Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting tomorrow (February 12) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, City University of Hong Kong (Amendment) Bill 2025 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 Edmund Wong will move a motion on comprehensively reviewing the SAR Government’s use of resources to optimise its fiscal structure. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Tang Ka-piu will move an amendment to Mr Wong’s motion.
 
     Dr Junius Ho will also move a motion on upholding the monogamous and heterosexual marriage system in Hong Kong. The motion is set out in Appendix 2.
 
     Meanwhile, Dr Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure to take note of a report of the House Committee on consideration of subsidiary legislation and other instruments. The motion is set out in Appendix 3.
 
     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

     Members of the public are invited to visit an exhibition on the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance organised by the Labour Department in Southern District on February 13 and 14 (Thursday and Friday).   … read more

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Youth Employment Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on February 15 (Saturday). The Expo is an event jointly organised by the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Youth Employment Scheme, the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) and the Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.) of the LD, providing abundant opportunities to work locally and in GBA Mainland cities for young people aged 29 or below, as well as introducing the diverse youth employment services of the LD.
      
     The Chief Executive in the 2024 Policy Address announced measures to strengthen employment services and support for young people, including, starting from 2025, relaxing the eligibility requirements for the GBA Youth Employment Scheme to allow young people aged 29 or below with sub-degree or higher qualifications to join the Scheme and increasing the allowance granted to enterprises. Moreover, the upper age limit for YETP participants has been raised to provide employment support services to young people aged 15 to 29 with sub-degree or below qualifications.
      
     A total of 47 organisations from various industries, including airline services, hotels, banking, public services, retail, transport, construction, catering, tourism, security and technology, will join the Expo, providing over 1 200 on-the-job training vacancies for young people to work locally and in GBA Mainland cities. Eligible young job seekers are welcome to submit applications on the spot and may be invited for on-site interviews.
      
     The Expo also features career talks, sharing sessions, course introduction and demonstration of the programmes, employment consultation, interview preparation consultation, resume photo shooting, etc. Singers Ms Gin Lee and Mr Andy Lai will join the Expo and share their stories of pursuing their own career developments. The talk and sharing sessions will be conducted in Cantonese. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, the Youth Entrepreneurship Bazaar will also be run by business members of Y.E.S. at the Expo, selling a diverse range of handcrafted and innovative products. Members of the public are welcome to visit.
      
     The Expo will be held from 11am to 6pm at 3G Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Admission is free. Last admission time is 5.30pm. For details of the Expo, please visit the LD’s website www.labour.gov.hk. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 11) that… read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington DC (HKETO, Washington DC) hosted a Chinese New Year reception on February 6 (Washington DC time). Some 700 guests attended to welcome the Year of the Snake.

     The reception began with performances by musicians Yang Enhua, Hong Ting Laurina and Ding Yijie from the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong. Speaking to a distinguished audience, which included US government officials, congressional staff, Ambassadors and others, Sylvester Wong, Director of the HKETO, Washington DC, said the performances exemplified the “perseverance and diversity of Hong Kong’s performing arts scene and the power of inclusion across the arts.” He acknowledged Cathay Pacific Airway’s support for the musicians’ US tour. 
      
     Mr Wong provided an update on growth forecasts for Hong Kong’s economy and the strength of Hong Kong-US commercial ties. 
           
     He highlighted the robust trade ties between Hong Kong and the US, reporting that US goods exports to the city last year totaled nearly US$26 billion. Over the past 10 years, the US has realized a trade surplus of US$271 billion with Hong Kong.
      
     With the Hong Kong government’s recently announced reduction of the duty on imported alcoholic beverages, coupled with the city’s vibrant cocktail culture, Mr Wong stressed that there was strong potential for US whiskeys in Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Wong highlighted Hong Kong’s robust measures to amplify the city’s competitiveness by strengthening traditional pillar industries, while cultivating new growth areas.
 
     He reported on the recent commissioning of the Three-Runway System in the Hong Kong International Airport, which would increase passenger and cargo flows and boosts interconnectivity. Illustrating greater interconnectivity, he announced that Cathay Pacific Airways would soon launch nonstop service from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Hong Kong.
 
     In cultivating new growth areas, Mr Wong reported that Hong Kong had continued to step-up the competitiveness of its financial market. With over 1 100 fintech companies operating in the city, innovative financial products run the gamut from mobile payments to virtual asset trading. “The pace of financial innovation requires our regulatory regime to be nimble,” said Mr Wong. “Our regulatory approach ensures market innovation while managing risks.”
 
     Beyond the world of business, Mr Wong said that Hong Kong offered unforgettable experiences for American visitors, including iconic events like Art Basel and the Clockenflap music and arts festival. Thanks to Hong Kong athletes’ achievements at international sporting events and the new Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong had elevated its elite sports development and the status as the capital of international sports events.