portfolios become more diversified, demand for gold and commodities is rising. Our vision is to be an integrated market that brings together storage, refining, physical trading and derivatives, supported by efficient clearing and settlement and connected to global and the Mainland markets. Swiss expertise fits naturally into this picture. Valcambi’s plan for its first refinery outside Switzerland, together with vaulting services, right here in Hong Kong, is a case in point.

     In technology, Hong Kong’s strengths, combined with those of the Greater Bay Area, make an attractive case for Swiss businesses, not only to sell here but to engage in R&D (research and development) here. Biotech is a good example, and a field of Switzerland’s strength. Hong Kong and Mainland authorities are enabling smoother cross-boundary flows of research data and biological samples, and stepping up collaboration on clinical trials and drug approvals. These will help Swiss pharmaceutical firms bring new treatments to patients more quickly, on the Mainland and internationally.

     None of this works without people, so let me turn to education and talent. Your world-class universities, ETH Zurich among them, are welcome to partner with ours and find a home in the University Towns we are building in the Northern Metropolis. Beyond technology, Switzerland sets the global standard in hospitality, and as Hong Kong raises its game in tourism and mega events, that expertise, and Swiss talent more broadly, is most welcome here.

     For Swiss businesses, my message is simple: Hong Kong is the place to scale in Asia. The singular advantage of the “one country, two systems” framework is as strong as ever, and this city enjoys the staunch support of the Central Government.

     Just as important, China’s own door keeps opening wider. At the same Investment Summit I mentioned earlier, Vice Premier He Lifeng said the country will continue to expand high-level opening up, and invited all parties to share in the new opportunities of Chinese modernisation. Indeed, at home, the Central Authorities have made great strides to stimulate and strengthen domestic demand. For Swiss businesses, Hong Kong will continue to be your gateway to this vast and growing market.

     Beyond business, Hong Kong has a keen appetite for the finer things in life. We take our watches, chocolate and cheese seriously, and Swiss products found their target market here long ago. A Swiss watch is still the preferred way for a Hong Kong banker to mark a bonus. As wealth grows across the region, there is room for much more: art, design, gastronomy and everything else that carries the Swiss mark of quality.

     Let me thank the Consulate General of Switzerland and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong for bringing us together tonight. The Swiss Chamber has represented the Swiss business community here since 1982. Your work in building bridges, nurturing young professionals and championing innovation and sustainability through the awards tonight is deeply appreciated.

     From the Alps to Victoria Harbour, our partnership is built on the pursuit of excellence and a shared belief in open markets. May Swiss Month be a great success, and may the music of Montreux carry us through a wonderful evening.

     Thank you.

    

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) was deeply saddened by the passing of a staff member of its contractor at a work site of the Trunk Road T4 in Sha Tin today (November 5), and extended its deepest condolences to the deceased’s family. After the incident, the CEDD staff visited the work site to understand the situation, and instructed the project team to follow up on the incident seriously, carry out a comprehensive review of the safe work procedures and measures, and offer appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.

     At about 11am today, a 61-year-old female worker was suspected to have been struck by a construction vehicle while working at the work site on Sha Tin Road near Pok Hong Estate. She was certified dead at the scene.

     The relevant work has been immediately suspended. The CEDD has requested the contractor to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident. The CEDD will also render full assistance to relevant departments in their investigations. read more