NEWS Winter 2018-2019 Issued by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met with French Prime Minister, Mr Edouard Philippe, during her visit to France (page 8). An audience with HM King Philippe of the Belgians in Brussels (page 8). World’s longest bridge-cum-tunnel sea crossing (55km) connects Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao (page 6). Chief Executive unveils ambitious Lantau Tomorrow Vision to increase land supply in Hong Kong In her annual Policy Address delivered on 10 October 2018, the construction of artificial islands with a total area Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, outlined an of about 1 700 hectares. The study and design work ambitious plan to increase land supply, underlining that will begin shortly with the aim of commencing the first the improvement of livelihood and the development of phase of reclamation in 2025. the economy and transport infrastructure of Hong Kong society hinge on land resources. Lantau Island is the location of the Hong Kong’s International Airport, and Mrs Lam noted that with the Mrs Lam emphasized that the Government is commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, determined to identify and produce land and build a the transport connectivity between Hong Kong and other land reserve in a resolute and persistent manner. In cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay this regard, the current-term Government will increase Area will be further improved, making Lantau Island a the ratio of public housing, allocate more land to public “Double Gateway” to the world and other Greater Bay housing development, and undertake that 70% of the Area cities. housing units on the Government’s newly developed land will be for public housing. The Government will Mrs Lam said the land reserve to be provided by also launch a new “Lantau Tomorrow Vision”, which reclamation could be planned for building 260 000 to proposes a phased reclamation at Lantau Island for 400 000 residential units. These units, with 70% being 2 HONG KONG NEWS Winter 2018-2019 Winter 2018-2019 Contents COVER Chief Executive visits Belgium and France 8 World’s longest bridge-cum-tunnel sea crossing (55km) connects Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao 6 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’s 2018 AnnuAL POLICY ADDRESS Chief Executive unveils ambitious Lantau Tomorrow Vision to increase land supply in Hong Kong 2 Policy Address measures give further boost for Innovation and Technology 4 TALENTS Seeking international talents – Hong Kong publishes its first Talent List 5 HKETO, Brussels reaches out to students, graduates and creative talents in Europe 5 MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS COMPLETED Mega Bridge opens 6 Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link starts rolling 6 First venue of West Kowloon Cultural District, the Xiqu Centre dedicated to Chinese opera, to open on 20 January 2019 7 VISITS AND CO-OPERatioN Chief Executive’s visit strengthened ties with the European Union, Belgium and France 8 Hong Kong signed MOU with Bordeaux on co-operation in wine-related education and manpower training 15 Hong Kong Airport Authority and Aéroports de Paris signed two co-operation agreements 16 Financial Secretary forged closer co-operation with Ireland 17 Secretary for Labour and Welfare’s visit to Ireland 20 First European-designed flower-themed garden in Hong Kong 21 Hong Kong’s maritime delegation at Posidonia 2018 22 WTO Members commended Hong Kong, China for its free trade regime 22 ARTS AND HERitaGE Tai Kwun – heritage building transformed into new arts landmark 23 The Murray – from government offices to luxury hotel 24 Reclaimed land near the islands of Kau Yi Chau (pictured) and Hei Ling Chau, in the eastern waters of BUSINESS Lantau Island, will provide a housing and economic The Mainland and Hong Kong enhance their free trade agreement – zero tariff on all hub in the next 20 to 30 years. Hong Kong goods from 1 January 2019 25 Hong Kong is ideal hub for Fintech and Greater Bay Area offers huge opportunities, public housing, could accommodate a Dutch companies told 26 population of 700 000 to 1.1 million, HKETO, Brussels reached out to entrepreneurs at three seminars in Italy 27 and create 340 000 jobs for the coming Events in The Hague to celebrate 40th anniversary of Netherlands Hong Kong Business 20 to 30 years. The Government Association 28 anticipates the first batch of residential Business Forum in Galway, Ireland: CEPA - A smart way to do business with China units could be available for intake in through Hong Kong 29 2032. EVENTS SUPPORTED BY HKETO, BRUSSELS Mrs Lam added that the Lantau Talented young oboist from Hong Kong shone at Rome Chamber Music Festival 29 Tomorrow Vision is a priority area of Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals in Antwerp, Dublin and Barcelona 30 the current-term Government and she Oxfam Trailwalker – celebrating Hong Kong’s “can-do” spirit in Belgium 32 would set up a dedicated co-ordination Hong Kong showcased its street food culture at Lyon Street Food Festival 33 office directly accountable to the Chief Hong Kong films promoted at five festivals, in Italy, Spain and Greece 34 Executive, to steer the overall direction Hong Kong artist’s exhibition in Liège has been well received by the public 35 as well as co-ordinate and monitor the planning and implementation of the UPCOMING EVENTS programme. “Legends of Lion Dance” presents Hong Kong cultural heritage exhibition in Antwerp 36 HONG KONG NEWS Winter 2018-2019 3 Policy Address measures give further boost for Innovation and Technology Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang (right), greeted the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Ai Xuefeng, before the fourth meeting of the Joint Task Force on the Development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop on 12 November 2018. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, proposed a being established is Health@InnoHK on healthcare series of measures in her 2018 Policy Address delivered technologies. on 10 October 2018 to advance the development of innovation and technology (I&T). The measures include – In addition, Hong Kong is actively strengthening co- operation with Mainland China and overseas. Two • injecting HK$20 billion (EUR 2.2 billion) into the agreements between Hong Kong and Mainland China Research Endowment Fund set up by the Research were signed in September 2018 which provide for the Grants Council, launching a new Research Matching two sides to enhance co-operation in six key areas, Grant Scheme with a total commitment of HK$3 including scientific research, development of platforms, billion (EUR 333 million) and setting up fellowship nurturing of talents, transfer of results and incubation of schemes to strengthen the pool of talent in research the I&T industry, integration into national development and I&T in Hong Kong; strategies, and cultivation of an I&T ambience. • allocating HK$2 billion (EUR 222 million) for Moreover, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) launching a Re-industrialisation Funding Scheme has entrusted Hong Kong company SenseTime Group and earmarking an additional HK$2 billion (EUR 222 Limited to establish the “National Open Innovation million) for the Hong Kong Science and Technology Platform for Next Generation Artificial Intelligence on Parks Corporation to identify suitable land for Intelligent Vision”. The company, founded by a number of building manufacturing facilities required by the local scholars in 2014, has emerged as China’s biggest AI dedicated advanced manufacturing sector; and unicorn in recent years. “Its leading position in AI has now been further recognised along with its coming participation • opening up government data and introducing a pro- in the national development and planning for the next innovation government procurement policy. generation of AI, which is definitely a vote of confidence in Hong Kong’s strengths in I&T,” Mr Yang said. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, said on 13 October 2018 that the Mr Yang added that the Government will devote more Government has set Artificial Intelligence (AI) as one of resources to enhance Hong Kong’s R&D and application its key focused technology areas. capabilities in the AI field, train relevant talents and support technology enterprises. The Government will Two world-class research clusters were being established also adopt more AI technologies in its public services in Hong Kong Science Park, one of which was “AIR@ and city management, spanning cyber security, customs InnoHK”, focusing on AI and robotics technologies. inspection and transport. A new big data analytics platform Good progress is being made and the first batch of will be built by 2020 to enable real-time data sharing research institutions would start moving into the cluster among government departments, encouraging further in the second half of 2019. The other research cluster development of AI applications and big data analytics. 4 HONG KONG NEWS Winter 2018-2019 Seeking international talents Hong Kong publishes its first Talent List The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government under the Talent List under the Quality Migrant Admission promulgated, for the first time, a Talent List on 28 October Scheme (QMAS) within its existing annual quota of 2018 which highlights specific professions needed most 1 000. Successful applicants under the QMAS are not for Hong Kong’s economic development. required to have secured an offer of local employment for settlement in Hong Kong. For applicants who meet Aiming to attract quality people from around the world in a the specifications of the respective profession under the more effective and focused manner to support Hong Kong’s Talent List, bonus marks will be given under the General development as a high value-added and diversified economy, Points Test of the QMAS.