SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' continuous efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, today (November 19) hosted a cocktail reception for about 200 guests including representatives of consulates, chambers of commerce and major trade associations, as well as members of relevant government boards and committees, to update them on the continuous efforts of the overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) and the Mainland Offices in promoting the strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong on all fronts.
The reception was held during when the Heads of the 14 ETOs and five Mainland Offices (HETOs) return to Hong Kong for the annual meeting of HETOs.
Speaking at the reception, Mr Yau said that following the pandemic, the ETOs and Mainland Offices have arranged or supported a large number of duty visits conducted by senior government officials in the past year to promote Hong Kong's unique advantages and vast opportunities for businesses and investments.
He stressed that despite geopolitical tensions, Hong Kong's economic outlook remained optimistic, citing that the city regained the status as the world's freest economy among 165 economies in the latest Fraser Institute report. With the staunch support from the motherland, Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique strengths and improve on its free and open business environment.
Mr Yau briefed the guests on an array of initiatives announced in the 2024 Policy Address to spearhead strategies to develop and nurture high value-added industries, such as developing Hong Kong into a multinational supply chain management centre, creating a commodity trading ecosystem and developing an international gold trading centre. He also highlighted the recent policy breakthroughs to fortify Hong Kong's position as an ideal investment hub, such as liberalisation measures under the amended Agreement on Trade in Services under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, and visa facilitation to enable convenient entry into the Mainland by non-Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong.
Mr Yau added that with the distinct advantages of enjoying strong support from the country while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the global trading system, Hong Kong will continue to integrate into the overall development of the country, acting as the "super connector" and "super value-adder" for foreign investments to connect with the vast Mainland market, and capitalise on the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
"We will also continue to proactively make efforts to explore possible enhancement to our ETO network. As announced earlier, we are working on setting up new offices in Kuala Lumpur and Riyadh to strengthen our ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Middle East," he added.
Emphasising collaboration, Mr Yau at the same time called for continuous support from business leaders to join hands with the ETOs in promoting Hong Kong to overseas counterparts.
"In order to deepen our promotion work in telling the good stories of Hong Kong, the Government and the ETOs cannot do enough just on our own. We encourage our ETOs to collaborate with our business sectors as well as the chambers in Hong Kong to organise various activities in overseas countries to promote Hong Kong," he said.
Also attending today's cocktail reception included members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, officials from 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 (HKSAR) and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and representatives from the tourism, creative industries as well as performing arts groups.
SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' continuous efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' continuous efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCED hosts cocktail reception to give update on overseas ETOs' and Mainland Offices' continuous efforts in promoting strengths and opportunities of Hong Kong Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Court of First Instance hands down sentence in case of conspiracy to commit subversion
The Court of First Instance of the High Court today (November 19) handed down sentences to the 45 convicted defendants in a case of conspiracy to commit subversion. Amongst all, astarting point of 15 years' imprisonment was adopted for the principal offender Tai Yiu-ting. Given his guilty plea, his sentence was brought down to10 years' imprisonment. As regards the others, they were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment ranging from four years and two monthsto seven years and nine months.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "The sentence shows the courtconfirmedthat the offence of the defendants was extremely serious andthey should beseverely punished. The reasons for verdict handed down by the court earlier for this case have pointed out clearly that the ultimate aim and purpose of the so-called 'Project 35+' was to undermine, destroy or overthrow the existing political system and structure of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) established under the Basic Law and the 'one country, two systems' principle. The case is extremely serious in nature involving a significant number of defendants. Thoseinvolved acted under the guise of democracy and freedomto subvert the political regime of the HKSAR. Theobjectivewasto paralyse the Government, exert a severe impact on society, the economy and people's livelihood, create political instability and a constitutional crisis in the HKSAR, and bring the Government to a standstill.
"This case shows that anyone who intends to subvert state power and endanger national security will ultimately be punished in accordance with the law. Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers must be held accountable. No one is above the law. Anti-China, destabilising forces harm and destabilise Hong Kong and subvert state power under the pretext of so-called democracy, freedom and human rights. The HKSAR Government will pursuetheirlegalliabilitiesand severe punishment will be imposed in accordance with the law."
The spokesman of the HKSAR Government said, "During the trial, evidence adduced in the Court revealed that the persons concerned put forward the '10 steps to mutual destruction' which would bring Hong Kong society to a standstill through large-scale street riots and other means at the same time. Coupled with international political and economic sanctions, 'mutual destruction' would be achieved, causingdeepsuffering to members of the public.
"It is clear from the reasons for sentencing handed down by the court that the defendants, led byTai Yiu-ting, have invested agreat deal oftime and money in premeditating and planning the so-called 'primary election', which showed that they had a long-term plan to make thescheme a success. As such, the court rejectedthepropositionof the defencethat the scheme wasboundto fail as a mitigation reason. Tai Yiu-tingwas the initiator of the wholescheme and the '10 steps to mutual destruction' he put forward advocated revolution in substance. Besides, all the defendants who participated in the so-called 'primary election' played an essential role in the wholescheme.
"Regarding the sentence of individual defendants, the Department of Justicewould study the reasons for sentencing in detail and consider whether a review application to the Court of Appeal regardingthesentence will be filed.
"The HKSAR Government has noticed that the United States and some Western countries, anti-China organisations, anti-China politicians and foreign media have recently made malicious attacks and smears on various cases. The HKSAR Government has stated on many occasions that like all cases, this case was handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants received a fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, free from any interference."
The spokesman emphasised, "Safeguarding national security is the inherent responsibility of every citizen. The HKSAR Government is resolutely determined to crack down on acts and activities that endanger national safety, ensuring that laws are observed and strictly enforced, so as to bring offenders to account. We must remain vigilant at all times against national security risks, which can arise suddenly. Weshould not forget the pain even thoughthe wound hasbeenhealed, norshouldwerip apart the oldwounds. We must not let Hong Kong sufferfrom suchunforgettable pain again. Only with a safe and stable environment in Hong Kong can we focus on pursuing economic growth, advancing development, improving people's livelihoods and bringing fulfilment to the people."
