Tag Archives: China

     The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, today (February 26) attended the inaugural ceremony of the third term of the Executive Committee of “Customs YES” and presented appointment certificates to the newly appointed Executive Director of the Executive Committee, Mr Desmond Yip, and 17 directors. Other directorates of the department also attended the ceremony.

     The Executive Committee of “Customs Yes” comprises official and non-official members from different sectors, including legal, commerce and industry, healthcare, innovation and technology, youth services, and culture and sports, who will advise on the scheme’s sustainable development and activity strategy.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the staunch support of the Executive Committee, which has been offering valuable learning and exchange opportunities to members of “Customs YES”. He said that the department strives to cultivate global perspectives, an aspiring mindset, and an affection for the country and Hong Kong among the young people, and equip them to tell good stories of Hong Kong on the international stage in the future. “Customs YES” will continue to hold more exciting activities, taking young people onboard the “Hong Kong” train for exploration in the new era.

     In his speech, Mr Yip welcomed the four newly joined directors and said that he looks forward to leading the new term of the Executive Committee to work hand in hand with Customs, continuously pushing the boundaries of “Customs YES” and contributing to youth development in Hong Kong. 

     Since its launch in 2021, “Customs YES” has over 8 000 young members aged between 12 and 24. For further information of the scheme, please visit www1.customsyes.hk.

          

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) hosted a Chinese New Year reception in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday (February 25) to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
      
     Over 150 guests from various sectors, including political and business circles, media, academia, community groups and government representatives, attended the reception. Among them were the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland, Mr Chen Shijie; the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Mr Todd McClay; and the Mayor of Auckland, Mr Wayne Brown.
      
     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said in his welcoming remarks that Hong Kong and New Zealand share a long-standing and dynamic trade partnership built on a mutual commitment to open markets and free trade. Notably, New Zealand was the first foreign country to secure a free trade agreement with Hong Kong, reinforcing the depth of economic ties. The Hong Kong, China – New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in 2010 and in force since 2011, offers New Zealand exporters a competitive advantage and expands opportunities in the region.

     “In Hong Kong, we are investing heavily to enhance our world-class infrastructure. A prime example is our new state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park, set to open next month. With its 50 000-seat main stadium, the sports park will firmly put Hong Kong on the map as a global hub for major international sports and entertainment events. The world’s famous Hong Kong Sevens will also be held at the new Kai Tak Stadium from March 28 to 30,” Mr Chong added.

     To promote Hong Kong’s pop culture, a music performance featuring Hong Kong teenagers in New Zealand was staged at the reception.  

     In addition to the reception in Auckland, the Sydney ETO also hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide in Australia to celebrate the Year of the Snake with the communities. 

              

     The Financial Secretary announced in the Budget that under the reinforced fiscal consolidation programme, the Government has put forward that the pay of executive authorities, including members of the civil service, be fro… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) Chairman, Mr Henry Fan, welcomed the 2025-26 Budget announced by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Legislative Council today (February 26). The 2025-26 annual subvention for the HA will be $100.2 billion (including $99 billion recurrent), having increased by 3 per cent compared to the 2024-25 revised provision.
 
     Mr Fan is especially grateful that in the face of pressure on public finances, the Government continues to increase the subvention to the HA. The HA co-operates with the Government on the deepening reform of the healthcare system, and remains committed to augmenting and strengthening public healthcare services to benefit the well-being of the community. The HA strives to optimise utilisation, enhance efficiency, minimise wastage and execute targeted allocation of public resources to ensure its purposeful deployment. The structure and levels of subsidisation will be reviewed for the sustainable development of public healthcare. The HA will strive to improve its service comprehensively with a spirit of innovation and change, and active promotion of reform.
 
     Mr Fan said, “With the staunch support of the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the HA will remain dedicated to strengthening its service and provide suitable treatment and care for patients. Measures include launching the first breast milk bank in Hong Kong, executing full-scale preparation on the first stroke centre and the second chest pain centre in Hong Kong in accordance with national accreditation standards, and devotedly expanding the talent hub by attracting healthcare professionals to work in Hong Kong through Mainland and global healthcare talent visiting programmes in order to provide high-quality healthcare services to the public.”
 
     The HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko, thanked the HKSAR Government for supporting the service upgrade in public hospitals. “The HA will actively carry out hospital redevelopment and expansion projects, including Queen Mary Hospital, New Acute Hospital at Kai Tak Development Area, phase 2 of the redevelopment of Kwong Wah Hospital, and the Community Health Centres in various locations, in order to elevate the service capacity of public healthcare to meet community needs,” said Dr Ko.
 
     The HA will continue to execute various measures to promote sustainable development of public healthcare and to be in line with primary healthcare policy. Smart hospital initiatives with advanced technology will be expanded in the clusters so that patients’ experiences and operational processes will be enhanced. In the coming financial year, around 330 additional public hospital beds will be opened and capacity for operating theatre services, endoscopic services and cataract surgeries will be enhanced. Meanwhile, quotas of general outpatient clinics will be increased; triage and referral arrangements for specialist out-patient clinics will also be optimised to strengthen the treatment and care for major chronic diseases, and services of nurse clinics, ensuring comprehensive fulfilment of patients’ healthcare requirements. The HA will implement measures to boost capacity of accident and emergency, radiotherapy and chemotherapy services, as well as improve pharmacy services.
 
     Mr Fan and Dr Ko once again thanked the HKSAR Government for its support of public healthcare services. The HA will utilise the subvention appropriately and strive to implement relevant policies and measures for the benefit of patients. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Leung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (February 26):   Question:      &nb… read more