John Lee Engages Global Officials at International Mediation Organization Signing Ceremony in Hong Kong.

CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (May 30) met with senior officials from foreign governments attending the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation to exchange views with them on issues of mutual concern.

Mr Lee met respectively with the Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Mr Ignazio Cassis; the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr Mohammad Ishaq Dar; the Minister for Justice and Attorney General of Papua New Guinea, Mr Pila Niningi; and the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, today, welcoming them to attend the Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Mr Lee said that upon its establishment, the IOMed will provide friendly, flexible, economical and efficient mediation services for international disputes. Hong Kong is encouraged to contribute to and serve the successful establishment and operation of the IOMed.

On economic and trade co-operation, Mr Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance on strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations with different countries. In the face of emerging unilateralism and protectionism, the HKSAR Government will remain steadfast in maintaining Hong Kong's status as a free port and pursuing free trade policies, ensuring the free flow of goods, capital and information, and attracting enterprises from around the world to trading and investment opportunities in Hong Kong.

Mr Lee added that Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, is the only city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He welcomed enterprises from all countries to leverage Hong Kong's platform to explore overseas and Mainland markets.

CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE meets senior officials from foreign governments attending Signing Ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Notes exchange service and electronic lai-see for Chinese New Year

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

As the Chinese New Year draws near, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the three note-issuing banks (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited) announced today (January 13) that new notes and good-as-new notes, i.e. used notes which are in good condition and suitable for use as lai-see, will be available for exchange at branches of the three note-issuing banks from February 3 (Tuesday) to February 16 (Monday).

The HKMA encourages the public to use electronic channels including the Faster Payment System available via online or mobile banking, or other e-wallet services for giving lai-see. Giving electronic lai-see is simple and convenient, and will contribute to sustainable development by reducing the usage of physical red packets and banknotes. Major banks and electronic payment operators will encourage giving electronic lai-see by various promotional programmes. The public may refer to the details of these programmes as and when announced by banks and operators.

The three note-issuing banks will put in place appropriate measures to facilitate the notes exchange, including:

(1)

Advancing the opening hour to 8am on the first 3 days of the service period, i.e. February 3 (Tuesday) to February 5 (Thursday), and dedicating the aforesaid additional operation hour, i.e. 8am to 9am, exclusively for providing the notes exchange service;

(2)

Offering online booking service for both new notes and good-as-new notes starting from January 27 (Tuesday), details of which will be announced by individual note-issuing banks within next week; and

(3)

Putting in place crowd management measures such as distributing physical tickets and implementing queue management when needed.

Members of the public who desire to use cash for giving lai-see may wish to check for any remaining stock of new notes or good-as-new notes at home before going to a bank. Also, there is no need to rush to exchange for new notes and good-as-new notes during the first few days of the service period as banks will ensure the supply of these notes throughout the service period.

Source: AI-found images