In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on December 12 to noon today (December 13), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 151 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 105 115 samples of food imported from Japan (including 68 015 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 23 766 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, December 13, 2024 is 106.9 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the International Forum on "Pathways to a Sustainable Future" today (December 13):
      
Secretary General Wang Songmiao (Secretary-General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR), Professor Herman Hu (Chairman of Friday Culture Limited), Mr Cheung Chi-kong (Deputy Secretary-General of Hong Kong Coalition), Mr Wang Kaibo (Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good afternoon. I am pleased to speak to you at the fourth international forum organised by Friday Culture Limited, the Hong Kong Coalition and Dot Dot News.
      
     You are gathered to discuss a topic of vital importance to Hong Kong and, indeed, all of humanity – "Pathways to a Sustainable Future". The world is faced with accelerating changes not seen in a century. Amid deepening geopolitical tensions, escalating trade disruptions, and increasingly severe environmental challenges, exploring the path to sustainable development has become the responsibility of our generation, as well as a valuable legacy for the generations to come.
      
     As one of the top three global financial centres, Hong Kong is committed to supporting the cause of sustainability through our strengths in finance.
      
     Hong Kong is a leading sustainable finance hub in Asia. Core Climate, the international carbon market launched by the HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited), is the world's only carbon market to offer Hong Kong dollar and Renminbi settlement, for the trading of international voluntary carbon credits.
      
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has unveiled the Sustainable Finance Action Agenda. As detailed in the eight goals proposed in the Action Agenda, our banks will strive to achieve net zero in their own operations by 2030, and in their financed emissions by 2050. We will also develop Hong Kong into the go-to sustainable financing platform of Asia and beyond, closing talent and knowledge gaps in sustainable finance in the region.
      
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will launch a roadmap this year on the full adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards, or the ISSB Standards. I am pleased to add that we have already launched the roadmap this week. It underlines our commitment to facilitating sustainable financing and investment for the global agenda of green transition.
      
     At the same time, Hong Kong is dedicated to the application of renewable energy, and propelling our green and low-carbon transformation. The Government will subsidise the taxi trade and franchised bus companies to purchase electric vehicles, as well as the trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell heavy vehicles.
      
     More on green transport. The number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong has increased from about 14 000 five years ago to over 100 000 now. We will continue to expand the network of charging facilities to ensure that there will be sufficient and convenient charging facilities to meet the needs of various types of electric vehicles. We target to increase the number of public and private parking spaces with charging infrastructure in Hong Kong to about 200 000 by mid-2027.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong will continue on the path of sustainable development and actively seek opportunities for co-operation with partners from home and beyond in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. I believe that by embracing collaboration, we will be able to find forward-thinking solutions and create a better future for Hong Kong and the world.
      
     My thanks to the organisers for this important gathering. I trust that today's discussions will inspire more thinking and action, uniting our community in contributing to a sustainable world.
      
     I wish you the best of health in the coming year. Thank you very much.

     Following is a keynote speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at a lunch seminar themed "Connecting Wealth, Empowering Legacies: Hong Kong – The Premier Global Hub for Family Offices" held in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday (December 12):
 
Mr Sun (Country Manager of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited Jakarta Branch, Mr Sun Shangbin), Mr Chan (Vice President of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Mr Brian Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you all at the lunch seminar today and share with you the Hong Kong Government's strategies to augment our position as a family office hub, and what we have to offer to achieve your families' aspirations.
 
Overview
 
     The global growth of family offices is evident, with Asia emerging as both a source of family offices and a destination of their investments. In this connection, Hong Kong is best poised to offer a global investment platform to capture these business opportunities. We are the third in the world, after New York and London, in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. We are also the world's freest economy, with free flow of capital, goods, information and people. On asset and wealth management, we are Asia's leading hub managing US$4 trillion in terms of worth of assets last year. Net fund inflows into Hong Kong has reached US$50 billion, representing a substantial rise by over 3.4 times year on year. The industry also estimates that Hong Kong will surpass Switzerland to become the world's largest cross-border wealth management centre in the next few years.
 
     Currently in Hong Kong, we have the highest number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals of any Asian city. We are home to some 2 700 single family offices, and we will further our efforts in attracting more, bringing in increasing volume of capital, talent and business opportunities, and of course from Indonesia as well. And today, I know I am right before your lunch, so I will try to make my speech as short as possible and, at the same time, I want to make it as memorable as possible. In such a way, I would like to share with you four Ts in terms of what Hong Kong can offer to give you a clearer understanding of Hong Kong as a global investment centre and also family office hub.
 
Ties with Mainland and global capital markets
 
     First of all, the first T is about our ties with the Mainland and also the global capital markets. We are in strong ties with the Mainland, enabling Hong Kong to be the only city where both the global and China advantages converge. Hong Kong's core advantage, our "one country, two systems" principle, is the very bedrock of our continuing success, empowering us to be a "super connector" and "super value-adder" in the high-quality opening up of the Mainland's financial markets, and providing you and your family offices with unparalleled investment opportunities.
 
     This year marks the 10th anniversary of mutual access between the Mainland and Hong Kong capital markets, a shining beacon of the unparalleled connectivity that we enjoy. Over the decade, a variety of programmes, from Stock Connect and Bond Connect to Swap Connect, have been introduced one after another, with gratifying results. The average daily Northbound turnover of Stock Connect, which means international money going through Hong Kong into the Mainland capital markets, for example, has surged from less than RMB6 billion when it was launched in 2014, that is 10 years ago, to an average of more than RMB136 billion as of October this year – an increase of 23 times.
 
     What's more, Hong Kong has long been the largest offshore Renminbi hub in the world. As of October this year, we hold more than 1.1 trillion in Renminbi deposits and process about 80 per cent of the global offshore Renminbi payments.
 
Tax environment
 
     Moving on to the next T, which is about tax, I am sure all of you are very concerned. The favourable tax environment in Hong Kong is that we have a very simple and also a very low tax regime. We have no sales taxes, no value-added taxes, no capital gains taxes, no estate duties, no taxes on dividends or interest earned, and also no withholding taxes on investments. That is a lot of no tax, ladies and gentlemen. Of course sometimes I am just wondering how I got paid with such low taxes. But anyway, it is what it is now and what is going to be going forward.
 
     Currently, we offer profits tax exemption for single family offices managed in Hong Kong. With a view to attracting more family offices to Hong Kong, we will further enhance our tax exemption regime for single family offices, and we have just launched an industry consultation on the proposed enhancements. Among others, we are looking into expanding the types of eligible transactions to cover emission derivatives or emission allowances, carbon credits, insurance-linked securities, loans and private credit investments, virtual assets, etc, in our tax exemption regime for family offices.
 
Talent
 
     The third T that I would like to cover is about talent. Apart from tax incentives, the third T, which is talent, demonstrates our strong emphasis on attracting and nurturing talent. For talent and asset owners wishing to reside and pursue development in Hong Kong, our New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme launched in March this year has received around 700 applications, potentially bringing in capital of over HK$21 billion. We have recently enhanced the Scheme by allowing investments in eligible residential properties apart from commercial properties. In addition, investments made through an eligible private company wholly owned by an applicant will also be allowed with effect from March 1 next year and be considered as eligible assets.
 
     On nurturing talent, last year, we established the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy. It offers next-generation wealth owners and private wealth-management professionals knowledge sharing, talent development and, most importantly, networking opportunities via workshops, conferences and related events. What we seek to do is to provide a programme on succession planning and impact investment for our second and also third generations of the family offices.
 
Tailored initiatives for family offices
 
     The final T is about tailored initiatives for family offices, which involve collaboration and services for our family offices. Various financial mega events are held throughout the year in Hong Kong, and the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit is our annual signature event bringing together influential decision-makers from global family offices to explore themes capturing critical priorities faced by family offices including wealth preservation and succession. Please stay tuned for the details of the third edition to be held next March, following which there will also be Art Basel and many investment related events, which you are most welcome to join.
 
     Building on the above-mentioned success, we have recently announced the establishment of a strategic collaboration with Bloomberg to enhance our appeal to family offices worldwide. The partnership with Bloomberg, focusing on community building, technology support and philanthropic collaboration, is designed to complement our family office initiatives.
 
     Invest Hong Kong's dedicated family office team, let me add, will continue to provide one-stop services to family offices interested in establishing a presence in Hong Kong. To date, the team has received more than 900 enquiries from interested family offices around the world. And they are standing by to help with your family office needs. You are most welcome to contact the team through the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta if you are looking to set foot in Hong Kong.
 
Closing
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, we are committed to bolstering the development of the family office sector and creating a conducive environment for investors like you. I invite you to join us, to take advantage of the far-reaching opportunities Hong Kong can offer your families, your family businesses and also your other members, for today and also for tomorrow. Thank you.

    

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, concluded his visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, today (December 13) with a meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority of Indonesia. He attended a lunch seminar yesterday (December 12) to promote Hong Kong's advantages as a leading family office hub, met with financial officials and stakeholders in the banking and fintech sectors, and called on the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia.
 
     Mr Hui met the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority of Indonesia, Mr Mahendra Siregar, this morning to share insights on boosting the development of virtual assets and other new financial products. Mr Hui also took the opportunity to introduce to him a training programme targeting senior executives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to be piloted by the Financial Services Development Council of Hong Kong in partnership with the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute in early 2025. Senior executives from Indonesia will be among the first batch of participants to be invited to join the programme to gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong's value propositions as an international financial centre through expert-led sessions and visits to key public sector stakeholders.
 
     A key event yesterday was a lunch seminar themed "Connecting Wealth, Empowering Legacies: Hong Kong – The Premier Global Hub for Family Offices" co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited Jakarta Branch. In his keynote speech at the lunch seminar, Mr Hui highlighted Hong Kong's strategy to augment the city's position as a family office hub with the prospect of becoming the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management centre in the next few years as predicted by the industry.
 
     He shared with participants the four Ts that Hong Kong offers, namely Hong Kong's strong "ties" with the Mainland and global capital markets as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to provide unparalleled investment opportunities; its favourable "tax" environment with a simple and low tax system offering profit tax exemption for single family offices managed in Hong Kong; strong emphasis on attracting and nurturing "talent" including the recent enhancement to the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme and the establishment of the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy last year; as well as "tailored" events, collaborations and services for family offices, including mega financial events like the annual Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, which will hold its third edition next March, bringing together family offices, asset owners and family office service providers from around the world to make it an exclusive and highly anticipated global event for family offices.
 
     Mr Hui also assured the participants that Hong Kong is ready to support family offices and investors including ultra-high-net-worth individuals to come to Hong Kong. The dedicated team from Invest Hong Kong called FamilyOfficeHK, will continue to provide one-stop services to family offices establishing a presence in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Family Office Nexus, a strategic collaboration with Bloomberg L. P., is also in place to offer support to the family office sector on community building, knowledge sharing, technology support and philanthropic collaboration.
 
     Mr Hui yesterday also met a number of officials and industry stakeholders in the financial sector, including Vice Minister of Finance of Indonesia Dr Anggito Abimanyu. Mr Hui shared views with Dr Abimanyu on the future financial development outlook of Indonesia and Hong Kong, and discussed opportunities to foster closer financial collaboration between the two places.
 
     Moreover, Mr Hui had a meeting with representatives of the Indonesia Fintech Association to exchange views on the latest developments in fintech and financial innovation. He invited Indonesian fintech companies to visit Hong Kong to feel the thriving energy of the local fintech ecosystem and grasp opportunities of mutually beneficial collaboration. Mr Hui also called on the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Wang Lutong, and met with the Country Manager of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited Jakarta Branch, Mr Sun Shangbin.
 
     Mr Hui will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.