Labour Secretary Chris Sun Wraps Up Chengdu Visit, Promotes Talent Cooperation and Exchange Opportunities

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, today (August 12) concluded his visit to Chengdu.

Mr Sun began his visit yesterday (August 11) and first visited Sichuan University to meet with Vice President of the University Professor Zhao Changsheng to exchange views on deepening talent co-operation. Mr Sun stated that the Government is actively building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent. Since Sichuan University was included in the aggregate list of eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme last November, over 800 graduates from the University have been approved to come to Hong Kong under the Scheme. Mr Sun welcomed Mainland youths to pursue career development in Hong Kong through suitable talent admission schemes.

In the evening, Mr Sun attended the welcome dinner of the Sichuan Study and Exchange Tour under the Strive and Rise Programme to show support for the participating mentees. Apart from expressing gratitude to the Sichuan Provincial Government for the full support of the visit, Mr Sun thanked the co-organiser, Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association, for its participation. He also thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its sponsorship including funding for the implementation of the third cohort of the Programme and the Sichuan Study and Exchange Tour, and arranging for its staff to participate as mentors, which have broadened the mentees' horizons, enriched their knowledge, and boosted their confidence.

At the dinner, Mr Sun also engaged in dialogues with mentees together with the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Raymond Tam, where they shared their insights on life and work. They also listened to the sharing of mentees on their experiences and insights gained during their engagement in the Programme. Mr Sun encouraged the mentees to fully embrace the exchange opportunity and to draw knowledge across various fields within Sichuan's culture, technology, and history. He assured them that such experiences would serve as a valuable asset in their future growth, thereby strengthening their sense of identity and pride towards the motherland.

This morning, Mr Sun first called on Deputy Director General of the Department of Civil Affairs of Sichuan Province Mr Li Lian to exchange views on policies covering social welfare, child protection, and elderly care services, to establish a foundation for interaction. Mr Sun later called on the Director-General of the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Sichuan Province, Ms Liu Huiying, and held discussions covering labour, talent and social security policies between the two places to explore further collaboration opportunities.

Mr Sun and his delegation will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SLW visits Chengdu to exchange views on talent and social welfare policies Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Companies Registry releases statistics for 2025

According to the statistics released by the Companies Registry today (January 16), a total of 195,343 local companies and re-domiciled companies were newly registered in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of local companies and re-domiciled companies registered under the Companies Ordinance increased by 96,609 compared to 2024, reaching 1,557,103, which was an all-time high figure.

In 2025, 1,532 non-Hong Kong companies that had newly established a place of business in Hong Kong were registered under the Companies Ordinance. By the end of 2025, the total number of registered non-Hong Kong companies was 15,586, up 3 per cent compared to 2024.

The company re-domiciliation regime, implemented since May 23, 2025, has received a positive market response. By the end of 2025, the Registry had received over 420 enquiries and 30 applications. Among these, six non-Hong Kong corporations incorporated in Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands or Bermuda, including an insurance company, have been successfully re-domiciled to Hong Kong. The regime provides a simple and cost-effective pathway for non-Hong Kong incorporated companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong by eliminating the need for complicated and costly judicial procedures while preserving a company's legal identity. It ensures seamless business continuity and strengthens the competitiveness of Hong Kong as a global business and financial hub.

In 2025, the number of charges on properties of companies received for registration was 12,912, which was 6.4 per cent up from 12,137 in 2024. The number of notifications of payments and releases received for registration increased by 14.2 per cent, from 18,201 in 2024 to 20,789 in 2025.

In 2025, a total of 180 prospectuses were registered while the figure recorded in 2024 was 157.

In 2025, the total number of documents delivered for registration increased by 7 per cent to 3,360,723, compared to 3,139,906 in 2024.

In 2025, a total of 5,229,202 searches of document image records were conducted using the Registry's electronic search services, an increase of 0.7 per cent from 5,194,865 in 2024.

On the registration of limited partnership funds (LPFs), a total of 389 LPFs were newly registered in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of LPFs increased by 35.1 per cent compared to the end of 2024, to 1,347.

For open-ended fund companies (OFCs), 210 OFCs were newly incorporated in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of OFCs increased by 43.2 per cent compared to the end of 2024, to 676.

As regards the licensing of trust or company service providers under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance, a total of 760 new licences were granted by the Registry in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of licensees was 7,220.

Turning to the licensing of money lenders, 155 new licences were granted by the Licensing Court in 2025. By the end of 2025, the total number of licensed money lenders was 2,015.

For details of the statistics, please visit the "Statistics" section of the Registry's website (www.cr.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images