Tag Archives: China

     The Marine Department (MD) announces today (February 14) the implementation of the amended Merchant Shipping (Registration) (Fees and Charges) Regulations (Cap. 415A) to allow eligible ships to apply for a refund under the Block Registration Incentive Scheme, with a view to attracting more shipowners to register their ships in Hong Kong. 
 
     The Scheme is one of the proposed action measures in the Action Plan on Maritime and Port Development Strategy promulgated by the Government in December 2023 to support the sustainable development needs of the maritime and port industry in Hong Kong, with a view to enhancing the long-term competitiveness of the industry. Under the Scheme, if more than one eligible ship is registered with the Hong Kong Shipping Registry (HKSR) within 24 months, the owners of the ships concerned may be provided with a refund of the ship registration fee and the first-year annual tonnage charge. One application may cover ships of different shipowners and may be submitted by a shipowner, ship manager or ship agent.
 
     A spokesperson for the MD said, “The gross tonnage of Hong Kong-registered ships ranks as the fourth largest in the world. Although the current registration fee of the HKSR is highly competitive, we have noticed that some other major flag administrations have already rolled out block registration incentives. We thus deem it necessary to launch a similar scheme in Hong Kong, with a view to further strengthening the HKSR’s competitiveness and fostering our leading position among shipping registries in the world.”
 
     The gazette of the proposed legislative amendments to Cap. 415A was published on December 13, 2024, and tabled at the Legislative Council on December 18 of the same year for negative vetting, and is scheduled to be implemented on February 14, 2025.
 
     The MD will actively reach out to shipowners and shipping-related companies to promote the Scheme through its network on the Mainland and overseas. Moreover, the MD has produced a leaflet to promote the work of the HKSR and introduce details of the Scheme. For details, please visit the MD’s official website at www.mardep.gov.hk/filemanager/en/share/publications/pdf/materials/hksr.pdf or download the application form for the Scheme at www.mardep.gov.hk/filemanager/en/share/forms/pdf/md742.pdf. read more

     The 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong marathon and the 15th National Games (NG) athletics (marathon) test event will be held on February 23. The Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO), Mr Yeung Tak-keung, … read more

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (Bangkok ETO) hosted a business luncheon in Bangkok, Thailand today (February 13) to highlight the business opportunities that Hong Kong can offer Thai enterprises under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development and Hong Kong’s strengths in international business and finance.

     Themed “Unlocking New Horizons: Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as a Hub for Global Business and Finance”, the luncheon brought together more than 100 guests from the government and business sectors. Among the distinguished attendees was the Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Mr Pichai Naripthaphan, reflecting the strong interest of both Hong Kong and Thailand in deepening economic and trade collaboration.

     In her keynote address, the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong serves as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world. Hong Kong remains the best gateway for overseas companies to tap into the GBA and the wider Mainland market, and for Mainland firms to go global. No other city can match Hong Kong’s level of sophistication of connectivity with the Mainland and global markets.
      
     “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to sharpen Hong Kong’s unique edges and seek further policy innovation and breakthroughs together with Guangdong and Macao, with a view to further enhancing the flow of people, goods, capital and information within the GBA, and creating new opportunities for foreign enterprises in Hong Kong to access the GBA market,” she said.
      
     The Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, highlighted Hong Kong’s latest developments in the finance sector in the luncheon. He said, “In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, Hong Kong continues to stand tall as a beacon of opportunity. We are not just a financial centre; we are a dynamic bridge between East and West, connecting global markets with the vast opportunities presented by Mainland China and the Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong is a city of resilience, innovation, and opportunity. Whether you are an investor seeking new markets, a business looking to expand, or a partner aiming to collaborate, Hong Kong is your gateway to success.”
      
     The Director of the Bangkok ETO, Mr Parson Lam, emphasised the close economic ties between Hong Kong and Thailand and noted that both sides can further strengthen their partnership to achieve mutual benefits and a win-win outcome. He said, “Hong Kong enjoys unparalleled advantages in various areas, including taxation, legal framework, business environment and professional services. The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement also offers numerous facilitation measures for Hong Kong businesses. Thai enterprises can leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to the GBA and the vast Mainland market. At the same time, Thai companies can make use of Hong Kong’s world-class financial services for capital raising and financial management, providing momentum for their growth. On the other hand, as a high value-added supply chain services centre, Hong Kong will continue to assist Mainland enterprises in going global, supporting their establishment in markets including Thailand.”

     The luncheon provided a valuable platform for Thai businesses to gain insights into the unique strengths of Hong Kong as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, as well as the GBA’s dynamic business landscape, and to explore collaboration opportunities with Hong Kong. The Bangkok ETO remains committed to fostering closer economic ties, enhancing cross-border connectivity between Hong Kong and Thailand, and supporting businesses in seizing the vast opportunities presented by regional and global developments.

            

     The press conference on the 2025 Shenzhen-Hong Kong marathon and the 15th National Games (NG) athletics (marathon) test event was held in Shenzhen today (February 13).        Deputy secretary-general of the She… read more

     Hong Kong Customs detected a case involving etomidate (the main ingredient of “space oil drug”), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 8 kilograms of suspected “space oil drug” with an estimated market value of about $8.4 million, as well as two suspected alternative smoking products today (February 13).

     A male passenger, aged 22, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected “space oil drug” concealed inside eight packages of fruit-flavored drink powder inside his check-in suitcase and the two suspected alternative smoking products from his carry-on backpack. The man was subsequently arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing. 

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing prohibited articles not under and in accordance with an import licence or importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).