FS Attends China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing

FS attends China Development Forum 2026

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22).

Mr Chan attended the opening session and a thematic symposium of the China Development Forum 2026 in the morning. He also spoke at the thematic symposium titled "Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development" in the afternoon.

In his remarks at the symposium, Mr Chan said that, from an economic perspective, estimates project that by 2050 climate change could cause annual losses of up to US$38 trillion to agriculture, infrastructure and productivity. To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the world still faces an annual funding gap of more than US$4.4 trillion. While some countries have withdrawn from international co-operation frameworks, the momentum of the green transition continues to advance. Investment in clean energy exceeded US$2.2 trillion by 2025, accounting for about two-thirds of global energy investment, with China contributing about one-third.

Mr Chan stressed that China is not only a participant in global climate governance, but also a steadfast practitioner and leader, making steady progress towards the "3060" dual carbon goals. The country's 15th Five-Year Plan will embed green development deeply into industrial upgrading and infrastructure development, accelerating a comprehensive green transition across economic and social development and setting out a number of binding targets. As a Special Administrative Region of the country, Hong Kong is firmly advancing towards carbon neutrality, with targets of halving carbon emissions by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It has been making solid progress. In 2024, Hong Kong's per capita carbon emissions fell to about 4.4 tonnes, roughly one-quarter of that of the United States and 60 per cent of that of the European Union. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will continue to take forward its decarbonisation work along four major directions, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction.

He noted that Hong Kong is committed to contributing "Hong Kong's strength" to the regional and global green transition, leveraging two core engines of green finance and green technology. First, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its role as a regional green finance hub. This includes maintaining its leading position in green and sustainable debt and integrating blockchain technology with green finance to attract more green capital. At the same time, Hong Kong will continue to align its green finance standards with international best practices. Second, Hong Kong will proactively develop innovative financial instruments to channel greater funding into green projects. Examples include infrastructure securitisation to mobilise global capital for renewable energy and other green infrastructure, as well as the issuance of catastrophe bonds to transfer major natural-disaster risks to the capital market. Third, Hong Kong will further foster a vibrant green technology ecosystem and step up investment in frontier green technologies, including through the deployment of "patient capital". Hong Kong will also support Mainland green technologies in expanding into overseas markets.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan called on the Minister of Finance, Mr Lan Fo'an. They had in-depth exchanges on the 15th Five-Year Plan, the national and global economic outlook and fiscal policies, as well as strengthening co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Secretary for the Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, and the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Dr Kelvin Wong, also attended the meeting.

Mr Chan also attended the Beijing Night of the China Development Forum 2026 in the evening.

Mr Chan will continue his programme in Beijing tomorrow morning (March 23) and will depart for Hong Kong in the afternoon.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (right) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and exchanging with guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (left) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and taking a photo with the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of BrainCo, Dr Han Bicheng (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (second left on stage) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and participating in thematic symposium titled "Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (right) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and taking a photo with Professor of Columbia University, Professor Jeffrey Sachs (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (second left) attending the China Development Forum 2026 and speaking at the thematic symposium titled "Global Green, Low-carbon Transition and Sustainable Development". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit in Beijing today (March 22). Photo shows Mr Chan (left) calling on the Minister of Finance, Mr Lan Fo'an (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases

In response to the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declaring that the Ebola disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 19) is continuing to collaborate closely with various stakeholders to implement a series of prevention and control measures, in accordance with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease (the Response Plan). These measures are intended to guard against imported cases and safeguard public health. While the immediate health impact of Ebola disease on the public health in Hong Kong is currently low, the CHP is fully prepared to respond to an outbreak should one occur. Members of the public are advised to avoid visiting affected regions unless absolutely necessary.

Latest information from WHO

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According to the latest report from the WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, as of May 18, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported eight confirmed cases of Ebola disease, 395 suspected cases and 106 related deaths. Uganda has also reported two cases of Ebola disease and one related death.

Port health measures

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The CHP conducts health screenings for arrivals at all boundary control points. Although there are no direct flights between Hong Kong and the countries affected by the outbreak, travellers may transit via Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, en route to Hong Kong from Africa. Therefore, the CHP has immediately strengthened health screenings for passengers arriving on flights from Addis Ababa. Port Health Division officers conduct temperature checks and health screenings for passengers from these specific flights at the arrival gate of the air-bridge.

At the same time, notices have been posted in the airport's arrival area. The CHP has co-ordinated with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to broadcast announcements in the arrival hall. The CHP is also urging, through relevant airlines, passengers who have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda within the past 21 days to proactively declare their travel history to the Port Health Division officers upon arrival in Hong Kong for further health assessment. Regarding the isolation and referral mechanism for suspected cases, if an inbound traveller exhibits relevant symptoms and is assessed as a suspected case by the Port Health Division officers, arrangements will be made immediately to transfer the individual to the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre for isolation and examination. The individual will remain in isolation until the specimens test negative for the virus.

The CHP has also provided the AAHK and airlines with the latest information on the virus and urged airlines to remind their flight crews to strictly enforce established prevention and control measures if they identify suspected cases on their flights. Furthermore, the CHP has stepped up its publicity efforts at all boundary control points, including making public announcements and displaying posters, to remind travellers to be vigilant about Ebola.

Disease surveillance

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The CHP has sent a letter to all doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong to remind them of the latest situation of Ebola disease and to update the reporting criteria for suspected cases based on the latest epidemic information. Any person who has travelled to affected areas (including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda) within the past 21 days and exhibits relevant symptoms must be managed as a suspected case. The CHP urged doctors to remain highly vigilant and to immediately report any suspected cases to the CHP via the 24-hour hotline provided in the letter.

As of today, no confirmed or suspected Ebola disease cases have been recorded in Hong Kong.

In addition, the CHP convened a meeting yesterday (May 18) with representatives from the HA Head Office, Chief Infection Control Officer Office, and the HA's experts in infectious disease and clinical microbiology, to discuss various issues thoroughly, including the isolation and testing of suspected cases, infection control measures and quarantine arrangements for close contacts.

Quarantine facilities

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The CHP has also inspected the Penny's Bay Community Isolation Facility, which has been placed on standby mode, to ensure that it is ready for use as a quarantine facility should the need arise. Should a case be laboratory-confirmed as Ebola disease, the CHP will follow established protocols to trace contacts and arrange for their quarantine.

Public education

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The CHP will continue to enhance risk communication and health education for the public via various online and offline channels, including press releases, social media posts and media interviews. In addition, the CHP will meet with African non-governmental organisations (NGOs) tomorrow (May 20) to convey relevant health information to Africans living in Hong Kong via these NGOs. The CHP has also distributed health promotional materials at venues in Tsim Sha Tsui, where relatively more Africans stay.

The HKSAR Government announced on May 17 the activation of the Alert Response Level in accordance with the Response Plan to safeguard public health. Relevant government departments are fully prepared and will closely monitor the development of the epidemic, adjusting prevention and control strategies as necessary.

As the current risk of infection is primarily concentrated in affected areas overseas, the CHP urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel to affected countries and regions. Relevant travel advice has been uploaded to the Security Bureau's Outbound Travel Alerts webpage. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest overseas developments and the latest recommendations from the WHO, taking appropriate follow-up actions and implementing prevention and control measures based on risk assessments to safeguard public health.

Photo

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP continues to closely monitor Ebola outbreak in Africa and is vigilant in guarding against imported cases Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases