Latest from Hong Kong
Inaugural Ceremony of Sixth-term HKSAR Government held
The Inaugural Ceremony of the Sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was held on 1 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  President Xi Jinping swore in the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr John Lee, and Principal Officials.  Mr Lee then swore in members of the Executive Council.  About 1,300 guests joined the Inaugural Ceremony.  Mr Lee highlighted in his speech at the Inaugural Ceremony that the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” is the institutional safeguard of Hong Kong and the cornerstone of maintaining Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.  He will strive to comprehensively and accurately implement the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, to safeguard the constitutional order of the HKSAR as defined under the Constitution and the Basic Law, to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, national security, and development interests, and to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.  The Government will also work to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness and develop the economy.  Apart from strengthening its established sectors and reinforcing the city’s status as an international financial, transportation and trading centre, the Government will also strive to fully develop a range of emerging industries under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

More details on the Inaugural Ceremony here.

More details on Chief Executive’s speech here.
     
HKSAR Government welcomes establishment of Swap Connect
The People’s Bank of China, the Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority jointly announced on 4 July their approval for the specified Mainland and Hong Kong financial institutions to collaborate in establishing mutual access arrangements between the interest rate swap markets of the two places (Swap Connect).  The HKSAR Government welcomes the decision.  Northbound trading will be launched first in the initial phase of Swap Connect, allowing Hong Kong and other overseas investors to participate in the Mainland’s interbank derivatives market through arrangements in trading, clearing, settlement, etc between the specified institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland.  Southbound trading will be explored in due course, with the aim to allow Mainland investors to participate in Hong Kong’s derivatives market through mutual access arrangements between specified institutions of the two places.  According to the joint announcement, Swap Connect will be formally launched after the completion of the necessary preparatory work, including finalising the relevant rules and system development, as well as obtaining relevant regulatory approvals.

More details here.
     
Companies Registry releases statistics for first half of 2022
A total of 50,087 local companies were newly registered during the first half of 2022, according to the statistics released by the Companies Registry on 15 July.  The total number of local companies registered under the Companies Ordinance reached 1,386,592 as at the end of June this year.  In the first half of 2022, 415 non-Hong Kong companies have newly established a place of business in Hong Kong and were registered under the Companies Ordinance.  The total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies reached 14,481 by the end of June 2022.

More details here.
     
Hong Kong Athletes’ Achievements in international sports competitions
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, extended his congratulations to Hong Kong billiard sports athlete Cheung Ka-wai on winning a gold medal for Hong Kong in the Men's Snooker event; Hong Kong karate athlete Grace Lau on winning a bronze medal in the Women’s Kata event; wushu athletes Lee Wing-yung, Yeung Chung-hei and Michelle Yeung on winning a bronze medal each in the Women’s Taolu Nanquan and Nandao, Men’s Taolu Taijiquan and Taijijian, and Women’s Taolu Daoshu and Gunshu events respectively in the World Games 2022.  Mr Yeung also congratulated Hong Kong fencers Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong on each winning a bronze medal in the Men’s Foil Individual event and the Women’s Épée Individual event of the 2022 Fencing World Championships respectively.  In addition to the two fencing medals won by the Hong Kong team, Cheung Ka-long has also made history again by achieving the best result ever for a Hong Kong fencer in the Men’s event in the Championships.

More details on Cheung Ka-wai’s achievement here.

More details on Grace Lau’s achievement here.

More details on the achievements of Lee Wing-yung, Yeung Chung-hei and Michelle Yeung here.

More details on the achievements of Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong here.
     
  Updates on Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic measures
  • The Government has extended the existing social distancing measures till 10 August, which includes allowing all catering premises and scheduled premises to continue to operate subject to strict compliance with the requirements including use of the Vaccine Pass and “LeaveHomeSafe”.  Other requirements, such as mask-wearing for citizens in transport carriers and specified public places, as well as prohibition of group gatherings in public places, also remain in force.
  • The Government has suspended the route-specific flight suspension mechanism from 7 July until further notice.  Inbound travellers undergoing quarantine in designated quarantine hotels (DQHs) are required to undergo an additional nucleic acid test on the third day of arrival from 8 July onwards.
  • The Government announced the addition of three more hotels under the eighth cycle of the DQH Scheme, which are Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong and Novotel Century Hong Kong in Wan Chai, and Panda Hotel in Tsuen Wan.  Separately, Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel in Wong Chuk Hang will provide extra hotel rooms.  There will altogether be 68 DQHs under the eighth cycle of the DQH Scheme, providing around 26,200 rooms.  The eighth cycle of the DQH Scheme will run from 1 August to 31 October.  Please see website for details regarding the latest list of DQHs.
  • From 28 July, all inbound travellers boarding flights to Hong Kong are required to complete the Health & Quarantine Information Declaration in advance and present the health declaration QR code generated after completion of the declaration at check-in for verification by the airline.  The health declaration QR code will be valid for 96 hours.
  • Outbound travellers crossing the boundary via the Shenzhen Bay Port are required to present proof of booking confirmation for undergoing the special nucleic acid test.  The Government launched an online booking system for the special nucleic acid test service at the Shenzhen Bay Port on 14 July, so as to facilitate planning of journeys by travellers choosing to cross the boundary through the control point.  Travellers planning to travel to the Mainland via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point on or after 15 July must first obtain a reservation at a Shenzhen quarantine hotel, and then reserve a time slot through the online booking system for receiving the special nucleic acid test on the day of departure.
Read more at the Fight Against COVID-19 website.
 
     
HKETO events
  Celebration events of HKSAR 25th anniversary  
     
  Gala dinner held in Sydney to celebrate 25th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
HKETO hosted a gala dinner in Sydney on 5 July to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR under the theme of “A New Era – Stability.Prosperity.Opportunity”.  The event was well attended by over 250 guests.  Addressing the gala dinner in a virtual speech, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, highlighted Hong Kong’s various strengths and the immense opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) development and the National 14th Five-Year Plan.  The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, said that with the continued support from the Central Government and the concerted efforts of the community, Hong Kong will continue to overcome challenges and scale new heights in many more quarter centuries to come.

Details here.
 
     
  Reception held in Melbourne to celebrate 25th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
HKETO hosted a reception in Melbourne on 12 July to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.  Under the theme of “A New Era - Stability.Prosperity.Opportunity”, the reception was well attended by around 150 guests.  The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, said that with its unique strengths under “one country, two systems” and the unwavering support of the Central Government, Hong Kong has developed into Asia’s leading world-class city.  She also highlighted the close people-to-people links and arts and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Australia and believed that with the opening of the M+ museum in November 2021 and the Hong Kong Palace Museum this month, the West Kowloon Cultural District would surely be another “must-have” item on many Aussies’ bucket lists.  Miss Lim added that HKETO will continue to travel to different places in Australia and New Zealand to strengthen connections with its important counterparts and showcase the exemplary achievements of Hong Kong over the past quarter century.

Details here.
 
     
  Reception held in Brisbane to celebrate 25th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
HKETO hosted a reception in Brisbane on 14 July to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.  The reception was well attended by around 100 guests from various sectors.  Addressing the guests, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, highlighted that Hong Kong and Australia have long enjoyed strong economic and trade ties, with Australia being Hong Kong’s 8th largest trading partner in services and 20th largest merchandise trading partner.  Hong Kong is also Australia’s 5th largest source of foreign investment.  Miss Lim then stressed that a prosperous and bright future awaits Hong Kong as it actively integrates into the country’s overall development.  Blessed with immense opportunities in the GBA development and the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is the most effective gateway and springboard between the world and Mainland China, and will definitely be “the destination” for businesses and people looking to excel and succeed.
 
     
  Director of HKETO Sydney attended Experience Hong Kong Media Launch
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, attended the Experience Hong Kong Media Launch organised by the New South Wales Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA) on 19 July.  Experience Hong Kong, a one-day event in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR with HKETO as the principal sponsor, will be held on 27 August at Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park, Sydney.  Miss Lim said that by joining the event, attendees could experience a unique journey through Hong Kong’s cultural and culinary heritage, from Tai Chi, lion dance, Cantonese opera and Hong Kong pop song performances, to special street food delicacies that are now hard to find even in Hong Kong.  Miss Lim encouraged everyone to share the event information with family and friends and join the family fun day together.

More details on Experience Hong Kong here.
 
     
  Reception held in Adelaide to celebrate 25th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
HKETO hosted a reception in Adelaide on 20 July to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.  The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, stressed that underpinned by an open and free market, a robust institutional framework, free flow of capital, a simple and low tax regime as well as a deep pool of multi-cultural talents, Hong Kong has always been the destination for businesses and people looking for boundless opportunities and potential.  Miss Lim also highlighted Hong Kong’s strong trade relationship and people-to-people links with Australia.  Miss Lim added that the unique advantages under “one country, two systems” have made it possible for Hong Kong to fully integrate into the country’s overall development, as Hong Kong continues to strengthen its ties with the international world and enhance its status as an international metropolis.
 
     
  Other HKETO events  
     
  Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney virtually attended Career Development Workshop
The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, virtually attended the Career Development Workshop jointly organised by the New South Wales Chapter of the HKABA and the Postgraduate Council of the University of New South Wales on 4 July.  Mr Mak shared the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong and highlighted that Hong Kong is a well-established financial centre with a diverse talent pool connecting global talents to the unique opportunities in the rapidly developing GBA, Mainland China, Asia and beyond.  Mr Mak added that the annual quota of the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme in Hong Kong has been doubled and two new professions, namely the “financial professionals in compliance in asset management” and “professionals in Environmental, Social and Governance”, have been added to the Talent List.  He further shared that 2022 marks an important milestone for Hong Kong as it is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.  HKETO would organise a wide range of celebration events in Australia and New Zealand to showcase Hong Kong’s vibrant developments.
 
     
  Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Business Awards Dinner organised by the Victoria Chapter of the HKABA
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, attended the Business Awards Dinner organised by the Victoria Chapter of the HKABA on 8 July.  Miss Lim highlighted in her remarks that being Asia’s leading world-class city, Hong Kong is the world’s freest economy, the world’s number 3 global financial centre, the world’s top 3 destination for foreign direct investment, and the fifth most competitive economy around the globe.  She stressed that unlimited opportunities lie ahead for Hong Kong under various national development plans.  In particular, the National 14th Five-Year Plan expressly supports Hong Kong’s development of eight international centres and emerging industries, and promotes the continuing deepening of Hong Kong’s economic integration with Mainland China through the GBA development.  Hong Kong will always be the prime partner in tapping the vast business potential in the GBA, Mainland China and beyond.  Miss Lim then shared with the participants the events organised by HKETO to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and welcomed them to join the wide range of celebration events in the coming weeks.
 
     
  Director of HKETO Sydney virtually attended the Food and Wine Dinner organised by the Queensland Chapter of the HKABA
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, virtually attended the Food and Wine Dinner organised by the Queensland Chapter of the HKABA on 22 July.  Miss Lim shared with the participants that Hong Kong’s wine industry is very vibrant and famous, with Australia being one of the top three wine imports in 2021.  On the other hand, Hong Kong has become Australia’s third largest wine export market in 2021, registering a growth of 45% in value to AUD$192 million.  Miss Lim also highlighted that the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, a distinct platform for wineries to showcase their wine and explore business opportunities, is going to take place on 10 to 12 November this year.  She trusted that the wine fair as Asia’s finest would be rewarding to all exhibitors.
 
     
  Director of HKETO Sydney virtually attended the Innovation and Technology Networking Sundowner organised by the Western Australia Chapter of the HKABA
The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, virtually attended the Innovation and Technology (I&T) Networking Sundowner organised by the Western Australia Chapter of the HKABA on 27 July.  Miss Lim updated the participants the latest I&T development in Hong Kong and highlighted that Hong Kong has climbed to the second place globally in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking and is the number three smart centre for development of new technology.  Hong Kong is also Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest fundraising hub for biotechnology companies.  Miss Lim stressed that with the unwavering support from the Central Government in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will endeavour to step up efforts in driving the I&T development with the vision to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre.
 
     
Upcoming events
 
  Hong Kong Food Expo 2022 (Hong Kong)
To be held on 11-15 August, Food Expo gathers numerous exhibitors to provide a wide array of food and beverage products.  It comprises the Gourmet Zone, the Public Hall and the Trade Hall.  The ever-popular Gourmet Zone features six thematic zones including Asian Cuisine, Western Delicacy, Sweet Delight, Green Palate, Coffee Avenue and Beer Cheers.  To mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, Food Expo shares the joy of shopping in this significant anniversary.

More details here.
 
     
  The Hong Kong Computer and Communications Festival 2022 (Hong Kong)
To be held on 19-22 August, the Hong Kong Computer and Communications Festival is the largest exhibition for computer communications and electronic products in Hong Kong.  In addition to promoting the latest technologies, this year’s Festival will feature the metaverse and unravel its mystery.  There will be on-site virtual platforms, including a virtual Ocean Park, and an AI x AR service platform to experience 3D online entertainment.  Not only can you explore endless possibilities in the metaverse, but you can also shop for a wide array of tech products and get to know the latest tech trends.

More details here.
 
     
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