Hong Kong and Ningbo Strengthen Economic Cooperation at Investment Promotion Forum

Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video)

The high-level Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Ningbo Municipal People's Government was held today (April 25) in Ningbo, Zhejiang. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led the HKSAR Government delegation to attend the opening ceremony and related activities today to promote to Mainland enterprises Hong Kong's unique advantages and dual roles as a platform in going global and attracting foreign investment, fostering investment and co-operation.

Following the successful Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conferences in Beijing and Shanghai respectively in September and November last year, the Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum, with the theme of "Hong Kong, joining hands with Zhejiang and meeting in Ningbo, the channel for more opportunities", brought together a number of business leaders from various sectors including finance, supply chain, innovation and technology (I&T) and professional services to share their insights on Hong Kong's advantages and opportunities in different areas and attracted more than 600 participants. The concurrent Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum has been held alternately in Hong Kong and Ningbo every year since 2002 to facilitate bilateral exchanges and co-operation on economic, trade and investment and has been well received by the business communities of the two places.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said he is pleased to attend the High-Level Meeting cum the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference together with the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Hao, yesterday to witness the establishment of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism, symbolising a new stage of comprehensive exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang. Mr Lee noted that Ningbo in Zhejiang Province is a manufacturing and port hub in the Yangtze River Delta, while Hong Kong is an international financial, trade and shipping centre. Both Ningbo and Hong Kong are important gateways in the opening up of the country, with complementary advantages and limitless opportunities for collaboration. Hong Kong is the largest source of external investment in Ningbo and more than 1 000 enterprises and institutions from Ningbo have been established in Hong Kong, reflecting the close economic and trade ties between the two places.

Mr Lee said that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages of having the strong support of the country while maintaining unparalleled connectivity with the world, serving as a "super connector" and "super value-adder". Hong Kong acts as a two-way springboard for Mainland enterprises to go global and for attracting overseas enterprises. Despite the United States' bullying and unjustified imposition of tariffs, and the emergence of unilateralism that disrupted the global landscape and geopolitics and posed risks of economic destruction and recession, the country's immense economic strength and vast market provide certainty for global investors, and a new economic and trade order is taking shape. Hong Kong will continue to proactively serve Mainland enterprises in going global to explore international markets, and attract overseas enterprises to tap into the Mainland market.

Members of theHKSAR Government delegation attending the Conference included the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms AlphaLau; and the Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming.

The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji; Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and the Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee, Mr Peng Jiaxue; Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government Mr Lu Shan; the Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Mr Xie Shaofeng; the Chief Risk Officer and the Director General of the Department of Public Offering Supervision of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Mr Yan Bojin; and the Chairman of the HKTDC, Dr Peter Lam, also spoke at the opening ceremony.

In his remarks on promoting Hong Kong's advantages at a themed promotion activity, Mr Wong said that on finance, Hong Kong is the most trusted international financial safe haven for Mainland enterprises, offering diversified financing channels and financial services for companies to expand their businesses internationally. Regarding I&T, Hong Kong is in a golden age of development. The Northern Metropolis will serve as an important base for collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong on promoting I&T development. He invited Ningbo enterprises to visit the Northern Metropolis to explore opportunities for co-operation with Hong Kong.

Furthermore, Invest Hong Kong held a signing ceremony of a number of key Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong co-operation projects, covering various sectors including finance, technology, transportation, aviation, I&T and consumer goods.

Co-founder of Casa Bauhinia in Ningbo Professor Anna Pao Sohmen was also invited to deliver a keynote speech to share the outlook of Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong co-operation, encouraging Mainland enterprises to make good use of Hong Kong's business and investment platform. A number of Hong Kong business leaders also participated in the panel discussion as guests, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Bonnie Chan; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mrs Vivian Cheung. They discussed the unique status and advantages of Ningbo and Hong Kong in I&T, finance and professional services, and explored ways to promote complementary strengths and shared prosperity. A key enterprise from Hangzhou also shared its successful experience in co-operating with and investing in Hong Kong.

In the afternoon, the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC and relevant authorities of the Ningbo Municipal People's Government jointly organised three special promotion activities on finance, multinational supply chain management centre and I&T to promote investment in Hong Kong, during which Mr Chan, Ms Lau and Dr Ge delivered speeches. A number of government officials, relevant experts and representatives of enterprises of the two places also spoke and shared their successful experiences at the events, which helped deepen local enterprises' understanding of Hong Kong's advantages and opportunities in the respective sectors, with a view to attracting more Mainland enterprises to partner with Hong Kong to achieve mutual benefits.

Mr Lee and the delegation departed for Hong Kong this afternoon.

Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum held in Ningbo (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EDB reminds parents to choose primary schools under Central Allocation process for their children

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (January 12) reminded parents that children who have joined the Primary One Admission (POA) System for 2026 but have not yet secured a discretionary place can take part in the Central Allocation process for a Primary One (P1) place in a government or aided primary school. Parents concerned should make their choice of schools within the period from January 19 to 25.

Digitalisation of POA

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In line with the Smart Government strategy, the EDB has fully implemented digitalisation of the POA. Parents who have registered as POA e-Platform (ePOA) users and have bound their account to "iAM Smart+" may submit the Choice of Schools Form for Central Allocation from January 19 to 25 through the ePOA. Please refer to the related videos and Parent's Guide on the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html) for details of the procedures for activating and logging into an ePOA account and for making school choices for the Central Allocation of POA via the e-Platform.

Making school choices at Central Allocation Centres

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The EDB will send letters to parents on January 14 inviting them to make their choice of schools. To cater for the needs of different parents, parents can still submit the Choice of Schools Form in paper form by visiting the designated Central Allocation Centre at the suggested time slot (i.e. 9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 24 (Saturday) or 9.30am to 12.30pm on January 25 (Sunday)) stated in the letter.

Parents who are ePOA users may choose to submit the Central Allocation Application via the ePOA or in paper form to the Central Allocation Centre but should not submit duplicate applications. Parents who have not yet received the letter by January 19 should call the School Places Allocation Section of the EDB (Hotline: 2832 7700) as soon as possible.

Only one parent of an applicant child is required to complete the school choice-making procedures. Parents are advised not to take their children to the Central Allocation Centre if possible. Parents who cannot make school choices within the suggested time slot can go to the designated Central Allocation Centre from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on January 25. The Choice of Schools Form will be sent together with the letter to parents who have submitted a paper Application Form at the Discretionary Places stage for filling out in advance.

In the event of adverse weather or other special conditions on any day during the period of making school choices, please pay heed to radio or television announcements on the relevant special arrangements.

Unable to submit application within specified choice-making period

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For individual parents who are unable to use the ePOA or go to the Central Allocation Centre to make school choices, they can authorise in writing a representative to bring the completed Choice of Schools Form and their signed Letter of Authorisation to the Central Allocation Centre to proceed with the related procedures.

To apply for POA 2026 for their children after January 25, parents need to complete necessary procedures with the School Places Allocation Section, which will separately arrange P1 places for the applicant children in June.

Change of residential address

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An EDB spokesman reminded parents that, if they have recently moved their residence or have such plans in the near future, they are required to inform the School Places Allocation Section as soon as possible so that they can make school choices in the POA School Net where their new home is located. Parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If they provide a false address for securing a P1 place, the POA application of their child will be rendered void and the P1 place allocated will be withdrawn.

The EDB has put in place a monitoring mechanism to verify the residential addresses of applicant children as given by the parents. Random checks have also been stepped up. The public may call the School Places Allocation Section to report suspected cases of using a false address by parents for their children's POA application. The EDB will take action against false address cases.

Mechanism of Central Allocation

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Central Allocation is composed of two parts. Part A, which takes up 10 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation, is for unrestricted school choices. Parents can choose up to three government or aided primary schools in any school net. Part B takes up the remaining 90 per cent of the P1 places earmarked for Central Allocation. Parents of applicant children residing in the school net concerned are to select schools from the "Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (Primary One Admission 2026)" of their school net, while parents of applicant children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong are to select schools from the "2026 Choice of Schools List for Central Allocation (For Applicant Children who intend to commute daily to schools in Hong Kong)". Parents should fill in the Choice of Schools Form in the order of their preference.

The mechanism of the Central Allocation is based on parents' choices in general. The computer-programmed allocation will first process the school choices in Part A and then the school choices in Part B. For oversubscribed schools, the order of priority in allocating places will be determined by random numbers generated by the computer for individual applicants to ensure fairness.

For information about the procedures for Central Allocation, please call the EDB's 24-hour automatic telephone enquiry service at 2891 0088.

Release of Central Allocation results

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For parents who have already activated their ePOA account via "iAM Smart" or "iAM Smart+", they will receive their Central Allocation results through the ePOA from 10am on June 3. Parents who wish to receive the allocation results via SMS on June 3 may choose such an option in the Choice of Schools Form. In addition, the allocation results will be sent to parents by post on June 3 and 4.

Source: AI-found images