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
​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).
The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) visited Kai Tak Sports Park today (February 13) to tour various venues and facilities in the park.
ExCo Non-official Members accompanied by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; and the Commissioner for Sports, Mr George Tsoi, were briefed by the staff on the design and planning of the Kai Tak Sports Park.
ExCo Non-official Members toured the Kai Tak Stadium which could accommodate 50 000 spectators. They learned about facilities such as the retractable roof, and the flexible pitch surface, customisable staging and seating configurations that can be adapted based on the scale and nature of events. They also visited other venues, including the Central Square, the Kai Tak Arena and the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.
ExCo Non-official Members commended on the comprehensive facilities of the Kai Tak Sports Park, which is the largest sports infrastructure project in Hong Kong’s history and can host international sports and entertainment mega events. Apart from the three major venues, the Sports Park also features various retail, catering as well as leisure and entertainment facilities. They hoped that after the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong will host more large-scale international events, attracting more tourists from around the globe and further promoting Hong Kong as an events capital and a popular destination for global travelers. This would further expand the mega event economy and strengthen impetus for economic growth in Hong Kong.
ExCo Non-official Members were pleased to learn that relevant government departments and the Kai Tak Sports Park are preparing for the official opening in full steam. They wished for a successful opening ceremony.
Joining the visit were ExCo Non-official Members Professor Arthur Li, Mr Ronny Tong, Dr Moses Cheng, Mrs Margaret Leung, Mr Chan Kin-por and Mr Stanley Ng.
