What's New
April 22, 2022
Hong Kong to reopen to non-residents from overseas from May
From 1 May, entry to Hong Kong of non-Hong Kong residents from overseas places would be allowed. Non-Hong Kong residents would observe the same boarding, quarantine and testing requirements as Hong Kong residents.
The Government will also shorten the "test-and-hold" time at the airport by conducting a rapid antigen test (RAT) on each arriving passenger, in addition to the PCR test. So long as the RAT test result is negative, the passenger may transfer to his/her designated hotel immediately, without having to wait for the PCR test result at the airport.
March 22, 2022
Quarantine Rules for Hong Kong residents arriving at Hong Kong will be relaxed from 1 April
From 1 April 2022, the quarantine period for fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents arriving at Hong Kong from overseas places (including Japan) will be reduced to 7 days in designated quarantine hotels, to be followed by a 7-day self-monitoring period. They must hold a negative result of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid test taken within 48 hours before boarding and a confirmation of a room reservation at a designated quarantine hotel (DQH) for at least 7 nights.
Eligible Hong Kong residents will be subject to “Test and hold” arrangement upon arrival in Hong Kong airport, where a rapid PCR-based nucleic acid test will be conducted; upon a negative test result, a 14-day Quarantine Order will be issued and designated transport taken to go to the reserved DQH. During the quarantine period, daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) and PCR-based nucleic acid tests on Day 5 will be conducted. If the results of Day 5 PCR-based nucleic acid test and Day 6 and 7 RATs are all negative, early discharge from the DQH will be allowed.
2022
25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The year 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). A series of celebration activities will be organised in Japan to showcase the various aspects of Hong Kong as a global business hub, an attractive tourism destination, a place with rich and unique culture, and a city full of creativity, character and artistic creation.
May 8, 2022
CE-elect pledges new era of unity
John Lee was elected in the Sixth Term Chief Executive Election held on 8 May. His term of office will commence on 1 July 2022.
He pledged to start a new chapter for Hong Kong and build a caring, open and vibrant city full of hope, opportunities and harmony.
April 29, 2022
Hong Kong House at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2022 (till 13 Nov)
The Hong Kong House at the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2022 was opened in Tsunan in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, on 29 April. It presents creative work of Hong Kong artist anothermountainman (Stanley Wong) with the theme “Dialogue with Nature” to facilitate cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan through art.
March 24, 2022
Hong Kong maintains third place in Global Financial Centres Index
Hong Kong maintained the third globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index Report published on 24 March by Z/Yen from the United Kingdom and the China Development Institute from Shenzhen.
February 23, 2022
2022-23 Budget to support livelihood and business and boost capacity for economic development
The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Paul Chan, announced the 2022-23 Budget Speech with a focus on the following areas –
・allocating adequate resources for an all-out effort to win the fight against the epidemic;
・supporting Hong Kong people and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ride out of the epidemic;
・supporting the economy and fostering post-epidemic economic revival; and
・investing for the future by planning ahead for the medium- and long-term development of the economy.
20 December 2021
White paper on "Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems"
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, welcomes the publication of the white paper on "Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems" on 20 December by the China’s State Council Information Office, which gives a detailed and systematic historical account of Hong Kong's democratic development.
The Central Government emphasises in the white paper that it will continue to develop and improve democracy in Hong Kong in line with the actual situation and in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the relevant decisions of the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee; and it will work with all social groups, sectors and stakeholders towards the ultimate goal of election by universal suffrage of the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council.
December 2, 2021
Webinar on "Hong Kong's Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2050 - Goals and Opportunities"
The webinar on “Hong Kong's Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2050 - Goals and Opportunities” held on 2 December was attended by about 450 business leaders and executives from Japan and Hong Kong. During the webinar, Secretary for the Environment, Mr WONG Kam-sing set out a series of proactive strategies and measures formulated by Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 as well as the business opportunities arising from the green initiatives.
Presentation materials and webinar recording have been uploaded onto our website.
October 29, 2021
Webinar on "Hong Kong as the Green and Sustainable Finance Hub: Investments with Returns and Purpose”
The webinar on “Hong Kong as the Green and Sustainable Finance Hub: Investments with Returns and Purpose” held on 29 October was attended by about 240 business leaders and executives from Japan and Hong Kong. During the webinar, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Mr Christopher Hui updated the audience on the latest developments of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong and the key initiatives to consolidate Hong Kong as the green and sustainable finance hub in the region.
Presentation materials and webinar recording have been uploaded onto our website.
October 6, 2021
The Chief Executive outlines bright future for Hong Kong in Policy Address
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered her fifth annual Policy Address on 6 October, the last one of the current-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, setting out her plan for the future of the city. Under the theme of "Building a Bright Future Together", Mrs Lam said Hong Kong’s "One Country, Two Systems" principle was back on track, and is now ready again for a new start for economic development.
September 27, 2021
Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: A Place with Unique Advantages and Unlimited Opportunities
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government published the "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: A Place with Unique Advantages and Unlimited Opportunities" on 27 September. The Report reviews and sets out Hong Kong's current business environment and advantages, and describes the development opportunities available to Hong Kong under the Mainland China's new phase and pattern of development.
September 15, 2021
Come2hk Scheme for non-Hong Kong residents to enter Hong Kong from Guangdong Province
Starting from 15 September, non-Hong Kong residents coming from Guangdong Province, upon fulfillment of all the specified conditions under the Come2hk Scheme, can be exempted from compulsory quarantine upon entry into Hong Kong. Eligible persons may apply for a quota to enter Hong Kong through the online booking system of the Come2hk Scheme.
September 14, 2021
Hong Kong once again ranked as the world's freest economy
The Fraser Institute once again ranked Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2021 Annual Report. Hong Kong has gained the top rank since the inception of the report. Among the five areas of assessment, Hong Kong continued to rank top in "Freedom to Trade Internationally" and "Regulation".
August 6, 2021
Hong Kong - Emerging Stronger and Beyond
The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Joyce HO, has published an article to give an update on Hong Kong’s latest developments. The article provides facts and figures demonstrating that Hong Kong has maintained its unique strengths, and encourages the Japanese businesses to partner with Hong Kong to tap the immense opportunities in the Mainland market.
July 27, 2021
Webinar on “Hong Kong’s Latest Development and Opportunities” held on 27 July
The webinar on “Hong Kong’s Latest Development and Opportunities”, co-organised by the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), was held on 27 July.
During the webinar, Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo) Ms Joyce HO; Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion (Business Development), Invest Hong Kong, Dr Jimmy CHIANG; and Director (Japan), Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Benjamin YAU shared their insights on Hong Kong’s latest development and opportunities and addressed the issues raised by Keidanren members.
Answers to Key Questions Received for Webinar on “Hong Kong as a pro-business gateway to China”
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, addressed a wide range of questions during the webinar on “Hong Kong as a pro-business gateway to China” organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) on 26 April. Mrs Lam’s answers to some of the questions received during registration and the webinar have been uploaded on our website.
May 6, 2021
Hong Kong ranked third most preferred seat for arbitration globally
Hong Kong has risen one place to rank the world’s third most preferred seat for arbitration, according to the 2021 International Arbitration Survey by Queen Mary University of London. The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre also rose one place to rank as the world’s third most-preferred institution for arbitration.
April 26, 2021
Webinar: Hong Kong as a pro-business gateway to China
The webinar on “Hong Kong as a pro-business gateway to China” held on 26 April was attended by more than 800 Japanese entrepreneurs and business executives.
During the webinar, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, highlighted how Hong Kong’s strong fundamentals and unique advantages under “One Country, Two Systems” make it an ideal partner for Japanese enterprises to tap the vast market in the Mainland of China, in particular the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Presentation materials and webinar recording have been uploaded to the event page in our website.
April 12, 2021
New direction in fighting pandemic
As the epidemic apparently under control, the Government will adopt a new direction in fighting the pandemic by adjusting various anti-epidemic measures with “vaccine bubble” as the basis.
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that the convenience brought about by vaccinations can be applied to cross-boundary travel, including shortening the quarantine period of persons arriving in Hong Kong from low-risk and medium-risk places; allowing vaccinated Hong Kong residents to take part in an Air Travel Bubble or enjoy the convenience of shortened or no quarantine for overseas travel offered by foreign governments.
March 19, 2021
Webinar on “Setting a Global Standard for Climate Change Disclosure”
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) sponsored a webinar on 19 March 2021 at which panelists from Hong Kong, Japan and Korea shared their views on the desirable way forward for adequate corporate disclosure on climate change risk.
COVID-19: Hong Kong’s Multi-pronged response
The Government has implemented a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the community while maintaining Hong Kong’s position as an international city and aviation hub.
January 29, 2021
Non-recognition of the BN(O) passport as a valid travel document and proof of identity
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced on 29 January 2021 the non-recognition of the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport as a valid travel document and proof of identity.
With effect from 31 January 2021, BN(O) passports cannot be used for immigration clearance and will not be recognised as any form of proof of identity in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong residents concerned may continue to use their HKSAR Passports or Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards for entering or departing Hong Kong.
