Financial Secretary Praises Mainland Support During Beijing Visit, Discusses Economic Cooperation and Opportunities for Hong Kong.

FS calls on Ministry of Finance in Beijing

​The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, accompanying the Chief Executive on his visit to Beijing, called on the Minister of Finance, Mr Lan Fo'an, this afternoon (September 19). He thanked the Ministry of Finance for its staunch support to Hong Kong in various areas. They had in-depth exchanges on the economic and financial situations of the Mainland, Hong Kong and the world, the development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, the mutual access between the capital markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as strengthening the co-operation of audit supervision on Mainland enterprises listed in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, and the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, also participated in the meeting.

Upon arriving in Beijing, Mr Chan visited the research and development headquarters of a Mainland new energy vehicle enterprise and met its representatives. The company, listed in Hong Kong and supported by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, is positively considering to conduct some key scientific research projects, establish a financial management centre and a trade settlement centre in Hong Kong, as well as to launch research co-operation with Hong Kong universities and research institutions. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong has competitive advantages in artificial intelligence, new energy and new materials, along with international capital and a pool of research and development talent. He encouraged the company to leverage Hong Kong's advantages of being a dual hub of an international financial centre and an innovation and technology centre to launch research and development, expand into the global market and grow its business.

Mr Chan will continue his visit to Beijing tomorrow (September 20) and accompany the Chief Executive to attend the 27th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium and Beijing-Hong Kong Cooperation Promotion Conference.

FS calls on Ministry of Finance in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS calls on Ministry of Finance in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FS calls on Ministry of Finance in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Magistrates' Court hands down sentence in case related to offences in connection with seditious intention

The Magistrates' Court today (September 19) handed down the sentence in a case involving the offence of "doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention" under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The defendant who had earlier pleaded guilty was sentenced to imprisonment for 14 months.

The conviction and sentencing of the defendant demonstrates that any person intending to endanger national security or incite social hatred can never escape sanctions of the law. Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. People who break the law must face legal sanctions for their malicious acts.

The magistrate clearly pointed out in the reasons for sentencing that, "The content of the seditious words in this case involved advocating divesting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government from the lawful governance of the Central Authorities, and putting his agenda into action by undermining social tranquility and public order, seriously endangering the unity and territorial integrity of the State."

Furthermore, the magistrate also clearly pointed out that the defendant intended to bring other people into hatred and contempt against the HKSAR Government and law enforcement agencies, resulting in social rift and division. If the law does not intervene in time, it will make society once again fall into chaos.

The HKSAR Government spokesperson also pointed out that, "The Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights guarantee fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration. Clear lines have been drawn between unlawful seditious acts and expressions, and lawful constructive criticisms under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The relevant provisions are also unambiguous."

"Doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention" is an offence endangering national security. Members of the public should not defy the law.