HKSAR Government strongly rejects malicious slander of Hong Kong's reputation as international financial centre by members of US House of Representatives
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (November 26) strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects a letter from members of the House of Representatives of the United States (US) to the US Secretary of the Treasury.
A spokesman for the Government solemnly states the following:
"The HKSAR Government strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects malicious slander of Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial centre in the letter. The allegations in the letter have no factual basis and are grossly unfounded. The letter is a crude and reprehensible attempt to spread lies and misinformation about Hong Kong for personal political gain.
"HKSAR Government has been enforcing the sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) fully and vigorously to fulfil our international obligations. We do not implement unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries that constitute a flagrant violation of the international order based on international law and the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
"The HKSARG has 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, and participating 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.
"Maintaining the integrity and robustness of our financial systems is high on the HKSAR Government's agenda. Our banks and other financial institutions adhere to international standards and best practices, including those on anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).
"Hong Kong has been recognised by the Financial Action Task Force, the international standard-setter on AML/CFT, to be overall compliant with the relevant international standards, with a robust legal framework and effective system in this area, especially in the identification and understanding of risks, law enforcement, asset recovery and international co-operation.
"Hong Kong continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy under the 'one country, two systems' framework. Essential to this is maintaining the common law system, and a judiciary that exercises judicial powers independently. Hong Kong's rule of law is internationally recognised, well reflected in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. Hong Kong maintains a high ranking and continues to be ahead of some Western countries that often unreasonably criticise the rule of law and human rights situation of Hong Kong.
"Fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to a fair trial, continue to be protected by the Basic Law.
"Like many jurisdictions including the US, we are entitled to enact and implement laws to safeguard national security. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was enacted earlier this year to fulfil our overdue constitutional obligation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance operate together to ensure a stable and predictable environment for our economy and the companies that make it thrive. The offences in the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance are clearly defined and have drawn reference to those in many other advanced economies.
"As a matter of fact, the international business community continues to have confidence in Hong Kong. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong earlier this year noted that nearly 80 per cent of its members have confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law. Close to 70 per cent of the respondents indicated that their operations had not been affected by the Hong Kong National Security Law.
"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. Over 1 200 US companies operate in Hong Kong. If the US politicians insist on their acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies."
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California
The Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) will launch three new exhibitions of the "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" from tomorrow (November 27). The exhibition series offers an in-depth exploration of topics such as local community development, local ethnic groups and connections between Hong Kong and overseas Chinese, aiming to provide a comprehensive introduction to the unique urban development context of Hong Kong and the factors that have contributed to the city's success.
The "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" is the first phase of the revamped permanent exhibition of the HKMH. The three new exhibitions, namely the "Yau Tsim Mong - The Urban Transition and Community Bonds", the "Estórias Lusas - Stories of the Hong Kong Portuguese" and the "Sojourning in Gold Mountain - Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California" exhibitions will be held at the exhibition galleries on the 2/F and M/F of the HKMH respectively. Admission is free.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (November 26), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said these three exhibitions, each with different themes, share a common entry point: Hong Kong is the place, where East meets West with a racial diversity and inclusion, and connection to the world.
Other officiating guests included the Consul-General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, Mr Alexandre Leitão; the Chairman of the Museum Advisory Committee, Professor Douglas So; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam; and the Museum Director of the HKMH, Mr Terence Cheung.
While each of the 18 districts in Hong Kong has a distinct story, Yau Tsim Mong District is the most prosperous region in Kowloon and the most diverse district in the territory of Hong Kong. The "Yau Tsim Mong - The Urban Transition and Community Bonds" exhibition will introduce the development change of Yau Tsim Mong District from the early 19th century to the present through nearly 200 exhibits, inviting the audience to explore the historical traces behind the bustling urban scene, with the district as an epitome of Hong Kong. The exhibition is divided into 10 zones which cover industrial factories in Yau Tsim Mong district, the living environment, transport, shops, leisure and culture, as well as the most iconic areas in the district, namely the KCR Clock Tower, Chungking Mansions and Temple Street Night Market. Highlight exhibits include a poster of the Orient Tobacco Manufactory of Hongkong, founded as early as 1908, a commemorative plaque for the completion of Kwong Wah Hospital in 1911, a plaque and a bell of MV Man Wing of Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry in 1952, and a sales brochure for Chungking Mansions in 1961.
Coming from Macao from the mid-19th century onwards, the Portuguese people formed one of the earliest foreign communities in Hong Kong. The "Estórias Lusas - Stories of the Hong Kong Portuguese" exhibition traces the numerous fields of endeavours and contributions of the Hong Kong Portuguese community and introduces their distinctive traditions and culture through showcasing over 250 exhibits from Portuguese families and organisations. Highlight exhibits include the 200-year-old porcelain plate made in Guangzhou bearing the Barretto family crest, and the watercolour painting of the Club Lusitano inauguration in 1866, the most significant cultural landmark for the Hong Kong Portuguese community. The exhibition also features numerous exhibits from prominent Portuguese figures in Hong Kong, such as the chain of office during Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales' term as the first unofficial Chairman of the former Urban Council, and famous jockey and horse trainer Tony Cruz's first Lusitano Cup. The exhibition also features many audiovisual and interactive multimedia programmes. In the zone decorated as the Sala de Encontro (meeting lounge) of a Portuguese home, the programmes invite the audience to have a taste of classic Macanese food, learn the Macanese dialect, get to know the practice of the Catholic faith and the Hong Kong Portuguese community's distinctive traditions and culture in a lively way.
Starting from the mid-19th century, Hong Kong served as the main port of departure and return for Chinese emigrants and as an entrepôt for their trading activities. Between 1850 and 1939, more than 6.3 million Chinese emigrated through Hong Kong to foreign destinations. The "Sojourning in Gold Mountain - Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California" exhibition introduces the history of early Chinese emigrating to California through Hong Kong to make a living, showcasing challenges and difficulties faced by overseas Chinese in tandem with their affection towards the motherland, from which the role of Hong Kong as an "in-between place" can be fully demonstrated. To showcase the life of Chinese living abroad, multiple settings are reconstructed in the exhibition, including the Angel Island Immigration Station where Chinese were interrogated before being allowed to enter the United States, the Chew Kee Grocery Store located in Fiddletown, California, and the Kwan Tai Temple in Hanford, California.
Many exhibits are loaned from overseas Chinese individuals and associations in California, including the largest exhibit inside the gallery, a golden dragon made by Kam Yuk Lau, Hong Kong, in 1931, which was transported to Marysville and used in traditional dragon dances to celebrate the Bok Kai Festival in the second month of every Lunar New Year; couplets for the inauguration of the Sam Yup Benevolent Association, Hanford, in 1886; and a banner from the "Bowl of Rice Parties" held by Chinese immigrants in San Francisco in support of China's War against Japanese Aggression in the 1930s.
To tie in with the exhibition series, a rich array of side programmes will be held by the HKMH. Programmes include thematic lectures, outdoor field visits to discover the community history of Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok areas, and a series of workshops.
The "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and organised by the HKMH. For details of the exhibition and programmes, please visit hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/Multifaceted-Hong-Kong-Exhibition-Series.html, or call 2724 9042 for enquiries.
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMH's "Multifaceted Hong Kong Exhibition Series" to explore Yau Tsim Mong district development, stories of Hong Kong Portuguese and lives of overseas Chinese in California Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
