24th Annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival

July 19 – August 18, 2019 – The 24th Annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival kicks-off on July 19. The annual film festival is co-organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, DC and The Smithsonian Institution’s Freer Gallery of Art. This year’s film festival features appearance by actress Crisel Consunji of the acclaimed film Still Human. In addition, director Sunny Chan will appear to discuss his dragon boat racing film Men on the Dragon. He will be joined by actors Jennifer Yu and Kenny Wong.

All films are screened at The Freer Gallery of Art’s Meyer Auditorium. Details here.

Strengthening Hong Kong-US Relations

July 16, 2019 - Eddie Mak, Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States, met with Congresswoman Dina Titus (Nevada). Congresswoman Titus is a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The two discussed recent developments in Hong Kong, as well as developments in Hong Kong's tourism and creative industries, particularly film production.

Enhancing Hong Kong-Florida Ties

July 16, 2019 - Eddie Mak, Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States, met with Congressman Ted Yoho (Florida), ranking member for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation. The two discussed the latest developments in Hong Kong, Hong Kong-US relations and potential opportunities for American companies in the city.

HK team grabs 5 medals at Physics Olympiad

July 16, 2019 - Five Hong Kong students have won five silver medals at the 50th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) held in Tel Aviv, Israel (Jul 7 to 14). Congratulating the team on their performance, Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, said the Education Bureau will continue to support and nurture more students with talent and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness globally. Details here.

Embracing e-sports and innovation

July 16, 2019 - The emerging e-sports industry presents many new career paths ranging from professional players, technical experts, game developers to commentators, said Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicholas W Yang at the opening ceremony of Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2019 (Jul 16). Noting the opening of the new e-sports competition venue in Cyberport, he said the city’s world-class ICT infrastructure and excellent experience and track record in hosting large-scale international events, were key to the development of the state-of-the art venue.. Details here.

Forging closer financial cooperation

July 14, 2019 - Financial Secretary Paul Chan met with the Minister of Finance of Luxembourg Pierre Gramegna, to forge closer bilateral co-operation (Jul 11). Mr Chan pointed out that as one of the leading international wealth and asset management centers in Asia, Hong Kong welcomes more offshore funds to expand business in the city. The agreement with Luxembourg on mutual recognition of funds arrangements has boosted the development of the fund industry in both places. The Financial Secretary also called on the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel (Jul 12). During a visit to the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, Mr Chan introduced the latest development of fintech in Hong Kong to over 100 fintech entrepreneurs, angel investors and executives. Attending the annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Luxembourg (Jul 12-13), Mr Chan said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to encourage the Mainland and other Belt and Road economies to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths. The Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will remain committed in promoting financing and investments of infrastructure projects.

Fugitive bill is dead: CE

July 9, 2019 - Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the Fugitive Offenders & Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 is dead, adding that the Government is taking initiatives to reform the existing consultative machinery, in order to listen to views more extensively to people of different backgrounds, especially young people. Details here.

Leading cancer treatment solution provider opens lab in HK

July 5, 2019 - ACT Genomics, an innovation-driven cancer solution provider in Asia with offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan, opened its Next Generation Sequencing laboratory at the Hong Kong Science Park (Jul 4), serving the clinical, pharmaceutical and research communities in the city and Asia. It also hopes to capture the tremendous opportunities in the Greater Bay Area in future. Details here.

Strong Hong Kong-US partnership

July 2, 2019 - Hong Kong has been a strong key partner to the United States, as evidenced by solid bilateral trade and economic ties and long-standing and cordial relationship in various aspects including counter-terrorism, money-laundering and strategic trade controls, said Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung at a US Independence Day reception (Jul 2). He noted that some 1,400 US companies have chosen Hong Kong as the base for their regional offices and regional headquarters and that about 85,000 American citizens are calling Hong Kong home – a vote of confidence for the Asia’s world city. Details here.

May retail sales fall 1.3%

July 2, 2019 - The value of total retail sales in May, provisionally estimated at US$5.1 billion (HK$40 billion), dipped 1.3% year-on-year (Jul 2). After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales decreased 1.7% year-on-year while the sales value of commodities in department stores went up 0.3%. The outlook for retail sales would likely be clouded by cautions consumption sentiment amid an uncertain global economic environment. Details here.

CE condemns violent acts

July 2, 2019 - Chief Executive Carrie Lam strongly condemns protesters’ violent acts in the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex. Speaking at a press conference at police headquarters (Jul 2), Lam drew a contrast between the occupation of the LegCo building on Monday night and the peaceful Jul 1 march, adding the violence and vandalism by protesters who stormed into the legislature undermining the rule of law. Details here.

Government to be more open

July 1, 2019 - Chief Executive Carrie Lam pledged that the government will adopt a more open and accommodating style of governance. Speaking at the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region reception, Mrs Lam said that the Government’s future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the communities. She added that the government will continue to listen to the community’s views and make continuous improvement. Details here.

Government responds to July 1 procession

July 1, 2019 - Noting that the procession (Jul 1) was conducted in a peaceful and rational manner, the Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that it always respects the public's freedoms and rights of assembly, procession and expression. It also understands that people have different views on Government policies. As a free and pluralistic society, Hong Kong embodies rationalism, inclusiveness, harmony and diversity. The people of Hong Kong are proud of such cores values. Details here

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