Financial Secretary Celebrates Europe Day, Advocates for Hong Kong-EU Cooperation and Global Unity

Speech by FS at Europe Day 2025 reception (with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Europe Day 2025 reception today (May 9):

Ambassador Harvey Rouse (Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is a great pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate Europe Day — a day that honours the enduring commitment to unity and shared prosperity on the European continent.

On this very day 75 years ago, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a visionary declaration, proposing the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. It laid the foundation for the European Union (EU).

From the ruins of post-war Europe, nations once divided by conflict came together to build mechanisms of co-operation that would avert future wars and ensure long-term peace. As Schuman memorably said, and I quote: "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it." Those words remain as relevant today as they were in 1950.

Today, we are once again confronted by rising geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, now exacerbated by unilateral tariffs unseen for generations.

History teaches us that protectionism and unilateralism were among the factors that led to some of the 20th century's most devastating conflicts. We must never forget those lessons. Collaboration among nations is essential to ensuring lasting peace and prosperity.

As the Confucian saying goes, "和而不同", harmony in diversity. We may differ in our histories, cultures and systems, but we can still work together in pursuit of common goals.

Ladies and gentlemen, the challenges we face today, from protracted conflicts and climate change to widening development gaps, are complex and inter-connected. They cannot be resolved by a divided world. That is why the global community must stand by its commitment to multilateralism, and support the institutions and efforts to address these and many other issues.

These are values that China, our country, firmly embraces. We advocate for an equitable multipolar world and inclusive globalisation, striving to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

At a time of uncertainties in the global economy stemming from escalating tariff measures, our country's message and actions are clear and consistent: China welcomes global business, remains committed to high-level opening-up, and will continue to be a source of stability and growth in the international system.

Hong Kong, under the "one country, two systems" principle, has long served as a "super connector" between China and the rest of the world. This role demands that we remain what we have always been: an open, diverse and vibrant international city, a free port and a staunch supporter of free trade. No less important, we are committed to the rule of law backed by a judiciary exercising powers independently, firmly protecting the rights of our residents and businesses.

I'm pleased to say that the international business community recognises our commitment, as reflected in numerous surveys and the growing number of companies choosing Hong Kong to establish their base.

Allow me to highlight a few key areas where Hong Kong and Europe can work together to seize opportunities in today's evolving global trade and financial landscape.

First, as the Mainland continues to open its economy, Hong Kong serves as a strategic gateway for European companies to access the immense opportunities offered by the Greater Bay Area and the broader Chinese Mainland market. And with supply chains undergoing significant realignment, our deep ties with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) make Hong Kong an ideal connector to those markets as well.

In the financial sector, there's an increasing demand from global investors to diversify their asset allocation. Hong Kong's capital market provides unparalleled access to investment opportunities in one of the world's fastest-growing regions. Hong Kong is also a global leader in asset and wealth management, providing huge opportunities for European firms in the industry.

Climate action is another area of promising collaboration. Hong Kong is firmly committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. But more than that, we are keen to work with the EU to contribute to global decarbonisation, in such areas as technology partnership, green finance, climate risk disclosures and green taxonomies.

As Ambassador Rouse noted just now, the annual Green Way conference on sustainability, organised by the EU Office in Hong Kong, advances dialogue and co-operation. And we are happy to explore more partnerships with you in this connection.

Beyond business and finance, we continue to treasure and welcome cultural co-operation. This includes longstanding partnerships in cultural exchange, like the annual French May Arts Festival, which is now on. Italy, let me add, is this year's country partner for Business of Design Week.

And, I'm glad to hear more good news: the first Europe Day Festival in Hong Kong will take place this Saturday at PMQ. The family-focused event will feature live performances. Plus plenty of fine food and drinks, dance workshops and all the cultural richness and diversity that the EU's 27 member states offer. For that, and so much more, my thanks to the EU Office and all the EU member state Consulates General.

Ladies and gentlemen, the opportunities for deeper co-operation between Hong Kong and the EU are long-term and far-reaching. Let us work together to seize that promise for our economies and our peoples.

May our longstanding ties continue to flourish. Thank you very much.

Speech by FS at Europe Day 2025 reception (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Europe Day 2025 reception (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health chairs 17th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the 17th meeting of the Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) today (September 4) to discuss strategies and actions to tackle NCDs.

Professor Lo said, "In 2025, NCDs such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory diseases accounted for more than half (53.7 per cent) of all registered deaths in Hong Kong. Similar to many other countries and regions, Hong Kong is facing public health threats driven by an ageing population and NCDs, which impose a mounting burden on society and the healthcare system."

In the meeting, members evaluated the progress of nine local targets for NCD prevention and control. Professor Lo emphasised, "Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the risk of premature mortality from the four aforementioned major NCDs in Hong Kong has declined continuously, with a 28 per cent reduction compared to 2010, indicating that our efforts have translated into concrete and measurable health outcomes. Reasons for this include a marked decline in Hong Kong's smoking rate, from 23.3 per cent in 1982 to a historic low of 8.5 per cent in 2025, which directly reduced the public's risk of developing severe tobacco-related diseases or even mortality."

However, common risk factors for NCDs such as obesity and insufficient physical activity currently remain prevalent. With a view to effectively controlling the relevant risks, the Government launched Hong Kong's first Action Plan on Weight Management in March this year in accordance with the 2025 Policy Address and drawing on national and World Health Organization policy frameworks. Spearheaded by an interdepartmental Weight Management Working Group, which co-ordinates corresponding measures across sectors such as healthcare, education, recreation and culture, as well as urban planning, the Action Plan outlines five key directions and 15 specific objectives to be systematically implemented over three years. The Action Plan adopts a life-course approach to provide appropriate support at every key stage of life, from prenatal nutrition, habit formation during school years, health management for working adults to maintaining physical function in the elderly. More importantly, the Action Plan aims to strengthen the role of primary healthcare as the "gatekeeper", promote collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine and integrate health data through the eHealth platform, thereby supporting citizens in managing their health.

The Government is implementing the reform measures set out in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint at full steam to establish a prevention-oriented primary healthcare system. In March this year, the Health Bureau launched the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network, introducing preventive measures recommended in the Hong Kong Primary Healthcare Reference Framework for Life Course Preventive Care in Primary Healthcare, as well as a framework for regular screening and management of high-risk diseases. Furthermore, services provided by the Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health (DH) will be progressively integrated into the district health network from October this year, allowing more people from different age groups and risk groups to receive full-cycle health management in the community.

To effectively monitor NCDs in Hong Kong and support the formulation of public health policies, the DH commenced the fourth territory-wide Population Health Survey last September, collecting pertinent information on the health status and lifestyles of the local population to update and enrich the Government's database on population health. The findings will facilitate the ongoing review of the various targets under the Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control NCDs in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Health chairs 17th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health chairs 17th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases