Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹Mainly attributable to the rainfall associated with the tropical cyclone activity over the northern part of the South China Sea, August 2022 was wetter than usual, with the monthly rainfall being 614.8 millimetres,… read more

     Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) Dr Fang Xinghai stated today (September 2) that the CSRC will move forward to include securities of overseas enterprises that have primary listing in Hong Kong and fulfil certain conditions in the eligible scope of Southbound Trading under Stock Connect, study to set up a Renminbi (RMB) securities trading counter under Southbound Trading of Stock Connect, and support the issuance of Mainland government bond futures in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would like to express its sincere gratitude.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, “The measures are significant milestones of the mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets, enriching the investment choices for Mainland investors, attracting more overseas enterprises to list in Hong Kong, and providing risk management tools for Mainland government bond investments in Hong Kong. I am most grateful that the Central People’s Government has, further to its announcement of establishing mutual access arrangements between the interest rate swap markets of the two places at the beginning of the new-term Government, demonstrated to investors once again our country’s support for Hong Kong in consolidating its status as an international financial centre. The measures, after implementation, will further facilitate Hong Kong to meet the targets in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, support the high-quality opening up and development of the Mainland’s financial markets and contribute to the progress of RMB internationalisation, while achieving concerted development of the financial markets in the two places and mutual benefits.”
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “The measures will broaden the scope for the future development of Hong Kong’s securities market, particularly the internationalisation of listed companies as well as the issuance and trading of RMB securities. They will facilitate Mainland investors to enrich their asset allocation via Southbound Trading of Stock Connect, offer offshore risk management tools for Hong Kong and overseas investors to participate in the Mainland government bond investments, and deepen the development of Hong Kong’s offshore RMB market. They can further consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, a risk management centre and a global offshore RMB business hub. I am grateful for the strong support from our country, and will spare no effort to take forward the relevant work.”
 
     The HKSAR Government, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) have already commenced discussion with relevant Mainland institutions and will continue the close collaboration with a view to implementing the measures promptly.
 
     Southbound Trading of Stock Connect was launched in 2014. As of August 2022, there were 388 and 545 eligible securities available for trading in Hong Kong dollars by Mainland investors through the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange respectively, which did not cover overseas listed companies and RMB-denominated securities. The 2022-23 Budget announced that a working group formed by the SFC, the HKEX and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority would start making preparations on allowing stocks traded via the Southbound Trading of Stock Connect to be denominated in RMB, and would discuss with the regulatory authorities and relevant organisations in the Mainland. The HKSAR Government will roll out supporting measures to waive the stamp duty on stock transfers paid by market makers in their transactions, so as to increase the liquidity of RMB‑denominated stocks. The HKSAR Government plans to submit relevant legislative amendments to the Legislative Council within this year. read more

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (September 2) released the statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the second quarter of 2022.        In the second quarter of 2022, total port… read more

     The Government announced today (September 2) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.

Rapid test

     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 240 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Kwai Tsing District – Wah Lai Estate, Shek Yam East Estate, Shek Yam Estate, Lai Yan Court, Ning Fung Court, St Paul’s Village, Lam Tin Resite Village, Lutheran Village, Chung Mei Lo Uk Village, Tsing Yu New Village, Tsing Fai San Tsuen and Yim Tin Kok Resite Village
• Kowloon City District – Oi Man Estate, Canbury Court, Ultima, Greenfield Terrace, Carmel On The Hill, Wing On Court, Chun Man Court, Dragon View, Parc Regal and residential premises around Broadcast Drive and Marconi Road (see Annex)
• Tsuen Wan District – Park Island, 297 Castle Peak Road – Ting Kau, Royal Dragon Villa, Deauville, Ting Kau Villa, Ting Kau Village, Sea Cliff Lodge, Pink Villa, Anton Villa, Aztec Lodge, Flying Dragon Terrace, Riviera Apartment and Golden Villa

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.

     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.

     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform “Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test” (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure. read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) seized about 1.1 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.38 million in Tseung Kwan O. A man was arrested.
 
     During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tseung Kwan O yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a man and found the batch of suspected crack cocaine inside a paper bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted the man to a residential premises nearby for a search and further seized a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia there.
 
     The arrested man, who claimed to be unemployed, is 18 years old and has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 3).
 
     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
 
     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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