Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Kazakhstan Leaders Discuss Economic Cooperation and Belt and Road Opportunities

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities

Leading a business delegation to visit Urumqi, Xinjiang, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, met with the Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Mr Ma Xingrui; the Chairman of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Erkin Tuniyaz; and Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Mr Serik Zhumangarin today (December 5) to exchange views on promoting economic and trade co-operation among the three places, with a view to jointly exploring the full range of opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative.

Mr Yau noted that Kazakhstan is a hub connecting Europe and Asia, while Xinjiang serves as a key link for the Silk Road on land, whereas Hong Kong is the premier gateway to the Mainland market. By strengthening exchanges and co-operation, the three places will be able to achieve complementarity for greater benefits, contributing to the prosperity of the Belt and Road regions.

Mr Yau said that over the past decade, trade value between Hong Kong and Belt and Road economies other than Mainland China has increased by nearly 60 per cent, demonstrating that the Belt and Road Initiative has been creating more opportunities for Hong Kong and has become a new driving force for Hong Kong's economic growth.

He added that Hong Kong is ranked as the world's freest economy and serves as the country's gateway to the world and the functional platform for the Belt and Road Initiative. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to support enterprises and professional services in exploring global markets and business opportunities along the Belt and Road, as well as assist Belt and Road countries and regions to enhance professional capacities and promote people-to-people bonds.

Mr Yau also held bilateral meetings with Mr Tuniyaz and Mr Zhumangarin respectively to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

The Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, and other members of the delegation attended a co-operation and exchange forum between China (Xinjiang, Hong Kong) and Kazakhstan today to promote Hong Kong's advantages and participated in sharing sessions focusing on various areas including cultural exchanges, energy industries, digital economy, commerce and logistics and finance, with a view to promoting economic and trade co-operation and people-to-people exchanges among the three places.

After his arrival yesterday (December 4), Mr Yau visited the exhibition centre of textile and geographical indication products of Urumqi, Xinjiang, to learn about the development of local specialty products. He then had dinner with representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Xinjiang to keep abreast of their business operations and the latest economic developments in the region.

Mr Yau will lead the delegation to visit local enterprises tomorrow (December 6) to gain an understanding of the development of the related industries before returning to Hong Kong.

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCED leads delegation to visit Xinjiang to enhance co-operation to jointly explore Belt and Road opportunities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government strongly condemns US lawmakers' attempt through a so-called "bill" to intimidate HKSAR personnel safeguarding national security

​The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (January 25) strongly condemned those United States (US) lawmakers again requesting a review, through a so-called "bill", of including a number of HKSARG officials, and a number of judges and prosecutors, in a so-called list of "sanctions" in an attempt to intimidate the HKSAR personnel concerned who safeguard national security, as well as the unfounded and biased remarks which deliberately misled the public and smeared the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL).

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "It is the constitutional duty of the HKSAR to safeguard national security. In accordance with international law and international practice based on the Charter of the United Nations, safeguarding national security is an inherent right of all sovereign states. Many common law jurisdictions, including western countries such as the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Singapore, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security. Turning a blind eye to the fact and making exaggerated remarks, the US politicians have demonstrated typical political hegemony and hypocrisy with double standards."

"While the 'black-clad violence' and the Hong Kong version of 'colour revolution' back in 2019 severely damaged the social stability of Hong Kong, the implementation of the NSL in the past four years has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to swiftly resume as normal and the business environment to be restored and improved continuously. In the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report, Hong Kong ranks as the world's freest economies among 165 economies. In the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, Hong Kong's ranking improved by two places to fifth globally. However, those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called 'sanctions' against the HKSAR personnel who dutifully safeguard national security. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns their political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all.

The spokesperson pointed out, "The HKSAR despises any so-called 'sanctions' and shall never be intimidated. It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the US politicians concerned to discern facts from fallacies, and immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs."

The spokesperson also pointed out that, "Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights in the city have always been robustly guaranteed constitutionally by both the Constitution and the Basic Law. The legal framework in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR is in line with relevant international human rights standards. The NSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR are protected in accordance with the law."

"The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. The Department of Justice of the HKSAR is in charge of criminal prosecutions under Article 63 of the Basic Law, with all prosecution decisions made based on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws.

"The Judiciary of the HKSAR exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the entities involved. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court.

"The judicial system of the HKSAR has always been highly regarded by international communities. Any attempt by any country, organisation, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR by means of political power is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of the HKSAR. Making any statement with the intent to interfere with or obstruct the course of justice, or engaging in conduct with the same intent, is very likely to constitute the offence of criminal contempt of court or the offence of perverting the course of justice."

The spokesman reiterated, "The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The HKSAR Government will, as always, resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of 'one country, two systems'."