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 18) that due to big wav… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: During the service demand surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in pu… read more
Towards the long-term vision of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) along with all Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members, Hong Kong and like-minded economies are seeking to strengthen alliances for free and open trade through free trade agreements (FTAs).
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, made the above remarks at a discussion session themed “Advancing APEC’s Regional Economic Integration Agenda” at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Viña del Mar, Chile today (May 17, Viña del Mar time), citing the signing of the Hong Kong-Australia FTA and Investment Agreement in March.
“True to our free trade commitment, the FTA eliminates all import tariffs and opens up many service sectors for market access and treatment no less favourable than for local services. Against the prevailing uncertainties in the global economy, the two agreements, in providing transparency and predictability, give a big boost of confidence to our rules-based trading system,” Mr Yau said.
In the morning, Mr Yau participated in another discussion session entitled “Advancing APEC’s support for the WTO”, which explored concrete initiatives that the APEC can take to support the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“It is of utmost importance that the conduct of international trade abides by transparent and non-discriminatory rules, and that WTO Members can settle disputes under the established mechanism of the WTO. In fact, it is high time for APEC to sing in chorus to affirm its pledge to strengthening and defending the multilateral trading system. Hong Kong stands ready to support an MRT statement signifying the strong and unwavering commitment of APEC to upholding the rules-based system,” he said.
On the margins of the APEC MRT, Mr Yau took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Federal Minister of International Trade Diversification of Canada, Mr James Carr; the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Mr Timur Igorevich Maximov; and the Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr Li Chenggang. They had useful exchanges on bilateral trade and economic relations and issues of mutual concern.
Mr Yau will continue to meet with other ministers of member economies during the APEC MRT tomorrow (May 18, Viña del Mar time). He will also attend a discussion session entitled “Strengthening Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the Digital Era” before departing for London, the United Kingdom,for a duty visit from May 20 to 21.
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 18) that the red flag at Anglers’ Beach in Tsuen Wan District has been lowered and the beach has been reopened.
The beach was closed earlier on after an oil spill. read more
Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (May 18). They are, on Hong Kong Island, The Methodist Church, Hong Kong Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre, Social Welfare; in Kowloon, The Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship Limited; and in the New Territories, New Territories Association of Societies (Community Services) Foundation, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.
Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people distinguish between the three flag-selling activities.
Information on the three flag-selling organisations on May 18 is as follows:
| Region | Name of Organisation | Colour of Collection Bag | Colour of Flag |
| Hong Kong Island | The Methodist Church, Hong Kong Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre, Social Welfare | Green | White |
| Kowloon | The Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship Limited | Yellow | White |
| New Territories | New Territories Association of Societies (Community Services) Foundation | Orange | White |