Paul Chan Highlights Hong Kong-France Ties at French Chamber Gala Dinner

Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner this evening (June 6):

Consul General (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Alain (President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, Mr Alain Li), friends from the French business community, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Bonsoir. Good evening. Thank you for the kind invitation to join you at this splendid gala dinner. It is a real pleasure to be here with so many friends from the French business community in Hong Kong. Tonight is more than a celebration. It is a testament to the deep and enduring resonance between Hong Kong and France.

For many years, the French Chamber in Hong Kong has served as a bridge between our two economies, well beyond just business. From organising the Smart City Forum, to supporting signature events like French GourMay, you have contributed to closer co-operation and deeper friendship between our two peoples. Your efforts are truly appreciated.

Indeed, the ties between Hong Kong and France are strong and wide-ranging. In business and trade, we are trusted partners. Look at how French products are loved here in Hong Kong. From Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, cosmetics, designer fashion, handbags to sportswear, French elegance is everywhere in this city.

With the growing affluence of the Greater Bay Area and across the Mainland and the Asian region, I believe there is tremendous potential for French products to expand their presence. The appetite for French quality, craftsmanship and style is strong in this region.

With our strategic location, connections and deep understanding of these markets, Hong Kong is the ideal base to bring your ambitions to life. I'm heartened to see a rising number of French businesses establishing their presence here. As of last year, some 360 French companies call Hong Kong home, many serving as regional headquarters.

Let me assure you that Hong Kong remains firmly committed to open markets and free trade, despite rising protectionism and geo-economic fragmentation. We continue to offer a predictable, transparent and pro-business environment. One that best connects the opportunities in this part of the world with businesses from Europe.

At the same time, with China being the largest Asian investor in France, Hong Kong has a unique and strategic role to play: as a conduit channeling Mainland investments into France, and as a springboard for Mainland companies going to Europe.

Ladies and gentlemen, our partnership with France is not only growing in scale, but also in depth and diversity. French technologies and expertise have long contributed to Hong Kong's development in such areas as waste management, smart mobility, energy efficiency and construction engineering.

And new frontiers of co-operation are emerging, especially in the area of innovation and technology. With your innovation prowess and a vibrant startup ecosystem, France is actually one of the top sources of start-up founders in Hong Kong. And we are seeing more exchanges and collaboration. Following your participation in our InnoEX in April, I'm pleased to note that 20 Hong Kong start-ups, engaging in AI, biotech, green tech and fintech, will showcase their solutions at VivaTech's Hong Kong Pavilion next week.

Another exciting area of collaboration is aviation. A French company, which is a global leader in aeronautical services, will establish facilities in Hong Kong for aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and manpower training. This will support our vision to become a regional centre for aircraft parts processing and trading.

Beyond business, our affiliations are brought to life through people-to-people connections. In the first five months of this year, we welcomed over 64 000 French visitors, a 9 per cent increase compared to last year. Each visit, each exchange, adds to the vibrant tapestry of friendship between our communities.

These bonds will be enriched and sustained through arts, culture, sport and culinary delights. French creativity, elegance and excellence continue to inspire us here in Hong Kong. And we are equally delighted that Hong Kong's films and arts enjoy a good following in France.

We all eagerly look forward to more interactions. This July, our brand-new Kai Tak Sports Park will host a game featuring the Europa League champion. Yes, we want better. We're hoping to host the Champions League winner here some time soon. Or perhaps even Les Bleus themselves.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate this evening of friendship and partnership, let's enjoy the fine food, wine and champagne, and most of all, the good company. Once again, I thank the French Chamber for organising this dinner. Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much.

Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases