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Australian Made logo now protected in Hong Kong
The Australian Made Campaign announced that the green-and-gold kangaroo Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo is now a registered trademark in Hong Kong. This means that for the first time ever Australian exporters have a registered symbol that can be used on locally made or grown exports into Hong Kong, which both establishes products as genuinely Australian and is legally protected under Hong Kong law. Austrade’s Hong Kong Senior Trade Commissioner, Mr Sam Guthrie, said this important mark provides consumers with the reassurance they are buying a product with the clean, green, quality characteristics that trusted Australian provenance guarantees.
Read more here. |
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Legislative amendment exercise on the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance suspended
In a statement on 16 June, a Hong Kong Government spokesman said having regard to the strong and different views in society, the Government had suspended the legislative amendment exercise of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance at the full Legislative Council with a view to restoring calmness in society as soon as possible. The Government reiterated that there is no timetable for restarting the process. Speaking at a press conference on 18 June, the Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, said she would not proceed again with this legislative exercise if fears and anxieties could not be adequately addressed. Mrs Lam also offered her sincere apology to the people of Hong Kong for the controversies, disputes and anxieties in society caused by deficiencies in the work of the HKSAR Government over the law amendment exercise. Read more about the Government statement and Chief Executive’s opening remarks and answer to media at the press conference (18 June). Learn more about the background of the proposed legislative amendment exercise
here. |
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From City Airport to Airport City
The Airport Authority (AA) Hong Kong released a report on 29 May titled “From City Airport to Airport City”, outlining its vision and strategy to transform Hong Kong International Airport into an Airport City. The strategy comprises rigorous development of various segments of the airport – core passenger and cargo services, multi-modal regional connectivity, and commercial developments including retail, entertainment and hotels, conventions and exhibitions. The AA’s Airport City vision echoes the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) which has designated Hong Kong as the region’s international aviation hub, and is also in line with the Hong Kong Government’s Lantau Tomorrow Vision which aims to reinforce Lantau’s role as a “Double Gateway” to the world and the GBA.
Read the full report here. |
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Hong Kong and UAE sign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement
The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of HKSAR Government, Dr Bernard Chan, signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement on 17 June in Dubai, with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mr Younis Haji Al Khoori. The Agreement seeks to enhance the confidence of investors, expand investment flows and further strengthen the economic and trade ties between the two places. Under the Agreement, the two governments undertake to provide investors of the other side with fair, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment of their investments; compensation in the event of expropriation of investments; and the right to free transfers abroad of investments and returns. The Agreement also provides for settlement of investment disputes under internationally accepted rules. The Agreement will enter into force after the fulfilment of relevant internal requirements by both sides.
Read more here. |
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Hong Kong’s support for free trade and multilateral trading system reaffirmed
Speaking to US business and academic leaders at a luncheon during his duty visit to Washington DC in the US, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of HKSAR Government, Mr Edward Yau, said Hong Kong vigorously pursues a free trade policy and firmly believes in multilateral trading system. He also said that Hong Kong had taken a multi-pronged approach to diversify its economy and broaden its consumer market catchment, in large part by reinforcing partnerships. Hong Kong and like-minded economies are pressing ahead to forge alliances through the signing of free trade agreements (FTAs). In this regard, the latest addition to Hong Kong's FTA portfolio is a high quality and comprehensive in scope FTA, and an investment agreement with Australia signed in March, Mr Yau said.
Read more here. |
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Smart living attracts IT talent
The Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation is developing a smart living initiative next to the Science Park - the InnoCell project which will provide local and overseas technology talent with suitable space for living and exchange. InnoCell tenants will live in fully furnished units that contain a work station, smart furniture, bathroom, kitchenettes, wall storage and custom cabinetry. The purpose of building the InnoCell is to attract technology talents and help the companies at the Science Park to recruit talent from overseas and Mainland China. There are four types of units in the 17-storey building which aims to provide around 500 residential units. The proposed monthly rent for an InnoCell unit will be set at about 60% of the market rent of unfurnished property of similar quality in the nearby area. Construction is slated for completion by the end of 2020.
Read more here. |
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Smart LAB co-creates innovative IT solutions with industry to enhance public services
The Smart Government Innovation Lab (Smart LAB) was officially launched on 30 May to provide a platform for encouraging innovative solutions and product suggestions from the IT sector, particularly local start-ups and small and medium enterprises, to address public service delivery and operational needs. With the objective of “Connect, Inspire, Co-create”, Smart LAB aims to connect the service needs of individual departments with quality solutions from the industry, and to facilitate the adoption of innovative technology to provide better public services for citizens. Located in Cyberport, the Smart LAB also showcases technologies that are being tested, or have been successfully tested, in various departments to inspire wider adoption by other departments.
Read more here. |
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Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra to perform in Sydney (Australia)
The Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra (HKYSO), trained and managed by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of HKSAR Government, will participate in the 2019 Australian International Music Festival in Sydney from 4 to 11 July. The Orchestra will perform at City Recital Hall of Angel Place (4 July), the Sydney Opera House (6 July), Darling Harbour (7 July), and The Concourse in Chatswood (8 July). Established in 1978, the HKYSO has played the role of music ambassador of Hong Kong and had completed successful concert tours to France, Israel, Cyprus, Australia, the UK, the USA, Singapore and cities on mainland China.
Find out more about HKYSO’s Sydney tour. |
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Cantonese opera troupe from Hong Kong to perform “Monkey King & Skeleton Devil” (Australia and New Zealand)
To enhance cultural exchanges between Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, the Azure Seas Cantonese Traditional Theatre from Hong Kong will perform Cantonese opera classic play “Monkey King & Skeleton Devil” in its upcoming tour to Australia and New Zealand in July. A well-known episode from Chinese novel “Journey to the West”, the performance will be staged in Auckland, New Zealand (23 July at Raye Freedman Arts Centre), Sydney (26 July at The Concourse, Chatswood) and Melbourne (28 July, Collingwood Town Hall). The troupe will also conduct a public lecture at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts in Sydney on 27 July. |
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International Arts Carnival 2019 (Hong Kong)
As one of the largest family arts festivals in Hong Kong, the International Arts Carnival 2019 presents an exquisite line-up of overseas and local shows and participative activities from 5 July to 18 August. Amazing programmes include blacklight puppet theatre, opera for babies, dance, puppet musical and multimedia musical.
Find out more about the programmes here. |
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Hong Kong Book Fair 2019 (Hong Kong)
Whether you’re a bibliophile or a casual reader, Hong Kong Book Fair is sure to please. Entering its 30th edition this year, the fair to be held from 17 to 23 July at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will continue to present a vast variety of publications. Numerous cultural events will also be held in connection with the fair.
Find out more about the fair here. |
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