HONG KONG CONNECT


	Hong Kong once again ranked as the world’s freest economy The Fraser Institute continued to rank Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2022 Annual Report. Hong Kong has gained the top rank since the inception of the report. Among the five areas of assessment, Hong Kong continued to rank top in “Freedom to Trade Internationally” and “Regulation”. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government welcomed the recognition on 8 September. “Looking forward, Hong Kong, under ‘one country, two systems’, will leverage on the motherland’s strong support and connection with the world market, and continue to play our unique roles as a gateway, a springboard and an intermediary. We will create strong impetus for growth, and actively integrate into the overall development of our country, dovetail with national strategies such as the National 14^th Five-Year Plan, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) development and high-quality Belt and Road co-operation, and seize the opportunities ahead,” a Government spokesman said. More details here.

	Hong Kong ranked fourth in Global Financial Centres Index Hong Kong ranked fourth globally in the Global Financial Centres Index 32 Report published on 22 September by the Z/Yen from the United Kingdom and the China Development Institute from Shenzhen. Hong Kong, as a leading global financial centre, saw an increase in the overall rating and its ranking in the area of financial sector development leapt by four places as compared with the previous issue. At the same time, the report pointed out that as compared to the assessment by financial industry practitioners from other major financial centres on the prospects of the cities in which they were based, practitioners based in Hong Kong were the most confident about the future competitiveness of Hong Kong as an international financial centre. The HKSAR Government will continue to listen to views and be bold in taking forward reforms to consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong’s capital market and its role as an international financial centre. More details here.

	SCED attends 6^th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Minister of Commerce of Cambodia, Mr Pan Sorasak, co-chaired the 6^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 17 September to discuss issues relating to the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and ASEAN. ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second largest partner in trade in goods and third largest partner in trade in services. Mr Yau stressed the strong ties between ASEAN and Hong Kong, and looked forward to establishing closer partnership and even stronger bonds in regional co-operation. Mr Yau also appealed for ASEAN member states’ continued support for Hong Kong’s early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). ASEAN member states welcomed Hong Kong’s request and readiness for the launch of substantive accession discussions between RCEP Members and Hong Kong. More details here.

	Updates on Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic measures The Government announced on 23 September the lifting of compulsory quarantine required for inbound persons from overseas or Taiwan starting 26 September. The arrangements for inbound persons from the Mainland or Macao would be rationalised at the same time. Since 26 September, the boarding requirements and quarantine arrangements for inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan have been adjusted as follows: Presentation of a negative nucleic acid testing report prior to boarding is no longer required. Instead, a declaration of the negative result of a self-arranged rapid antigen test (RAT) conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure should be made via the online Health & Quarantine Information Declaration of the Department of Health. Boarding requirement of having completed vaccination for Hong Kong residents has been lifted. “Test-and-go” arrangement has been implemented at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Quarantine arrangement upon arrival at Hong Kong has been changed to “0+3”, i.e. no compulsory quarantine is required. Nucleic acid tests at community testing centres, mobile testing stations or other recognised institutions on Day 2, Day 4 and Day 6 (the day of arrival is Day 0) are required upon arrival at Hong Kong, supplemented by daily RATs from Day 1 to Day 7. For inbound persons who are tested positive by nucleic acid tests or RATs, their Vaccine Pass will be converted to a Red Code. Their isolation arrangements will be aligned with that for local cases. Since 26 September, the Return2hk Scheme and Come2hk Scheme have been extended to cover all places in the Mainland and Macao with no quota restriction. In view of the gradual removal of COVID-19 prevention and control requirements in overseas places, outbound passengers and transit passengers departing for overseas places or Taiwan via the HKIA are no longer required to go through temperature screening starting 10 September. As for inbound passengers entering Hong Kong, as well as departing passengers bound for the Mainland or Macao, the temperature screening arrangements remain in place. The Government would maintain the existing social distancing measures until 5 October. Relevant measures include allowing all catering premises and scheduled premises to continue to operate subject to strict compliance with requirements including those concerning Vaccine Pass, Red Code and Amber Code as well as testing. Other requirements, such as mask-wearing for citizens on transport carriers and in specified public places, as well as prohibition of group gatherings in public places, also remain in force. Read more at the Fight Against COVID-19 website.



	*Celebration events of HKSAR 25^th anniversary*

	Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Young Professional Career & Networking Event organised by the Victoria Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, attended the “Business Trends and Forecasts Post COVID-19” Young Professional Career & Networking Event organised by the Victoria Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association (HKABA) on 2 September. Miss Lim said that Hong Kong is home to a diverse talent pool, equipped with the skills, knowledge and international outlook to drive business in Hong Kong and beyond. She stressed that boundless opportunities lie ahead as the National 14^th Five-Year Plan and the GBA development create strong impetus for Hong Kong’s growth. She also introduced various talent attraction initiatives in Hong Kong including the doubling of the annual quota of the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and the expansion of the Talent List.

	Chinese music concert in Melbourne celebrates 25^th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR HKETO presented the “HK 25 & Chao Feng 40” Chinese music concert in Melbourne on 4 September to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the HKSAR. The concert was well-received by over 900 guests. Various classic masterpieces were performed by Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra to bring the audience an unforgettable experience of traditional Chinese music. Speaking at the opening of the concert, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, said that as a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong has brought together dynamic talents to promote cultural exchange between East and West. The Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to realise the positioning of Hong Kong as a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world as supported under the National 14^th Five-Year Plan. More details here.

	Hong Kong films make waves in Sydney to celebrate 25^th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR HKETO supported the “Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema” to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. Presented by Create Hong Kong in collaboration with the New South Wales Chapter of the HKABA, eight Hong Kong films were screened from 9 to 11 September in Sydney to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong film industry. A reception was held before the screening of Table for Six to kick-start the programme. Addressing the audience, the Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, said that Hong Kong is a leading film-making centre in Asia and is renowned as a cosmopolitan city full of creativity. She added that the National 14^th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong’s development into a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. Hong Kong will seize upon its unique creative atmosphere where Chinese and Western cultures meet to position itself as Asia’s city of culture and creativity. Director Sunny Chan and actress Stephy Tang of Table for Six also met with the Sydney audience via a live holo-presence before the start of the screening. The programme marked the conclusion of the celebration events hosted by HKETO. More details here.

	*Other HKETO events*

	Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Financial Services and Fintech Networking Sundowner organised by the Western Australia Chapter of the HKABA The Director of HKETO Sydney, Miss Trista Lim, virtually attended the Financial Services and Fintech Networking Sundowner organised by the Western Australia Chapter of the HKABA on 21 September. Miss Lim highlighted that well known for its digitised economy, world-class financial infrastructures and robust regulatory environment, Hong Kong has emerged as a leading fintech hub in Asia. She said that the Government will continue to promote fintech development on all fronts and has earmarked HK$10 million to launch a new round of the Fintech Proof-of-Concept Subsidy Scheme to promote continuous innovation. Miss Lim added that talent is essential to fintech development. The Government has doubled the annual quota for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme to 4 000 to welcome talents, including fintech professionals, from all over the world.

	Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Bi-monthly Business Networking Event organised by the New South Wales Chapter of the HKABA The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, attended the Bi-monthly Business Networking Event organised by the New South Wales Chapter of the HKABA on 21 September. Mr Mak shared with participants Hong Kong was ranked as the world’s freest economy by the Fraser Institute in the Economic Freedom of the World 2022 Annual Report, showing the business environment in Hong Kong is as resilient as ever. Hong Kong is also one of the most attractive global cities for talents to work and live in. Mr Mak said that Hong Kong will continue to leverage on the strong support of the Central Government and connection with the world market.

	Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney attended the Business Awards Pre-Cocktail Event organised by the Queensland Chapter of the HKABA The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, virtually attended the Business Awards Pre-Cocktail Event organised by the Queensland Chapter of the HKABA on 28 September. Mr Mak shared with participants that the HKSAR Government has lifted the quarantine requirements for inbound travellers. They are only required to undergo three days of medical surveillance without staying at a designated quarantine hotel from 26 September. He added that the measures aim to foster economic activities and lead the city back to normalcy. Mr Mak highlighted a series of major international events to be held in Hong Kong in the coming months, including the Hong Kong Sevens, the Hong Kong Fintech Week and the Asia Summit on Global Health, and welcomed more and more business travellers and tourists to visit Hong Kong in the near future.

	Career Talk 2022 HKETO organised a career talk with the Hong Kong Student Association of the University of New South Wales on 29 September. An online career talk was also held on the same day. The Deputy Director of HKETO Sydney, Mr Henry Mak, shared with Hong Kong students studying in Australia and New Zealand an overview of the job market in Hong Kong and the various schemes and initiatives of the Government for attracting talents to Hong Kong. Mr Mak also provided the students with details on the career opportunities in the civil service in Hong Kong, in particular the Administrative Officer Grade, and the recruitment exercise this year. HKETO would continue to share relevant information with the students to help them plan for the future.



	*Hong Kong Masters 2022 (Hong Kong)* To be held on 6-9 October, Hong Kong Masters 2022 is one of the key celebratory events for the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. This is a professional snooker invitation event featuring the world’s very best. It consists of four days tournament with eight world-class snooker players to compete and exhibit matches in Hong Kong. More details here.

	*Harbour Race 2022 (Hong Kong)* As one of the city’s most popular sporting events, Harbour Race attracts hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators each year. This year, a maximum of 1 500 race participants will swim from Wan Chai’s Golden Bauhinia Square public pier to Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars public pier on 23 October, covering a distance of around 1 km. More details here.

	*Hong Kong Sevens (Hong Kong)* Firmly established as the world’s premier rugby event of its kind and one of the most popular annual sporting events in Asia, the Hong Kong Sevens attracts some of the world’s greatest rugby players and thousands of fans from every corner of the globe to the magnificent Hong Kong Stadium. Combining fast and furious rugby action with a carnival atmosphere, it is a truly unforgettable three days on 4-6 November. More details here.

Updates on Latest Situation in Hong Kong