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John Lee Condemns US Bill, Discusses Hong Kong's Labor Import Policies

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      John Lee Condemns US Bill, Discusses Hong Kong's Labor Import Policies

      2024-09-17 13:45 Last Updated At:16:21

      Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with video)

      Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (September 17):

      Reporter: Good morning, Mr Lee, two questions. First, the US House passed a bill to shut down Hong Kong's ETOs. What countermeasures that Hong Kong could have to defend its own interest? And second, the Government has paused the imports of construction workers. What are the issues that the Government wants to resolve, and how likely the overall importation scheme will be reviewed? Thank you.

      Chief Executive: I strongly condemn the US House of Representatives for making use of the so-called Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act to slander the Hong Kong laws on safeguarding national security and also smear the human rights situation in Hong Kong. These are political tactics to suppress the development of China and also Hong Kong. These are shameless and ugly political tactics, especially since the United Nations (should be United States) itself has the most stringent and wide-ranging national security laws and is using them to attack its competitors, particularly when it fails to compete well. On multiple occasions, it uses national security to target competitors, especially China and Hong Kong.

      Other than allowing the politicians to make their own political gains, these acts will damage the normal trade relations, particularly the trade relations between Hong Kong and the US. The figures for the past 10 years indicate the US has been making a big profit out of trade with Hong Kong - US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong over 10 years. This trade surplus works to their advantage, and with any acts to damage trade relations, I think those who suffer will be the US business sector. They will be the ones to foot the bill. Although politicians may make their own political gains, that is at the expense of normal businesses. In fact, a lot of overseas companies have been setting up businesses in Hong Kong. This includes the US as well. More than 1 200 US companies have set up offices in Hong Kong. In the first seven months of this year, Invest Hong Kong has assisted over 350 non-local companies in setting up or expanding their businesses in the city. This is a substantial increase compared with last year, a 40 per cent increase year-on-year, and among them, the US ranked number three. If the US is determined to go its way, then our country has already indicated that we will retaliate, and we will retaliate with strong and resolute measures.

      On your second question, the Government policy on imported labour is very clear. First of all, local employment takes precedence. Second, local wages must be protected, so for all imported labour, the salary or the wages they get cannot be lower than the median income (median wages of relevant posts in Hong Kong). Also, we focus on training local workers. That is why for each imported worker, the employer has to pay $400 a month for training fees, and that will benefit local workers. Also, under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, the employer has to do four weeks of recruitment advertisement. The Labour Department supervises and will ensure that all the requirements that are necessary will have to be fulfilled to the satisfaction of the department, so as to protect the integrity of the system. The overall unemployment rate in Hong Kong is about 3 per cent. According to a lot of statisticians, that almost has a meaning that there is full employment here. Plus the fact that we do have an ageing population and that the labour force is getting old, we have to balance between protection of local labour and ensuring that we have enough workers to support our economic development, as well as the running of businesses such as restaurants and shops.

      We will do the approval very stringently and carefully. For example, in the last exercise when the construction workers' employers tried to apply for approval, no approval was given, because it was assessed that, first of all, some of the construction sites actually will not start yet, while in the long run, they will be up and running. Also, some of the labour, for example, the plasterers, can be released because some work has finished. That's why there's no need for immediate importation. There will be a stringent vetting and approval process. In fact, some associations, for example, the Hong Kong Construction Association, and the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades, have indicated they are still short of labour. For example, for restaurants and related trades, they have said that they are still short of something like 20 to 30 per cent of workers. The Government will ensure that all the applications really satisfy the conditions that we have laid down. We will also ensure that there will be a tight and proper approval system. Where we don't think it is appropriate, we will reject.

      (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

      Video screenshot from news.gov.hk

      Video screenshot from news.gov.hk

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025

      Officiated by Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Pan Yundong and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, a reception in celebration of International Customs Day (ICD) 2025 was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (January 21).

      The World Customs Organization (WCO) set the theme of this year's ICD as "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity", highlighting the crucial and diverse roles of Customs in streamlining customs clearance procedures, safeguarding society safety, and fostering economic growth.

      The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a pre-recorded speech to express his appreciation for the unwavering dedication of Hong Kong Customs in shaping Hong Kong into a world city and trade hub. He emphasised that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He expressed his confidence that Hong Kong Customs will continue to promote international co-operation and enhance Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Mainland and the world.

      In his speech, Mr Chan elaborated on the diverse responsibilities of Hong Kong Customs in streamlining clearance procedures, facilitating trade and ensuring the well-being and safety of society. He also highlighted the significance of Hong Kong Customs' role as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific region of the WCO, underscoring Hong Kong's proactive and leading role in global customs affairs. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong Customs would continue to tell good stories of Hong Kong to a worldwide audience, and will remain committed to contributing to the overall development of the country and the Chinese modernisation process.

      Hong Kong Customs became a member of the WCO in 1987, and ICD has become an annual event of Hong Kong Customs ever since. At the celebration reception, Mr Pan presented WCO Certificates of Merit to Hong Kong Customs' officers and business stakeholders in recognition of their remarkable contributions to various customs affairs pertinent to the theme of ICD.

      Over 300 guests, including officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, representatives of various offices of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, Consuls-General, foreign Customs attachés, as well as private stakeholders, attended the reception.

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

      Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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