Under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the Mainland and Hong Kong signed the Agreement Concerning Amendment to the CEPA Agreement on Trade in Services (Amendment Agreement) on November 21, 2019. The Amendment Agreement will be implemented on June 1 (Monday).
 
​     Since CEPA was signed in 2003, its content has been enriched and updated continuously. CEPA is now a modern and comprehensive free trade agreement, covering four major areas, namely trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and economic and technical co-operation.
 
     The Agreement on Trade in Services implemented since 2016 is one of the subsidiary agreements under the CEPA framework. It has integrated and consolidated the liberalisation measures and facilitation measures related to trade in services under CEPA over the years. On November 21, 2019, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Ministry of Commerce signed the Amendment Agreement to further enhance the Mainland's level of liberalisation on trade in services for Hong Kong and lower the market access thresholds in the Mainland for Hong Kong services suppliers for more participation in the development of the Mainland market.
 
     The Amendment Agreement introduces new liberalisation measures in a number of important services sectors such as legal services, construction and related engineering services, financial services, testing and certification, television and motion pictures. The new measures make it easier for Hong Kong service suppliers to set up enterprises and develop business in the Mainland, allow more Hong Kong professionals to obtain qualifications to practise in the Mainland and more of Hong Kong's quality services to be provided to the Mainland market. The liberalisation measures take various forms, including removing or relaxing restrictions on equity shareholding, capital requirements and business scope in the establishment of enterprises; relaxing qualification requirements for provision of services by Hong Kong professionals; and relaxing the geographical and other restrictions for Hong Kong's exports of services to the Mainland market.
 
​     Since the signing of the Amendment Agreement, the Trade and Industry Department (TID) has proactively liaised with chambers of commerce, professional bodies and industry organisations to introduce the details of the new liberalisation measures, with a view to enhancing understanding of the new liberalisation measures and related implementation arrangements. The Mainland is also promulgating the implementation details as well as related rules and regulations regarding the liberalisation measures in individual service sectors. They cover, for example, the procedures for establishing enterprises, conditions of operations, management requirements, channels for professionals to obtain/register Mainland qualifications and other supplementary rules.
 
​     To offer assistance to the trade on a one-stop platform, the TID has set up a dedicated website on CEPA which provides an information database on services organised by sectors. Hong Kong enterprises and professionals can refer to the database for the latest liberalisation measures and relevant Mainland rules and regulations of their respective areas, as well as frequently asked questions, so that they can utilise CEPA to develop their Mainland businesses.
 
Dedicated website on CEPA:
www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/index.html
 
CEPA information database by service sector:
www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/tradeservices/trade_services_requirement.html
 
​     The TID also maintains a telephone hotline (2398 5667) and email (cepa@tid.gov.hk) to handle CEPA-related enquiries, and helps liaise with relevant bureaux/departments and the Mainland authorities to follow up on specific issues.
 
     The implementation of the Amendment Agreement enables the trade to utilise CEPA in gaining greater access to the Mainland market. The Government will continue to promote the development and implementation of CEPA, and assist the trade in capitalising on the opportunities.

     Following is a reminder of the press releases on statistical data to be issued between June and September 2020. The schedule for issuing press releases on statistical data in 2020 was provided to the media in September 2019. No change has been made to the original schedule.
 

     The schedule for regular press releases in the other months of 2020 can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/index.jsp).

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 (May 29) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (May 29) will be cancelled.

     Following is the letter to Hong Kong citizens by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, published in newspapers today (May 29):

Fellow Citizens,

      Hong Kong, the home we all treasure, is defined by the "Lion Rock spirit" by which we join hands to pursue our dreams while putting aside our differences. Since our return to the Motherland, Hong Kong has been a Special Administrative Region directly under the Central People's Government, enjoying a high degree of autonomy and unique advantages under "One Country, Two Systems".

      Over the past year, the Hong Kong community has been traumatised. Violence by rioters has escalated, with illegal firearms and explosives posing a terrorist threat. The opposition forces and organisations advocating "Hong Kong independence" and "self-determination" have blatantly challenged the authority of the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, pleaded for interference in Hong Kong's affairs by external forces and even begged for sanctions against Hong Kong and thus disregarding the interests of Hong Kong people and our country. Meanwhile, external forces have intensified their interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs, passed laws relating to Hong Kong and flagrantly glorified the illegal acts of radicals, all of which seriously jeopardise our nation's sovereignty, security and development interests. Hong Kong has become a gaping hole in national security, and our city's prosperity and stability are at risk.

      Regrettably, the current legal system and enforcement mechanisms for Hong Kong to safeguard national security are inadequate or even "defenceless". Despite returning to the Motherland for 23 years, Hong Kong has yet to enact laws to curb acts that threaten national security in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law. In view of the current political and social situation, it is difficult for the Executive and Legislative authorities of the HKSAR to complete on its own legislation to safeguard national security in the foreseeable future. The decision now by the National People's Congress to establish and improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security from the state level in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law is an exercise of the authority and duty of the Central Authorities. It also demonstrates the commitment of the Central Authorities to fully and accurately implement "One Country, Two Systems" as well as their care for Hong Kong people. There is both the need and the urgency for legislation, the constitutionality, lawfulness and reasonableness of which are beyond doubt.

     The objective of the legislation is to prevent, curb and sanction secession, the subversion of state power, the organisation and carrying out of terrorist activities that seriously endanger national security, and interference by foreign and external forces in the affairs of the HKSAR. It will only target an extremely small minority of illegal and criminal acts and activities, while the life and property, basic rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of citizens will be protected. Citizens will continue to enjoy the freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of demonstration, of procession, and to enter or leave Hong Kong in accordance with the law. All relevant law enforcement will be conducted strictly in accordance with the law as well as statutory powers and procedures.

     Fellow citizens, every country has its own laws to safeguard national security for the long-term security of their country and the stability of people's lives. The legislation by the Central Authorities for the HKSAR to safeguard national security aims to enable Hong Kong society to find a way out of the impasse, restore stability as soon as possible and resume development of the economy and livelihoods.

     I appeal for your full understanding and staunch support for the Decision passed by the National People's Congress.

Carrie Lam
Chief Executive
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region