Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Promotes Investment Opportunities During New York Visit

2025-10-16 09:00 Last Updated At：10-17 20:14

FS engages in meetings and exchange activities in New York (with photos/video)

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to New York, the United States (US), on October 15 (New York time). His itinerary included attending a luncheon jointly hosted by the National Committee on United States–China Relations (NCUSCR) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), as well as participating in a roundtable exchange with representatives of US-based asset management institutions and fund managers. In the morning, Mr Chan visited the United Nations (UN), and then paid a courtesy call on the Permanent Representative of China to the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong. Earlier, he also held a breakfast meeting with a group of young professionals from various countries working at the UN. In the afternoon, he met with the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Chen Li.

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FS engages in meetings and exchange activities in New York (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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FS engages in meetings and exchange activities in New York (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

At the luncheon co-hosted by NCUSCR and HKETONY and chaired by NCUSCR President Mr Stephen Orlins, Mr Chan was joined by over a dozen prominent leaders from the U.S. financial, investment, pharmaceutical, creative industries, and think tank sectors.

During the luncheon, Mr Chan shared with the participants the latest developments in Hong Kong's economy and engaged in in-depth discussions. He highlighted the city's strategies to enhance the financial market, innovation and technology, development and regional supply chain connectivity. He also elaborated on Hong Kong's proactive efforts in attracting enterprises and global talent, attracting investment, developing the Northern Metropolis, and fostering industrial collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Mr Chan emphasised that Hong Kong welcomes US enterprises and professionals to pursue opportunities in the city and to leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to access the Chinese Mainland and broader Asian markets, thereby seizing the current wave of growth opportunities.

Mr Chan reiterated during the luncheon that the "one country, two systems" principle is an arrangement for the long term, and Hong Kong's core strengths — including its status as a free port, adherence to common law and rule of law, openness, diversity and high level of internationalisation — remain unchanged. In response to questions, Mr Chan said despite the recent signs of escalating trade tensions, Hong Kong would firmly uphold its status as a free port and continue to implement free, open and predictable trade policies and practices.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan participated in a roundtable discussion with key US funds and asset management representatives, during which he presented Hong Kong's economic and financial outlook. He highlighted opportunities in the financial market, including initial public offerings and follow-on fund raising, fixed income and currency markets, private equity, asset and wealth management, green finance, stablecoins and digital assets. He pointed out that Hong Kong's asset markets are showing an encouraging momentum. The stock market has seen a significant upturn, driven by investors' confidence in the Chinese Mainland's technological development and increased capital allocations. Meanwhile, the residential property market is showing signs of stabilisation. As a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Chinese Mainland and the world, Hong Kong will continue to offer attractive investment opportunities for investors from the US and around the globe.

Earlier in the day, Mr Chan visited the UN and met with Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong. Mr Chan expressed his gratitude for the strong support that the Central Government has consistently provided to Hong Kong across various domains. In particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' efforts in facilitating the participation of young Hong Kong civil servants in the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme, which allows them to work within the UN system as Chinese nationals, are much appreciated. This has provided young professionals with valuable international exposure and experience. Mr Chan stated that, with the Central Government's support, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to nominate and support young civil servants in participating in such programmes.

Mr Chan also paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Ambassador Chen Li. They exchanged views on China-US relations, Hong Kong's development, and related topics.

In the morning, Mr Chan hosted a breakfast meeting with a group of young professionals working at the UN. Hailing from ten countries and regions, they shared their experiences of working at the UN. Mr Chan briefed them on Hong Kong's latest developments and extended a warm invitation for them to visit the city and explore career development opportunities in Hong Kong.

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.

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Promotes Investment Opportunities During New York Visit

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