SCED Advocates for Sustainable Trade at APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou

SCED continues to attend APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Suzhou today (May 23).

At the discussion session entitled "Foster New Engines of Innovative and Dynamic Trade and Investment Cooperation", Mr Yau highlighted the importance of sustainability and technological advancement in reshaping the global trade landscape and economic growth.

Noting that Hong Kong, as the world's fifth largest merchandise trading entity in 2025, has been pursuing digital and green trade to stay resilient and competitive, Mr Yau shared with fellow trade ministers Hong Kong's efforts and key directions in this regard.

Mr Yau said that Hong Kong has been harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide trade facilitation measures and digitalise its logistics industry. The recent initiatives included the commencement of the final phase of the Trade Single Window system with a view to streamlining trade document submissions, and the launch of the Port Community System to digitally integrate sea, land and air transport networks, thereby enabling real-time cargo tracking and data sharing.

He noted that Hong Kong also recognises the need to popularise AI understanding to enable people and enterprises to use it safely, responsibly and productively. Hong Kong will establish the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy and has also put in place various initiatives to deepen AI integration and encourage wider AI application.

In addition, as a global financial centre, Hong Kong has developed financing tools tailored for modern supply chains. Citing the Project CargoX launched last year as an example, Mr Yau said that it leverages cargo and trade data to streamline and enhance trade finance processes.

Turning to developing cross-border digital trade, Mr Yau said that Hong Kong fully supports the APEC Trade Digitalization Cooperation Framework proposed by the country and looks forward to implementing the framework with fellow member economies.

On green and low carbon trade, Mr Yau noted that Hong Kong is fully committed to pursuing the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2025, green and sustainable debt issuance in Hong Kong totalled US$77 billion.

On the sidelines of the MRT meeting, Mr Yau took the opportunity to meet with the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand, Mr Todd McClay, to exchange views on various issues, including fostering bilateral trade relations.

The two-day MRT meeting concluded. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong this evening.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau (right), meets with the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand, Mr Todd McClay (left), to exchange views on various issues, including fostering bilateral trade relations on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou today (May 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou today (May 23). Photo shows Mr Yau (right) and the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Aaron Liu (left), before the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, speaks at a discussion session entitled "Foster New Engines of Innovative and Dynamic Trade and Investment Cooperation" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou today (May 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD combats unlicensed hawking and obstruction at foreign domestic helpers' holiday gathering places

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (September 21) that to safeguard environmental hygiene and food safety, the department has stepped up intelligenceled blitz enforcement actions targeting irregularities such as unlicensed hawking and obstruction of passageways at places where foreign domestic helpers gather on holidays across various districts over the past month.

During the first few weeks of the operation, the department conducted publicity and education activities. Over the past two weeks, FEHD officers arrested a total of nine persons at foreign domestic helper gathering places for suspected unlicensed hawking and causing obstruction in public places, and seized about 1.5 tonnes of goods, including cooked food, clothes, hats, shoes, handbags and cosmetics. The arrested persons comprised two men and six women of nonChinese ethnicity, and one Chinese man, aged 30 to 55. Among them, two men held recognisance forms prohibiting them from taking up employment, and one man held Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao. For all the arrested persons suspected of breaching their conditions of stay, the FEHD will notify the relevant law enforcement departments to follow up on the cases in parallel.

The FEHD has long been concerned about obstruction of passageways, environmental hygiene and food safety problems arising from unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places. The department earlier conducted a publicity and education campaign lasting several weeks in collaboration with staff of relevant consulatesgeneral in Hong Kong, distributing multi-lingual leaflets at places where foreign domestic helpers frequently gather across various districts to remind them that unlicensed hawking is illegal, and to appeal to them not to patronise unlicensed hawkers.

According to the relevant ordinances, unlicensed hawking is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction of passageways, offenders may be fined $25,000 or imprisoned for three months. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi and sushi) without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.

The FEHD reaffirmed its commitment to relentlessly curbing unlicensed hawking activities, and stressed that foreign domestic helpers engaging in illegal hawking breach their conditions of stay. Employers are urged to remind their helpers to abide by the law and maintain environmental hygiene. Members of the public who come across suspected unlicensed hawking or other irregularities may report them to the FEHD.

FEHD combats unlicensed hawking and obstruction at foreign domestic helpers' holiday gathering places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD combats unlicensed hawking and obstruction at foreign domestic helpers' holiday gathering places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD combats unlicensed hawking and obstruction at foreign domestic helpers' holiday gathering places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD combats unlicensed hawking and obstruction at foreign domestic helpers' holiday gathering places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD combats unlicensed hawking and obstruction at foreign domestic helpers' holiday gathering places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases