Tag Archives: China

     The Government published the Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Gazette today (March 21) to make technical amendments to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60) and other relevant pieces of legislation for the implementation of Phase 3 services of the Trade Single Window (TSW).
 
     A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, “The Government is implementing the TSW in three phases to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the trade to lodge business-to-government trade documents for trade declaration and cargo clearance. The Bill aims to provide the legal basis for Phase 3 of the TSW, such that the trade can make use of the system to submit Import and Export Declaration (TDEC), Cargo Manifest as well as applications for Certificate of Origin (CO) and Permit for Dutiable Commodities (DCP).”
 
     At present, the Government Electronic Trading Services (GETS) is the only electronic platform for the submission of TDEC, Cargo Manifest and applications for CO and DCP, which are governed by different pieces of legislation. To implement Phase 3 of the TSW, the Government proposes to make technical amendments to relevant existing legal provisions to replace GETS by the TSW for the submission of those trade documents, and to remove GETS-related provisions from the legislation.
 
     In addition, the Bill makes necessary legislative amendments for some of the Phase 3 services, including the introduction of value-added service provider and its regulatory framework, allowing the trade to submit pre-shipment TDEC and Cargo Manifest on a voluntary basis, the introduction of electronic road Cargo Manifest and the digitalisation of return of licences service. The Bill also includes provisions on transitional arrangements to allow parallel run of TSW Phase 3 and GETS for a certain period of time to provide sufficient time for the trade to migrate to the new system.
 
     “The implementation of the TSW is a major business and operational process reengineering exercise. It overhauls and enhances the document submission workflows between participating government agencies and the trade. At the same time, it enhances the efficiency of cargo clearance in Hong Kong and helps maintain Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre and a logistics hub. The Government is developing the information system of Phase 3, with the target of rolling out the services by batches from 2026 onwards,” the spokesman added.
 
     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on April 2. read more

     A leading France-based professional aeronautic services company, Elior Group SA, announced today (March 21) its intention to strengthen presence in Hong Kong. It had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), as an important step in expanding its business in Asia. Witnessed by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the MoU was signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, Mrs Vivian Cheung, and the Group Chairman and CEO of Elior Group SA, Mr Daniel Derichebourg, on February 19.
      
     As mentioned in the 2025-26 Budget delivered by the Financial Secretary, under the co-ordination of InvestHK, the AAHK had signed an MoU with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing professional services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in Hong Kong, thereby developing Hong Kong into the first aircraft parts processing and trading centre in Asia. The company is Elior Group SA, which is part of Derichebourg SA, a leading business in Europe.
      
     Elior Group SA’s intention to expand its presence in Hong Kong highlights the city’s dynamic business environment and immense growth potential across sectors, including its growing aviation centre of excellence.

     â€‹The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement, Hong Kong has a high degree of internationalisation, a favourable business environment, a strategic location, a robust legal framework, and a low tax regime. The city has always been a prime location for foreign investment and international conglomerates. Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role of connecting the Mainland and the world to attract more companies from around the world to set up in the city, aiming to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international trade and investment hub.”
      
     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said, “The National 14th Five-Year Plan has recognised Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub. Leveraging on Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, and with our globally connected aviation network and world-class airport infrastructure, Hong Kong is capable of assuming a more important role in the area of aviation, proactively contributing to the high-quality development and high-level opening-up of our country. I am pleased to see that Elior Group SA and the AAHK are exploring the possibility of introducing aircraft parts handling and trading services in Hong Kong, thereby enriching Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub and supporting the aviation development of our country as well as the Asian region as a whole.”
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “InvestHK has always been committed to attracting foreign direct investment and enabling international investors in developing their businesses in Hong Kong. We are pleased to assist Elior Group SA in setting up an Asian headquarters and expanding its presence here. The signing of this MoU is a testament to global businesses confidence in the Hong Kong market, reaffirming that Hong Kong is the ideal destination for companies to establish or expand their operations in the region.”
      
     Mr Derichebourg said, “Elior Group SA operates a wide range of businesses across 11 countries, covering a variety of industries including aviation, construction and food contracting services. We are grateful for the support provided by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and InvestHK. We look forward to further developing and exploring new opportunities in Hong Kong, and from here expand across Asia.”

    

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA) and the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum today (March 21):
 
Professor Nancy Ip (Chair of IAA), Professor Pierre-Louis Lions (Co-Chair of IAA), Professor George Smoot (Co-Chair of IAA), Professor Xiang Zhang (Co-Chair of IAA), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am very pleased to join you today for the inauguration ceremony of the International Alliance of Academicians and the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum.
 
     It gives me great pleasure and pride, to congratulate the Alliance on its establishment, to know that this is a Hong Kong-based international organisation, uniting more than 100 renowned academics from all over the world. And you’ve taken on the essential mission of enhancing global co-operation among scientists and academics, working toward the sustainable development of innovation and technology.
 
     The Alliance is a testament to the power of collective wisdom, a commitment to the open exchange of ideas, and a celebration of humanity’s boundless innovation. 
 
     Hong Kong is committed to becoming an international I&T (innovation and technology) centre, as well as a global hub for high-end talent. So it is both welcome, and fitting, that Hong Kong serves as the Alliance’s home.
 
     In an era endlessly defined, and redefined, by technological advancement, evolving global dynamics and unprecedented challenges, the role of scholars and scientists has never been more critical. 
 
     Knowledge knows no borders, our shared challenges require shared solutions.
 
     The Government is committed to cultivating a dynamic environment, one that champions innovation and technology, in every sector and industry, every institution and corner of our community.
 
     We will soon launch a Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme, worth 3 billion Hong Kong dollars, or nearly 400 million US dollars. It will help fund ground-breaking basic research driven by world-class researchers and academics.
 
     Given the central role that AI (artificial intelligence) will play in research and industry transformation, we will also establish the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute. It will promote upstream research and development, as well as the transformation of mid-streamand downstream AI outcomes, and explore application scenarios. 
 
     These initiatives expand our far-reaching I&T development, led by two InnoHK research clusters – one focused on healthcare technologies, the other on AI and robotics. Together, they have attracted more than 2 500 scientists and researchers, from Hong Kong and all over the world. 
 
     We are now setting up a third InnoHK research cluster. It will focus on sustainable development, energy and advanced manufacturing and materials. It’s now open for admission proposals, and I welcome prominent international universities and institutions to join us on the exciting journey of innovation.
 
     With the support of our country, we are determined to draw together the diverse expertise of Hong Kong’s international pool of talent, and the innovation and manufacturing prowess of the Mainland.
 
     The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, situated in the Loop – an area that straddles our boundary with Shenzhen – will create the infrastructure for our synergised development with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I am pleased to tell you all that we will be celebrating the completion of the first three buildings in the Hong Kong Park later today.
 
     With the Hong Kong Park and a wide range of I&T infrastructure as our hardware, and the “soft power” presented by your Alliance and other key players in our I&T ecosystem, Hong Kong is committed, and well-equipped, to promoting international co-operation, and the boundless opportunities it can create for us all.
 
     My congratulations, once again, on the inauguration of the International Alliance of Academicians. I know you will enjoy the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum, beginning later today.
 
     And I welcome you to make time for Hong Kong, a rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Catch one of the many exhibitions in our West Kowloon Cultural District. Next week, the world-renowned Art Basel returns to Hong Kong, showcasing over 240 galleries from some 40 countries and regions.
 
     And there will be plenty of art in rugby, on show, beginning next Friday, at Kai Tak Sports Park, the brand-new, state-of-the-art home of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. All these, during Hong Kong Super March – a month-long series of eclectic events filled with creativity, culture and excitement. Just like this forum.
 
     Enjoy your time in Hong Kong! Thank you. read more

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit in Beijing today (March 20).

     Mr Tse visited the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the morning and toured facilities such as the National Crop Genebank of China, greenhouse of the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, and the scientific research greenhouse to learn about the country’s latest agro-technology developments.

     In the afternoon, Mr Tse paid a courtesy call on the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) and met with the Vice Minister of the GACC, Mr Zhao Zenglian, to continue deepening exchanges on various topics such as safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong, the facilitation arrangement for exporting Hong Kong-manufactured food products to the Mainland, as well as strengthening co-operation on food trade.

     During the meeting, Mr Tse expressed gratitude to the GACC for its support in safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong and its assistance in the implementation of the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance. He said that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance, which began in May last year, has been operating smoothly and significantly shortened the time required for customs clearance of Hong Kong-manufactured food products. It was well-received by Hong Kong food manufacturing industry. Both sides expressed the hope that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance could be applied to more food categories in the future.

     Afterwards, Mr Tse met with representatives from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (MEE), the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and the BRI International Green Development Coalition to exchange views on topics including co-operation in ecological and environmental field and combating climate change. He pointed out that with the strong support from the MEE, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government achieved great success at the China Pavilion’s Side Event of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) last year and hopes to continue telling the good stories to the world about the country and the HKSAR Government’s efforts in combatting climate change through the platform provided by the COP30 this year.

     Mr Tse will continue his visit in Beijing tomorrow (March 21).

              

     The “Hong Kong Gala Screening” featuring the Hong Kong film “Last Song For You” was held in Osaka, Japan, tonight (March 20) during the 20th Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF).
      
     The gala screening, attended by some 300 film fans from Japan, was sponsored by the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo).
      
     Speaking before the screening, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office was proud to support the “Hong Kong Gala Screening” together with the film talents coming all the way from Hong Kong to participate in the OAFF this year.
      
     “Showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural diversity and creative excellence is our top priority. By promoting Hong Kong films to overseas audiences, we hope to share our love for cinema and our city as a colourful and vibrant metropolis rich in arts and culture from the East and West,” she said.
      
     She added that the Film Development Fund has already approved over $1.3 billion to support more than 120 film projects, involving 110 new directors and producers.
      
     Miss Au was joined by director Jill Leung of “Last Song For You”, as well as other Hong Kong film talents participating in the film festival. After the screening of “Last Song For You”, Leung also took part in a sharing session with the audience.