Latest from Hong Kong
Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit held successfully
The Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit was held successfully on 1-3 November, which featured 26 prominent financial leaders sharing their unique perspectives and ideas on managing a complex set of economic, financial, technological and geopolitical developments while capturing the resulting opportunities.  The Summit welcomed over 200 international and regional leaders from around 120 global financial institutions including banks, securities firms, asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds, and insurers.  More than 40 of these institutions were represented by their group chairmen or chief executive officers.  Speaking at the Summit on 2 November, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr John Lee, said that Hong Kong was back to the business stage and “the worst is behind us”.  “One country, two systems” ensures matchless connectivity, and opportunity, with the country and with the world at large.  Hong Kong’s seamless connection with the Mainland affords Hong Kong advantages available to no other economy.  With full confidence in its tenacity and its future, Mr Lee stressed that Hong Kong is already seeing an encouraging rebound as it continues to lift its COVID restrictions.

More details here.

See the Chief Executive’s speech here.
     
Hong Kong FinTech Week 2022 breaks boundaries and ushers in new era of finance
Hong Kong FinTech Week 2022 concluded on 4 November, wrapping up a landmark five-day event for Hong Kong fintech amid an eventful week for the city as it steps back on the world stage.  The entire week attracted a record high of over 30 000 visitors and over 5 million views online from over 95 economies, featured over 500 distinguished speakers and over 600 sponsors and exhibitors, and attracted more than 30 international delegations.  Under the theme “Pushing Boundaries, Reaping Benefits”, this year’s conference explored the future development of fintech through four key sub themes - global fintech outlook, fintech in Mainland China and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the implementation of emerging technologies, and digital assets.

More details here.
     
The Chief Executive attends APEC meetings in Thailand
The Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr John Lee, conducted his visit programme in Bangkok, Thailand on 17-20 November to attend the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and exchange views with the leaders of other economies on how to address barriers to trade and investment, promote resilient supply chains and closer people-to-people connectivity, as well as deepen economic and technical co-operation to enhance inclusive and sustainable growth.  Mr Lee said in the APEC Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests that he was encouraged that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members welcomed Hong Kong’s accession request to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and Hong Kong looked forward to contributing its unique strengths in trade and investment to strengthen RCEP’s leadership role as the world’s largest free trade agreement.  He also led a Hong Kong business delegation to conduct business visits and tell the good stories of Hong Kong during his visit.

See the Chief Executive’s first day visit programme here.

Second day visit programme here.

Third day visit programme here.

More details on the Chief Executive leading the business delegation here.
     
Asia Summit on Global Health again stages
Themed “Charting a New Course in Healthcare through Collaboration”, the second Asia Summit on Global Health was staged on 10-11 November and extended to a two-day event, bringing together some 21 000 business and academic leaders, investors, start-ups, policymakers and a world of healthcare professionals to exchange insights, explore opportunities and collaborate on the diverse and dynamic healthcare sector.  Speaking at the Summit, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr John Lee, said that innovation and technology is at the heart of Hong Kong’s policy priorities and its drive to create collaborative programmes and initiatives with the country and the larger world in order to tackle healthcare and other challenges.  Hong Kong is also the world’s leading fundraising hub for biotech companies and it is investing some US$1.3 billion to promote life and health technology.

See the Chief Executive’s speech here.
     
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens returns
The world famous Hong Kong Sevens kicked off on 4 November and delighted around 65 000 spectators during three days of rip-roaring rugby action.  After a three-year absence due to the pandemic, 16 teams from around the world were back in Hong Kong to compete for the spoils at the Hong Kong Stadium and Australia beat Fiji 20:17 in the final to lift the Cup.

     
Hong Kong Legal Week 2022 successfully concluded
Hong Kong Legal Week 2022, the annual flagship event of the Department of Justice, successfully concluded on 11 November.  Internationally renowned legal experts and academics from the Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas gathered during Legal Week to have in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, from facilitating access to justice through international instruments, arbitration, online dispute resolution to transnational litigation in civil and commercial matters and LawTech, attracting around 8 200 participants from 40 jurisdictions registered for on-site or online participation.  It demonstrated Hong Kong’s close connection with the world while the city has fully leveraged the unique advantages of its common law system under “one country, two systems”, consolidating its leading status as the international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia Pacific region.

More details here.
     
  Updates on Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic measures
  • From 21 November, the testing arrangements for inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan have been adjusted as follows:
    • Within 24 hours prior to boarding: rapid antigen test (RAT);
    • Day 0 (i.e. day of arrival at Hong Kong): Nucleic acid test under “test-and-go” upon arrival at the airport;
    • Day 2: Nucleic acid test at a community testing centre/community testing station or an ad-hoc mobile specimen collection station, or arrange a self-paid test by professional swab sampling at a local medical testing institution recognised by the Government; and
    • Day 1 to Day 7: Daily RATs.  Can only leave the place of stay upon obtaining a negative result.
  • Specific arrangements for inbound tour groups have been implemented from 18 November with a view to assisting the inbound tour groups received by travel agents and accompanied by licensed tourist guides to resume tourist activities in strict compliance with the anti-epidemic measures.  Under the specific arrangements, licensed travel agents are required to submit applications to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) in advance and undertake strict compliance with applicable anti-epidemic measures, in order to arrange for inbound tour group travellers holding the “Amber Code” to enter specific catering premises to have meals according to the itineraries.
  • Starting from 19 November, for travellers of tour groups from overseas places or Taiwan arriving in Hong Kong that have submitted applications and registered the itineraries with the TIC as mentioned above, they are only required to undergo one COVID-19 nucleic acid test on the day of arrival if they will only stay in Hong Kong for not more than four days.  However, they are still required to undergo daily RATs during their visit.
  • The Government has suitably relaxed the social distancing measures which will be maintained until 14 December.  Relevant measures include:
    • for premises in which patrons usually wear masks, the Vaccine Pass requirement has been changed from “active checking” to “passive checking”.  In other words, persons-in-charge of these premises no longer need to actively check patrons’ vaccination records or exemption certificates upon their entry.
    • eating and drinking are allowed at performance venues (whether indoors or outdoors), spectator stands of outdoor sports premises, as well as outdoor areas of racecourses.
    • campsites and other outdoor leisure venues managed by the Government have been re-opened.
    • the minimum 1.5-metre distancing requirement between each participant in training groups or classes with more than 12 persons in fitness centres has been lifted.  Instead, sub-groups of 12 persons are required to keep such a distance in between each sub-group.

Read more at the Fight Against COVID-19 website.
 
     
HKETO events
  Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Bi-monthly Business Networking Event by the New South Wales (NSW) Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA)
The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, attended the Bi-monthly Business Networking Event organised by the NSW Chapter of the HKABA on 17 November.  Mr Mak shared with the participants the key initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address, particularly the proactive initiatives to attract enterprises, investment and talents.  He highlighted that the Government will establish the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises to attract strategic enterprises from around the globe with special facilitation measures and one-stop services.  Top Talent Pass Scheme will be launched to attract talents of high salary and graduates of the world’s top 100 universities to pursue careers in Hong Kong.  The Government will also establish the HK$30 billion Co-Investment Fund for attracting enterprises to set up operations in Hong Kong and investing in their businesses.  Mr Mak added that exciting times lie ahead for Hong Kong as the city is fully grasping the unlimited opportunities brought about by national strategies including the 14th Five-Year Plan and the GBA development.  He encouraged participants to visit Hong Kong as soon as they can for a wonderful first-hand experience.
 
     
  Acting Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Australian Chinese Medical Association (ACMA) and ACMA Charitable Trust Gala Dinner
The Acting Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, attended the ACMA and ACMA Charitable Trust 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 19 November.  Mr Mak commended ACMA and ACMA Charitable Trust for providing exceptional health services and well-being support to the Chinese as well as the wider community in Australia, and he looked forward to maintaining HKETO Sydney’s close relationship with the two organisations.  Mr Mak also shared with the participants the key initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address, including the Government’s plan to explore different options to help ensure sufficient healthcare manpower for the public healthcare system and the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme to attract talents of high salary and graduates of the world’s top 100 universities to pursue careers in Hong Kong.  Mr Mak added that a series of major regional and global events, including the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and the Hong Kong Sevens, had been held successfully in Hong Kong following the announcement of lifting the quarantine requirements for overseas visitors.  He encouraged participants to visit Hong Kong to explore all the exciting developments in the city.
 
     
  Acting Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) 2022 Business Networking Event
The Acting Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, attended the ALMAC 2022 Business Networking Event jointly organised by HKETO Sydney and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and supported by the Australian Trade & Logistics Corporation, on 22 November.  Mr Mak shared with the participants that with the staunch support bestowed by the Central Government over the years, Hong Kong has developed into one of the most important international logistics and maritime centres as well as international aviation hubs in the world.  He highlighted the key initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address, including strengthening high value-added maritime and logistics services, building a smart and green port, upgrading the facilities of the land boundary control points as well as building the Airport City in Hong Kong.  As the world continues to reconnect after COVID-19, Mr Mak encouraged the participants to visit Hong Kong to explore the exciting developments in the city and take part in future editions of the ALMAC and the Hong Kong Maritime Week in person.
 
     
  Acting Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Food and Wine Appreciation Dinner organised by the Victoria Chapter of the HKABA
The Acting Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, virtually attended the Food and Wine Appreciation Dinner organised by the Victoria Chapter of the HKABA on 25 November.  Mr Mak shared with the participants that Hong Kong is no stranger to exceptional food and wine, and is known as a “wine paradise” with the best international winery products assembling in the city, including a huge proportion from Australia.  As of September 2022, Australia ranked second in terms of Hong Kong’s wine imports.  Hong Kong is also one of the top five markets of Australian wine by value in the 12 months to September 2022, with an export value of around AUD$163 million.  Mr Mak highlighted that with the lifting of quarantine requirements for overseas visitors in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair is scheduled for January 2023.  He encouraged the participants to visit Hong Kong to delight their taste buds and explore all the exciting developments in the city.
 
     
  Acting Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Australia) Association 20th Anniversary Dinner
The Acting Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, attended the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Australia) Association 20th Anniversary Dinner on 25 November.  Mr Mak commended the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Australia) Association for its on-going effort in fostering fellowship, championship and promote the people-to-people link between Australia and Hong Kong.  Mr Mak also highlighted the key initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address, particularly the proactive initiatives to further enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness and create strong impetus for growth.  The Government will look into different options to attract new talents to the city, and support Hong Kong’s progression into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, foster creative talents and attract leading lights in arts and culture.  As Hong Kong has taken significant steps towards reconnecting with the world, Mr Mak encouraged the participants to visit Hong Kong for some wonderful first-hand experience.
 
     
  Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Hong Kong Forum Live-streaming and Networking Events organised by the NSW Chapter and the Queensland Chapter of the HKABA
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, attended the Hong Kong Forum Live-streaming and Networking Events organised by the New South Wales Chapter and the Queensland Chapter of the HKABA respectively on 29 November.  Miss Lim said that the Hong Kong Forum this year would look at Hong Kong’s resilient status in international trade and investment, its new offerings in areas from innovation and technology, sustainability to wellness that complement the sustainable development in the region and the new venture of global companies in Asia and beyond.  She also shared with the participants an array of proactive initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address and highlighted that specific focus has been put on attracting enterprises, investment and talents.  The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, led by the Financial Secretary, will be established to attract strategic enterprises from around the globe with special facilitation measures and one-stop services.  Talents Service Unit will be established to recruit and support talents, while the Top Talent Pass Scheme will be launched to attract talents of high salary and graduates of the world’s top 100 universities to pursue careers in Hong Kong.
 
     
Upcoming events
 
  Hong Kong Cyclothon (Hong Kong)
The Hong Kong Cyclothon is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR on 18 December and will kick off with popular 50 km Ride and 30 km Ride for amateur and professional cyclists.  Both rides will start from Tsim Sha Tsui East and feature various iconic landmarks - the 50 km Ride will even take riders across Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge and Stonecutters Bridge.  Local athletes and cycling teams will also compete for the coveted “HKSAR 25th Anniversary Trophy” along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.

More details here.
 
     
  Business of Design Week (Hong Kong)
Business of Design Week (BODW), Asia’s premier annual event on design, innovation and brands returns with an exciting array of programmes, headlined by a four-day summit that gathers design visionaries from around the world and presents timely, insightful conversations under the theme “Design for Change”, will be held from 30 November to 3 December.  The BODW 2022 Summit brings to the fore the vision, leadership, creative energy and trends shaping our future as design takes up the role as a force for good.  Through cross-sector learning, circular innovation and global insights, the event co-creates new possibilities and charting impactful paths among times of great uncertainties.

More details here.
 
     
   
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