Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (March 27):
 
     It is learnt that instead of teaching sex education as an independent subject, the Government has all along integrated the various related topics into relevant subjects, and allowed secondary and primary schools to devise school-based curricula on their own and decide on their principles and teaching modes in respect of implementing sex education. Nevertheless, a survey has found that a very large proportion of secondary schools do not have time for teaching sex education because the curriculum schedule is too tight, and the level of sex knowledge among young people in Hong Kong has been persistently unsatisfactory over the years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the learning and teaching resources produced by the Education Bureau over the past three years in support of the implementation of sex education in schools;
 
(2) whether it has plans to review the current situation of the implementation of sex education and specify the lesson time for sex education, with a view to enhancing the level of sex knowledge among young people; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) whether it has plans to update the Guidelines on Sex Education in Schools compiled in 1997 and adopt the Guidelines afresh; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) as there are views that information related to sex education available online varies, and that secondary and primary students have difficulty in differentiating the authenticity of such information, whether the Government will consider stepping up promotional efforts on sex education outside schools, so as to provide them with bona fide information; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Sex education is an important component of values education in primary and secondary schools. Considering that sex education is interrelated with rather than separated from other cross-curricular domains in values education (such as moral education, life education, law-abiding education, and media and information literacy education), and covers personal, family, social communication, community, national and global aspects of life, it should not be delivered as an independent subject. Instead, it should be implemented as a cross-curricular initiative with values education being the main axle connecting different subjects, and life-wide learning activities, etc. The Education Bureau (EDB) has been supporting schools by continuously updating curriculum guides, developing learning and teaching resources, and providing training for teachers to strengthen students' understanding of knowledge related to sex education from an early age while developing their critical thinking skills and nurturing their interpersonal skills through different subjects, cross-curricular values education and life-wide learning activities, etc. The objectives are to help students develop proper values and positive attitudes towards life, and practice appropriate behaviour while building healthy interpersonal relationships. 
 
     In consultation with the Health Bureau, our consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Judy Chan is as follows:
 
(1) to (3) Learning elements related to sex education, including personal growth, hygiene, puberty, making friends, dating, marriage, respect for others, cherishing and protecting oneself, gender equality and gender relationship, sexual harassment and refusal to others' offenses, concern the physiological, psychological and social aspects of sex. These learning elements are all covered in the primary and secondary school curricula (such as General Studies/Primary Humanities and Primary Science; Science, and Life and Society/Citizenship, Economics and Society at the junior secondary level; and Ethics and Religious Studies, and Health Management and Social Care at the senior secondary level). Schools implement sex education through relevant Key Learning Areas and subjects as well as weekly assemblies, class teacher periods or guidance periods, etc, thereby fostering students' all-round development, equipping them with relevant knowledge on sex education and proper values and attitudes.
 
     In recent years, the EDB has pointed out clearly on a number of occasions (Note 1) that it has been advocating since the implementation of curriculum reform in 2001 a comprehensive and integrative approach to promoting values education that includes sex education in order to provide students with holistic and authentic learning experiences. The EDB has also repeatedly emphasised that the related guidelines issued before 2001, including the Guidelines on Sex Education in Schools (1997), are no longer instructional documents for schools. Furthermore, reports were made to the Legislative Council (LegCo) in 2018 (Note 2) and 2022 (Note 3) respectively to inform the LegCo and the general public that various domains of values education would be promoted with an integrative and all-encompassing approach.
 
     Having conducted a holistic curriculum review, the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum agreed with the EDB's holistic and integrative cross-curricular approach to promoting the different domains of values education (including sex education) in its Final Report issued in 2020 (Note 4). In the Values Education Curriculum Framework (Pilot Version) promulgated by the EDB in 2021, a further step was taken to list sex education as one of the major enhancement items. Expected learning outcomes were set for students at different key stages for schools to plan curriculum and pedagogy accordingly. By following the latest curriculum guides and documents issued by the EDB, schools will professionally formulate an appropriate sex education curriculum, taking into account their respective school mission and context as well as students' growth characteristics and needs. Schools have generally accepted, agreed with and adopted the integrative cross-curricular approach in implementing sex education. In view of this, it is appropriate to allow schools flexibility in arranging lesson time, combining relevant learning activities within and beyond the classroom, as well as creating a positive learning atmosphere for implementing values education (including sex education).
 
     To support schools in fostering students' proper values and attitudes, the EDB continuously updates and develops relevant learning and teaching resources on different topics of sex education based on students' daily life and developmental needs. Such resources include animation resources, "Life Event" Exemplars and a dedicated resource website on Self Protection, covering themes such as gender equality, prevention of sexual abuse, sexual harassment among peers and internet romance/naked chat. The relevant learning and teaching resources have been uploaded onto the EDB website for teachers' reference and use within and beyond the classroom. The learning and teaching resources produced by the EDB in the past three years are set out at the Annex. The EDB has also assisted the Hong Kong Police Force in publishing the "Youth Crime Prevention Booklet" series over the past two years, providing information on content such as the risks of social networking on the Internet, sex-related crime such as naked chat blackmail, ways to prevent crime and support services so as to enhance students' law-abiding awareness, critical thinking skills and self-protection ability.
 
     The EDB has been monitoring and reviewing the implementation of sex education in schools through channels such as inspection, school visits and routine communication with schools so that professional advice and support can be provided to facilitate schools' self-improvement and sustainable development. Schools have generally accepted, agreed with and adopted an integrative, cross-curricular approach to implementing values education (including sex education) with a view to providing students with holistic learning experiences. The EDB will continue to provide professional support and work with relevant government departments and organisations/bodies to help schools implement sex education.
 
(4) In view of the rapid advancement of information technology, the EDB steps up its efforts to integrate sex education with the learning elements of media and information literacy education for incorporation into the primary and secondary curricula at different key stages, and strives to nurture students' information literacy so as develop them into effective and ethical users of information and communication technology, enabling them to distinguish the authenticity of information and equipping them with the relevant knowledge, abilities, proper values and attitudes, thereby protecting themselves both in the real world and on the Internet, and refusing inappropriate and unreasonable behaviour on social media.
 
     As for the publicity efforts on promoting sex education outside schools, the Student Health Service (SHS) of the Department of Health has been implementing the Adolescent Health Programme to promote and improve the physical, mental and psychosocial health of adolescents through school-based health promotion services in secondary schools in the form of outreach programmes. The programme covers a wide range of topics, including the Sex Education series which are delivered by means of talks, group discussions on different scenarios, role playing, games, etc, to explore various themes including changes during puberty, skills in getting along with the opposite gender, differences between friendship and romantic love, handling of a relationship (e.g. dating, break-up of a relationship), etc. The programme also covers the relationship between sex and love as well as the consequences of casual sex to guide students to understand the importance of safe sex. In addition, the principles and methods of contraception, knowledge on sexual harassment and how to handle them, as well as the impacts of pornographic culture on adolescents would be discussed to cultivate in students a correct attitude towards sex. In 2022/23 school year, the Adolescent Health Programme conducted nearly 200 talks on sex education to 190 Secondary Schools with nearly 20 000 students attended.

     In addition, the SHS of the Department of Health regularly conducts health talks on sex education at the Student Health Service Centres (SHSC), and through individual health counselling, to enable students and parents to understand the changes during puberty, and provides information on sex education online, including the publicity on importance of sex education at home. In 2022/23 school year, the SHSC provided information about puberty to more than 74 000 primary school students during individual health counselling. The SHS will continue to promote sex education and regularly review and update the contents and methods used to meet the needs of the adolescents.
 
     Apart from school education, the influences of family education, social atmosphere and cyber culture on young people are also factors of the effective implementation of values education (including sex education) that should not be neglected. It certainly requires the concerted efforts among parents, government departments, non-governmental organisations, media, and all sectors of society to bring positive messages across.
 
Note 1: LC Paper No. CB(4)535/17-18(02) of the LegCo Panel on Education dated February 2, 2018, a written reply to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) dated February 12, 2019, and the meeting with the EOC on October 12, 2022.
Note 2: LC Paper No. CB(4)535/17-18(02) of the LegCo Panel on Education dated February 2, 2018, and LC Paper No. CB(2)768/17-18(01) of the LegCo Panel on Health Services dated February 5, 2018.
Note 3: LC Paper No. CB(4)41/2022(01) of the LegCo Panel on Education dated February 8, 2022.
Note 4: Page 17 of the "Task Force on Review of School Curriculum Final Report" (2020).

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will depart tomorrow (March 28) for Beijing, Shaanxi and Yunnan.
 
     On March 29, Dr Choi will attend the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Study Tour in Beijing.
 
     On March 30, Dr Choi will proceed to Shaanxi to meet officials of the Department of Education of Shaanxi Province in Xi'an. She will also lead a delegation of Chinese history teachers for a study tour to Yan'an.
 
     On April 2, Dr Choi will depart for Kunming, Yunnan, to attend the closing ceremony of the Yunnan cultural exchange tour under the Strive and Rise Programme. During the trip, Dr Choi will meet officials of the local government and visit a local university.
　　
     Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on the afternoon of April 3. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

     Following is a question by the Hon Martin Liao and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (March 27):
 
Question:
 
     The Chief Executive indicated in the 2023 Policy Address that "headquarters economy" will be developed. Nonetheless, it has been reported that the number of multinational companies with regional headquarters (RHQs) set up in Hong Kong last year has decreased by 75 to 1 336 as compared with that of the year before last, and some companies have relocated their RHQs from Hong Kong to Singapore. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) given that the number of multinational companies with RHQs set up in Hong Kong has recorded a drop continuously despite Hong Kong's full resumption of normal travel last year, whether the authorities will approach those companies that have withdrawn from Hong Kong to look into the reasons for their withdrawal; if so, of the details;
 
(2) given that the Government indicated in the 2023 Policy Address that it will explore with the relevant Central authorities measures to facilitate Mainland enterprises in setting up RHQs in Hong Kong, such as arrangements for investments relating to capital account, of the details and implementation timetable of the relevant measures;
 
(3) given that there are views that Hong Kong's low tax rates and free flow of information are ranked as important factors for enterprises in choosing to set up offices in Hong Kong, but according to a research publication of the Legislative Council Secretariat, some enterprises find that the favourableness of the relevant factors has been weakened, and there are also views pointing out that upon the introduction of the global minimum tax proposal, tax concession is not the only consideration of enterprises in choosing to set up offices in Hong Kong, whether the Government has considered formulating medium and long-term planning for developing "headquarters economy", as well as rolling out complementary incentive measures in respect of land, talent, innovation and technology, children's education, etc; if so, of the details; and
 
(4) given that there are views pointing out that the Government's definition of RHQs is not comprehensive enough as some smaller-‍sized RHQs covered by the definition have limited contribution to the economy of Hong Kong, whether the Government will consider reviewing the existing criteria in defining RHQs, including the capital size of the enterprises concerned, the size of their RHQs in Hong Kong, etc; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is committed to attracting and retaining foreign direct investment, including Mainland and overseas companies' regional headquarters, regional offices and local offices in Hong Kong, thereby promoting the development of various sectors and enhancing impetus for economic growth in Hong Kong.
 
     On the Hon Martin Liao's question, upon consulting the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), InvestHK and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), my reply is as follows:
 
(1) Since the Government began to relax anti-epidemic measures in end-2022, InvestHK has already stepped up its engagement efforts with overseas and Mainland companies across various sectors to gauge their sentiments, understand their concerns and needs, provide updates on Hong Kong's latest business opportunities and offer appropriate support. Subsequently, with the full resumption of cross-boundary travel with the Mainland since February 2023 and lifting of the mask mandate from March 2023, InvestHK further strengthened its engagement efforts, including identifying targeted companies that might have relocated some or all of their operations from Hong Kong earlier due to COVID-19, and providing the necessary support to facilitate their businesses to return to Hong Kong. InvestHK will continue its work on this front.
 
(2) The 2023 Policy Address announced that the Government would develop "headquarters economy" to attract Mainland and overseas companies to set up headquarters/corporate divisions in Hong Kong, bringing in quality enterprises to explore the immense opportunities under the national and international dual circulation initiative. The initiative will facilitate foreign enterprises to tap into the Mainland market, and also assist Mainland enterprises in expanding abroad. The Government understands that many enterprises have cross-boundary funding needs arising from business development or research activities. Our ability to facilitate such funding requirements could incentivise enterprises to establish in Hong Kong. The FSTB will explore with relevant Mainland authorities measures to facilitate Mainland enterprises to set up headquarters/corporate divisions in Hong Kong (such as arrangements conducive to capital investment), with a view to developing "headquarters economy" in Hong Kong. The detailed measures, including proposals applicable to the development of headquarters businesses, will be announced in a timely manner once they are ready for implementation.
 
(3) The Government agrees that different enterprises may have different considerations when deciding whether to set up businesses in Hong Kong. In this regard, when carrying out its investment promotion work, InvestHK will follow relevant bureaux' policy steer to actively attract and assist enterprises that are interested in setting up and expanding businesses in Hong Kong, and offer one-stop customised services, from the planning to implementation stages, so as to assist the enterprises to set up headquarters/corporate divisions and other businesses in Hong Kong. In addition, the OASES, which was established in end-2022 as announced in the 2022 Policy Address, will also formulate facilitation measures and offer tailor-made proposals in the light of individual strategic enterprises' needs so as to assist them in realising their plans in Hong Kong.
 
(4) According to the definition by the Census and Statistics Department, a "regional headquarters" refers to an office with parent company located outside Hong Kong which has managerial control over offices and/or operations in the region (i.e. Hong Kong plus one other place or more). With the evolving global business environment and trends, the Government will keep pace with the times and review the relevant definition as necessary, so as to tie in with the overall investment promotion work.
 
     In 2023, InvestHK assisted a total of 382 enterprises to establish or expand their operations in Hong Kong, an increase of 27 per cent when compared with 2022. This figure well exceeded the performance indicator as set out in the 2022 Policy Address on a pro-rata basis (i.e. to attract at least a total of 1 130 enterprises to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong from 2023 to 2025). These enterprises included those that have returned to Hong Kong after previously relocating their businesses elsewhere, those that set up in Hong Kong for the first time, as well as those that continued to expand their existing businesses. They brought in direct investment of more than $61.6 billion and created over 4 100 jobs within the first year of operation or expansion.
 
     Meanwhile, the OASES is focusing to attract high-potential and representative strategic enterprises from around the globe, particularly those from industries of strategic importance, such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology. As at mid-March 2024, the Government has successfully attracted over 40 companies to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong, including companies with a market capitalisation/valuation of over $10 billion, or those engaging in cutting-edge technologies. Many of them are planning to set up headquarters/corporate divisions in Hong Kong. They are expected to invest over $40 billion in Hong Kong, and create over 13 000 jobs over the next few years. Their presence in Hong Kong will attract upstream, midstream and downstream partners from their industrial supply chains, promoting the vibrant development of our innovation and technology sector. The OASES will continue to enhance promotion of our various schemes to attract investments and businesses, our new policy measures as well as the advantages of Hong Kong in the Mainland and overseas markets. It will also take into account future industry development and the latest government policies when formulating promotional strategies tailored for individual markets, with a view to attracting high-quality enterprises from around the world, in particular those that are relevant to Hong Kong's development of the "eight centres", to set up their headquarters/corporate divisions in Hong Kong.
 
     The above has fully demonstrated the favourable business environment of Hong Kong, which continues to attract Mainland and overseas companies from different sectors to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, and that Mainland and overseas companies continue to be fully confident in Hong Kong and have therefore chosen to invest locally, leveraging Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong's roles as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder" and other core advantages, in order to better seize the opportunities arising from the post-pandemic recovery. The Government will continue to take proactively forward its work to attract enterprises and investment.

     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 March 26 to noon today (March 27), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 214 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 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 38 995 samples of food imported from Japan (including 25 999 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 10 680 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit today (March 27):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong – and to our second Wealth for Good Summit. 

     I trust you enjoyed last night’s welcome dinner, and you are already discovering why Hong Kong is Asia’s world city and, soon enough, I hope, is also your city, the home of your family office. Allow me to tell you a little about Hong Kong, why we’re becoming the world’s city for family offices. 

Hong Kong: an ideal city for family offices

     We take great pride in our status as a global wealth management hub. Indeed, we oversee nearly US$4 trillion in assets. And according to a survey, there are now some 2 700 family offices in Hong Kong. We are also Asia’s largest hub for hedge funds, and second largest for private equity, behind only the Mainland. Thanks to the “one country, two systems” arrangement and the unwavering support of our country, Hong Kong is in a unique position to create value for family offices.  

     On the one hand, we enjoy priority access to the Mainland market. On the other, Hong Kong continues to be an international city practising the common law system, with the Judiciary exercising its power independently. We continue to maintain the free flow of capital, talent, goods and information, and a freely convertible currency pegged to the US dollar. We have extensive investment choices, a very deep international talent pool and world-class professional services. Our business practices and regulatory framework seamlessly align with the best international standards. Government policies here are transparent and predictable. To that you can add a stable political environment and excellent law and order. Hong Kong is indeed one of the safest metropolitan cities in the world. 

     Our financial services are world class with a very strong buffer and a vibrant ecosystem. The banking sector has a capital adequacy ratio at around 21 per cent, much higher than the international standard of 8 per cent. The liquidity ratio is at 175 per cent, much higher than the 100 per cent international benchmark. Seventy-three of the top 100 global banks operate here. Our Linked Exchange Rate System is underpinned by strong foreign currency reserve assets of over US$420 billion, which is 1.7 times of our monetary base.

    It helps, too, that Hong Kong enjoys convenient and unparalleled access to the Mainland’s capital markets; that our mutual market access arrangements continue to expand. Stock Connect, Bond Connect, ETF Connect, Swap Connect and the Greater Bay Area Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect have been implemented one after the other since 2014. In other words, Hong Kong is the place where you could have easy access to both international and Mainland capital.

     Hong Kong's tax rate is low, and the system is simple. We have no sales tax, no value-added tax, no withholding tax on investment, no capital gains tax, no estate tax, no wine tax and no tax on dividends or interest earned. Doing business in Hong Kong, in short, is not taxing at all. 

     Hong Kong's professional services sector is recognised internationally for its professionalism, ethics and global vision. They cover not just finance and accounting, but also legal and dispute resolution, risk management, and much more. And it’s supported by a highly educated, skilled, experienced and multilingual workforce. They are here to help you realise growth and development. 

     Hong Kong is a city full of promises and opportunities. Let me share one example. 

Since the start of this term of Government, we have been taking a proactive and catalytic role to develop our economy. In December 2022, we established the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises to spur our development in innovation and technology. We have so far attracted nearly 50 such companies to expand their business here. They will invest some US$5 billion and create 13 000 jobs. 

     And we have set up the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, or HKIC, to play a proactive role in driving innovation and future growth. Managing US$8 billion in assets, the company will invest and co-invest in enterprises and projects, accelerating the development of technological innovation and growth of strategic industries. The HKIC will host a roundtable for international sovereign funds this year.  It will also organise a summit for start-up investment and development, promoting cross-sector collaboration to drive our start-up ecosystem forward. 

     At the same time, our arms are wide open to talent.  We have approved over 160 000 applications under the various talent admission schemes since December 2022, and over 100 000 of them have already arrived in Hong Kong. 

Serving family offices well 

     Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is determined to become a leading family office hub. To this end, we published a policy statement in March last year. One year later, we have achieved good progress. For example, legislation has been enacted to offer tax concessions to family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by single family offices in Hong Kong. 

     In order to nurture a more vibrant and dynamic family office service ecosystem, we have expanded the services portfolio of the FamilyOfficeHK team; and launched the new Network of Family Office Service Providers. The Network includes private banks, accounting and legal firms, trusts and other professional services firms. Together they have formed a strong nexus to better serve the needs of family offices.  

     And we have also established the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy to spearhead training, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities for both industry practitioners and next-generation wealth owners.

Beyond investments: philanthropy, arts and life

     Ladies and gentlemen, the interest in philanthropy is growing among family offices. That fits well with Hong Kong’s own ambitions. We are committed to becoming a global hub for philanthropy.

     Over the last year, to help wealth owners interested in philanthropic causes, we have provided enhanced guidance for charities seeking tax exemptions. The number of tax-exempt charities in Hong Kong surpassed 10 000 in March last year. We have also expanded the extent of beneficial interest an exempted charity may hold in family-owned investment-holding vehicles. 

     Green and social investment is another area of interest to family offices. In green finance, Hong Kong is a leader. We are committed to channeling green and philanthropic capital to projects that preserve and improve our environment.

     Certainly, Hong Kong’s promise extends beyond finance and philanthropy. We are among the world’s leading international art and culture centres. In 2022, the total value of imports and exports of art pieces and antiques in Hong Kong exceeded US$11 billion. It helps that we don’t charge any value-added tax or the like. 

     Our art market is just getting going. The Airport Authority is spearheading efforts to create state-of-the-art facilities at Hong Kong International Airport for art storage and appreciation. It will, I’m confident, reinforce our role as Asia’s leading art exhibition and trading hub. 

     Family offices with an interest in art collection and investment will find a dynamic and supportive arts community here, one ripe with opportunities for cultural engagement and investment.  

     By the way, Art Basel and Art Central are being held this week in Hong Kong. Every year, many art lovers in the region fly in to visit. Don’t miss out.

     Ladies and gentlemen, as you are here, I invite you to take some time to explore our wonderful city. Try dim sum, or late-night wonton noodles, or one of our more than 200 Michelin-recommended restaurants. And when you're done dining, head for the hills, for one of our dazzling country parks, which account for about 40 per cent of Hong Kong's territory. Or visit the UNESCO Global Geopark, with its stunning volcanic rock columns. It is just an hour’s drive from Central. 

     That’s Hong Kong: vibrant, energetic and welcoming, for family offices and investment, for charity, and for the many pleasures of life.

     Finally, I wish you all a rewarding Summit and a memorable experience in Hong Kong. I look forward, too, to welcoming you back – for the good of your family offices and the future of Hong Kong. Thank you.