Author: Kahon Chan
Hong Kong Finance Chief Seeks to Deepen Ties with European Trading Partners Hong Kong’s Finance Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po, is making efforts to strengthen ties with trading partners in Europe. After a recent visit to Madrid with a delegation of tech industry leaders, Chan is now set to visit London for the second time post-pandemic. During his trip, Chan is expected to meet with British officials, following the recent change in government with the Labour Party taking office. He recently attended a forum in Beijing with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to promote Hong Kong’s investment opportunities. Chan’s agenda also…
Beijing’s IT minister has pledged continued support for Hong Kong to become a hub for innovative industries, with a focus on advanced manufacturing. A non-binding agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is currently on a visit to the capital. The minister emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in various sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, new energy, and biomedicine. He praised Hong Kong for its global connections and strong educational and financial systems, highlighting the city’s potential for industrial development. In addition, support was reaffirmed for Hong Kong to establish a national…
Former top judge Sam Hou-fai in Macau has been given the green light by local authorities to run for the chief executive position in the upcoming election. The Electoral Affairs Commission confirmed that Sam’s bid, along with his 386 nominations, has passed the admissibility review. The committee for safeguarding national security also approved Sam’s candidacy based on his commitment to uphold the Basic Law and allegiance to the country and region. His candidacy will be officially confirmed on Friday unless objections are raised. With the support of three additional backers, Sam surpassed the current chief, Ho Iat-seng, in nominations. As…
A former Hong Kong leader, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, criticized the US for a bill that could potentially close Hong Kong’s trade offices in the country. She emphasized the need for public administrators to enhance governance capabilities amid escalating US-China tensions and rising protectionism. Lam highlighted the congressional bill targeting Hong Kong’s trade outposts in major US cities like New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco as a prime example of US hegemonic behavior. Speaking at a seminar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Shenzhen campus, she expressed concerns about the impact on regional economic development. The bipartisan Hong…
Good news for Hong Kong passport holders! Indonesia has granted visa-free travel to the city, making it one of the few places outside the Asean bloc to receive this exemption. This update has been well-received by businesses in Hong Kong, with the Chamber of Commerce expressing that it will facilitate easier visits for potential investors. Brian Chan Pak-lam, Vice-President of the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, believes this move reflects Indonesia’s aim to attract more visitors to the country. While getting a visa on arrival is not difficult, having visa-free entry reduces friction for travelers. Hong Kong was…
Vietnamese tech workers are now able to obtain work visas in Hong Kong through various talent schemes, expanding opportunities for companies like NTQ to establish a presence in the region. With NTQ Apac eyeing expansion in Southeast Asian markets, Australia, and mainland China, the company aims to leverage Hong Kong’s branding advantage to compete with larger rivals. Facing a shortage of tech workers, Hong Kong companies are increasingly turning to outsourcing, benefiting newcomers like NTQ. The city’s high cost of living, however, hasn’t deterred its tech hub ambitions as companies find solutions to address skilled worker shortages through collaborations with…
A series of 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed during a recent trip, focusing on trade, economic cooperation, innovations, and aviation. Notably, Cathay Group and Hong Kong Airlines signed MOUs with Cambodian counterparts, aiming to enhance bilateral aviation capacity. The collaboration also aims to increase flights between Hong Kong and Cambodia, with plans to improve accessibility for tourists and strengthen people-to-people exchanges. The agreements extend beyond aviation, encompassing investment opportunities, visa facilitation, and participation in free trade pacts. Chief Executive John Lee highlighted the potential for Hong Kong investors in Cambodia and expressed gratitude for support in…
The Hong Kong government faced scrutiny over inviting Sheikh Maktoum to speak at a summit without thorough due diligence. Initially, a promise was made for his return for the family office inauguration in Hong Kong, but Dubai’s protocol unit later confirmed the abandonment of the plan. Despite this, Dubai still expressed interest in business ventures in Asia. The president of the Arab Chamber of Commerce criticized the mishandling of the affair, stating it painted a negative image for potential Arab investors in Hong Kong. The collapse of the venture raised questions about the credibility of Maktoum’s office, especially after their…
Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, recently compared the government’s approach to patriotic education to dating, emphasizing the importance of understanding before love. He mentioned cultural exhibitions and markets as tools to better acquaint Hongkongers with their nation. Chan highlighted the need for a softer approach to patriotic education, stating that knowledge precedes love and protection for one’s country. Drawing an analogy to falling in love, he stressed the significance of getting to know the country first. Additionally, Chan noted the impact of Hongkongers spending in mainland China on the city’s economy, attributing it to a growing…
During a visit to Sichuan province with a delegation led by Lee, Yeung praised how mainland Chinese authorities utilized giant pandas to boost the economy. The focus was on the panda economy in Chengdu, where pandas were not just a tourist attraction but also a driving force in economic development. Yeung suggested that Hong Kong could replicate this model across various sectors. The arrival of giant pandas at Ocean Park was seen as a way to enhance tourism in Hong Kong. Yeung emphasized the importance of capitalizing on this opportunity by introducing panda-themed products and services. He also mentioned the…