kakase/hk_gov_press_release huggingface dataset:
SCED attends OECD and WTO meetings in Paris (with photos)
24.5.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, paid a two-day visit to Paris, France, on May 22 and 23 (Paris time) to attend the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Ministerial Gathering. Speaking at the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering yesterday (May 23, Paris time), he encouraged WTO members to actively participate in the discussions on e-commerce, domestic regulation in services and investment facilitation, which are all indispensable to global trade in the modern-day economy. The meeting provided a platform for WTO members to discuss issues relating to the fisheries subsidies rules negotiations, WTO reform and achievable outcomes for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) next year. "Another aspect which greatly concerns all of us is how to improve the functioning of our rules-based multilateral trading system. We welcome reform proposals by members to facilitate discussion for improving transparency and monitoring functions of WTO committees, and addressing concerns about the dispute settlement system, including the impasse in the appointments to the Appellate Body. Hong Kong is committed to taking an active part in the discussions with a view to exploring options and identifying priorities for reform at MC12," Mr Yau said. Commenting on the fisheries subsidies rules negotiations, Mr Yau said WTO members must redouble efforts to bridge the gaps and demonstrate flexibility to make compromises in order to conclude an agreement by the end of this year. "A creditable outcome on fisheries subsidies rules would be essential to demonstrate that the negotiating arm of the WTO is still alive and kicking. Hong Kong remains committed to working closely with all members on this important cause," he said. Prior to the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering, Mr Yau attended the OECD MCM and spoke at a working lunch themed "Reaping and Diversifying the Benefits of Trade in the Digital Era". "Digitalisation creates business opportunities and brings consumer benefits. We must equip ourselves in order to facilitate its development and capitalise on the growth opportunities," he said. "Many of the potential barriers to digital trade can be bridged by developing harmonised and robust multilateral disciplines on e-commerce. At the WTO, Hong Kong has joined more than 70 like-minded members to initiate exploratory work on possible future negotiations to foster the development of e-commerce and provide greater certainty for our businesses and consumers online. We will continue our active engagement in the process," he added. Mr Yau also attended an informal meeting of ministers of WTO members on domestic regulation in services yesterday to discuss how to improve the regulatory environment for trade in services globally. After the meeting, Hong Kong, together with 58 other WTO members, jointly issued a statement to commit to negotiating for an outcome by MC12. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong this afternoon (May 24).
SCED encourages UK enterprises to leverage on Hong Kong's advantages to attain business opportunities (with photos)
21.5.2019

British enterprises are encouraged to leverage on Hong Kong's unique advantages to tap into the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) development, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said at a roundtable discussion at the Asia House in London, the United Kingdom (UK) today (May 21, London time). Mr Yau said Hong Kong practises free market economy and provides a level-playing field for all business players, irrespective of their origins. UK businesses which set foot in Hong Kong are open to a wealth of advantages and opportunities, ranging from the liberalisation and facilitation measures provided under the free trade agreements forged between Hong Kong and its trading partners, to the enormous business opportunities along the Belt and Road and in the Greater Bay Area. On Belt and Road Initiative, he highlighted three main areas that Hong Kong could contribute, namely financing, professional services and strong position in trade and logistics. The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promulgated this February sets out the pathway for Hong Kong to further develop and manifest its status as the international financial, transportation, and trade centres as well as an international aviation hub, he said. At a breakfast meeting with members of the All Party Parliamentary China Group of the UK Parliament this morning, Mr Yau updated the parliament members on efforts of this term Government in forging free trade agreements (FTAs) with like-minded economies and the benefits FTAs could bring to overseas enterprises establishing an offshoot in Hong Kong. He also said that Hong Kong has been blessed with a number of mainland policies and arrangements that are unique to Hong Kong, like the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, citing that a British telecom company was granted domestic telecom licences in China through the arrangement early this year. Before concluding his visit to London, Mr Yau paid a courtesy call on the Acting Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Ms Chen Wen. He took the opportunity to brief her on Hong Kong's latest developments and thank the embassy for fully supporting and providing assistance to the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the UK. Mr Yau will depart for France this afternoon to attend the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Trade Organization Informal Ministerial Gathering to be held in Paris from May 22 to 23 (Paris time).
SCED: Hong Kong seeks to strengthen free and open trade alliances (with photos)
18.5.2019

Towards the long-term vision of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) along with all Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members, Hong Kong and like-minded economies are seeking to strengthen alliances for free and open trade through free trade agreements (FTAs). The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, made the above remarks at a discussion session themed "Advancing APEC's Regional Economic Integration Agenda" at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Vi&ntilde;a del Mar, Chile today (May 17, Vi&ntilde;a del Mar time), citing the signing of the Hong Kong-Australia FTA and Investment Agreement in March. "True to our free trade commitment, the FTA eliminates all import tariffs and opens up many service sectors for market access and treatment no less favourable than for local services. Against the prevailing uncertainties in the global economy, the two agreements, in providing transparency and predictability, give a big boost of confidence to our rules-based trading system," Mr Yau said. In the morning, Mr Yau participated in another discussion session entitled "Advancing APEC's support for the WTO", which explored concrete initiatives that the APEC can take to support the World Trade Organization (WTO). "It is of utmost importance that the conduct of international trade abides by transparent and non-discriminatory rules, and that WTO Members can settle disputes under the established mechanism of the WTO. In fact, it is high time for APEC to sing in chorus to affirm its pledge to strengthening and defending the multilateral trading system. Hong Kong stands ready to support an MRT statement signifying the strong and unwavering commitment of APEC to upholding the rules-based system," he said. On the margins of the APEC MRT, Mr Yau took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Federal Minister of International Trade Diversification of Canada, Mr James Carr; the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Mr Timur Igorevich Maximov; and the Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr Li Chenggang. They had useful exchanges on bilateral trade and economic relations and issues of mutual concern. Mr Yau will continue to meet with other ministers of member economies during the APEC MRT tomorrow (May 18, Vi&ntilde;a del Mar time). He will also attend a discussion session entitled "Strengthening Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in the Digital Era" before departing for London, the United Kingdom,for a duty visit from May 20 to 21.
SCED to attend APEC and OECD meetings
14.5.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart Hong Kong tomorrow (May 15) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting to be held in Chile, and the Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Ministerial Gathering in France. He will also visit the United Kingdom (UK) to strengthen bilateral relations between Hong Kong and the UK. Mr Yau will first attend the APEC MRT Meeting in Vi&ntilde;a del Mar, Chile from May 17 to 18 (Vi&ntilde;a del Mar time). APEC 2019 is themed "Connecting People, Building the Future". Mr Yau will join discussion sessions with ministers of other member economies on topics including APEC and the WTO, advancing APEC's regional economic integration agenda, and strengthening inclusive and sustainable growth in the digital era. On the sidelines of the MRT Meeting, he will sign an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Hong Kong and Mexico, and meet with other participating ministers for exchanges on bilateral trade and economic relations as well as issues of mutual concern. After attending the APEC meetings, Mr Yau will visit London, the UK from May 20 to 21 (London time). He will meet with senior government officials and parliamentarians to explore further co-operation on bilateral trade and creative industries development. He will deliver a keynote speech at a seminar on Hong Kong creative industries and design, and will speak on Hong Kong's latest economic and trade situation as well as its role in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative at a roundtable discussion at Asia House. Mr Yau will then attend the MCM of the OECD in Paris, France from May 22 to 23 (Paris time). He will attend a ministerial dinner hosted by the Slovak Republic, the Chair of the 2019 MCM, and join a session on digital trade where participating ministers will discuss the impact of digitalisation on trade. On the margins of the MCM, Mr Yau will attend the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering to discuss issues relating to WTO reform and achievable outcomes for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference next year. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on May 24. 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 speaks on US-China Economic and Security Review Commission's report
8.5.2019

Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, on the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission's report at a media session today (May 8): Reporter: The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report has highlighted a number of concerns. Would the Government take these concerns seriously? And how would you respond to these concerns? Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: First of all, I must say that I do not want to step over to portfolios beyond mine because the Secretary for Security and the Secretary for Justice have been handling the whole issue of the fugitive amendment bill (the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019). On the worries and anxieties raised by some other bodies and also the report, I would say that it has long been Hong Kong's practice to tackle all these through an objective and systematic way of handling legislative proposals. The very purpose of the fugitive amendment bill is to put criminal offenders to legal justice by allowing them to undergo a legal extradition process. There is a loophole that we are intending to plug. If there are any questions, queries or misunderstanding arising from this bill, I think it is the job of the Government to explain and articulate. And there is nothing better than having the Bills Committee as the proper way to examine, scrutinise and discuss the details of the bill, so that we can make the bill workable and we can allow different views to be expressed. That is exactly the reason why the Secretary for Justice and the Secretary for Security spent time yesterday, before the Bills Committee is actually put in action, to further explain the major clauses (of the bill) and to ease certain anxieties. I believe my colleagues will continue to do so. And in my own capacity, if I hear any other views, I am happy to pass them on. In the past my colleague, the Secretary for Security, has talked to various organisations and groups who have expressed views. I believe the process will carry on. Thanks. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
SCED meets with Minister of Culture and Tourism in Beijing (with photos)
24.4.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met with the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Luo Shugang, in Beijing today (April 24) to exchange views on the latest situation of the tourism markets in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and to explore further strengthening the tourism co-operation between the two places. Mr Yau updated Mr Luo on the latest tourism developments in Hong Kong. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its continued strong support in the development of the tourism industry in Hong Kong, including the Ministry's presence in the Hong Kong International Tourism Convention last December, and its promotion on the tourism development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as co-operation in regulating the tourism markets in the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area announced in February this year supports Hong Kong in developing into an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism, as well as a diverse tourism platform. "Hong Kong, with its rich tourism resources and well-established transport infrastructure, can take up the role of the international travel hub of the Greater Bay Area, attracting more foreign visitors to travel to the region via Hong Kong and facilitating the overall tourism development in the region. To further strengthen our role as the tourism hub, we look forward to launching more facilitating immigration policies or measures for the travel trade of Hong Kong to help them open up business opportunities," Mr Yau said. Mr Yau said that the Tourism Federation of Cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was jointly established by the tourism authorities of Hong Kong and 10 other cities in the Greater Bay Area in December 2017 to strengthen the co-operation on tourism exchanges and promotion, as well as enhanced regulation amongst the cities concerned. He added that he looks forward to joining hands with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other local culture and tourism authorities in the Mainland to promote the healthy and vibrant development of the tourism industry in the two places. Mr Yau will attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation tomorrow (April 25) and on April 26. He will join the opening ceremony and the high-level meetings. He will deliver remarks at the thematic forum on economic and trade cooperation zone promotion, and serve as the moderator and speak at the thematic forum on trade connectivity.
SCED to attend opening ceremony of 2019 Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo, Macau
18.4.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will tomorrow morning (April 19) attend the opening ceremony of the 2019 Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo, Macau. The Expo is organised by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong and will last four days until April 22. There will be 260 booths showcasing Hong Kong brands and products. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on the same day.
SCED visits Kwun Tong District (with photos)
12.4.2019

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (April 12) visited Kwun Tong District, where he toured a business incubator and Fly the Flyover (FF) 02 and 03 near the Kwun Tong waterfront. He also met with members of the Kwun Tong District Council (KTDC) to get a better understanding of the district's latest developments. Mr Yau first visited TusPark Hong Kong and was briefed on its operation, services and facilities. TusPark Hong Kong commenced operation in 2015 and is dedicated to supporting innovation and technology start-ups, as well as their expansion into the markets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and South East Asia by providing co-working spaces, cross-border resources and information sharing services and other support. During the visit, Mr Yau chatted with young entrepreneurs and learned about their experience in starting up businesses. Mr Yau said the Government is committed to helping Hong Kong enterprises to develop overseas markets. He recently led a business mission to Georgia and Hungary, in which representatives of start-ups also joined to explore business opportunities in different markets. Mr Yau then proceeded to FF02 and FF03, where he visited various facilities managed and operated by a non-profit making organisation, HKALPS Limited, including an open stage, a gallery and urban farms. To better utilise the unused spaces beneath Kwun Tong Bypass, the Energizing Kowloon East Office initiated the "Fly the Flyover Operation" to convert the sites for creative, arts and cultural uses. The launch of FF02 and FF03 not only provides venues for different parties to organise cultural performances and activities, but also opens up the fenced-off space for public enjoyment, injecting vibrancy into the Kwun Tong waterfront. Mr Yau commended the project for its creativity in bringing arts and culture into the community. He added that the Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Design Centre also launched a creative tourism project, Design District Hong Kong (#ddHK) last month, which showcases designs and activities with Hong Kong characteristics in a creative way in Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po districts, providing the public and visitors with an authentic experience of Hong Kong. Before concluding his district visit, Mr Yau met with KTDC members to listen to and exchange views on district matters such as transport, smart city development and telecommunications and broadcasting.
Offer of spectrum assignments in 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands for provision of 5G services
27.3.2019

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) announced today (March 27) that a total of 1 200 MHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz (26/28 GHz) bands has been offered for assignment to three mobile network operators (MNOs), namely China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK), Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited (HKT) and SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited (SmarTone), for the provision of the fifth generation mobile (5G) services. Following a public consultation, the Communications Authority (CA) decided on December 13, 2018, to allocate 4 100 MHz of spectrum in the 26/28 GHz bands to mobile service and adopt an administrative approach for spectrum assignment in view of the abundant supply of spectrum in the two bands, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development decided that no spectrum utilisation fee (SUF) will be charged unless 75 per cent of the available spectrum in these bands is assigned or occupied. The CA invited applications for spectrum assignment in the two bands on December 21, 2018, for the provision of large-scale public mobile services, and received three applications, from CMHK, HKT and SmarTone, by the close of the application period on February 22, 2019. Having completed the evaluation of their applications, the CA decided to offer assignment of 400 MHz of spectrum to each of the three applicants as per their applications. "The spectrum can be used from April 2019 onwards for deployment of 5G services to provide high-capacity transmission at both outdoor and indoor locations of high traffic demand. As the total amount of spectrum to be assigned accounts for less than 75 per cent of the total available spectrum supply in the 26/28 GHz bands, the assignees do not need to pay any SUF for the use of the spectrum," a spokesman of the CA said. Details of the spectrum assignment offers to the three MNOs are as follows: Spectrum Offered for Assignment Successful Applicant Frequency Range (GHz) Amount (MHz) a. SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited 26.55 - 26.95 400 b. China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited 26.95 - 27.35 400 c. Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited 27.35 - 27.75 400 The assignment of the spectrum to each of the successful applicants will be subject to their submission of a performance bond to guarantee compliance with the network and service rollout obligations specified by the CA and payment of the relevant licence fees.
SCED: Hong Kong and Australia building stronger bilateral economic relationship with free trade and investment agreements signed (with photos)
26.3.2019

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Investment Agreement signed between Hong Kong and Australia today (March 26) provide a new platform for the two sides to meet and review trade and investment initiatives with a view to promoting deeper and broader economic integration, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, said at a luncheon seminar in Sydney, Australia. The two Agreements covering trade in goods, trade in services, investment and other related areas not only offer zero tariffs for Hong Kong products, but also provide legal certainty and better access to the Australian market to Hong Kong business people, thereby bringing the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two economies to new heights, he said. "With these two agreements in place, I encourage Australian enterprises to invest more in Hong Kong. Being one of the world's freest economies buttressed by the rule of law and an independent judiciary, Hong Kong has many core strengths that have stood the test of time. Among them are a simple and low tax regime, high-quality services, a skilled and talented workforce with global vision, and free flow of information and capital," he continued. He stressed that Hong Kong will continue to make full use of its unique status conferred by the Basic Law and the principle of "one country, two systems" to expand its FTA network, with a view to achieving deeper economic integration with different parts of the world. During his stay in Sydney to sign the Agreements with the Australian Minster for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Mr Simon Birmingham, Mr Yau took the opportunity yesterday (March 25) to visit Destination NSW, where he was briefed on the latest tourism developments in New South Wales and its promotional strategies for various flagship events. He also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Consul General in Sydney, Mr Gu Xiaojie. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong this evening.