Tag Archives: China

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Thailand National Day Reception in Hong Kong today (December 3):
 
Consul-General Chaiyakam (Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong, Mr Chaturont Chaiyakam), Deputy Commissioner Fang (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Fang Jianming), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I am delighted to be here tonight in celebration of the Kingdom of Thailand’s National Day, together with the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and Thailand’s Father’s Day, too.
 
     For the great nation of Thailand, it’s a triple celebration. For Hong Kong, tonight is also a welcome opportunity to pay tribute to the country of Thailand – our longstanding friend, business partner and happiest holiday destination.
 
Hong Kong-Thai business ties
 
     Let me begin with business and trade. Our bilateral trade is strong, reaching more than US$19 billion last year, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6 per cent from 2019 to 2023.
 
     And you know we like to invest in each other’s opportunities. At the end of 2022, Thailand ranked 11th in inward direct investment (IDI) into Hong Kong, with an IDI stock of US$18 billion. And Hong Kong was 14th, overall, in outward direct investment (ODI) into Thailand, with an ODI stock counting a very auspicious US$8.8 billion.
 
ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement
 
     I have no doubt that trade and investment will expand in the years to come. It helps that we established a Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok in 2019, and that the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement entered into full force in February 2021.
 
     Our Free Trade Agreement has also made possible the Economic and Technical Co-operation Work Programme, set up for best practice-sharing and capacity-building. 
 
     In the past five years, the Programme, which is funded by Hong Kong, has approved 35 projects covering a range of trade and investment initiatives. Five of them are with Thailand. They’re focused on areas ranging from eco-friendly packaging and food supply, to textiles and garments, and the cold-chain development of fisheries. The projects enable technical assistance and knowledge transfer. And I am pleased to say that Hong Kong will support the Programme for another five years, boosting its funding by 20 per cent a year, beginning in 2025.
 
Hong Kong’s accession to Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
 
     The natural next step in our co-operation, and progress, is for Hong Kong to become a member of RCEP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. We are grateful for Thailand’s support of our accession to RCEP. It will surely boost trade and investment, benefiting all concerned.
 
Legal co-operation
 
     As Deputy Secretary for Justice, I am proud to say that Hong Kong’s legal framework offers significant advantages for Thai businesses and investors. Our longstanding commitment to the rule of law encourages an environment conducive to investment, cross-border transactions and dispute resolution.
 
     The 2019 MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Department of Justice and Thailand’s Office of the Judiciary, marked a significant step in our legal collaboration. 
 
     The initiative has inspired increased legal exchanges and professional development opportunities, benefiting both our legal communities. And I look forward to continuing legal co-operation between us.
 
Tourism and Thai student scholarships
 
     As I touched on at the outset, Thailand is more than one of the world’s great travel destinations. For many Hong Kong people, it’s a second home, rich in culture, hospitality and, yes, culinary delights, too. 
 
     And it’s reassuring to hear that Thai tourism is returning to pre-Covid numbers, with foreign tourist arrivals up 24 per cent, year-on-year, through the first eight months of 2024.
 
     The relationship between Hong Kong and Thailand extends beyond trade and business. In fact, since 2017, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been awarding Belt and Road Scholarships to exceptional Thai students to study here. This programme will surely continue to foster greater academic and youth exchanges between the two regions.
 
     And now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast: To His Majesty of the King of Thailand, and to everlasting friendship between the peoples of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the People’s Republic of China, and the HKSAR of the People’s Republic of China. read more

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, officiated at the opening ceremony of DREAM Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities (DREAM Centre) located in Kowloon City District today (December 3).
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the Government has always attached great importance to providing support for ethnic minorities. To strengthen support services for ethnic minorities and help them integrate into the local community, the Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address that two new support service centres will be set up in 2024, one in New Territories East and the other in Kowloon Central, increasing the number of support service centres to 10.
 
     Further to increasing the number of support service centres, he added that as announced in the 2024 Policy Address, the Government will invite one more existing support service centre, together with the existing Centre for Harmony and Enhancement of Ethnic Minority Residents (CHEER Centre), to provide interpretation and translation services for ethnic minorities in 2025, to alleviate the inconvenience they face due to language barriers. He expressed hope that these new measures will further promote the integration of ethnic minorities into the community.
 
     Other officiating guests included the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung; the Chairman of Advisory Committee of International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (ISS-HK), Mr Kenneth Kwok; and the Chief Executive of ISS-HK, Mr Stephen Yau.
 
     The existing eight support service centres for ethnic minorities are located in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Tung Chung and Kwai Tsing. The two additional centres are situated in Kowloon City and Sha Tin (the one in Sha Tin will officially open later this month). DREAM Centre, operated by ISS-HK, is located at Shop No. 501, 5th Floor, Kowloon City Plaza, 128 Carpenter Road, Kowloon City. The centre provides a wide range of support services for ethnic minorities, including language classes, interest classes, after-school tutorial classes, youth activities, and integration activities, as well as counselling and referral services. In addition, DREAM Centre will assist ethnic minorities in accessing public services, including provision of workstations for accessing the Internet and distribution of multilingual service guidebooks and leaflets on services provided by the Government and non-profit-making organisations. The Ethnic Minority Care Team set up by DREAM Centre has also commenced service in tandem.
 
     Except for public holidays, DREAM Centre operates seven days a week. The operating hours are from 9am to 6.30pm on Mondays and from 9am to 9pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.
 
     Members of the public may call DREAM Centre’s hotline at 3104 4044 for more information about the centre. 

        

     â€‹The International Conference on Integrated Flood Management Strategy, organised by the Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Civil Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), was held today (December 3) to foster co-operation and experience sharing in flood control, as well as to promote the development of global comprehensive flood control management strategies.

     With the theme “Building an adaptive and resilient city to safeguard the public against flooding under extreme weather”, the conference brought together over 400 leaders of flood control agencies, policymakers, hydraulic experts and academia representatives from Hungary, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Mainland, Macao and Hong Kong to discuss flood management strategies and adaptation plans in the face of climate change challenges, with a view to building a smart and flood resilient city.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that Hong Kong has been adopting a three-pronged approach focusing on storm water interception, flood storage and drainage improvement to tackle flooding over the years. In light of the escalating flood risks brought about by climate change, the Government must take decisive actions and strive to upgrade drainage facilities to enhance adaptability of the city, as well as implement contingency and management measures to strengthen capabilities in early warning, emergency preparedness, response and recovery to enhance overall flood control capabilities. 

     The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said that being resilient means more than investing in drainage infrastructure and flood defences. It also requires the engagement of local communities, private sectors, and the public at large. By fostering a culture of resilience through early warning systems and education, communities will be empowered to become capable of preparing for, responding to and recovering from flooding events. This holistic approach is essential for building a sustainable future.

     The President of the HKIE, Mr Eric Ma, noted that Hong Kong also experienced typhoons, extreme rainstorms and storm surge damages last year, demonstrating the urgent need to strengthen flood prevention technologies and formulate effective strategies. Integrated flood management encompasses innovative engineering solutions, robust policy frameworks and active community engagement to develop comprehensive strategies to address current and future challenges.

     At the conference, the DSD and the Pearl River Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources signed a co-operation agreement to strengthen exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in areas including coping with climate change as well as innovation and technology. The Director of the Pearl River Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Wu Xiaolong, said in his keynote speech that in recent years, the Commission has actively implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s water regulating approach of “Prioritising water conservation, Balancing spatial distribution, Taking systematic approaches, Promoting government-market synergy” and thoroughly implemented the concept of “Two Adherences and Three Shifts” in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, vigorously promoted the flood and drought disaster prevention system in the Pearl River catchment to enhance flood and drought disaster prevention capabilities, and implemented scientific and precise dispatch and command, to ensure flood control safety in the Pearl River catchment and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     In addition to keynote speeches and symposiums, there were booth exhibitions at the conference venue to introduce the latest flood prevention management strategies and technological development directions.

                

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Mr Wan Gang, witnessed today (December 3) the signing of the Co-operation Framework Agreement on Supporting Hong Kong in Becoming an International Hub for High-calibre Talents and Jointly Serving High-level Self-reliance in Science and Technology between CAST and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Exchange Office of CAST, Ms Luo Hui, represented the HKSAR Government and CAST respectively to sign the Agreement. The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, were also present at the signing ceremony.

     Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to CAST for its efforts in promoting people-to-people exchanges in science and technology between the Mainland and Hong Kong over the years. He said, “The Agreement signed today helps strengthen the co-operation between the two places in various areas, such as strengthening exchanges between scientific research and academic organisations, nurturing scientific and technological talent, promoting popular science, and facilitating technological integration and development in the Greater Bay Area.”

     He added that the HKSAR Government would continue to play well Hong Kong’s important role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, and deepen co-operation with CAST with a view to building Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, thereby serving the country’s realisation of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.

     Mr Lee, accompanied by Professor Sun, met with Mr Wan before the ceremony. Professor Sun also met with Mr Wan and representatives of CAST this afternoon to exchange views on the latest developments and opportunities for I&T co-operation between the two places.

     In addition, Mr Wan and the CAST delegation visited the Hong Kong Science Park this morning to understand its work in promoting I&T development in Hong Kong. The delegation then visited two InnoHK laboratories in the park, and was briefed by representatives of the laboratories on their research and development work.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman.

     The inaugural International Ombudsman Summit 2024, hosted by the Office of The Ombudsman, Hong Kong, was held today (December 3). The Summit coincided with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the Office. To celebrate this important milestone, the 35th Anniversary Reception was also held this evening.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the Closing Ceremony of the Summit and the 35th Anniversary Reception Ceremony. The Deputy Commissioner, National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration, Mr Li Zijun; the Director-General of International Cooperation Department, National Commission of Supervision, Mr Cai Wei; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Guangyuan; and the Ombudsman of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Mr Jack Chan, also officiated at the Anniversary Reception Ceremony.

     Speaking at the Anniversary Reception, Mr Lee commended the Office for working tirelessly to ensure a fair, efficient and accountable public administration. Furthermore, Mr Lee was pleased to see the Office’s global presence, including in the International Ombudsman Institute and the Asian Ombudsman Association and its notable efforts in telling the good stories of Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” principle. 

     The 35th Anniversary Reception received an overwhelming response. Apart from around 140 overseas and Mainland participants from about 40 countries from six continents including international ombudsmen, senior officers and international bodies’ representatives. About 230 guests, including members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, senior government officials, chairpersons of chambers of commerce, and local professionals and academics, have joined the event.  

     With the belief to further enhance quality public administration, the Office has, at the Anniversary Reception, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation with representatives from eight countries and regions across five continents, witnessed by the Chief Executive. They include Ontario, Canada, and Hawaii, the US, in North America; Curaçao in South America; Slovakia in Europe; Indonesia, Korea and Macao in Asia; and Zambia in Africa. The signing ceremony was held at noon today at the Summit venue. The First Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute, Mr Mohamed Benalilou, and the President of the Asian Ombudsman Association, Mr Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, were also present to witness this important moment.

     Mr Chan said, “Signing the Memorandum of Understanding can foster professional knowledge and information exchange, build long-term partnerships, and demonstrate Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world and our important role as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’.” 

     Underscoring the significance of the Summit and the celebration activities to his Office, Ombudsman Chan said, “Thirty-five years ago, the Office of The Ombudsman embarked on a vital mission to promote administrative fairness, accountability, and transparency. Today, we stay committed to our calling and hold steadfast to the core values that have been guiding us to go from strength to strength. We pursue to provide better and more appropriate public services and bring about a stronger sense of happiness and fulfilment among members of the public.”

     On the day following the Summit and the 35th Anniversary Reception, i.e. December 4 (Wednesday), overseas guests will join an array of social and cultural programmes arranged by the Office, including a visit to the Legislative Council and the City Gallery, the Hong Kong Geopark Tour, city walk in Central and Mid-Levels, Wing Chun wellness workshop, Hong Kong Tram ride and night horse racing entertainment. These activities provide excellent opportunities for them to experience the exceptional charm of Hong Kong and its vitality and vibrancy as a dynamic city.

     For more information on the Summit and the anniversary celebration programmes, please visit the dedicated website: www.ios2024.ombudsman.hk.  read more