ASEAN and Hong Kong Discuss Economic Cooperation and Free Trade Agreements in Kuala Lumpur Meeting

2025-09-26 18:36 Last Updated At：19:53

SCED attends 9th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, and the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Tengku Zafrul Aziz, cochaired the 9th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China (HKC) Consultation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (September 26) to discuss issues relating to the implementation of the ASEAN-HKC Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) and the ASEAN-HKC Investment Agreement (AHKIA), and exchange views among others on the future direction of ASEAN-Hong Kong economic co-operation.

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SCED attends 9th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SCED attends 9th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The AHKFTA and the AHKIA signed in 2017 have served as the key pillars of the flourishing ASEAN-Hong Kong partnership. Since the signing of the agreements, Hong Kong's trade in goods with ASEAN has increased by 38 per cent and the city's outward direct investment to ASEAN has risen by 42 per cent.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Yau appealed to those ASEAN member states which have not yet completed their internal procedures to further expedite the processes for the implementation of the First Protocol to Amend the AHKFTA, so as to allow traders to better utilise the free trade agreement and in turn, further drive growth in the economic and trade relations among the parties.

In addition, he said he looks forward to the early signing of the First Protocol to Amend the AHKIA, with a view to further unlocking the potential of the agreement through greater predictability and certainty in market access for investors of the two sides.

This year also marks the new cycle of the Economic and Technical Cooperation (ECOTECH) Work Programme under the AHKFTA. The programme aims to build the capacities of the parties of the AHKFTA through technical assistance, knowledge transfer and information sharing activities. It received very positive responses with 43 project proposals submitted this year.

"Notably, several proposals focus on new priority areas of the ECOTECH Work Programme, such as competition and sustainable economic development, as well as topics that have been receiving increasing attention in Hong Kong and the ASEAN member states, such as promotion of Halal food. This demonstrates the region's evolving needs and the shared commitment to deepen economic and technical co-operation between us," Mr Yau said.

At the meeting, Mr Yau took the opportunity to reiterate Hong Kong's readiness for early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and thank ASEAN for the continued support to Hong Kong's accession bid. He said he looks forward to having concrete progress in the establishment of an accession working group for Hong Kong soon, along with the adoption of the related terms of reference.

Turning to the future direction of ASEAN-Hong Kong economic co-operation, Mr Yau noted that the digital economy has become a key pillar of economic development. He shared with ASEAN member states Hong Kong's support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to seize the opportunities brought about by e-commerce. Through the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, one of the funding schemes for SMEs in Hong Kong, enterprises can flexibly make use of a maximum funding of HK$1 million (around US$128,000) within their cumulative funding ceiling of HK$7 million (around US$897,000) to implement e-commerce projects in ASEAN economies under the E-commerce Easy.

Mr Yau also stressed the importance of upholding the multilateral trading system (MTS) and Hong Kong's commitment to maintain the credibility and efficiency of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"As a small, open and externally oriented economy, we deeply value the non-discriminatory, rules-based MTS, with the WTO at its core, as our best safeguard against protectionism and arbitrary measures. Particularly in these turbulent times, the MTS is fundamental in ensuring the smooth functioning of global supply chains," he added.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Yau held bilateral meetings with Mr Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste, Mr Filipus Nino Pereira, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. He also met with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, to discuss various trade and economic issues, and brief him on Hong Kong's preparatory work in seeking early accession to the RCEP.

Six illegal workers and an employer arrested in Hong Kong's anti-illegal worker operation Contribute.

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.

ASEAN and Hong Kong Discuss Economic Cooperation and Free Trade Agreements in Kuala Lumpur Meeting

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