Author Archives: hksar gov

     In response to an article that appeared in The Lancet on November 21, a Government spokesman said the following today (November 28):

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government rejects claims by Dr Darren Mann in his online article (The Lancet, November 21) entitled “International humanitarian norms are violated in Hong Kong”.

     By the time Dr Mann arrived at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, violent protests and riots had been taking place, and escalating, for five days at the campus, in surrounding areas and elsewhere in Hong Kong. The Government’s approach, including that of the Police and other emergency services, was to resolve the standoff at the university peacefully and flexibly.

     Context is needed in this case. Rioters and radical protesters had seized control of the campus and areas near it, including a major footbridge above the busiest arterial road tunnel in Hong Kong. They set fire to the footbridge and the toll booths. They bombarded police officers with petrol bombs, rocks and metal objects fired from high-tension catapults capable of killing. They fired arrows, one of which pierced a police officer’s calf. Extensive damage was done to the campus and dangerous chemicals were stolen from laboratories. Hundreds, if not thousands, of petrol bombs were being stored and manufactured on campus. In addition, the threat posed to the general public by the smuggling out of petrol bombs and dangerous chemicals capable of making bombs needed to be contained. The situation was extremely dangerous and volatile and a serious threat to public safety and human life.

     Throughout the incident, rioters and others inside – including members of the media and first-aid providers – were repeatedly asked and given opportunities to leave the campus peacefully. Many took up this offer, but many did not. Those under the age of 18 were allowed to leave without being arrested at the scene after providing personal details. The Police reserve the right to take follow-up legal action if necessary. A mass exodus occurred on the evening of November 17, during which all those leaving were detained. It has been a common tactic of rioters to disguise themselves as first-aid workers or media representatives to escape detection and arrest. Owing to the large numbers leaving the campus and the ongoing chaotic situation, the Police did detain people claiming to be first-aid workers and media representatives to confirm their identities and credentials. Those who could prove their bona fides were released. Those who could not were arrested. Those arrested included 12 people self-claimed to be first-aid workers who did not have first-aid qualifications and did not work for any medical institution, and seven who claimed to be media workers but could not produce any solid proof.

     Dr Mann’s own account acknowledges that the Police did suggest that ambulance crews could attend the scene, but this offer was rejected by protesters for fear of being arrested. On the morning of November 18, the Police started to make arrangements for Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) volunteers to enter the campus. The HKRC volunteers arrived at 2pm to provide first aid to the injured. Contrary to Dr Mann’s claim, they were not delayed in their work, nor given a time limit. This was confirmed by the HKRC on November 22 through its official statement, which reads as follows: “Hong Kong Red Cross would like to clarify that, through the co-ordination and communications with different parties, including Hong Kong Police Force, our first aid team provided first aid service to anyone in need in the campus, without any delay, obstruction or impolite treatment. The arrangement and duration of the HKRC’s services are decided after due consideration on service needs, capability of the HKRC and safety factors” (www.redcross.org.hk/en/press_room/press_release_2019/20191122.html).

     The Police arranged for other groups including the Fire Services Department (ambulances) and Médecins Sans Frontières volunteers to provide medical or first aid services at or in the vicinity of the campus.

     In parallel, the Hospital Authority (HA) closely monitored the situation to ensure that Accident and Emergency Departments (AEDs) in public hospitals were ready to promptly provide medical services if and when needed. Around 80 injured persons from the campus were received by various AEDs on the morning of November 19.

     At around noon that day, around 100 injured persons were still at the scene. The HA sent an Emergency Medical Team to the site to assess the situation and eventually arranged for the transfer of about 200 injured persons to 12 public hospitals for treatment. Most were in a stable condition.

    Throughout the entire incident, the Government leadership and emergency services departments, in co-operation with a wide range of others including university staff, secondary school principals, community and religious leaders as well as social workers, have appealed to the protesters and the injured to leave the campus peacefully and to seek medical care as necessary.

     The well-being and safety of the injured, who include police officers, has been a top priority of the Government from the time the standoff started. read more

     The 13th annual Structured Dialogue meeting between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG) and the European Union (EU) was convened today (November 28) in Hong Kong. The Structured Dialogue is a high-level event in which the HKSARG and the EU meet to exchange views on a wide spectrum of subjects and foster closer co-operation between the two sides in different fields.
 
     The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce and Industry) of the HKSARG, Ms Vivian Sum, and the Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service, Mr Gunnar Wiegand.
 
     The close trade and investment partnership between Hong Kong and the EU is evident in the high value of trade in goods and services as well as the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) between the two sides. The EU remains Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after Mainland China, while Hong Kong is one of the EU’s largest trading partners. Hong Kong is also one of the EU’s major direct investment destinations. In turn, Hong Kong remains amongst the largest sources of FDI into the EU.
 
     Ms Sum said, “Despite recent social incidents, Hong Kong’s institutional strengths and core competencies remain strong and are well recognised by many international institutions. With our unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’, we have unparalleled strengths on various fronts, including the rule of law and our independent judiciary; a low and simple tax regime; the free flow of capital and world class financial markets; excellent professional services and robust intellectual property rights protection, etc. It is with such distinct and diverse advantages that Hong Kong remains the ideal gateway for international businesses to tap the vast opportunities in Mainland China and other parts of Asia. We particularly treasure our strong and longstanding connections with the EU. We look forward to working even more closely with the EU in further strengthening our ties on all spectrum of our bilateral relationship.”
 
     Mr Wiegand said, “The European Union is strongly committed to Hong Kong, with 2 200 companies headquartered in Hong Kong and an estimated 350 000 EU citizens residing there. True friends stand by each other at difficult times, and Hong Kong can count on the EU in this regard. Today’s discussion have helped review our extensive co-operation in many fields. Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, its rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in the ‘one country, two systems’ principle are fundamental for our close economies and people-to-people ties.”
 
     At the meeting, the HKSARG and the EU provided updates and exchanged views on various matters of mutual interest, including latest developments. The two sides also provided updates on their respective initiatives on free trade agreements and investment agreements, and exchanged views on potential negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement. Both sides pledged to work together to support ongoing efforts to reform the World Trade Organization as a key pillar of rules-based, multilateral, open, free and non-discriminatory trade. The HKSARG briefed the EU on its latest work in taking forward the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as Hong Kong’s role in the two initiatives. The EU provided updates on its work on the “Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia”.
 
     Both sides recognised the importance of close co-operation and mutual understanding for the benefit of the economies of Hong Kong and the EU. Both sides discussed Hong Kong’s government procurement system and agreed to maintain dialogue on international obligations and best practices. The two sides also exchanged views on technical issues, including current standards and requirements for light buses operating in Hong Kong.
 
     On EU-Hong Kong co-operation, the two sides acknowledged the collaboration on tackling human trafficking crimes over the past year and welcomed further co-operation in this area. The two sides also reviewed the on-going progress achieved under the EU-Hong Kong Action Plan against counterfeiting and looked forward to further collaboration under the initiative. Moreover, the HKSARG and the EU reaffirmed their joint commitment to pursuing the development of a mutual recognition arrangement for Authorised Economic Operators as early as possible, with a view to allowing accredited traders to enjoy customs facilitation on both sides.
 
     Circular economy was identified as an important area for future co-operation at the last Structured Dialogue held in December 2018. A technical meeting on the matter was held yesterday (November 27). The HKSARG and the EU updated each other on initiatives and best practices to promote circular economy. They agreed to strengthen co-operation to accelerate the transition towards a more circular economy and improve resource recovery.
 
     There was also a technical meeting on financial services held yesterday. Both sides updated each other on the stability and integrity of their financial systems, and exchanged information on several strands of work, such as green finance, fintech and virtual assets, asset management, derivatives market and regulatory work in the audit and banking sectors. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 28) said that about 730 sets of traffic lights in various districts have been damaged to varying degrees since June. After months of continual repair works, about 650 sets have resu… read more

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has accepted the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee and approved from the Disaster Relief Fund two grants totalling $9.607 million to two agencies… read more

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, continued his visit with a delegation comprising businessmen, professionals and start-up representatives in Bangkok, Thailand, today (November 28), during which he met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Dr Somkid Jatusripitak, and delivered a keynote speech at a business seminar cum networking luncheon attended by about 300 local and Hong Kong business leaders.

     The high-level meeting demonstrated the importance attached to the bilateral relations by both sides. Leveraging the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the national development plans of Thailand, the longstanding and close relationship between Hong Kong and Thailand is set to scale new heights, Mr Yau said.

     At the meeting with Dr Somkid, Mr Yau stressed that Hong Kong has always treasured Thailand as a valuable trading partner on its own and as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state. With the opening of the new Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok in February this year, it goes beyond doubt that the bilateral connection between the two places will only continue to expand and excel on all fronts.

     At the business seminar cum networking luncheon jointly organised by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong, Mr Yau highlighted the various unparalleled advantages as an international financial centre with a rich pool of professionals benchmarked against international standards and practices.

     He said the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), which is Hong Kong’s free trade agreement with Mainland China, liberalises not only trade in goods, but also trade in services, investment, and economic and technical co-operation, offering great opportunities for companies in Hong Kong, including Thai companies that are based in the city, to enjoy facilitated access to the world’s biggest emerging market.

     He added that Hong Kong is particularly keen to assist its enterprises and professionals in reaching out to new markets and exploring investment opportunities, and that Thailand is certainly among the top of the city’s list for further exploration. Hong Kong’s enterprises and professionals all stand ready to share their experiences and look forward to partnering with Thai companies to capture the new possibilities and opportunities.

     Mr Yau also mentioned that the parts relating to Thailand in the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and the ASEAN have come into force. He said that these agreements are all important in a time of huge economic uncertainties as they help provide the much needed certainty and clarity to businesses of both places and act as an important pillar in supporting further economic collaboration between Hong Kong and Thailand.
 
     During the day, Mr Yau and the delegation also received a briefing provided by the representatives from the Thailand Board of Investment (an agency promoting inward and outward investment in Thailand) on business opportunities in Thailand and the Eastern Economic Corridor, a developing economic region which plays a key role in Thailand’s economy. They also met with representatives of Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (the largest construction contractor in Thailand), Loxley Public Company Limited (a conglomerate with a wide range of businesses) and WHA Group (one of the largest integrated industrial estate operators), to learn about the latest infrastructure developments in Thailand and seek co-operation opportunities with the companies.

     Mr Yau and the delegation will attend a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Lyu Jian, in the evening.

     The delegation will continue its visit programme in Bangkok tomorrow (November 29), where they will visit the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone.

     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening.