HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Shenzhen

Hong kong launches cross-boundary public services self-service kiosks in shenzhen to enhance access for mainland residents and enterprises in greater bay area

In his Policy Address last year, the Chief Executive proposed to advance the development of a digital government and collaborate with Guangdong Province to promote the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) announced today (June 14) the setting up of Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks at two locations in Shenzhen. The self-service kiosks will help residents and enterprises in Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) access public services of Hong Kong without the need to travel to Hong Kong in person.

Starting today, the public can use the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks located in the following two Shenzhen service centres to access various public services of Hong Kong:

Qianhai e-Station Government Service Center of Shenzhen Municipality (opening hours: 9am to noon and 2pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays onthe Mainland)

e-Station Comprehensive Service Center of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (opening hours: 9am to noon and 1pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays onthe Mainland)

For details, please visit the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services thematic website at www.crossboundaryservices.gov.hk/en/home/index.html.

Following the first Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk which commenced operation in Guangzhou in February this year, the Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks currently provide over 60 public services from 11 government bureaux and departments as well as related organisations, encompassing areas commonly used by enterprises and the public including taxation, company registration, property and vehicle enquiry and registration, personal identification documents and applications for entry of talent, welfare and education, healthcare, immigration clearance, urgent assistance as well as culture and tourism. Members of the public can use the self-service kiosks to perform data entry, document scanning and result printing to enjoy one-stop access when applying for various public services.

The Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks will introduce the use of Intrusion Detected Continuous Re-authentication technology in the next phase to further enhance privacy protection for kiosk users. This technology is developed by the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre, and was awarded a bronze medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva in April this year.

In addition, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has set up "iAM Smart" self-registration kiosks at the two locations mentioned above to enable Hong Kong residents working and living on the Mainland to register for, or upgrade to, "iAM Smart+" to enjoy convenient online services. For details and registration requirements, please visit the "iAM Smart" thematic website at www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html.

A spokesman for the ITIB expressed sincere gratitude to the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Government Service and Data for its strong support and the two Shenzhen service centres above for their full co-operation. The ITIB will continue to discuss with the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Government Service and Data to set up self-service kiosks in more Mainland cities of the GBA to cope with the demands of residents and enterprises in the GBA for Hong Kong Government services.

To implement the State Council's Guiding Opinions to all provincial governments on Cross-provincial Public Services and their comprehensive deployment, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government accepted the invitation of the People's Government of Guangdong Province in 2021 to jointly launch the GBA Cross-boundary Public Services, and worked with Guangdong Province in November last year to introduce a dedicated service area/thematic website for Cross-boundary Public Services. The initiative enables enterprises and the public in both regions to enjoy simple and convenient cross-boundary services, with a view to facilitating the provision of public services and investment in the GBA, and enhancing the satisfaction and sense of contentment of enterprises and the public in accessing services across the boundary.

HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks in Shenzhen Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos)

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (May 13) led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to commence its visit programme to Kuwait, meeting with local leaders and business representatives, and visiting cultural facilities.

In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Amir of Kuwait, Mr Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is the head of state of Kuwait; the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Mr Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait. Mr Lee then attended a roundtable meeting chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, engaging in in-depth discussions with senior officials of the Kuwait Government on areas such as finance, trade, and innovation and technology (I&T). Mr Lee and the Acting Prime Minister witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding by Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority respectively. He and the delegation also participated in a luncheon hosted by the Acting Prime Minister.

Mr Lee noted that Kuwait is the first member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) to sign both an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Hong Kong, establishing a robust framework and foundation for economic and trade co-operation between the two places.

He said that Kuwait has been actively developing a diversified economy in recent years, proposing Kuwait Vision 2035 to promote digital transformation and develop the country into a regional and international financial and trade centre. Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping and trade centre with world-class professional services, has vast opportunities for co-operation with Kuwait in areas such as finance, investment, digital economy, and I&T, and can assist Kuwait in advancing its Vision 2035. Noting that Kuwait is the rotating President of the GCC currently, Mr Lee expressed his anticipation to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait, adding that he looks forward to establishing closer economic, trade and cultural exchanges with more GCC member states.

Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the country with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong will fully leverage its role as a bridge to serve enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, complementing the strengths of Mainland enterprises while deepening international exchanges and co-operation. He welcomed the Kuwaiti Government and enterprises to utilise Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to explore new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative for mutual benefit.

Later, Mr Lee and the delegation met with representatives of a local corporation, Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, to learn about the latest developments in the company's businesses in construction, real estate, financial services, and culture and tourism. Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong's development opportunities and its highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment with its pool of professional services talent. He welcomed the company to use Hong Kong as a springboard to develop diversified businesses and tap into the Mainland market, better grasping the immense opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Lee then visited the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre to learn about Kuwait's arts and culture projects and developments. The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, which opened in 2018, comprises eight buildings, six of which are museums with different themes, housing a total of 22 display halls.

Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, with the West Kowloon Cultural District as one of the world's largest arts and culture projects. Both Hong Kong and Kuwait place importance on arts and culture development, and he said he looks forward to further deepening connections and co-operation in cultural exchanges between the two places.

The delegation led by Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, Mr Zhang Jianwei. Mr Lee expressed gratitude to the Embassy for making meticulous arrangements for this visit and for its continued support to the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Kuwait.

Mr Lee will lead the delegation to continue its visit to Kuwait tomorrow (May 14), meeting with local political and business leaders, and visiting enterprises.

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases