HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE [Brussels] HIGHLIGHTS 02. Hong Kong Carbon Neutrality 2050 08. Hong Kong’s rankings at a glance 06. Year of the Ox – Hong Kong Stamps 10. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and others 06. Asian Financial Forum Jan 2021 11. Hong Kong technologies to combat 07. Hong Kong Laureate Forum Nov 2021 Covid-19 HONG KONG Carbon Neutrality by 2050 NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2021 Mrs Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Among other things, the HKSAR will strive to achieve Region (HKSAR), Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered her annual Policy carbon neutrality before 2050. There are measures to Address on 25 November 2020, with measures to support facilitate business to access the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Hong Kong to strive ahead with renewed perseverance. Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) through Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s Green Deal Carbon Neutrality by 2050 The following are key initiatives of the HKSAR Government’s Strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and strategies and proposals to achieve carbon neutrality, update the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan in mid- promote green transport and energy efficiency and to 2021 to formulate more aggressive strategies and enhance the quality of life measures 2 HONG KONG NEWS January 2021 January 2021 Contents Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address 2 Hong Kong’s Green Deal – Carbon Neutrality by 2050 2 Unlimited Business Opportunities 4 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 4 International Financial Centre 4 Internatioal Aviation Hub 4 International I&T Hub 5 Upholding and Improving the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Practice 5 Special Stamp Issue to Herald the Year of the Ox 6 Asia Financial Forum 2021 to be Held Online 6 Innovation and Technology 7 Hong Kong Laureate Forum (15-20 November 2021) 7 Hong Kong Scientist Wins Breakthrough Prize for Life Science 7 Common Law and Judicial Independence are the Bedrocks of Hong Kong’s Success 8 Hong Kong’s Rankings at a Glance 8 Hong Kong Remains No. 1 for Economic Freedom 8 Hong Kong was Ranked Fifth in the Global Financial Centres Index 9 Hong Kong was No. 2 among Asian economies and No. 5 globally in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2020 9 Hong Kong Welcomes Talents - Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and others Schemes to Facilitate the Entry of Talents and Professionals 10 Mrs Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. COVID-19 – We Fight Together with Resilience, Innovation and Forward-looking Attitude 11 Hong Kong Battles COVID-19 with Local Innovations 11 A New Normal: Resilience of a Digital Economy 13 Develop a modern pulping facility in Webinars 15 EcoPark, Tuen Mun, in the first half of Hong Kong’s Role as Gateway to Mainland 15 2021 to handle recycling of waste paper The Role of Hong Kong as a Global Sourcing hub 15 The Business of (E)Sports in Hong Kong and Mainland China 16 Conduct a comprehensive traffic and Why Hong Kong still Matters for Business 16 transport strategy study and the “Strategic Studies on Railway and Major Culture and Sports 17 Roads beyond 2030” to complement Hong Kong Films Shone in Seven InternationalFilm Festival in Europe in 2020 17 land development planning and housing “Legends of Lion Dance” Exhibition in Antwerp, Belgium 18 supply, and to support sustainable Fashion * Paris * Hong Kong 19 development Hong Kong’s Comics in France 19 Hong Kong’s Golden Lion Winning Filmmaker Pays Tribute to Hometown 20 The MTR Corporation Limited has Hong Kong’s MacLehose Trail: Breathtaking Scenery in the Countryside just a embarked on the detailed planning and Stone’s Throw Away 21 design of the Tung Chung Line Extension, Tuen Mun South Extension, the Northern Welcoming New Officials of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao 24 Link and the South Island Line (West) HONG KONG NEWS January 2021 3 Unlimited Business Opportunities With some 200 new initiatives, reviving Hong Kong’s economy was a key focus of the 2020 Policy Address. Some highlights are – GBA Support Hong Kong’s insurance industry in establishing Rationalise the Hong Kong-Shenzhen land boundary after-sales service centres in the GBA control points Implement as soon as possible the arrangement of Support and assist various universities in Hong Kong in using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices their plans to provide education services in the GBA used in Hong Kong public hospitals at The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital on a trial basis, and Provide support to the Greater Bay Area Youth extend the policy to cover more designated healthcare Employment Scheme and the Funding Scheme for institutions, drugs and medical devices Youth Entrepreneurship in the Greater Bay Area Allow traditional proprietary Chinese medicine products Establish the Pan-Greater Bay Area Inward Investment for external use registered in Hong Kong to be registered Liaison Group and sold in the GBA Promote the development of the equine industry in Press ahead with the “Quota-free scheme for Hong the GBA Kong private cars travelling to Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge” International Financial Centre Include pre-profit biotechnology companies listed in Launch the Fintech Proof-of-Concept Subsidy Scheme Hong Kong and stocks listed on the Mainland Sci-Tech to encourage traditional financial institutions to partner Innovation Board meeting certain prescribed criteria with start-ups to conduct Proof-of-Concept projects into the stock universe of the mutual market access programmes Conduct public consultation on the establishment of a licensing regime to monitor virtual asset service Expedite the implementation of the GBA cross-boundary providers wealth management connect scheme Promote real estate investment trusts (REIT) in Hong Kong, including considering a relaxing the investment restrictions of REIT, broadening the investor base, and providing tax concession for carried interest issued by private equity funds International Aviation Hub The Airport Authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) will invest in Zhuhai Airport to reinforce its advantage in aviation AAHK will develop innovative facilities to consolidate and enhance the development of the airport city Commence preparation work for cross-boundary commercial helicopter services 4 HONG KONG NEWS January 2021 Upholding and Improving the “One Country, Two Systems” Practice International I&T Hub Jointly develop the Shenzhen-Hong Kong The “One Country, Two Systems” is the best institutional Innovation and Technology Co-operation arrangement to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and Zone with Shenzhen stability after our return to the Motherland. The Chief Executive vowed to ensure the robustness of “One Country, Two Systems” Launch a five-year Global STEM and uphold judicial independence. The Basic Law clearly Professorship Scheme at a cost of stipulates that the HKSAR enjoys independent judicial power, HK$2 billion (EUR 0.22 billion) to attract including that of final adjudication, and that courts in Hong outstanding R&D talent from overseas to Kong shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any engage in R&D work in Hong Kong interference. Release the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Full report of the 2020 Policy Address: Kong 2.0 in December 2020 with more https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2020/eng/index.html than 130 smart city initiatives Launch the iAM Smart one-stop service platform in December 2020 for delivery of a number of government and public utility electronic services Photo Credit: www.policyaddress.gov.hk HONG KONG NEWS January 2021 5 Special Stamp Issue to Herald the Year of the Ox According to the Chinese zodiac, the ox symbolises strength, resilience, and - of course – bullishness. While we are still fighting the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, every crisis brings with it new opportunities for renewal and change. Looking ahead, we may see a year fuel with challenges, and yet it may also be a year of opportunities and hope. Let us embrace the future with optimism, and work together to give full play to the strengths of Hong Kong - always persevere, always strive for excellence, and always look for opportunities for the betterment of Hong Kong. The Hongkong Post will herald the Lunar New Year, which falls on 12 February 2021 (Friday), with special stamp issues themed on Chinese zodiac signs of the coming For more information, please see the website/Facebook year. “Year of the Ox” and “Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet of the HongkongPost: on Lunar New Year Animals - Rat/Ox” will be issued on 28 https://stamps.hongkongpost.hk January 2021 to bring joy to this festive season. https://www.facebook.com/HKPStamps Asia Financial Forum 2021 to be Held Online The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong brings FintechHK Startup Salon, Deal Flow Matchmaking together influential members of the global financial and Session, InnoVenture Salon and Global Investment business community for groundbreaking discussions Zone, will be transplanted onto a virtual platform and and exchange of insights on the global economy from continue to provide participants with a comprehensive an Asian perspective. AFF experience. The 14th AFF, on 18-19 January 2021, will be held online. For more information, please see: All sessions and elements, including Fintech Showcase, https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/aff/ 6 HONG KONG NEWS January 2021 Innovation and Technology Hong Kong Laureate Forum (15-20 November 2021) The inaugural Hong Kong Laureate Forum will take place on workshops, poster sessions and visits to the latest Hong 15-20 November 2021. Shaw Laureates and distinguished Kong scientific development projects, universities and scientists will spend a week in Hong Kong interacting institutes as well as cross-cultural social activities. with about 200 young scientists from around the world, sharing their views, experience and aspirations in various scientific fields.