What's New
21 December, 2021
Government tightens boarding and quarantine requirements for Korea (Updated on 21 December 2021)
In view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Korea, which has detected imported Omicron cases, will be specified as a Group A specified place by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from 5 December 2021 with tightened boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Korea within 21 days are not allowed to enter Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents returning from Korea can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognised vaccination record. They have to undergo compulsory quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel (DQH) for 21 days upon return to Hong Kong.
The documentary requirements for inbound travellers from Group A places (including Korea) to board a flight for Hong Kong are as follows:
(a) recognised vaccination record;
(b) negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 72 hours (on or before December 23) or 48 hours (from December 24) before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft; and
(c) Confirmation of room reservation in a DQH for not less than 21 nights starting from the day of scheduled date of arrival in Hong Kong.
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.
November 10 to 28, 2021
Hong Kong Comix Exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (10 to 28 Nov)
With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the Hong Kong Arts Centre will present “Hong Kong Comix Exhibition” at Dongdaemun Design Plaza from 10 to 28 November. The exhibition will showcase the history and development of Hong Kong comics as well as a set of thematic creations by Hong Kong artists. An online event with artists’ talk and live drawing demonstration will be held in November.
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 24, 2021
Hong Kong rises to third place in Global Financial Centres Index
Hong Kong ranked third globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index Report published on 24 September by Z/Yen from the United Kingdom and the China Development Institute from Shenzhen, rising by one place from the March issue of the index this year.
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".
September 3, 2021
Hong Kong - Emerging Stronger and Beyond
The Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative, 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 Korean businesses to partner with Hong Kong to tap the immense opportunities in the Mainland market.
August 18, 2021
Webinar on “Clusters of innovation: New technologies and smart economies in Asia”
The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, on 18 August updated the business community in Korea on Hong Kong’s latest developments and opportunities in innovation and technology (I&T) at a webinar entitled “Clusters of innovation: New technologies and smart economies in Asia” organised by the Economist Corporate Network with full sponsorship from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
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 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.
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.
February 24, 2021
Budget initiatives to revive the economy and relieve people’s burden
In his 2021-22 Budget Speech on 24 February, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Mr Paul Chan announced that wide-ranging measures will be implemented to revive Hong Kong’s economy, help people overcome financial difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as assist enterprises in weathering the current economic difficulties and prepare for a post-pandemic recovery. He also set out various initiatives to reinforce the competitiveness of the city’s backbone industries, including financial services, innovation and technology and tourism.
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.
