Deputy Secretary Celebrates Spain's National Day and Strengthens Economic Ties with Hong Kong

Speech by DSJ at Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong today (October10):

Consul General (Consul General of Spain in Hong Kong, Mr Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer), Deputy Commissioner Fang Jianming (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), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I'm delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the national day of Spain. This is a proud and festive occasion throughout Spain, one of the major economies in the European Union.

A celebration, too, of the growing ties between our two economies.

Less than three weeks ago, the Financial Secretary visited Madrid, leading a high-profile delegation of Hong Kong start-up companies, together with the heads of Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport.

Over three fruitful days, the Financial Secretary and his delegation visited a variety of Spanish start-ups, investors and corporate representatives, such as start-up accelerators IMPACT and Wayra, and Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, and met with the Director General of CDTI (the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación), which promotes I&T (innovation and technology) co-operation between Spain and other economies.

They also met with Spain Startup President and officials from IE University, the organisers of the renowned innovation and entrepreneurship event South Summit, which brings together a world of start-ups, investors, and entrepreneurs each year. The Financial Secretary welcomed the prospect of holding the South Summit in Hong Kong, and for good reasons.

Asia's super-connector, Hong Kong is at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and its consumer-powered population of more than 80 million people. Technology and innovation will drive the flourishing future of both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Hong Kong is also among the world's leading financial centres – placing third worldwide and topping the Asia-Pacific in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. Also, in the World Bank Group Business Ready 2024 Report which was just published last week, Hong Kong is among the top ten performers among 50 economies covered in that report.

We are familiar with the common law and we have connection with the Mainland legal system through a number of very important mutual legal assistance arrangements. Hong Kong is also a unique gateway. We can help Spanish start-ups find markets, and fund their expansion in the Mainland China and throughout Asia.

Our legal co-operation with Spain is also well-established. I'm pleased to say that there has been well-established regimes for legal co-operation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and the co-operation has been smooth and effective.

Our good ties extend to culture and culinary creativity, too. This year's Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival opens in less than two weeks at Central Harbourfont. And I know Hong Kong will revel in the Festival's Spanish gourmet delights and featured wine and spirit tastings. They will surely be among the highlights of this year's Wine & Dine Festival. I'll see you there.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast: to the people of Spain.

Speech by DSJ at Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by DSJ at Spanish National Day Reception in Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

TD urges public and motorists returning to Hong Kong to travel outside peak periods as far as possible

The Transport Department (TD) today (October 12) urged members of the public who drive their private cars to and from the Mainland/Macao to note that it is anticipated more inbound cross boundary vehicles will travel via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) tomorrow (October 13). Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys ahead and travel outside peak periods as far as possible in response to the inbound travel peak after Chung Yeung Festival.

The public can make use of the TD's HKeMobility mobile application to access the snapshots of traffic conditions at the inbound and outbound vehicle plaza of HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check the real time situations of the vehicle clearance plaza of HZMB Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts (or visit traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/).

The TD has worked with relevant Mainland authorities and operators to formulate plans to strengthen services at various ports, including increasing the frequency of the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), as well as arranging dedicated public transport lanes at the HZMB Port, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and Shenzhen Bay Port as necessary, with a view to ensuring smooth public transport operations. Subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Port to facilitate public transport vehicles to enter the above control points smoothly. Motorists are advised to pay special attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the road.

In addition, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance the capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. Among them, the MTR will enhance train service of railway lines (including East Rail Line) until October 13, with a total of about 950 extra trips, so as to facilitate the travelling of local residents and visitors.

The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates 24 hours to closely monitor the traffic and transport situation of various districts, boundary control points and major stations, and implement response measures where appropriate. Members of the public are advised to keep in view the latest traffic news through radio, television broadcasts and the TD's HKeMobility mobile application.