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Chief Executive briefs international community on 2020 Policy Address
The Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, briefed members of the Consular Corps and the international business committee on the 2020 Policy Address on 26 November. Mrs Lam referred to the details in the dedicated chapter on Upholding “One Country, Two Systems" in the Policy Address, and reiterated the importance of having a clear understanding of the constitutional order of the HKSAR. She highlighted that the implementation of the National Security Law had restored stability in Hong Kong and stressed that individuals’ rights and freedoms would continue to be upheld. Mrs Lam elaborated on the seven major policy directions supported by the Central People’s Government. She welcomed the overseas business community to take part in the many exciting opportunities.
Details here. |
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Disqualifying LegCo members constitutional and lawful
The National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) stated on 11 November that a Legislative Council (LegCo) member does not fulfill the legal requirements and conditions on upholding the Basic Law and pledging allegiance to the HKSAR if the member advocates or supports “Hong Kong independence”, refuses to recognize the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong and the exercise of the sovereignty, solicits intervention by foreign or external forces in the HKSAR's affairs, or carries out other activities endangering national security. When the member is so decided in accordance with law, he or she is immediately disqualified from being a LegCo member. The HKSAR Government, in accordance with the NPCSC's decision, announced that four LegCo members of the sixth-term LegCo were immediately disqualified. The Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, stresses that NPCSC’s decision is constitutional, lawful, reasonable and conducive to resolute, full and faithful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Details here. Read more about remarks of CE and a HKSAR Government spokesman. |
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Chief Executive attends APEC meeting
The Chief Executive of HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, on 20 November exchanged views with participants at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 Economic Leaders’ Meeting via video conferencing on the fight against COVID-19, boosting economic recovery and promoting sustainable and inclusive development. This was the first virtual Economic Leaders’ Meeting that has been held due to the epidemic situation. Mrs Lam stressed that reviving the economy calls for co-operation among economies and that they must stand firm against unilateralism and protectionism.
Details here. |
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Updates on Hong Kong’s anti-pandemic measures
- Government tightens social distancing measures :
- Bars, nightclubs, bath-houses closed.
- 40-person limit in any one banquet in catering premises.
- Live performances and dancing banned in meeting rooms or function rooms of clubhouses.
- For hotels and guesthouses: 4-person limit for a guest room; 8-person limit for a suite with more than one bedroom.
- Catering businesses and scheduled premises are required to apply for “LeaveHomeSafe” QR-code by 2 December.
- Group gathering limit of 4 in public.
- Compulsory mask wearing in public.
- All visitors arriving from any country outside China must quarantine in hotel for 14 days.
- Testing and isolation arrangements for air crew members and other persons who are exempted from quarantine requirement upon arriving in Hong Kong tightened.
- Turkey, Ecuador and Germany added to Hong Kong’s list of very high-risk places.
- Five additional community testing centres will be set up in the coming days in addition to the four existing community testing centres.
- All kindergartens, primary and secondary schools will suspend face-to-face classes and school activities from 2 December until the beginning of school Christmas holidays.
Read more from the Fight Against COVID-19 website. |
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Return2hk program launched
Hong Kong residents who fulfill specified conditions are exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement when they return to Hong Kong from Guangdong or Macao starting 23 November, under the Return2hk travel scheme. Hong Kong residents must not have been to places other than Hong Kong, Guangdong or Macao in the past 14 days. During the initial stage of the scheme's implementation, a quota will be put in place to control the number of cross-boundary travellers. A daily quota of 3,000 has been set for the Shenzhen Bay Port, while that for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port is 2,000.
Details here. |
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Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble deferred for two weeks
In view of the recent epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Governments of HKSAR and Singapore have decided to defer the inaugural flights under the Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble (ATB), originally scheduled for 22 November, for two weeks. A Government spokesman said that the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has deteriorated rapidly. The deferral of the inaugural flights is a suitable and responsible arrangement to minimise the inconvenience caused to the ATB travellers and reduce the uncertainty in their itineraries. The Governments of HKSAR and Singapore will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation of both places, exchange relevant data and statistics, and maintain close communication. The new date of inaugural flights will be announced in early December.
Details here. |
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Hong Kong keenly interested in joining RCEP
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said the signing and launching of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is an important milestone for economic integration in the region that sends a strong and clear message in support of an open, inclusive and rules-based trade and investment arrangement. With the high-standard Free Trade Agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia and New Zealand already in place on top of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, Hong Kong is keenly interested in joining the RCEP and stands ready to start dialogues on accession with its member economies when the time is ripe for the RCEP to take on new partners, Mr Yau said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting on 16 November.
Details here. |
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Greater Bay Area Development Office set up
The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau announced on 23 November the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office to strengthen the promotion and co-ordination work of the HKSAR Government on the development of the Greater Bay Area. The Office is the focal point of liaison between the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities (at the central, provincial and municipal levels) and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a key development strategy in the country’s reform and opening up. It would also provide a key direction for reviving Hong Kong’s economy after the pandemic.
Details here. |
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Hong Kong FinTech Week 2020 attracts over 1.2 million viewers
Hong Kong FinTech Week 2020 came to a successful close on 6 November after a high-level three-day main conference and over 30 satellite events featuring important announcements, thought-provoking debates and panel sessions covering all aspects of financial technology. It focused on the golden opportunity to humanise fintech to reignite growth, build trust and financially empower society and businesses in the post-COVID-19 world. This year's fully virtual event drew over 1.2 million viewers, had more than 100 hours of content, saw over 18,000 total business contacts made, and had more than 500 exhibitors, over 350 speakers, 230 journalists and 29 delegations from over 130 economies.
Details here. |
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Hong Kong plays vital role as global digital supply-chain services hub
Hong Kong’s enhanced role as a smart supply-chain services hub, with the city driving digital production through the use of technology tools in the 3D and virtual sampling space is highlighted in the report “Future of Sourcing: 2021 and Beyond”, released by Invest Hong Kong and KPMG. With a high concentration of sourcing talent, the city is the ideal regional and global sourcing hub to manage supply chains, and looks set to benefit as a centre for professional services, especially in the areas of environmental, social and governance matters and sustainability.
Details here. |
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HK Wine & Dine Festival opens with diverse culinary experiences on one-stop website
The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival went ahead with an “online + offline” format for the first time to allow the event to continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The Festival, from 11 November until 15 December, features a wealth of exciting online experiences, including an Online Wine Cellar, Gourmet at Home Menus, and live-streamed cookery and wine-tasting masterclasses on a new one-stop online platform. Offline experiences include special deals and gastronomic events offered by hundreds of dining outlets across the city for consumers to enjoy.
Details here. |
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Director of HKETO Sydney briefs HKABA and HKNZBA on 2020 Policy Address
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Raymond Fan, briefed presidents and committee members of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA) and Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association (HKNZBA) via video conferencing on 27 November major initiatives of the Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address. He said the Policy Address seeks to restore Hong Kong’s constitutional order, consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s strengths and diversify its economic development, and build on our past efforts to continue to improve people’s well-being, with a view to resolving our immediate and long-term social problems. Mr Fan said the National Security Law has been remarkably effective in restoring stability in Hong Kong over the past few months, which provided certainty and predictability to businesses. Mr Fan also attended the Annual Gala Dinner of HKNZBA in Auckland via video conferencing on 25 November, highlighting to over 130 attendees the major initiatives of the Policy Address and the effectiveness of the National Security Law in restoring stability in Hong Kong over the past few months.
Details here. |
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HKNZBA’s Business Seminar
The Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association (HKNZBA) held its Business Seminar: Balancing economic growth in Asia in the COVID-19 era on 17 November. A programme under HKNZBA’s 2020 Hong Kong Festival and supported by HKETO Sydney, the seminar explored how the Asian economies, and particularly Hong Kong, are adapting to the impacts of COVID-19, what this means for New Zealand, and how the economic landscape across the entire region might evolve heading forward. The Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Raymond Fan, spoke on Hong Kong’s comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to contain COVID-19, Hong Kong’s opportunities in the post-pandemic era, as well as the huge opportunities that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area presented to New Zealand businesses. Other speakers included Prof Siah Hwee Ang, Chair in Business in Asia, Victoria University of Wellington; and Mr Robin Harris, Managing Director, Capricorn Capital Partners HK Ltd. |
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Business of Design Week 2020 (Hong Kong)
Business of Design Week (BODW), Asia’s leading event on design, innovation and brands to be held from 30 November to 5 December, will bring together design visionaries, creatives, entrepreneurs and business leaders from across sectors and industries around the world to offer participants a glimpse of the ‘new normal’. Under the theme “VISION 20/21”, BODW will harness the power of collaborative creativity to provide timely insights into future trends.
Find out more here. |
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