Appointment of Chairman of AFRC
The Government announced today (November 8) that the Chief Executive (CE) has, pursuant to the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588), appointed Dr David Sun Tak-kei as the Chairman of the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) for a term of two years from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026.
Dr Sun was the Director of Audit between 2012 and 2018, prior to which he was President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) and Chairman of an international audit firm.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "Dr Sun is an esteemed accounting veteran with abundant experience in, inter alia, public administration, the financial markets, and the audit profession. He is committed to public service and commands respect from the accounting sector. I look forward to the AFRC's continued efforts under the leadership of Dr Sun in regulating local financial reporting and driving the development of accounting profession, thereby contributing to the further development of the financial markets and corporate governance in Hong Kong."
On the retirement of Dr Kelvin Wong Tin-yau as the Chairman of the AFRC by the end of the year, Mr Chan added, "During his tenure as the AFRC Chairman, Dr Wong has made remarkable contributions, including leading the AFRC in the smooth implementation of the accounting and audit regulatory reforms, bringing our regulatory regime in line with international developments in an orderly manner. I would like to thank Dr Wong for his endeavours and contributions over the years."
Upon the commencement of the new regulatory regime of the accounting profession on October 1, 2022, the AFRC has become a full-fledged regulatory and oversight body of the accounting profession with expanded statutory functions of, inter alia, registration, inspection, investigation and discipline. It is also responsible for promoting and supporting the development of the accounting profession, as well as overseeing the HKICPA's performance of various statutory professional functions.
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.
