Ma sells Hong Kong as bridge to opportunities in China
Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Frederick Ma encouraged investors at an April 20 luncheon in New York to make use of Hong Kong as a bridge to business opportunities in China.

Mr. Ma spoke at the Committee of 100’s annual conference during his weeklong visit to North America to promote Hong Kong as an international financial center and gateway to China.

QDII expansion highlights territory’s leading role
The China Banking Regulatory Commission’s decision to widen the scope of investment under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors (QDII) program highlights the fact that Hong Kong is a principal international financial center in China, according to Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang.

Mr. Tang said the arrangement facilitates the dual-direction flow of capital between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Results of 2006 regional air quality released
On April 24, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau (GDEPB) released the 2006 results of the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network.

The network measures the concentrations of major pollutants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and respirable suspended particulates).

Hong Kong Film Development Council established
On April 14, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced the establishment of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) and the appointment of 16 non-official members for a term from April 15, 2007, to March 31, 2009.

The HKFDC is chaired by Jack So Chak-kwong, chairman of the existing Film Development Committee.