Tag Archives: China

     The Ninth Belt and Road Summit which opened today (September 11) and runs for two days attracted about 6 000 political and business leaders from Belt and Road countries and regions, including government officials from about 10 countries and prominent international business leaders, as well as over 100 delegations and 38 central state-owned enterprises from the Mainland. Together, the participants explored the opportunities and potential areas of development as the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) enters the next golden decade, and looked forward to more diverse and closer collaboration among participating countries and regions in such areas as investment, business and trade, innovation and technology and green development.
 
     The summit, hosted annually by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government since its debut in 2016, has become the premier Belt and Road business and investment platform for Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas enterprises. Highlighting Hong Kong’s role as an important functional platform for the B&RI, the summit assists enterprises and professional services in exploring more business opportunities.
 
     Under the theme of “Building a connected, innovative and green Belt and Road”, the summit has further enhanced its breadth and depth this year with various sessions focusing on the eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping last year to support the high-quality development of the B&RI, thereby promoting co-operation between Hong Kong and Belt and Road countries and regions in a wide range of areas such as trade and investment, technology, arts and culture and talent exchange. The summit also promotes Hong Kong as an important platform for showcasing people-to-people bonds and fostering cultural exchanges.
 
     Speaking at the opening session, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, highlighted that the B&RI has inspired many countries and economies to share opportunities, common development and cultural exchanges. Hong Kong, as the country’s most open and international city, is perfectly positioned to be a critical juncture in realising the visionary goal of the B&RI.
 
     Mr Lee added that under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. As a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, Hong Kong provides world-class infrastructure and professional services support that facilitate trade and enhance projects. He also elaborated on Hong Kong’s latest developments in trade, legal services, innovation and technology, green development and cultivating people-to-people bonds.
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Lee said that as the B&RI ushers in its next golden decade, through the friendship and business collaboration among participating countries and regions, the economies will grow faster, companies will soar higher, and the cohesiveness of communities will grow stronger, together.
 
     Also addressing the opening session were Deputy China International Trade Representative of the Ministry of Commerce Ms Li Yongjie; Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council Mr Gou Ping; and Deputy Secretary General of the National Development and Reform Commission Mr Xiao Weiming. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Hoa Binh, and the President of New Development Bank, Mrs Dilma Rousseff, gave keynote speeches at the opening session and keynote luncheon respectively.
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, delivered welcoming remarks at the keynote luncheon. He highlighted that Hong Kong’s diversified financial services, featuring a deep and extensive stock market as well as a vibrant bond market, provide an ideal platform for Belt and Road governments and companies to raise funds for infrastructure, green transition and community projects. Meanwhile, as a leading green finance hub in Asia and a fast-rising international green tech centre, Hong Kong offers financial and technological solutions that help economies embrace green transition and achieve net-zero targets. Along with top-notch professional and risk management services, Hong Kong stands ready to collaborate with Belt and Road economies for high-quality development and a prosperous future for all.
 
     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, gave opening remarks at the thematic breakout session titled “Building a Green, Sustainable and Innovative Silk Road through Hong Kong’s Legal and Dispute Resolution Services”. He stated that legal issues and even disputes may arise from the inception to the implementation of Belt and Road projects. Hong Kong is ideal in providing one-stop legal and dispute resolution services in the present context. He also highlighted to the audience Hong Kong’s unique strengths in relevant areas including the stringent environmental, social and governance standards the city applies, its comprehensive intellectual property laws, and Hong Kong’s reputable dispute resolution services.
 
     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, chaired the Policy Dialogue on “Multilateral Co-operation for an Interconnected World” at which he discussed with three overseas economic and trade ministers on leveraging multilateral co-operation to create more opportunities for Belt and Road countries and regions. Mr Yau pointed out that promoting international co-operation through “hard connectivity”, “soft connectivity” and “connectivity of hearts” will help accelerate high-quality development and achieve common prosperity, aligning with the vision of the B&RI in building a global community of shared future.
 
     The business plenary session gathered prominent business leaders to discuss Hong Kong’s role in facilitating trade and business co-operation under the B&RI. Three other thematic breakout sessions were also held today on “Mainland-Hong Kong Trade in Services Symposium”, “Role of Captive Insurance in Supporting Belt and Road Initiative”, and “Charting Green Development for a Connected World”.
 
     At the summit, the HKSAR Government exchanged memoranda of understanding respectively with Maldives and Indonesia on enhancing anti-corruption co-operation, with Cambodia on promoting bilateral trade and economic co-operation, and with Solomon Islands on collaboration in aeronautical meteorological science. The summit also led to 21 memoranda of understanding on commercial collaboration.
 
     This year’s summit featured a new Green Chapter with a series of thematic sessions on green development and innovation and technology, inviting business leaders and enterprise representatives to share insights and experiences on the application of green technology and explore how Hong Kong can contribute to the goal of sustainable development in Belt and Road countries and regions.
 
     The summit was attended by over 200 Belt and Road Scholarship recipients, Youth Development Commission Youth Ambassadors, Youth Link members and Strive and Rise Programme students and mentors, enabling them to understand the latest development and opportunities of the Belt and Road and promoting cultural exchanges and people-to-people bonds.
 
     The summit will continue tomorrow (September 12) with a business plenary session focusing on the Middle East and other emerging markets to explore new development opportunities in these markets under the B&RI. The three project investment sessions tomorrow will focus on innovation and technology, urban development and the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the summit this year featured over 800 one-on-one business matching meetings for more than 280 projects. read more

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the visiting Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Hoa Binh, at Government House today (September 11). Also attending the meeting were the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; and the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Nguyen Hoa Binh’s visit to Hong Kong with his delegation for the Ninth Belt and Road Summit. Mr Lee said that Hong Kong and Vietnam are important economic partners and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government values strengthening connections with Vietnam. During a recent visit to Vietnam of an HKSAR delegation led by him, Mr Lee witnessed the signing of a total of 30 memoranda of understanding covering areas such as economy and trade, education, and tourism.
      
     Noting that Vietnam has experienced rapid economic developments in recent years, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong can act as a close partner with enterprises of Vietnam to explore overseas markets. He expressed his hope that Hong Kong and Vietnam will continue to explore opportunities for co-operation. Mr Lee extended his gratitude to Vietnam for its continuous support for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to further contribute to regional economic developments.
      
     The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister expressed in the meeting that the relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong has always been close, and he looks forward to closer exchanges between the two places in the future at both government and community levels, further benefiting the people of both places.
     

  

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) held a seminar today (September 11) with the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (Korean Chamber), the Association of Korean Restaurants in Hong Kong and the Korean Food Promotion Institution, aimed at promoting Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities in the food and beverage (F&B) sector.
      
     The seminar, entitled Unlocking Tourism and Hospitality Potential to Capture Business Opportunities in Hong Kong 2024, was held in a hybrid format and offered updates on various aspects in the F&B industry, including latest trends and business opportunities, licensing issues, sustainability regulations and initiatives, plus employment visa and government funding schemes.
      
     The Head of Tourism and Hospitality at InvestHK, Ms Sindy Wong, said, “This is our first co-operation with the Korean Chamber to hold a seminar for Korean companies and entrepreneurs, offering them the latest opportunities in the F&B business in Hong Kong. We will continue to work closely with the Korean Chamber and other stakeholders to attract more Korean companies to build footholds in the city.”
      
     The Vice Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the Chairman of the Association of Korean Restaurants in Hong Kong, Mr Jongseok Lee, said, “Thanks to ongoing interest of Korean pop culture and cuisine in Hong Kong, more and more Korean F&B companies have shown an interest in setting up or expanding their business in the city. I am sure that the seminar will give Korean companies better insights into the Hong Kong market and help them become more successful in their business here.”
      
     For seminar photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720320224908.

  

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

     The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport continued its duty visit in Shanghai today (September 11).

     In the morning, the delegation visited Baidu’s Apollo Park to gain a better understanding of the latest development of Baidu’s intelligent connected vehicle ecosystem and autonomous driving technology. Members exchanged views with representatives of the Park on the strategic plan of its autonomous vehicle team, marketing initiatives and the safety of autonomous driving. During the visit, Members took a ride on Baidu’s autonomous rental car to experience the relevant technology.

     The delegation then visited Shanghai Electric Vehicle Public Data Collecting, Monitoring and Research Center to learn about the operation of the first real-time data monitoring platform on new energy vehicles in the country. Members noted that the Center manages data from over 1.4 million vehicles, covering new energy cars, intelligent connected vehicles, public hydrogen refuelling stations and other charging facilities, to monitor the charging situation of the cars across the city.

     In the afternoon, the delegation paid a visit to the intelligent holographic intersection in Jiading District. With the installation of a smart traffic data analytics system, the intersection is a smart mobility project adopting artificial intelligence and algorithms to generate real-time traffic information such as vehicles’ plate numbers, locations, speeds, travel trajectory and traffic signals, thereby enhancing the efficiency of traffic management. The system also enables autonomous vehicles to predict the direction of other vehicles to enhance road safety.

     The delegation later visited NIO Delivery Center. Members noted the Center commenced services in 2023 and has provided ultra-fast charging and battery-swap services for new energy vehicles. Members also exchanged views with the company’s representatives on the efficiency of electric vehicle charging and relevant technology.

     The delegation will continue its duty visit in Shanghai tomorrow (September 12) and will depart for Hangzhou in the afternoon.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (September 11):        A 72-year-old male patient in a neurosu… read more