A vibrant crowd of over 7 000 paddling enthusiasts and spectators gathered on May 10 in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium (Antwerp time), for the 11th edition of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, one of the city's most anticipated annual events. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) proudly sponsored the festival.

     Organised by Rotary Antwerp International and Rotary Antwerp West, the festival brought together some 30 dragon boat teams for a full day of spirited racing, cultural exchanges, and community celebrations. HKETO, Brussels was the main sponsor.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Grace Li shared her enthusiasm for the event. "HKETO Brussels is proud to continue supporting the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boat race symbolises the strong, enduring ties between Hong Kong and Belgium," she said. "We are proud to once again support this vibrant celebration of sport, culture, and community."

     Encouraging the audience to explore more, she added, "Come visit Hong Kong – a city brimming with life, colour, and culture.  As Asia's world city and a hub for global events, Hong Kong is ready to welcome you with open arms." She ended her speech by also promoting Hong Kong as a talent hub where ambition meets opportunity to advance studies or build a career. 

     Beyond the festivities, the event also supported meaningful causes. Proceeds benefited Thomas Houses, a local charity dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities integrate into society and the well-known medical organisation Mercy Ships, as well as other charitable organisations.

    

     Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (May 22) on the application for renewal of registration of a contractor:
 
Reporter: First question is how can the Government prevent future projects from being managed by the same individuals at Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited, and avoid similar incidents in the future? Additionally, how will the Bureau address other subsidiary companies of the said company? Will the Bureau refuse applications from them? Second question is, since the main contractor of the Anderson Road project is Superb Interior Contracting Company, which is also managing five other private developments, can you provide the name of these five projects, and will the Bureau remove the said company from the list accordingly? And will these projects be handed over to other contractors?
 
Secretary for Development: Let me try to answer the three questions you have raised. On the first one, regarding how we would prevent the same authorised signatories or what we call the technical directors, who are the responsible persons under the registered contractor, from being appointed to other construction companies. I think on this you can be rest assured that we have a system to prevent that from happening without going through the gatekeeping of the Buildings Department. Taking the present case as an example, the director has just now explained that the authorised signatories and the technical directors of this company have failed the interviews. So they will be removed from the list. If the same persons would like to work for other construction companies as authorised signatories and technical directors, they will have to go through the gatekeeping by the Buildings Department. So if they cannot go through, then they cannot go through. They can't be appointed by other construction companies in that capacity.
 
     As regards your second question, whether a parent company and a subsidiary company will be interrelated or affected whenever we take action against one. Our current system of deregistration, disciplinary action and prosecution focus on the entity. Whichever is the entity that is our target, we focus on them. So for today, we are talking about Aggressive Construction Company Limited, that is the target that we have for this deregistration exercise. We won't be penalising the parent company or any related subsidiaries of the company penalised, because that will not be fair. What we will focus on is to make sure that, as I have explained just now, the authorised signatories and technical directors responsible and who have failed in the exercise, will not be too readily appointed by other construction companies, because of the gatekeeping system.

     Regarding your third question that is concerning the case investigated by ICAC and the Buildings Department yesterday, that is completely a different case, because yesterday's case regards another construction site under another construction company and is related to bribery and corruption, and also some deficiencies in the quality of the building works. And today, the case is about the decision on the application to renew the registration of another company. So the two are in two different contexts. So we have to deal with them separately and they are not interrelated in our consideration of the case.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 22) is investigating an imported measles case and reminded members of the public who are non-immune to measles to ensure that they have completed two doses of measles vaccination before travelling to reduce the risk of infection.

     The case involves a 29-year-old female who developed fever since May 14. She sought medical attention from a private doctor and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on May 14 and 15 respectively. She developed cough, runny nose and rash on May 16. She attended the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan on May 18 and was admitted for treatment. Her clinical specimen was tested positive for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. She was discharged on May 19. 

     The case travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period (April 30 to May 6). As she did not have contact with measles patients in Hong Kong, the case was classified as an imported case.

    She had worked in three schools and a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) during the communicable period. The CHP has maintained a close liaison with the schools and RCHE for follow-up on the contacts of the case. The CHP has reached 135 contacts in the abovementioned four institutions, no high risk persons have been identified and all were asymptomatic. The CHP assessed that they all have immunity against measles (completed two doses of measles vaccination or born before 1967). The CHP will continue to put the four institutions under medical surveillance and relevant management of the institutions was requested to report to the CHP if any persons develop measles symptoms for follow up.
   
     The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

     Recently, the number of measles cases in some overseas countries has been increasing. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. Overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.

     "The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. When such symptoms appear, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune system, pregnant women and children under one year old. Those who suspected they are infected should consult their doctors as soon as possible and inform healthcare workers of their history of exposure to measles," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

      "Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the overall immunisation coverage in Hong Kong has been maintained at a very high level through the immunisation services provided by the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres and the School Immunisation Teams. As evidenced by the findings on vaccination coverage of primary school students and the territory-wide immunisation surveys conducted regularly by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. However, Hong Kong, as a city with a high volume of international travel, still faces the potential risk of importation of measles virus and its further spread in the local community. Hence, a small number of people who have not completed measles vaccination (such as non-local born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to other people who do not have immunity against measles, such as children under one year old who have not yet received the first dose of measles vaccine," he added.

     Dr Tsui also noted that people born before 1967 could be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in many parts of the world and in Hong Kong at that time. People born in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, to consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination.

     Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
 

• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
• Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
• Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
• Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of a rash to prevent the spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

  
     For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP's measles thematic page. Members of the public who are going to travel can visit the website of the DH's Travel Health Service for news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong.

     The 26th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference held by Hong Kong Customs, in the capacity of the WCO Vice-Chair for the A/P Region (APVC), concluded today (May 22).

     In his concluding remarks, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, recognised the fruitful outcomes gained from the four-day Conference, where participants endorsed various significant regional decisions, including the confirmation of the next-term regional representative positions and composition of the Regional Strategic Plan Working Group. The participants also received updates on the latest developments among A/P members and regional entities. In addition, the Conference featured discussions about an innovative initiative concerning a blockchain-based cross-validation platform, which was led by the APVC and aimed to accelerate logistics and economic development in the region.

     On the first day of the Conference (May 19), Mr Chan met with the Secretary General of the WCO, Mr Ian Saunders, to discuss multiple issues, including the work of Hong Kong Customs since assuming the role of the Vice-Chair for the A/P Region, and the trends in global Customs development. On May 20 and 21, Mr Chan held individual bilateral meetings with the heads of five Customs administrations in the A/P region, namely the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force, Mr Gavan Reynolds; the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and President of the Customs Administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr Foroud Asgari; the Commissioner General of the Maldives Customs Service, Ms Fathimath Dhiyana; the Director General of the Singapore Customs, Mr Tan Hung Hooi; and Deputy Chief Executive of New Zealand Customs Service Mr Joe Cannon to strengthen mutual collaboration and explore future development opportunities. The Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, also met with the Iranian authority and chaired the meeting.

     â€‹This Conference marks a significant milestone for Hong Kong Customs as it almost concludes its first year as the APVC. Over the past year, Hong Kong Customs has proactively organised around 10 impactful events, fostering knowledge sharing, co-operation, and cohesion among A/P members, and demonstrating their commitment to the promotion of regional development. In the future, Hong Kong Customs will continue to lead the members to contribute to the robust development of regional Customs affairs.

                    

     Following is the speech by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, at the launch event of the Business Climate Survey for Swedish Companies in Hong Kong SAR 2025 (Business Climate Survey 2025) today (May 22):
 
Secretary Jevrell (State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden, Mr Håkan Jevrell), Consul General Bergholm (Consul General of Sweden in Hong Kong, Ms Louise Bergholm), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. My pleasure to join you all today. This annual Business Climate Survey is indeed a valuable resource for understanding the perceptions and experiences of Swedish businesses in our city. I would like to sincerely congratulate Team Sweden for this initiative.

     Hong Kong and Sweden have been enjoying a mutually beneficial relationship. Among the European Union member states, Sweden is our fourth-largest partner in services trade and 13th-largest partner in merchandise trade. In 2024, the merchandise trade between the two places amounted to HK$6.6 billion, a testament to the robust economic ties between the two economies. Hong Kong is also home to several world-renowned Swedish companies, such as IKEA and H&M, whose high-quality products have become household names in our city. We deeply value their contributions to Hong Kong's economy and society.

     The annual report reveals that Swedish businesses in Hong Kong perceive an improvement in the business climate compared to last year. This is indeed encouraging news, and it reaffirms Hong Kong's position as an important regional hub and an attractive destination for Swedish companies to establish and expand their operations. Hong Kong's competitive advantages, which include the rule of law, free flow of capital, a free trade and investment regime, and an efficient and clean government, all remain intact. Together with our low, simple and competitive tax system, open business environment, world-class infrastructure and multicultural talent pool, Hong Kong continues to offer unparalleled advantages for businesses from around the globe.

     Like Sweden, Hong Kong is a staunch supporter of free trade. As a founding member of the World Trade Organization, we have never implemented any customs tariffs. We will continue to uphold the principle of free trade and firmly oppose any unilateral and bullying actions that undermine the global trading system.

     Despite the challenges posed by the economic slowdown in overseas markets and the impact of geopolitics, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been actively working to consolidate our status as an international trade centre through diversified measures. Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has the unique advantage of connecting both the Mainland and the rest of the world. We are committed to seizing opportunities to strengthen our international ties, particularly through closer partnerships with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the expansion of overseas markets. In the face of a complex and ever-changing global trade landscape, we will do our best to turn risks into opportunities, ensuring the sustainable development of Hong Kong as a global trade hub.
 
     According to the latest annual survey in 2024, Hong Kong has a record high of 9 960 companies with overseas or Mainland parent companies, including around 100 from Sweden, representing a year-on-year increase of over 7 per cent. These figures underscore Hong Kong's growing attractiveness as a destination for global businesses, including those from Sweden.

     As shown in the findings of this year's Business Climate Survey, our city's institutional fundamentals and core strengths, such as our common law system, regulatory regime aligned with international rules, as well as key national strategies like the Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative, are key reasons why so many Swedish companies have chosen to establish their presence here. The HKSAR Government will continue to work hard to maintain and enhance our favourable business environment.

     To promote the development of strategic industries, Hong Kong is actively seeking technology partnerships in areas such as green tech, climate solutions and sustainable urban development, where Sweden excels. We believe that Swedish innovation in clean energy, circular economy and smart cities aligns perfectly with Hong Kong's development goals. Our investment promotion agency, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), along with its consultant office in Gothenburg, will continue to provide one-stop customised support services to Swedish businesses exploring opportunities in our city.

     In short, Hong Kong is the only place in the world where the global advantage and the China advantage converge in a single economy. Our city is an ideal destination for Swedish businesses and investment, especially for those looking to enter the vast market of Mainland China.

     Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to the upcoming European Community Networking Reception 2025, to be held on June 4. This event will provide a wonderful platform for you to connect, collaborate and explore new business opportunities with fellow European companies. Your presence would undoubtedly enrich our discussions and networking. For more information, please visit InvestHK's website. I look forward to seeing you there.

     In closing, I would like to congratulate again Team Sweden on the successful launch of the 2025 Business Climate Survey. Hong Kong remains committed to fostering a business-friendly environment and strengthening our ties with Sweden. Together, we can unlock new opportunities and achieve greater success in the years to come.

     Thank you so much. Enjoy the evening.