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Financial Secretary highlights Hong Kong’s strengths at World Economic Forum Davos

Financial Secretary Paul Chan arrived in Davos, Switzerland, on January 19 to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting. He met with Oman’s Minister of Economy to discuss strengthening cooperation in finance, trade, green transformation and industrial development. Mr Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” in supporting Oman’s economic diversification and green transition, including facilitating investment, fundraising, offshore Renminbi services and potential stock market cooperation.

Ahead of his travel, Mr Chan wrote in a blog post (Jan 18) that Hong Kong would continue to champion dialogue, openness and connectivity amid a rapidly shifting global economic and geopolitical landscape. He highlighted Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” under “one country, two systems”, noting accelerated efforts to strengthen traditional pillar industries while cultivating new growth engines, including the development of an international gold trading centre and a central gold clearing system. He also underscored progress in modernising Hong Kong’s trade and logistics ecosystem through digital infrastructure such as the Port Community System and Project CargoX, aimed at enhancing efficiency, supporting SMEs and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international trade and financial hub.

Hong Kong broadens free trade agreement transhipment coverage to Peru

Hong Kong Customs extended (Jan 12) the Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme to cover cargoes from the Chinese Mainland transshipped to Peru via Hong Kong. With the expansion, traders could apply for a Certificate of Non-manipulation to claim preferential tariffs under the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement. The move broadened the Scheme’s coverage and underscored Hong Kong’s role in facilitating tariff concessions, supporting market diversification, and strengthening its position as a leading regional logistics and transshipment hub.

Expert committee to support Mainland enterprises GoGlobal

The Department of Justice announced (Jan 9) the establishment of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global to advise on strategies for promoting Hong Kong’s legal and professional services in support of Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding overseas. Chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, the two-year committee brought together 13 members from the legal, financial, accounting and business sectors in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. The committee will help deepen understanding of Chinese Mainland enterprises’ overseas needs and co-ordinate Hong Kong’s professional services to provide integrated support, building on the recent launch of the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform.

Digital trade finance hub blueprint revealed

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published (Jan 19) the “Project CargoX Recommendation Report”, setting out 20 recommendations and a roadmap to modernise Hong Kong’s trade finance ecosystem. Developed with input from an expert panel spanning banking, logistics, data and public-sector stakeholders, the report proposed measures under three strategic pillars – Data, Infrastructure and Connectivity – to promote data-enabled automation, advance paperless trade, and strengthen links with the Chinese Mainland, ASEAN and other markets. HKMA would take forward the recommendations through pilot trials in collaboration with public and private partners, with a view to reinforcing the city’s position as a leading, digitally connected global trade finance hub, particularly in expanding access to financing for SMEs.

New push for smart, green logistics

Transport and Logistics Bureau introduced (Jan 16) a suite of initiatives to accelerate the smart, green and sustainable transformation of Hong Kong’s logistics industry. Key measures included the formal launch of the Port Community System, a new set of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data collection tools for logistics SMEs, and the release of planning findings for a modern logistics cluster in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area. Together, the initiatives aimed to enhance digital connectivity across sea, land and air transport, support ESG adoption, and address long-term demand for premium logistics sites. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said these efforts would reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading international logistics hub under national and Greater Bay Area development strategies.

HKIA sees strong rebound as passenger numbers reach 61 million

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded (Jan 15) a strong rebound in 2025, handling 61 million passenger trips for the year – up 15% year on year – supported by a robust Christmas peak that saw daily traffic exceed 200,000 passengers for eight consecutive days in December. Flight movements rose 8.7% to nearly 395,000, while cargo throughput grew 2.7% to 5.07 million tonnes. During the year, HKIA expanded its global network with 30 new destinations and enhanced intermodal connectivity for Greater Bay Area travellers through new Terminal 2 facilities and the launch of the “Park & Fly” service, reinforcing its role as a leading international aviation hub in Asia.

Hong Kong airlines among world’s safest

Hong Kong airlines have been ranked among the world’s safest by AirlineRatings.com (Jan 13), with HK Express Airways coming first in the Top 25 Safest Low-Cost airlines for 2026, and Cathay Pacific Airways being second in the Top 25 Safest Full-service Airlines. AirlineRatings.com said given Hong Kong’s stringent incident reporting requirements, HK Express’s low incident rate and absence of serious incidents genuinely reflected a highly disciplined and well-run operation.

Hong Kong welcomed 12% more visitors in 2025

Provisional figures from Hong Kong Tourism Board (Jan 19) showed the city welcomed 49.9 million visitors in 2025, a 12% year-on-year increase, with growth seen across both Chinese Mainland and non-Mainland markets and high satisfaction ratings among overnight visitors. The number of non-Chinese Mainland visitors were 15% more than in 2024, making up 24% of total arrivals.

New York ETO reinforces support for Hong Kong performing arts on global stage

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) welcomed a delegation from the Hong Kong performing arts community on January 15. The group was in New York to attend the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) 2026 Congress. New York ETO Director Maisie Ho emphasised the office’s continued commitment to supporting Hong Kong’s performing arts talent on the global stage and reinforcing the city’s position as an international cultural hub. She also highlighted several recent ETO-led projects that had presented Hong Kong artists on the East Coast. The delegation, led by the highly respected and seasoned art administrator Tisa Ho, shared key insights from past ISPA Congresses and provided an update on preparations for the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo, scheduled for October 2026 in Hong Kong. The meeting concluded with a forward-looking discussion on proposed support measures and new collaborative initiatives, with the shared goal of further promoting Hong Kong’s performing arts sector internationally in the years ahead.

World Artificial Intelligence Conference UP! Global Summit debuts in Hong Kong

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) under the theme of “WAIC UP! WAKE UP MORE” was held (Jan 16) in Hong Kong. In remarks at the summit, Chief Executive John Lee reaffirmed Hong Kong’s determination to develop into an international innovation and technology hub, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of its strategy. He highlighted strong national backing under the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong’s unique role under “one country, two systems”, and its concentration of world-class universities and global talent. Key initiatives supporting AI development by the Government included the opening of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, major funding schemes to attract leading researchers, the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, and the creation of an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team to promote AI adoption across government.

Hong Kong hosts Nobel laureates to shape future of global science

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings co-hosted (Jan 12) The Nobel Heroes Forum: Shaping Science and Future, convening six Nobel laureates for thought-provoking discussions on how fundamental research drove progress in science, technology, health, and the global economy. Speaking at the forum, Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki reaffirmed Hong Kong’s ambition to become a premier international innovation and technology hub, highlighting sustained investment in world-class research infrastructure, funding schemes and talent development. The forum brought together Nobel laureates including Professor Robert C. Merton, Professor Louis J. Ignarro, Professor Tim Hunt, Professor Kurt Wüthrich, Professor Konstantin Novoselov, and Professor Ferenc Krausz – the latter also serving as Chair Professor of Laser Physics at HKU.

Hong Kong’s Mirs Bay recognised in National Beautiful Bays roster

Hong Kong’s Mirs Bay was selected as an “Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays” in the latest national roster by the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, marking the first time Hong Kong had received this commendation. Located in the city’s north-eastern waters, Mirs Bay was noted for its clear waters and clean beaches, a 100 per cent compliance rate with Water Quality Objectives meeting Class I of the National Seawater Quality Standard, and rich marine biodiversity, including nationally protected species. The recognition underscored Hong Kong’s efforts in marine ecological protection and its contribution to building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a first-class, internationally recognised beautiful bay area.

The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the HKSAR. It provides the guarantees to maintain our existing way of life, including socio-economic development, the rights and duties of Hong Kong people, the rule of law and other areas. The Basic Law was put into effect on July 1, 1997.

Q: May the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region issue passports and travel documents on its own?

A: Yes. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may issue HKSAR passports to Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region, and issue other travel documents in accordance with the law. These passports and documents shall be valid for all states and regions which recognise them. (BL Article 154)