Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) 2026 seminars today (October 20):

Honourable guests, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is a great pleasure of mine to welcome you all to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and to this seminar session held in connection with the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting 2026.

     It is especially meaningful for the HKSAR to welcome the FMM to our city for the very first time. We are deeply honoured to contribute to the APEC China Year under the theme, “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”, and to facilitate dialogue that advances our shared prosperity across the region.

     That theme could not be more timely. In an era of profound economic transformation and evolving global challenges, prosperity will not be secured by any economy acting alone. It will be built through partnership, innovation and resilience. I am therefore delighted that this seminar brings together regulators, business leaders and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region for meaningful exchanges on how we can unlock new opportunities, strengthen financial resilience, and drive sustainable growth for all.

     My sincere thanks go to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Hong Kong, China for organising today’s seminars and for their unwavering support.

     The HKMA, as our central bank and also a steward of monetary and financial stability, is a driving force behind the development of our financial infrastructure ecosystem.

     ABAC, on the other hand, serves as an important bridge between the public and private sectors, providing APEC leaders with valuable business perspectives on regional co-operation. Its voice helps ensure that our policies remain connected with the realities and aspirations of the business community.

     Together, these seminars provide a valuable opportunity for the business community to contribute directly to the broader discussions of the FMM, bringing market insights, practical experience and fresh perspectives to the table.

     Today’s discussions will centre on two highly important themes: trade and supply chain finance, and green and sustainable finance. These themes are not only relevant to the region’s development, they are also closely aligned with the HKSAR Government’s latest policy direction. In our inaugural Five-Year Plan (First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030)), we set out a clear vision to advance “Finance+” so that finance can better serve the real economy.

     Under “Finance + Trade”, we are stepping up support for small and medium-sized enterprises. In this regard, the HKMA has been playing a pivotal role through various initiatives and innovative financing solutions like its Project CargoX. Rather than getting ahead of the discussion, I shall leave it to our speakers to share their insights on these exciting developments.

     Under “Finance + Green Development”, we are making a resolute push to accelerate the development of green and sustainable finance and advance an international carbon market. A prime example is the collaboration between the HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited)’s Core Climate and the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency to explore Hong Kong’s participation in cross-boundary carbon trading. In doing so, we may leverage our financial strength as a premier international financial centre to support our country in building a carbon market of greater international influence, thus creating a powerful engine for global environmental sustainability.

     Beyond these areas, the Five-Year Plan also sets out a clear vision to reinforce Hong Kong’s roles as a global offshore Renminbi business hub, an international asset and wealth management centre, and an international risk management centre. We are also committed to developing a commodity trading ecosystem with gold as an entry point. Together, these strengths position Hong Kong as a premier platform connecting capital, enterprises and opportunities across the region and beyond.

     I am particularly pleased that we are joined today by an outstanding line-up of speakers and practitioners. Their insights have been shaped not only by knowledge, but also by experience at the very forefront of their respective fields. I personally look forward to their sharing and to the vibrant discussions that are to follow.

     Last but not least, while you are here for the FMM, I warmly invite you to venture beyond the meeting rooms and feel the unique vibe of the many sides of Hong Kong. From our rich Chinese cultural heritage and local traditions to our renowned food culture and dynamic city life, I hope you will have wonderful memories and enjoy the captivating spirit that makes Hong Kong a truly special and beautiful place.

     With that, may I wish the seminars and the FMM every success, and all of you a fruitful and thoroughly enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.

  

      The Government announced today (October 20) the launch of the Co-prosper HK – Welfare Projects Matching Platform (the Platform), and invites social welfare organisations and social enterprises interested in joining the first round of matching to submit proposals by November 29, 2026.
 
      The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) proposes promoting an institutionalised model of tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector, and the community in poverty alleviation. In addition, the Chief Executive proposed in the 2026 Policy Address that the Government spearhead the establishment of a matching platform to enable the matching of resources from the business sector with community social welfare projects. To this end, the Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation has set up the Platform, through which the business sector’s goodwill will be pooled together and matched with the community’s creativity to enable the delivery of more targeted projects for disadvantaged groups in need.
 
      The Platform serves as a bridge, setting out the target groups and themes, and fostering matching between funders (the business sector) and project proponents (social welfare organisations and social enterprises). Both parties will jointly determine the collaboration model and specific arrangements, and funds will be disbursed directly by the funders to the proponents without being transferred through the Platform.
 
      Project proposals for the first round of matching have to target subdivided unit households, single-parent households, all-elderly households, and/or carers as service recipients, and meet at least one of the following themes:

(a) respite support;
(b) emotional and health support;
(c) improvement of living environment and safety enhancement;
(d) child-care support;
(e) neighbourhood mutual support;
(f) nutrition and dietary support;
(g) digital inclusion and information empowerment;
(h) applications of gerontechnology and care technology; and
(i) active ageing. 

      Proponents intending to submit project proposals shall submit them via the electronic form on the following website: https://www.commissiononpoverty.gov.hk/eng/Co-ProsperHK.html by 11.59pm on November 29, 2026. 
 
      Selection of proponents’ project proposals will be conducted by the Working Group on Co-prosper HK – Welfare Projects Matching Platform under the Commission on Targeted Poverty Alleviation. The proponents of selected projects will be invited to attend matching and exchange events to interact and engage with funders, and refine their proposals with a view to entering into collaboration arrangements. Meanwhile, the Working Group is inviting business organisations, family offices, charitable trusts or foundations, among others, to join the Platform as funders. read more

     ​An owner was convicted and fined $255,800 in total, of which $155,880 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts last Friday (October 16) for persistently failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

     The case involved unauthorised building works (UBWs) at a detached house on Yu Chui Street, Tai Lam, comprising illegal site formation works for constructing an unauthorised platform of about 122 square metres on a slope adjoining an approved garden, the erection of a floor slab over a void adjacent to an approved dining room, the removal of parts of external walls and the construction of unauthorised structures to extend the floors at different levels of the building with a total floor area of about 57 sq m. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. 

     Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner had been prosecuted by the BD seven times and was fined and had sentenced to four months’ imprisonment suspended for two years upon convictions by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the eighth time.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (October 20), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action and instigate prosecutions against owners again if they persist in not complying with removal orders, so as to ensure building and public safety.”

     Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:        The Ministry of Finance will issue Renminbi Sovereign Bonds through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please fin… read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more