Tag Archives: China

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) Awards 2024 Presentation Ceremony this evening (July 12):

Deputy Director-General Ye Shuiqiu (Deputy Director-General, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government), Sr Francis Lam (President of the HKIS), Sr Professor Winnie Shiu (Chairlady of the HKIS Awards 2024 Organising Committee), the Honourable Tony Tse (Legislative Council Member), government colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening to you. It is my pleasure to be here today to witness the presentation of the HKIS Awards 2024, which is indeed the inaugural edition of this award. I am delighted that the HKIS has taken the initiative to organise this meaningful event, which serves as an excellent platform for promoting and recognising the contributions made by the surveying profession to the development of Hong Kong. I would also like to express my warm congratulations to the award finalists for their hard work and outstanding achievements.
 
     The surveying profession is the backbone of the development sector in Hong Kong. Over the years, the HKIS has accomplished a lot in upholding the professionalism of surveying practitioners through standard setting and representing Hong Kong in the international surveying arena. Moreover, the HKIS has been a close partner of the Government and given many a constructive advice to us in our formulation of relevant policies and implementation of projects. To name a few, the new legislation for extending land leases by operation of law (which just came into effect last Friday); the measures for streamlining the processing procedures for development including charging land premium at standard rates; the updating of the compulsory sale regime, and the measures for improving building safety, have all been taken forward with the benefit of the HKIS’ useful and balanced suggestions.
 
     The Institute’s efforts in organising the HKIS Awards 2024 amply demonstrate the HKIS’ passion in echoing society’s needs and promoting good practices in the profession. The theme “Surveying for a Sustainable Future” is indeed visionary, timely and fitting. It echoes the Government’s determination in promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly Hong Kong, as well as the global efforts in attaining sustainable development. As far as Hong Kong, our home, is concerned, the Government published in 2021 Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050, which outlined the city’s de-carbonisation strategies in realising the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, alongside the more vigorous interim target to reduce Hong Kong’s carbon emissions by 50 per cent before 2035. Therefore, while the Government has been forging ahead relentlessly with development to expedite land and housing supply by enhancing “quantity”, “speed” and “efficiency”, ensuring and enhancing “quality” is equally important to us. To this end, we have among others been stepping up the adoption of green and smart initiatives in the planning of new development areas, and incentivising sustainable building designs and use of green innovation and technology in private developments. 
 
     The Government is fully committed to providing a quality living environment which allows our people to enjoy the place they live and as well attracts outside talent and enterprises to come. We all know this is a mission that requires the joint efforts of the Government, the private sector, industry professionals and other stakeholders. The HKIS is an important partner, and we will continue to work closely with the Institute in the sustainability journey to achieve more for the betterment of our city.
 
     The projects of the award finalists today are great sources of inspiration for promoting sustainable development. They epitomize the innovation, creativity and technical excellence of the surveying profession. I notice that the list of finalists is very comprehensive. It covers a wide range of different types of development projects, ranging from residential, commercial to welfare; the different stages of implementation from planning, construction to post-occupation; and a variety of participants from the private sector, public bodies, government departments and NGOs. All these go to show the solidarity and unwavering endeavours across the entire surveying profession to strive for a more sustainable Hong Kong. Each finalist project team deserves recognition for their exceptional contributions and leadership in the field. I have high hope that this high-quality human capital we have will play an instrumental role in bringing a more sustainable future for Hong Kong.
 
     Taking this opportunity, I would like to also congratulate the HKIS for its 40th anniversary in this year. We are thankful for the continuous support that the HKIS has rendered to the work of the Government all along. Let’s work together to strengthen the Government-HKIS relationship in the years to come. I wish the event tonight great success.

     Thank you. read more

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is presenting a dance performance “Convergence” in Sydney, Australia, on July 12 and 13 to showcase Hong Kong’s unique East-meets-West culture and the city’s exceptional talent.
 
     The award-winning performance “Convergence”, staged by the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC), fuses Chinese martial arts and dance and presents Chinese cultural heritage in a modern way.
 
     The Sydney ETO hosted a reception today (July 12) before the premiere performance to foster cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Australia and promote Hong Kong’s arts and cultural scene. About 150 guests from various sectors, including local arts and cultural leaders, attended the reception.
 
     The Director of the Sydney ETO, Miss Trista Lim, said in the welcoming remarks, “the Hong Kong Government is dedicated to nurturing the cultural development of Hong Kong, and our office attaches great importance to promoting arts and cultural exchanges with the local communities here in Australia. To showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, and to tell good stories of Hong Kong, we are actively assisting the touring of arts groups and delegations.”
 
     Miss Lim added that the newly launched Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency will proactively promote the industrialisation of the arts, cultural and creative sectors under an industry-oriented principle. She also shared with the participants various initiatives of the Government to attract talent to Hong Kong.
 
     During their tour in Sydney, the HKDC also joined with the Academy of Music and Performing Arts to conduct a masterclass and visited the Sydney Dance Company to enhance cultural exchange between the dance communities in the two places.

            

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to Beijing today (July 12).

     In the morning, Mr Tse attended the opening ceremony of the second High-level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. The theme for this year’s forum is “Accelerating Sustainable Development: Continuing Actions for A Better Future”. Five parallel forums will be held focusing on the eight key areas of co-operation of the Global Development Initiative, with a view to promoting in-depth exchanges of experiences and insights in building consensus on global development, combating imminent challenges, and enhancing sustainability of development. 

     Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, attended and gave a keynote speech at the forum. Delegations led by high-level representatives from different countries and international organisations also attended the forum. Other participants included representatives from local and overseas enterprises, non-governmental organisations and foundations.

     In the afternoon, Mr Tse visited the Earth System Science Numerical Simulator Facility of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to learn about the developments, achievements, and demonstration system of the country in the fields of observation, analysis and research of the atmospheric environment. The facility is a key scientific and technological infrastructure project of the National 12th Five-Year Plan. It is the first of its kind in the country that has its own intellectual property rights and ranks among the world’s leading Earth system simulators in terms of scale and comprehensive technical standards. The facility integrates simulations and observation data to improve the accuracy of forecasting and provides scientific support for major issues such as preventing and mitigating national disaster, combating climate change and managing the atmospheric environment.

     During the visit, Mr Tse said that the Earth System Science Numerical Simulator Facility is an important and global leading scientific research tool in combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. He expressed his hope to further enhance co-operation of the two places and strengthen personnel exchange and training. 

     Mr Tse will attend the closing ceremony of the second High-level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development tomorrow (July 13) and return to Hong Kong on the same evening. read more

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the reception in celebration of 2024 Bastille Day this evening (July 12):
 
Consul General Christile Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau), Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Bonsoir. Good evening.

     It is a great pleasure to be here tonight in celebration of Bastille Day, overflowing with French history, culture and joie de vivre in Paris and throughout the great French Republic.
 
     This year, the celebrations take on an additional dimension, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games opening in two weeks’ time in Paris. I am pleased to note that this Tuesday the Consul General also hosted the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, as well as Hong Kong athletes and support staff taking part in the Summer Olympics. The Olympic spirit is alive and well. Thank you, Consul General.
 
     The spirit of goodwill, understanding, co-operation, and mutual benefit between France and China is also flourishing. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. In May, President Xi made a state visit to France, which was his third formal visit to the country, in honour of this diplomatic milestone. Speaking in Paris at the China-France Business Council’s closing ceremony, President Xi encouraged both sides to, and I quote, “stay committed to the goal set by our two countries when our diplomatic ties were forged, boost our traditional friendship and practise the Olympic motto of ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger -Together!'” The two sides made a good start on President Xi’s appeal, signing nearly 20 bilateral co-operation agreements and four joint statements.
 
     Hong Kong is proud to play a role in this historic year. We were proud to be part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) mission which visited France shortly after President Xi’s visit. The mission sought to present the boundless opportunities in the GBA to French businesses, and forge closer economic connections with the country. There were concrete results. Many MOUs were signed between Chinese and French institutions and companies. They include three French companies respectively engaged in innovation and technology, water and waste management, as well as engineering and construction, signing MOUs with Invest Hong Kong. 
 
    Our two economies understand well the value of collaboration and creating mutually rewarding opportunities. Last year, France was Hong Kong’s third-largest trading partner among the European Union member states. And nearly 350 French companies have offices here in Hong Kong, which speak of the value French businesses place on Hong Kong as a base for exploring opportunities in China and throughout Asia. The recent measure to issue multiple-entry travel permits to non-Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong will further facilitate the thousands of French citizens living here to travel to the GBA for business. Hong Kong’s role as a multilevel bridge between our country and a world of business and investment prospects will only be fortified.

     And please pardon me for one thing – I have the recurrent pleasure of mentioning how Hong Kong people love French wine, as we imported some 13 million bottles last year. In terms of value, French wine accounted for over 60 per cent of the total value of wines imported into the city. Given our love for your wine, let me assure you that, despite the deficits in recent government budgets, we are not going to reintroduce import tax on wine for revenue generation purposes.
 
     Alongside our long-standing trade and business ties, Hong Kong and France have ample room to co-operate on technology and innovation. This year, Hong Kong set up its first pavilion at the annual VivaTech, Europe’s largest annual technology and start-up event. I am happy to report that Hong Kong will scale up our participation in VivaTech next year. We have also invited VivaTech to host related exhibitions and events in Hong Kong, and are keen to see it done. 
 
     Adding to the list is the recent announcement by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Banque de France on their collaboration on wholesale central bank digital currency. In particular, the HKMA will be the first major institution outside Europe to participate in the European test of cross-border payments on tokenised assets.
 
     Cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and France has long played a central, and much welcomed, role in our wide-ranging relations. For instance, Le French May has become a landmark arts festival in Hong Kong, dazzling the city with a remarkable range of programmes and performances embracing French arts and culture. 
 
     Allow me to share a bit of my personal experience here which tells that the French just have the class and style for arts. In May, I took the chance to visit the Chaillot National Theatre of Dance. It is situated in the beautiful and historical Palais de Chaillot, and has an astonishing view of the Eiffel Tower. So watching a performance of contemporary dance at such a venerable venue is like understanding and enjoying France in the past, present and future.  
 
     Mesdames et Messieurs, ladies and gentlemen, all in all, we welcome more French people to come to Hong Kong – whether they are in business, technology, arts, fashion, design, sports or food and beverage. We eagerly look forward to more co-operation between our two economies. Together, there is a bright and flourishing future that we can build together.
 
     Consul General, our heartfelt congratulations on your celebrations of Bastille Day. Let us also wish our Chinese, Hong Kong and French athletes a most memorable and magnificent 2024 Olympics in Paris. Thank you very much.

    

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the reception in celebration of 2024 Bastille Day today (July 12):        Consul General Chrstile Drulhe (Consul General… read more