Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced that the policy on the incorporation of mediation clauses in government contracts takes effect today (February 6). The mediation clause signifies the parties’ agreement to use mediation to resolve disputes first before resorting to arbitration or litigation.

     The Government issued the Policy Statement on the Incorporation of Mediation Clauses in Government Contracts on November 6, 2024. By virtue of the policy statement, the Government will, as a matter of general policy, incorporate a mediation clause in government contracts.

     To complement the implementation of the policy, the DoJ today also promulgated “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mediation Rules (2025 Edition)“, which may be referred to as the “HKSARG Mediation Rules (2025)”. These Rules provide for a set of procedural rules for the conduct of mediation proceedings and are intended to operate together with the mediation clause in government contracts. These Rules shall not affect the operation of “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Construction Mediation Rules (1999 Edition)” promulgated by the then Works Bureau in 1999, as amended by the then Environment, Transport and Works Bureau in 2003.

     Further information about the policy, including a sample mediation clause for incorporation in government contracts, is available on the webpage of the DoJ. 

     A spokesman for the DoJ said, “By taking the lead to incorporate mediation clauses in government contracts, it is hoped that private organisations would be encouraged to make reference to and adopt similar mediation clauses in their contracts, thereby deepening our ‘mediate first’ culture.” 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

     â€‹Hongkong Post announced today (February 5) that the acceptance of postal items containing goods destined to the United States is suspended with immediate effect. Services for postal items containing documents only will … read more

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (February 5) expressed strong disapproval of the imposition of additional 10 per cent duty on products of Hong Kong set out in the Federal Register notice (the “FR Notice”) of the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security, and the temporary suspension of inbound postal items containing goods from Hongkong Post by the US Postal Service.
 
     The spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “The US’ imposition of additional duty on products of Hong Kong ignores the basic fact that Hong Kong is a separate customs territory, which is recognised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and clearly stipulated in Article 116 of the Basic Law. We have been a staunch supporter of rule-based multilateral trading system, maintaining constructive and mutually beneficial trade relations with our trading partners all over the world including the US. In 2023, the US was the third largest trading partner of Hong Kong, with the total merchandise trade value amounting to US$60.3 billion. At the same time, Hong Kong is the US’ 27th largest trading partner. During the past 10 years, the US has realised a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong, the largest among its global trading partners. These figures clearly demonstrate the close economic interaction between Hong Kong and the US, as well as the vast business interests of US businesses in Hong Kong.”
 
     “As a founding member of the WTO, the HKSAR has all along been upholding the principle of free and unimpeded trade. We strongly oppose any attempts to undermine Hong Kong’s reputation and erode our status as a separate customs territory. We urge the US to take urgent actions to rectify the FR Notice as well as to lift the suspension of accepting inbound postal items containing goods from Hongkong Post as a matter of priority.
 
     “We are closely monitoring developments. If the US does not rectify its wrongdoing, we will take all possible actions to defend our legitimate interests, including consider taking up the matter in the WTO,” stressed the spokesman. read more

    The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 5) urged the public not to consume a batch of raw milk cheese imported from France due to possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The trade should stop using or selling the affected product immediately if they possess it.

    Product details are as follows:

Product name: MORBIER LAIT CRU DE SCEY AOP 7KG MEULE
Brand: PERRIN VERMOT
Place of origin: France
Pack size: 6.56 kilograms
Best-before date: February 23, 2025
Batch number: 34008
Importer: Culina HK Limited

    “The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned product is being recalled in France due to possible contamination with STEC. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers for follow-up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

    The importer concerned has stopped sale and removed the affected batch of the product from shelves and initiated a recall according to the CFS’s instructions. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer’s hotline at 2342 3221 during office hours.

    “People will contract STEC-causing gastro-intestinal disease through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome may also develop in some people,” the spokesman said.

    The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing. read more