Remarks by SLW on talent attraction
Following is the remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on talent attraction at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (November 2):
Reporter: Mr Sun, on the Top Talent Pass Scheme, any estimates on those intending to stay when their initial period expire? Also, any concerns regarding people providing false documents? Regarding Ronnie O'Sullivan, can you give more details in terms of whether Hong Kong reach out to him? Are there any further plans to entice other high profile influential people to Hong Kong?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I will start with the last question. I think the fact that O'Sullivan has decided to come to Hong Kong and become a part of us speaks volumes about the attraction of Hong Kong. Clearly he has spoken a lot about the good things of being in Hong Kong. With this success and with the launching of a new stream under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme where we are going to invite top talents from all over the world direct, we are going to do a lot more. We hope to achieve more success, because we truly believe in the attraction of Hong Kong. Be it our tax system, our natural beauty, the convenience, the great food and all the great things here in Hong Kong, is a huge attraction to top talents all over the world.
As for the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), as I have said on different occasions, right now we have built in a very robust system to make sure all the qualifications submitted to us are true and can be verified. For submissions from Mainland China, there is a mandatory requirement for them to verify it through a third-party system, or they have to verify direct with the institutions granting them the qualifications. We can rest assured that for all applications approved under the TTPS based on academic qualifications, all these qualifications are authentic and can be verified.
We are not going to predict or estimate how many TTPS visa holders are going to have their visas extended. Our principle is that we have made it very clear the criteria for a successful visa extension. We are not going to provide additional help. For those who are able to make it, of course they can stay in Hong Kong and continue their career. For those who failed to make it, we are not going to grant them visa extensions. Rather, after several months when we have a better grasp about the extension situation, we are going to make it public. By then, we would know how many, or in terms of percentage, of the TTPS visa holders got their visas extended successfully. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
HKSARG responds to reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under HKHRDA incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (December 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects US' reauthorization of the so-called Sanctions Provisions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA) incorporated in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
A spokesman for the Government said, "In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, it is each and every sovereign state's inherent right to enact laws safeguarding national security, and it is also an international practice. With at least 21 pieces of laws safeguarding national security, the US has exposed its double standards by pointing the finger at the HKSAR's legal system and enforcement mechanism to safeguard national security."
"The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) also clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The offences endangering national security stipulated by the related Ordinance target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity, aiming at addressing, combating, deterring and preventing acts and activities of endangering national security. It targets only an extremely small minority of people without affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents."
He said, "The US openly clamour for so-called 'sanctions' with an aim to intimidate HKSAR officials who resolutely safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns its political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all. The HKSAR despises the so-called 'sanctions' and will not be intimidated by such a despicable behaviour. The HKSAR will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security."
The HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We have long been maintaining an effective mechanism for implementing the resolutions of the UNSC. That includes denying entry of vessels designated by the UNSC as well as suspicious vessels, keeping a close watch on and inspecting suspicious Hong Kong-based companies to prevent them from participating in activities evading UNSC sanctions. At the same time, the HKSAR Government has been implementing a comprehensive and robust control regime over the import and export of strategic commodities and maintaining active participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty through the Central People's Government. The effectiveness of our work has been well respected and recognised by our trading partners and internationally.
The US has substantial economic interest in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, it registered a trade surplus of about US$270 billion with Hong Kong. Currently, some 1 390 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies.
The spokesman reiterated that foreign governments and legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.
