Hong Kong airport ranks world’s busiest cargo airport |
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Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) ranked as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2021, handling 5 million tonnes of cargo, which represents a 12.5% growth year-on-year, according to Airports Council International. Executive Director, Commercial of the Airport Authority Hong Kong Cissy Chan said the pandemic has generated high demand for e-commence and transportation of medical supplies. With the airport’s extensive freighter network, high efficiency and dedicated cargo operators, Hong Kong saw a double-digit growth in cargo throughput during 2021. Ms Chan said the Airport Authority is confident in the long-term development of HKIA’s air cargo business, and will continue to work closely with its business partners to enhance the performance.
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More quarantine hotels added |
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Hong Kong residents returning from overseas will have more choices of designated quarantine hotels in the city. Starting May 1, there will be 45 designated hotels providing over 14,000 rooms in total to meet the demand of returning residents. Separately, with the continuous downward trend in COVID-19 cases, the first-phase relaxation of social distancing measures will be rolled out on Apr 21 as planned, after taking into consideration the city’s social and economic needs and balancing public health considerations. The city is also capable of managing a possible risk of a rebound in COVID-19 cases after the Easter holidays.
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Government to relaunch retail green bond |
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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will relaunch the subscription of the government retail green bond on Apr 26. The issuance was previously postponed due to the Omicron outbreak in the city. The target issuance size of this retail green bond is US$1.92 billion. The Government may further increase the issuance size to a maximum of US$2.56 billion, depending on market conditions. Taking into consideration the rising interest rates in the market, the minimum interest rate of this retail green bond will be raised so as to provide the public with a green investment choice with a steady return. The bond will have a tenor of three years, with bond holders paid interest once every six months at a rate linked to inflation in Hong Kong, subject to a minimum rate of 2.5%. The retail green bond will be issued on May 18 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on May 19.
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Weak business sentiment in March |
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Business sentiment among small-and-medium-enterprises remained weak in March, with the current diffusion index on business receipts staying deeply below the boom-bust threshold. The easing of local COVID-19 situation should see business of the consumption-related sectors gradually improve in the near term.
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ADMINISTRATION & CIVIC AFFAIRS |
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HKSAR Government strongly opposes US report |
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The HKSAR Government expressed (Apr 13) strong opposition to the comments contained in the US Department of State's 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices relating to the HKSAR. A Government spokesman reiterated that human rights are fully protected by law in Hong Kong. The Basic Law, the constitutional document of the HKSAR, provides a constitutional guarantee for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to equality before the law, and is buttressed by the rule of law and an independent judiciary. “The Government attaches the utmost importance and is firmly committed to upholding human rights and various freedoms in Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.
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Hong Kong fencer ranks as world’s no. 1 |
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Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long ascended the fencing league table to world number 1 in the men’s foil category of the International Fencing Federation for the first time. Cheung won the gold medal in the Men’s Foil Individual competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games – the city’s first Olympic medal in fencing. He was also the first Hong Kong fencer who claimed the Men’s Foil Individual gold at the 2016 Asian Fencing Championships.
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New program of “Tiny Galaxy Concerts @ Wontonmeen” |
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Trumpet and flugelhorn superstar Sergei Nakariakov is featured in the latest program of Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s “Tiny Galaxy Concert” series, with a spectacularly masterful performance on both the fugelhorn (Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Op 73) and trumpet (Glazunov's Albumblatt in D-flat for Trumpet & Piano), alongside pianist Colleen Lee. This program also features two mesmerizing Ravel pieces (Pièce en Forme de Habanera and Berceuse sur le Nom de Gabriel Fauré) played by Concertmaster James Cuddeford.
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Hong Kong and its Basic Law |
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The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the HKSAR. Put into effect on July 1, 1997, it enshrines within a legal document the important concept of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Q: Is Hong Kong a free port and a separate customs territory?
A: The HKSAR is a separate customs territory. The HKSAR, using the name “Hong Kong, China”, is a member in its own right of the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization. Ships of all nations enjoy access to the ports of the HKSAR, which is a free port, in accordance with the laws of the Region. Export quotas, tariff preferences and other similar arrangements, which are obtained or made by the HKSAR or which were obtained or made and remain valid, shall be enjoyed exclusively by Hong Kong. (BL Articles 114; 116; 126)
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