kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
16th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition - Hong Kong Response Exhibition opens at City Gallery (with photos)
25.3.2019

The 16th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition - Hong Kong Response Exhibition "Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape" is now open and will run until April 22 at the City Gallery in Central. The exhibition involves the installation of 116 tower models along Edinburgh Place in Central and into the City Gallery with the aim of creatively illustrating Hong Kong's unique urban form. The Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, officiated as guest of honour at an opening ceremony for the Hong Kong Response Exhibition today (March 25). Other officiating guests included the Director of Planning, Mr Raymond Lee; the Acting Head of Create Hong Kong, Ms Fiona Lam; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Mr Felix Li; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation, Mr Franklin Yu; and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Ms Winsome Chow. The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Xiao Jiahong, also attended the ceremony. In Venice last year, the 16th Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition - Hong Kong Exhibition "Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape" showcased Hong Kong's unique architectural features. The Hong Kong Response Exhibition has brought those works shown at the Venice Biennale back to the heart of Hong Kong for public viewing and to explore "free space" through Hong Kong's vertical towers. The 116 tower models were designed by 89 groups of architects from Hong Kong and around the world, and were created on three different structural bases with a variety of architectural elements added. Every exhibit demonstrates the architects' innovations and vision through vertical architecture and free space. To tie in with the exhibition, the City Gallery will hold a series of forums and workshops to enhance public understanding of Hong Kong's architectural landscape and urban development. For more information, please visit the City Gallery's website at www.citygallery.gov.hk , its Facebook page ( www.fb.com/hkcitygallery ) or its Instagram account ( www.instagram.com/citygalleryhk ), or call 3102 1242. The Hong Kong Response Exhibition is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Planning Department, with the Hong Kong Institute of Architects as the partner and Create Hong Kong as the leading sponsor. The exhibition, curated by Professor Weijen Wang, Mr Thomas Chung and Mr Thomas Tsang, will move to the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, on April 26 and run until June 23.
SCED to visit Australia
23.3.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart for Sydney, Australia, tomorrow night (March 24) to attend the signing ceremony of the Hong Kong-Australia Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement to be held in the morning on March 26. Mr Yau will deliver a keynote speech on the two agreements at a luncheon seminar hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, on the same day. During his stay in Sydney, Mr Yau will have a meeting with Destination NSW to learn about its tourism development strategy. He will also pay a courtesy call on the Chinese Consul General in Sydney. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the evening on March 26. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.
Hong Kong business and professional delegation continues visit to Georgia (with photos)
20.3.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, continued his visit with a Hong Kong business and professional delegation to Tbilisi, Georgia, yesterday (March 19, Tbilisi time) to explore investment and business opportunities in the region. Mr Yau met with the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Mrs Maya Tskitishvili, and the Minister of Finance of Georgia, Mr Ivane Machavariani, in the morning to understand the latest government policies and infrastructure development plans as well as the overall investment and business opportunities in Georgia. Mr Yau also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Georgia, Mr Ji Yanchi. Mr Yau said Georgia, with its strategic location in the Caucasus region as well as its open and business-friendly economy, is an important gateway for Hong Kong to reach out to the markets in the Caucasus region and Central and Eastern Europe. The Hong Kong-Georgia Free Trade Agreement, being the first such agreement signed between Hong Kong and a country in the Caucasus region, not only enhances trade and investment flows between Hong Kong and Georgia, but also paves the way for Hong Kong business and professional services sectors as well as start-ups to tap into the enormous opportunities in the Caucasus region under the Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, the delegation visited the Poti Free Industrial Zone Headquarters in Tbilisi in the morning to learn about the development of free industrial zones in the region and the investment opportunities there. The Poti Free Industrial Zone, the first of its kind in the region, became functional in 2010. With its tax-free environment and easy business setup process, the industrial zone accommodates businesses and investors from diverse segments. In the afternoon, Mr Yau and the delegation visited the Hualing Tbilisi Sea New City, a 420-hectare major comprehensive development project in Georgia. The project developer, Hualing Group, was Georgia's single largest foreign investor as of 2017. Through the visit, the delegation learnt more about investment in key projects in Georgia. The delegation then attended a meeting with representatives of the Anaklia Development Consortium on the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port and the Special Economic Zone in Anaklia. The first phase of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port is expected to be completed next year. Upon completion of all phases, it will be the first deep sea port in Georgia and a vital part of the Middle Corridor within the Belt and Road Initiative to serve as a logistics and transportation node between China and Europe. In the evening, the delegation joined a networking dinner with representatives of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to better understand the business environment in Georgia. Mr Yau and the delegation will visit Chateau Mukhrani today (March 20, Tbilisi time) to learn about the latest developments of Georgia's wine industry and explore opportunities for the wine trade of Hong Kong.
SCED to lead business delegation to visit Georgia and Hungary
15.3.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will leave Hong Kong in the early hours of March 18 to lead a delegation comprising more than 30 business people and professionals as well as representatives of start-ups to visit Georgia and Hungary from March 18 to 22 to promote Hong Kong as the prime platform for the Belt and Road Initiative and the city's strengths in professional services and doing business. The opportunity will also be taken to strengthen Hong Kong's economic ties with the two places and explore new business opportunities. The delegation consists of representatives from various sectors such as accounting, finance, insurance, infrastructure and real estate development, legal and dispute resolution services, transport and logistics, telecommunications and start-ups. Also joining part of the visit will be a 15-person parallel Guangdong trade delegation to be led by the Deputy Director General of the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Yongyi, with delegates from nine Guangdong enterprises. Mr Yau said that the mission would facilitate formation of strategic partnerships between Hong Kong and Guangdong enterprises in exploring the Belt and Road markets, and would help bring about mutual collaboration. It would also demonstrate Hong Kong's unique strengths in being the springboard for enterprises in going global. The delegation will first visit Tbilisi in Georgia from March 18 to 20, to be followed by a visit to Budapest, Hungary, on March 21 and 22. Apart from meeting relevant government officials, local business leaders and chambers of commerce, the delegates will pay visits to local development projects for business exchanges and to receive updates on the current economic and investment environments of the two countries. The delegation will also attend the "Hong Kong IN: Exploring New Business Opportunities" Seminar cum Networking Dinner jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Tbilisi, where Mr Yau will deliver a keynote speech. In Budapest, Mr Yau will address a luncheon with the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the visit, Mr Yau will take the opportunity to call on the Chinese Ambassadors to Georgia and Hungary to keep them abreast of the latest developments in Hong Kong. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of March 23. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr Yau's absence.
SCED visits Kwai Tsing District (with photos)
11.3.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (March 11) visited Kwai Tsing District, where he toured a social enterprise and a training centre for the fashion and textile industry. He also met with members of the Kwai Tsing District Council (K&TDC) to get a better understanding of the district's latest developments and needs. Mr Yau first visited the Hatch, a social enterprise funded and run by Social Ventures Hong Kong, where he was briefed on its operation and vision. Operated with the concept of "co-working factory", the Hatch endeavours to co-operate with local enterprises in rebuilding "Made in Hong Kong" brands, and to provide employment opportunities with a family-friendly and flexible working environment for women from grass-roots families in the district. During the visit, Mr Yau chatted with employees there to learn about their work. He praised the Hatch for its innovative business concept that brings social enterprise and industry together, saying that it is an effective application of design thinking. Mr Yau then visited the Pro-Act Training and Development Centre (Fashion Textiles), a member institution of the Vocational Training Council. He toured the workshops on woven and knitted fabric as well as fabric inspection, and chatted with trainees there, to get to know some of the latest technologies in the industry. Mr Yau said he was pleased to note that the Centre has been providing diversified courses to groom talents for the fashion and textile industry, meeting the sector's increasing demands for automation and technological input to perform value-added manufacturing operations. He said the Government is committed to promoting the development of the fashion industry through various measures, which include funding the Fashion Incubation Programme and launching the design and fashion project in Sham Shui Po, so as to nurture local fashion talents and brands. Before concluding his district visit, Mr Yau met with K&TDC members to exchange views on district matters such as broadcasting, telecommunications and tourism.
SCED visits Tai Po District (with photos)
21.2.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, visited Tai Po District today (February 21) where he toured the Green Hub, a revitalised historic building under the "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme" (Revitalisation Scheme), and the market in Fu Shin Street. He also met with members of the Tai Po District Council (TPDC) to get a better understanding of the district's latest developments. Mr Yau first visited the Green Hub, where he was briefed on its operation, environmental education programmes and highlights of the building's revitalisation and conservation. Built in 1899, the Green Hub was formerly the Old Tai Po Police Station, a Grade 1 historic building and the first police station and Police Headquarters in the New Territories. The building was converted into the Green Hub by the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden under the Revitalisation Scheme to promote sustainable living. During the visit, representatives of the Green Hub's education programmes briefed Mr Yau on their promotional work on environmental protection in the community. Mr Yau then proceeded to tour Fu Shin Street, where he visited some shops in the market and talked with shop owners and members of the public on developments and issues of concern in the district. Before concluding his district visit, Mr Yau met with TPDC members to exchange views on district matters such as telecommunications and district tourism. Mr Yau said the Government has decided to proceed with switching off analogue television services at the end of November, 2020. Hong Kong will enter into an era of full digital TV broadcasting on December 1, 2020. The Government will step up its promotion at different stages to enhance public awareness for their early preparation.
SCED urges WTO members to preserve a well-functioning WTO (with photos)
25.1.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, urged members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to preserve a well-functioning WTO by lifting the blockage to the Appellate Body appointment at the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering in Davos, Switzerland, today (January 25, Davos time). Held on the margins of the World Economic Forum, the Informal Ministerial Gathering provided an opportunity for participating ministers to discuss ways to advance the trade agenda and to preserve the relevance and credibility of the multilateral trading system, including ideas for reforming the WTO. "That the WTO has imperfections to fix is no excuse to shut down its engine and grind its core functions to a halt," Mr Yau said. "Hong Kong stands ready to discuss the WTO's imperfections, and appreciates the good intentions of all the WTO reform proposals for improving the dispute settlement mechanism," he said. The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO that keeps the multilateral trading system going will stall by the year's end if new Appellate Members are not appointed in the coming months. Mr Yau added that attempts to negotiate new rules on e-commerce, domestic regulations and fisheries subsidies should move forward in parallel. Before the Informal Ministerial Gathering, Mr Yau also attended the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Electronic Commerce in which participating ministers shared their views on the topic "How can WTO negotiations capture opportunities offered by electronic commerce for all WTO Members?" He said it is important that the negotiations cover all essential elements for building a predictable and conducive e-commerce environment for global trade and the outcome should lead to a set of trade rules which give both suppliers and consumers the confidence they need to engage in and reap the benefits of e-commerce. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (January 26).
Hong Kong is prime platform and key link for Belt and Road Initiative (with photos)
24.1.2019

Hong Kong is the prime platform and a key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said in Davos, Switzerland, this morning (January 24, Davos time). Speaking at the 3rd Belt and Road Davos Forum, Mr Yau pointed out that Hong Kong is best placed to be the platform for provision of professional and comprehensive services for Belt and Road-related projects as well as in facilitating capital flows and financing. The forum was hosted by Tsinghua University, the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and co-organised by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Mr Yau took part in a panel discussion entitled "Building the Belt and Road and Sharing the Benefits of the Economic Globalisation". Mr Yau said Hong Kong has a rich pool of professionals who are experienced in project financing and funding, bond issuing, legal and dispute resolution, accounting, insurance, business consultancy, risk assessment and management, construction, architecture, transport and more, and they are prepared to offer their expertise in professional services for Belt and Road-related countries as well as enterprises seeking to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. He added that Hong Kong boasts internationally geared business and professional services that are benchmarked against international standards and practices. Following the forum, Mr Yau attended a lunch hosted by the Washington Post, Slate and Foreign Policy where international political and economic leaders shared their views on current trade issues. In the afternoon, he will join the Stewardship Board Meeting on International Trade and Investment under the World Economic Forum where ministers of different countries and economies and global business leaders will discuss the long-term vision for improving the trade and investment architecture, short- or mid-term priorities for advancing policy reform and avoiding disruption, and opportunities to deepen public-private co-operation. Mr Yau will attend the World Trade Organization Informal Ministerial Gathering and the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Electronic Commerce tomorrow morning (January 25, Davos time).
SCED meets with trade ministers and business leaders in Davos (with photos)
24.1.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met with trade ministers and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland today (January 23, Davos time) to promote Hong Kong's strength as an international trading hub and to forge closer economic ties with Hong Kong's trading partners. "It is of paramount importance that Hong Kong maintains our presence at major international fora like the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the World Trade Organization meetings. They provide very good opportunities for us to establish and renew close contacts with our trade counterparts and to keep our finger on the pulse of the global trade scene, which is conducive to maintaining Hong Kong's status as an international trade and financial centre," Mr Yau said. Mr Yau said the current-term Government is striving to strengthen bilateral ties with like-minded trading partners and deepen Hong Kong's economic integration with different part of the world. In this regard, in the afternoon, Mr Yau held a bilateral meeting with the Federal Minister of International Trade Diversification of Canada, Mr James Carr, to discuss the prospect of further strengthening trade co-operation between the two places. He also met with the Minister for Trade of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea, Mr Kim Hyun-chong, to exchange views on trade issues and discuss the progress of the setting up of an Economic and Trade Office in Seoul. Hong Kong signed Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with Korea and Canada in 1997 and 2016 respectively. Mr Yau also joined the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, to meet with the Secretary of State for International Trade of the United Kingdom, Dr Liam Fox, to discuss issues relating to forging closer bilateral economic ties between the two places, including exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement in future. Mr Yau told Dr Fox that Hong Kong welcomes more British companies setting up offices in Hong Kong and making use of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement to enter into the Mainland market and tap the vast business opportunities therein. Mr Yau took part in the "Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders: The End of Global Trade as We Know it?" under the WEF where participating ministers and policy makers exchanged views on the outlook for free trade and the multilateral trading system in the present era. He spoke on the challenges facing the current global economic and trade environment in the meeting. In the morning, Mr Yau attended one of the sessions of the WEF Annual Meeting entitled "Emerging Markets Outlook". He will join the WEF China Night this evening. Mr Yau will speak at a panel discussion of a Belt and Road Forum and a lunch hosted by the Washington Post, Slate and Foreign Policy tomorrow (January 24, Davos time).
SCED to attend WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering in Switzerland
20.1.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will leave Hong Kong in the early hours on January 22 for a duty visit to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Ministerial Gathering and meetings and events held during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting. Mr Yau will speak at a panel discussion entitled "Building the Belt and Road and sharing the benefits of the economic globalisation" at the Belt and Road Forum hosted by Tsinghua University, International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission, United Nations Industrial Development Organization and United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and co-organised by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. Mr Yau will meet with other trade ministers and business leaders attending the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering or WEF to discuss issues relating to forging closer economic and trade ties. He will also join part of the visit programme of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam. Held on the margins of the WEF on January 25, the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering provides a timely opportunity for participating ministers to exchange views on the latest global trade developments and discuss ways to advance the trade agenda and to preserve the relevance and credibility of the multilateral trading system. Before the Informal Ministerial Gathering, Mr Yau will attend the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Electronic Commerce to explore with other ministers on how WTO negotiations can capture opportunities offered by electronic commerce for all WTO Members. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on January 26. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.