Tag Archives: China

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (February 19) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) Bill 2024 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     The Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Deductions for Assisted Reproductive Service Expenses) Bill 2024 will also resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     In addition, The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members’ motions, Mr Stanley Ng will move a motion on protecting the mental health of employees. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Kwok Wai-keung will move separate amendment to Mr Ng’s motion.

     Mr Edward Leung will move a motion on comprehensively regulating unsolicited calls. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng and Mr Shiu Ka-fai will move separate amendments to Mr Leung’s motion.

     During the meeting, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, will present the “Report of the Public Accounts Committee on Report No. 83 of the Director of Audit on the Results of Value for Money Audits” and address the Council.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (February 19) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) Bill 2024 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     The Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Deductions for Assisted Reproductive Service Expenses) Bill 2024 will also resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     In addition, The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members’ motions, Mr Stanley Ng will move a motion on protecting the mental health of employees. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Kwok Wai-keung will move separate amendment to Mr Ng’s motion.

     Mr Edward Leung will move a motion on comprehensively regulating unsolicited calls. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng and Mr Shiu Ka-fai will move separate amendments to Mr Leung’s motion.

     During the meeting, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, will present the “Report of the Public Accounts Committee on Report No. 83 of the Director of Audit on the Results of Value for Money Audits” and address the Council.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (February 19) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) Bill 2024 will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     The Second Reading debate on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Deductions for Assisted Reproductive Service Expenses) Bill 2024 will also resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.

     In addition, The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members’ motions, Mr Stanley Ng will move a motion on protecting the mental health of employees. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Kwok Wai-keung will move separate amendment to Mr Ng’s motion.

     Mr Edward Leung will move a motion on comprehensively regulating unsolicited calls. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng and Mr Shiu Ka-fai will move separate amendments to Mr Leung’s motion.

     During the meeting, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, will present the “Report of the Public Accounts Committee on Report No. 83 of the Director of Audit on the Results of Value for Money Audits” and address the Council.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority. The spokesman for Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (February 17):      Four patients (aged 81 to 94) in a male rehabilitation ward have presented wi… read more

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the South China Morning Post China Conference: Southeast Asia 2025 today (February 17):
      
Your Excellency Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz (Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia), officials and friends from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and around the world, Ms Catherine So (Chief Executive Officer of South China Morning Post), Ms Tammy Tam (Editor-in-Chief of South China Morning Post), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you today, virtually, at this remarkable conference in Kuala Lumpur.
      
     For that, I am grateful to the South China Morning Post for organising the China Conference: Southeast Asia, and for putting a prime spotlight on the substantive roles played by China, our country, and Southeast Asia in shaping the global agenda, now and long down the road.
      
     To that end, you have heard today from His Excellency Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as well as a wealth of senior governmental, business and financial leaders and decision-makers from Malaysia, throughout ASEAN and around the world.
      
     For the next few minutes, allow me to speak about Hong Kong – about the role we play in working with our country and in connecting with member states of ASEAN and far beyond.
      
     Long a “super connector”, Hong Kong takes pride in creating value for traditional and emerging markets. We are the natural bridge for ASEAN business looking to Mainland Chinese markets and opportunities. We are, as well, the conduit for Mainland businesses looking to explore overseas opportunities, whether in ASEAN, the Middle East or elsewhere.
      
     Indeed, the Mainland and ASEAN are our two largest trade-in-goods partners, with total trade value reaching US$619 billion and US$165 billion respectively last year.
      
     We are home to about 2 600 offices with parent companies on the Mainland, up 20 per cent over 2023 totals. Last year, too, some 730 offices with parent companies in ASEAN maintained an office in Hong Kong. That’s an increase of about 10 per cent year on year.
      
     And I am confident of continuing growth in the coming years, given the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement and related Investment Agreement, as well as the recently signed amendment to the Agreement on Trade in Services of CEPA – the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.
      
     The new CEPA Agreement introduces service-sector liberalisation measures, making it easier for Hong Kong suppliers, and international companies with offices in Hong Kong, to do business on the Mainland.
      
     As you know, CEPA is nationality neutral, so I encourage ASEAN companies to enjoy Hong Kong’s world-class professional services and, in doing so, make full use of CEPA in accessing the Mainland market. 
      
     Alongside strong business ties with ASEAN, our people-to-people bonds are long-standing and mutually rewarding. 
      
     Since assuming office, in July 2022, I have led high-profile Hong Kong delegations to seven of the 10 ASEAN countries. Nearly 90 co-operation agreements between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries have been signed over that period – and in so many areas, from economic and trade matters to innovation and technology, cultural exchange, education and more.
      
     And I am committed to building on our gratifying ties.
      
     We have relaxed the criteria for nationals of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam applying for multiple-entry visas to Hong Kong. We have, as well, extended their validity period from two to three years. 
      
     We will also provide self-service immigration clearance for invited ASEAN-country visitors participating in business, development and related activities in Hong Kong.
      
     And for ASEAN and other non-Chinese residents working in Hong Kong and wishing to travel to the Mainland, the multiple-entry visas have been extended for up to five years, making Mainland entry from Hong Kong fast and efficient.
      
     And to make our ASEAN friends feel at home in Hong Kong, we are compiling a list of restaurants offering halal food, while encouraging hotels and other establishments to provide appropriate worship services.
      
     There’s more. We’re making it easier to communicate with ASEAN business. In addition to our Economic and Trade Offices in Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok, we are working with the Malaysian government to establish a trade office in Kuala Lumpur.
      
     Allow me to thank ASEAN member states for their staunch support of our accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free trade agreement. I count on leaders like your good selves to support Hong Kong’s accession bid. 
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all the best of business, health and well-being in this auspicious Chinese New Year – the Year of the Snake.
      
     Thank you. read more