HK pursues free trade

June 13, 2019 - Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau (Jun 13) reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to free trade and the multilateral trading system , as he continued his duty visit to Washington, DC. Hong Kong, despite its small size, has been the seventh largest merchandise trading entity in the world. Mr Yau added that Hong Kong has taken a multi-pronged approach to diversify its economy and expand its markets by reinforcing partnerships such as signing Free Trade Agreements with like-minded economies. Details here.

US visual analytics software firm seeks to help businesses capture Greater Bay opportunities

June 13, 2019 - US data visualization company Tableau opened an office in Hong Kong (Jun 13) to meet the growing analytics demands of businesses and to tap opportunities arising from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The company has recently launched a product in traditional Chinese to make it easier for businesses that operate in the local language to seamlessly draw insights from their data to inform decision making. Details here.

Deepening HK-US ties

June 12, 2019 - Hong Kong will continue to explore ways to deepen and broaden its links with the United States, said Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau during a reception (Jun 12) hosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Washington, DC for US government officials, think tank members, academics, and chambers of commerce and business organization leaders. He highlighted the mutually beneficial and expanding trade and economic relationship between the two places, adding that the relationship was defined on the unique status of Hong Kong under the Basic Law and the city’s distinct qualities, which include the rule of law buttressed by an independent judiciary, a commitment to creating a pro-trade environment and the free flow of information, goods and people. Details here.

CE urges peaceful assembly

June 12, 2019 - Chief Executive Carrie Lam urged for calm and appealed to Hong Kong citizens to resolve any problems through a peaceful, rational and law-abiding manner. “I hope that society will return to order as soon as possible and I don’t want any more people to get injured in the riot,” she said, responding to the riotous acts on the streets earlier today (Jun 12). Details here.

Human rights guaranteed: CE

June 11, 2019 - Any party making a fugitive request would be required to guarantee a set of human rights protections before the Chief Executive decides to activate the surrender process. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said (Jun 11) these human rights protections hew closely to the international standards and the guarantees under the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights. Mrs Lam added that the Government had introduced further amendments to the proposed extradition law change, after listening to public views. Details here.

SCED starts US visit

June 10, 2019 - Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau started his five-day visit to the United States, meeting with key people in the financial, business, legal and academic sectors at a roundtable breakfast meeting in New York (Jun 10). Mr Yau emphasized that Hong Kong’s unique strengths are guaranteed under the Basic Law and the city values its core values including the rule of law as well as open and free markets. Speaking at an AmCham reception in DC, he pointed out that bilateral relationship between Hong Kong and the US over the past 50 years has flourished. Trade between the two economies has grown from roughly US$8 billion to US$70 billion. Details here.

Fugitive bill to be further clarified

June 10, 2019 - Understanding the concerns of residents who took part in the protest, the Government will further explain the fugitive bill to allay residents’ concerns, said Chief Executive Carrie Lam (Jun 10). These include improving communications on the bill with the public, focusing on explaining the additional safeguards that were introduced on May 30, and providing regular reports to the legislature on extradition decisions. Details here.

Government responds to procession

June 9, 2019 - In response to a public procession (Jun 9) on the fugitive bill, the Government said it acknowledges and respects that people have different views on a wide range of issues, and will continue to engage, listen and allay concerns through calm and rational discussion. The Government reiterated that the bill was prompted by the murder of a Hong Kong citizen in Taiwan which brought into sharper focus deficiencies of the existing regime dealing with mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the surrender of fugitives. Noting that the Second Reading debate on the bill will resume on June 12, the Government urged the Legislative Council to scrutinize the bill in a calm, reasonable and respectful manner to help ensure Hong Kong remains a safe city for residents and business. Details here.

HK to promote investment and trade

June 7, 2019 - Pointing out that international trade and investment have been key to global economic growth and development, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the upsurge in trade protectionism posed a major threat to the global economy. Speaking during a session at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Jun 7), Mr Chan added that trade wars do not have winners. As the world’s leading financial center, Hong Kong will continue to promote investment and trade flows between China and other countries, and also assist as China continues its reforms and opening up. Details here.

HK active in international crime fight

June 7, 2019 - As a highly connected global city, Hong Kong has always been an active and responsible player in the international fight against crime, wrote Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng (Jun 7). Under the principle of “one country, two systems,” Hong Kong is allowed to establish its own regime of reciprocal juridical assistance with other jurisdictions. Pointing out that such a framework provides the appropriate safeguards for the fugitive offenders, and more importantly be applicable to all the jurisdictions in the world, she sincerely hoped that the city is now moving in that direction. Details here.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development to visit New York, Washington DC

June 6, 2019 - Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau will visit the United States and the United Arab Emirates from June 10 to 17. Mr Yau will start the US leg of his visit in New York on June 10, where he will meet key people in the financial, business, legal and academic sectors at a roundtable breakfast meeting before proceeding to Washington, DC for a four-day visit. While in Washington, DC, he is scheduled to meet with government officials, congressional members and think tank representatives to forge better trade and economic relations between Hong Kong and the US. Details here.

Stringent procedures and safeguards when handling surrender of fugitive offenders

June 6, 2019 - The Department of Justice (DoJ) reiterated (Jun 6) that the surrender of fugitive offenders and mutual legal assistance regimes in Hong Kong are devised with reference to the guidelines and model treaties endorsed by the United Nations, and are consistent with human rights protection principles that are commonly followed by the international community. The Government has been adopting extremely stringent procedures, with appropriate human rights and procedural safeguards, in handling requests for surrender of fugitive offenders. The Judiciary and all its judicial officers will continue to exercise judicial power in a fair and just manner, free from any interference. Details here.

Hong Kong: Asia's Wine Hub

June 5, 2019 - Eddie Mak, Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States, met with Congressman David Trone of Maryland. They discussed Hong Kong's positioning as Asia's wine hub and potential opportunities for US businesses. Details here.

Government adopts multi-pronged approach amid trade tensions

June 4, 2019 - Amid the China-US trade dispute, the Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to explore more opportunities for Hong Kong, leveraging on the city’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems,” said Chief Executive Carrie Lam (Jun 4). Hong Kong will actively attract foreign investors to the city and leverage on the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development. Details here.

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