Tag Archives: China

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) hosted its annual Hong Kong Spring Reception on February 4 (New York time), welcoming close to 400 guests (tbc) from government agencies, businesses, think tanks, non-profits, academic institutions, cultural organisations and the media to usher in the Year of the Snake. 

     The Director of the HKETONY, Ms Maisie Ho, extended a warm welcome to attendees and highlighted Hong Kong’s resilience and recent accomplishments amid global challenges.

     “This year, we welcome the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac – a symbol of wisdom, adaptability, and transformation. The snake sheds its skin to embrace new beginnings, reminding us that change, though sometimes challenging, is essential for growth. In many ways, this symbolism resonates deeply with Hong Kong’s journey. We have always been a city that adapts, innovates, and thrives in the face of change.”

     “In 2024, Hong Kong maintained its position as one of the world’s top four IPO venues, raising a total of US$10.6 billion. Invest Hong Kong also had a record-breaking year, assisting 539 overseas and Mainland companies – including 24 from the United States – to set up operations in Hong Kong. We also saw an all-time high of 15 126 non-Hong Kong companies registering in the city,” she shared.

     Ms Ho further emphasised the strength of Hong Kong’s economic ties with the US, noting that Hong Kong is home to 1 390 US firms, the highest in recent history. “The US is one of Hong Kong’s leading trading partners and consistently enjoys trade surplus with Hong Kong over the years. Over the past decade, there has been a trade surplus amounting to US$270 billion,” she said.

     During her address, Ms Ho expressed gratitude to the “Hong Kong Family” – the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), and the Hong Kong Association of New York – for their on-going support. 

     The evening was further enriched by a special performance featuring three talented Hong Kong musicians: violinist Ding Yijie, erhu player Yang Enhua (both from the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong), and professional pianist Laurina Hong. Sponsored by the HKETONY and Cathay Pacific, the trio presented a captivating selection of music blending Eastern and Western traditions, showcasing Hong Kong’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. 

     Hong Kong’s creativity was also celebrated with two striking inflatable art installations by local creative brand Chocolate Rain. These pieces were part of the “Hong Kong Meets America – Pop Art Exhibition” at the American Dream Mall last October, adding a unique touch to the evening’s festive atmosphere.

     Additionally, the HKTB featured renowned wine and spirits expert Anthony Giglio, who shared his insights into Hong Kong’s bar scene and introduced the evening’s signature cocktail, “The Cloud Nine”, which added a distinctive and flavourful touch to the celebration.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Limited relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens and Apps, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites, login screens or Apps concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 is 107.1 (down 0.5 against  yesterday’s index). read more

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on February 4 to noon today (February 5), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 242 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 113 624 samples of food imported from Japan (including 74 333 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 26 372 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more

     Hong Kong Customs detected two cases of tobacco products smuggling activities involving containers in Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun on January 27. A total of about 5 800 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 5.9 million of suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $65 million and a duty potential of about $43 million in total were seized.

     In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs on January 27 selected and inspected a 40-foot container, arriving from Singapore to Hong Kong and declared as carrying cosmetics, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 3.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside the container.

     In the second case, Customs at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound on the same day examined a 40-foot container, arriving in Hong Kong from Guangdong and declared as carrying household goods. A total of about 5 800kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and about 2.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized therein.

     Investigations into the two cases are ongoing, and Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat the smuggling of illicit cigarettes. Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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/).