InvestHK Annual Meeting Highlights Hong Kong's Role as Asia-Pacific Business Hub

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy

​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) concluded today (December 6) its annual meeting, which gathered key representatives from its 34 overseas and Mainland offices, as well as officials from other bureaux and departments, for cross-departmental sharing and discussions to further synergise its efforts in promoting Hong Kong as a premier business hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

The annual meeting was packed with cross-geographical and sector-team discussions, knowledge sharing and a fireside chat with officials from different bureaux and departments, including the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Hong Kong Talent Engage, and the Trade and Industry Department, as well as visits to innovation and development hubs and business partners in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The theme of the annual meeting, "One Team with One Mission", underscores the unified commitment of 34 global offices to working jointly to attract enterprises and investment. As of November 2024, InvestHK has assisted over 500 Mainland and overseas companies to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 50 percent. The annual meeting serves as a key platform for exchanging insights and uniting InvestHK's global efforts to explore innovative strategies to attract foreign direct investment, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as the leading international business location in Asia.

The highlight of the annual meeting was InvestHK's Annual Reception held on the first day. It brought together more than 500 guests from all over the world, including business leaders, valued partners, and representatives from consulates and chambers, promoting cross-sector collaboration and synergy.

In his opening remarks, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, "Hong Kong's unique advantages continue to be recognised by the international community. As the only economy in the world where the global advantage and the China advantage come together, Hong Kong is ranked again as the freest economy in the world by the Fraser Institute in its latest report. In the Business Ready 2024 Report recently published by the World Bank Group, Hong Kong was rated among the top in international trade. Hong Kong indeed has a lot to offer for companies around the world, which would like to set up regional headquarters to tap into the Mainland market, or for Mainland companies aiming to go overseas through Hong Kong."

The Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Maggie Wong, kicked off the annual meeting and delivered a keynote speech, welcoming and thanking InvestHK's staff for their efforts in promoting Hong Kong globally. She also expressed confidence in Hong Kong's future and encouraged active collaborations and discussions within the Government to promote the city's strengths.

Concluding the annual meeting, the Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "It has been a remarkable year for InvestHK, and I am proud of the progress we have made together. While external challenges exist, our continued growth reflects our resilience and readiness to embrace new opportunities. We have overcome challenges in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future. This is the spirit of InvestHK - agile, determined, and always ready to go the extra mile to serve our clients."

The annual meeting included visits by InvestHK's overseas staff to innovation and development hubs in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Northern Metropolis and Kai Tak Sports Park, as well as BYD Group, Shenzhen HighGreat Innovation Technology Development Co Ltd and Ping An Finance Centre in Shenzhen. Through these visits, the overseas staff gained first-hand insights into the rapid developments in these two places, enabling them to tell Hong Kong stories even better in the markets where they are based.

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong's annual meeting concludes with mission to attract enterprises and investment through global synergy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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.