No.9  September, 2019  
Bilateral relations
  Secretary for Food and Health visits Australia
The Secretary for Food and Health of the HKSAR Government, Professor Sophia Chan, visited Melbourne and Sydney from 16 to 20 September. Accompanied by representatives from the Hospital Authority, the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations, Professor Chan met with healthcare officials, academics, professionals and students to promote the limited registration scheme for non-locally trained doctors and to encourage qualified non-locally trained healthcare professionals, in particular doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to serve in the public healthcare system of Hong Kong. During her visit, Professor Chan met with the Chief Health Officer of the Department of Health and Human Services of Victoria, Dr Brett Sutton, in Melbourne and also the New South Wales Minister for Health, Mr Brad Hazzard, in Sydney to exchange views on global health matters and other topics of mutual concern. Professor Chan also joined gatherings with Hong Kong people and healthcare professionals living in Melbourne and Sydney, and hosted information sessions for healthcare students studying in major universities in Melbourne and Sydney. She also took the opportunity to visit Monash University's Peninsula campus in Melbourne to meet with students studying occupational therapy and physiotherapy there, as well as to meet senior healthcare teaching staff at the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney.
 
     
Bilateral relations
Hong Kong once again ranked as freest economy in the world
The HKSAR Government on 12 September welcomed that the Fraser Institute once again ranked Hong Kong as the world's freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2019 Report. Hong Kong has been retaining the top rank since the inception of the report. Among the five areas of assessment, Hong Kong was ranked top in "Freedom to Trade Internationally" and "Regulation". "This vividly reflected Hong Kong's long-standing and steadfast commitment to building a free economy with a level playing field," a Government spokesman said. “We are fully committed to upholding Hong Kong's institutional strengths, including our fine tradition of the rule of law, free trade and investment regime, simple tax system with low tax rates, favourable business environment and efficient government. These have provided a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, and enabled our economy to prosper and tide over challenges arising anytime," the spokesman added.

Read more here.
     
  Fugitive Offenders Bill to be formally withdrawn
The Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, has announced that the Government would formally withdraw the Fugitive Offenders Bill. The decision was one of four actions announced by Mrs Lam on 4 September to foster a dialogue that can help society move forward after more than two months of protests. Mrs Lam noted the Fugitive Offenders Bill would be formally withdrawn to fully allay public concerns. The second action is the appointment of two new members, Mrs Helen Yu and Mr Paul Lam, to the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC). Mrs Lam also assured the public that the Government would seriously follow up on the recommendations made in the IPCC's report. The third action is to begin direct dialogue with the community from this month. The fourth action will be to invite community leaders, professionals and academics to independently examine and review society's deep-seated problems and to advise the Government on finding solutions.

Read more here.
 
     
  Carrie Lam: Yes, Hong Kong Does have a Future
In an op-ed published on the New York Times on 25 September, the Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, said she is listening and it remains this government’s hope that conversation will triumph over conflict and that through its actions, calm can be restored and trust can be rebuilt within the community. She said the future will be the question to be discussed together in community dialogues to air the public’s grievances and identify the issues this society faces. Issues reflected in those dialogues will be studied and translated into concrete action - into building a future together. She said both the community dialogues and her Policy Address are part of a necessary reconciliation process. Mrs Lam also said “Our financial markets continue to operate smoothly, and the linked exchange rate system that has served us well is as robust as ever. We have a stable currency and we continue to attract investment and I.P.O.s. The fundamentals are very sound, and numerous major projects and initiatives are underway that will provide thousands of jobs and opportunities for young people to explore for years to come.”

Read the full article here.
 
     
  Belt and Road Summit explores collaboration opportunities
Around 5,000 government officials, entrepreneurs and professionals from 69 countries gathered at the fourth Belt and Road Summit on 11 September to explore and discuss collaboration opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, spoke at the opening session, highlighting how Hong Kong, being China's most competitive and international city, is well positioned to serve as the gateway to the Belt and Road and its manifold prospects and possibilities. Opportunities are being found in respect of capacity building, green finance, professional services and business matching. In the second policy dialogue session, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, spoke on Hong Kong's edge in professional risk management services and insurance services. The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, delivered welcome remarks at the thematic breakout forum entitled "Towards a Greater Success of Belt and Road Projects for Sustainable Investment – Hong Kong Can Lead". The Summit continued on 12 September with the plenary session focusing on creating Belt and Road opportunities through the Greater Bay Area.

Read more here.
 
     
  Hong Kong’s strengths promoted in the US
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of HKSAR Government, Mr Edward Yau, paid a four-day visit to San Francisco and Los Angeles in the United States (US) from 17 September. Mr Yau highlighted the many remarkable facets of Hong Kong at the "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong" Symposium in Los Angeles on 20 September. Citing the city's diverse strengths in many fields beyond commerce, as well as the international connectivity of the Free Trade Agreement network and the unique status under the national development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he said Hong Kong can continue to bring in foreign investment and connect with business opportunities within the region and overseas. At the opening ceremony of "Hong Kong‧Live in Los Angeles - Greater Bay Area Showcase", Mr Yau talked about Hong Kong's excellent connectivity in being an ideal gateway for visitors to explore the diverse and yet uniquely intertwined tourism experiences of Hong Kong, Macao and other parts of the Greater Bay Area. Mr Yau also officiated at the opening ceremony of "Co-creating Hong Kong: a design+ exhibition" in San Francisco on 17 September and met local design communities to promote Hong Kong's creative talent. Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco and attended by about 200 prominent local figures on 18 September, Mr Yau said Hong Kong's fundamentals as a free, open and dynamic city with a stable and robust financial system remain intact despite recent disruptions.
 
     
  US and Canadian technology sector updated on Hong Kong’s I&T strengths
The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, paid a five-day visit to Seattle and San Francisco in the United States (US) and Vancouver in Canada from 16 to 20 September to update the US and Canadian technology communities on Hong Kong's latest developments in the innovation and technology arena and foster closer ties. Mr Yang visited technology firms Microsoft and Amazon in Seattle on 16 September. At a business luncheon co-organised by Greater Seattle Partners and the Washington State China Relations Council, Mr Yang gave an update on Hong Kong's vibrant innovation and technology developments, including the fast growing start-up ecosystem. Mr Yang spoke on the opportunities presented by Hong Kong's participation in developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international innovation and technology hub at a leadership luncheon held in San Francisco on 18 September on "Bay-to-Bay" connection and Hong Kong's technology development. During a two-day visit to Vancouver in Canada, Mr Yang called on the Minister of State for Trade of British Columbia, Mr George Chow, on 19 September for strengthening collaboration on the innovation and technology front.
 
     
Upcoming events
  OzAsia Festival 2019 (Australia)
OzAsia Festival, Australia’s premier arts festival engaging with Asia presented by the Adelaide Festival Centre, will be held from 17 October to 3 November in Adelaide. Featuring dance, theatre, music, visual art, film, literature, food and cultural events from across Asia, the expansive and innovative program attracts critical acclaim and praise annually. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, will again be participating in the Festival this year, bringing the Hong Kong Dragon to the Moon Lantern Parade at Elder Park, Adelaide, on 19 October as well as other interesting Hong Kong experience to the festival hub during event.

Find out more here about the festival.
 
     
  Sydney Open 2019 (Australia)
Hong Kong House, home of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, will be opened for public visit on 3 November as part of Sydney Living Museums’ Sydney Open 2019 when some of Sydney’s important, inspiring and historic buildings and spaces will be unlocked. During the day, exhibition panels showing the history of Hong Kong House and the surrounding areas will be displayed and information about Hong Kong’s latest development will be showcased inside the building. You may also wish to try your luck in a lucky dip to win a range of Hong Kong-branded souvenirs!

Find out more about Sydney Living Museums’ Sydney Open 2019 and ticketing here.
 
     
  Hong Kong Arbitration Week (Hong Kong)
The Hong Kong Arbitration week, organised by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, will be held from 20 to 25 October. Through conferences, luncheons and evening receptions, Hong Kong Arbitration Week seeks to provide a multitude of forums in which users and practitioners can come together to exchange ideas on how best to manage this increased demand for arbitration services.

To view the calendar of events here.
 
     
  Eco Expo Asia 2019 (Hong Kong)
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Eco Expo Asia will be held from 30 October to 2 November at the Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo. Embracing the new theme of “Less Carbon, Less Waste • Green Innovation”, the Expo will showcase a wide range of environmental products and solutions from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and the global green tech community.

Find out more here about the Expo.
 
     
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