Financial Secretary Celebrates 40 Years of Franco-Hong Kong Relations at Chamber Gala

Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner this evening (June 5):

Consul General Christile Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macao, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Rebecca (Honorary President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, Mrs Rebecca Silli), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Bonsoir. Good evening, everyone.

Two weeks ago, I was in Paris. I wandered into a bistro, and the owner - upon knowing that I was from Hong Kong - broke into a smile and said, "I heard Hong Kong is a major buyer of French fine wine. Now that you're in Paris, you should have a few more glasses to pair with our delicacies." The place was gloriously noisy, full of laughter and warmth.

The vibe here tonight takes me right back to that evening.

And perhaps that's no surprise. There is an undeniable air of romance and elegance woven into the fabric of French cuisine, wine and the people.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong. Over these four decades, the ties between our two places have grown ever deeper and stronger - 700 members, 400 enterprises, 10 000 French citizens calling Hong Kong home. These are not merely statistics. They speak to a conscious choice: the choice to put down roots here, to make this city their own, and to build lasting relationships rather than simply conducting transactions.

That is a testament to the true depth of what we share.

Last year, bilateral merchandise trade between Hong Kong and France reached HK$88 billion - a rise of more than 10 per cent.

Wine is very much part of the story: 11 million bottles, accounting for 70 per cent of the total value of our wine imports. French visitors went up by nearly 20 per cent, and that momentum has carried well into the first four months of 2026.

Clearly, the affection is mutual.

When I was in Paris meeting policymakers, asset managers and financial institutions, one thing came out clearly: Europe is undergoing a profound repositioning, driven by a strong desire to change and diversify.

We see that ambition at work: in seeking new trading partners and growth opportunities; in channelling savings into technology, innovation, digital transformation and green transition; and in deepening collaboration with China and the broader Asian region.

With our strategic location and the unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong is the natural connector and enabler.

The National 15th Five-Year Plan places strong emphasis on high-level opening up. As the Chinese market continues to open, it is creating greater room for premium foreign goods and services to take hold. For French enterprises, this represents more than market expansion - it signals a rising sophistication among consumers, an area in which French brands have long excelled.

And Mainland companies going global are seeking opportunities in Europe. They will bring investments and create jobs. Hong Kong is the platform supporting them with financing, professional services and cultural connections.

Going forward, artificial intelligence (AI) is fast reshaping the global economic landscape. Hong Kong has adopted "AI+" as a key economic strategy and launched "AI Training for All" to equip our people with the skills needed for tomorrow. France, too, counts many world-leading names in deep tech and artificial intelligence.

We each bring complementary strengths to this partnership - France, with its tradition of bold scientific thinking and deep expertise in AI research; Hong Kong, with its vibrant innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurial energy, and unmatched connectivity across Asian markets.

Different in character, but equally formidable.

In fact, French start-ups have always been a vital part of Hong Kong's innovation landscape, and our doors remain wide open to them.

Because in the end, opportunities shared will allow co-creation of a bigger pie, and turning ideas into real-world impact is never the work of any one party alone.

Ladies and gentlemen, this 40th anniversary is not just a milestone - it is a new beginning. The chapters ahead, I believe, will be even more compelling - led by technology, sustainability and finance, enriched by mutual appreciation, and shaped by the participation of each one of you in this room tonight.

I thank the French Chamber for 40 years of deep engagement with and support to Hong Kong. I wish the Chamber continued success, and French wine and style as excellent as ever.

Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much.

Source: AI-found images

Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

CHP investigates confirmed Mpox case epidemiologically linked to "Hutong"

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (June 5) that it is investigating a confirmed locally acquired Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) case epidemiologically linked to the two cases involving in "Hutong" announced on May 25. The CHP has been closely following up on the investigation, including attempting to contact individuals who visited the premises on or after May 1, providing them with health education and continuing to conduct medical surveillance. The CHP urged the public to be vigilant and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting Mpox. Meanwhile, high-risk target groups are advised to receive Mpox vaccinations.

Case details

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The case involves a 52-year-old male who reported to have high-risk contact at a premises called "Hutong" on Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, on May 2 (during the incubation period). He developed a non-pruritic and painless rash over his genital area on May 21, followed by a fever and sore throat on May 25, and a subsequent rash eruption over his upper limbs, chest, and anal region. The CHP made several attempts to contact the patient between the end of May and the beginning of June, but had failed to reach him. The CHP thus sent him a text message. The patient attended the Yau Ma Tei Male Social Hygiene Clinic on June 4 to seek medical treatment and reported relevant high-risk contact history to the healthcare workers. The CHP subsequently arranged for him to receive isolation treatment at the Yan Chai Hospital. The patient is currently in stable condition. His samples tested positive for Monkeypox virus upon laboratory testing by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.

According to the information provided by the patient, he has not received Mpox vaccination. The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations of the case and endeavouring to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with him. The CHP will report the case to the World Health Organization.

Follow-up on the "Hutong" cases in Mong Kok

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The CHP continues to follow up on the investigation of the cases in "Hutong", and has now successfully contacted around 300 persons who have visited the premises on or after May 1. No other cases have been identified so far. The CHP has provided them with health education and continued to conduct medical surveillance. The CHP again urges anyone who visited the premises on or after May 1 to call the CHP's designated Mpox telephone hotline (2125 2373), so that the CHP can provide health assessments and advice. The hotline operates daily from 9am to 6pm. As investigations are still ongoing, the premises has been closed temporarily starting from May 26.

Furthermore, the CHP will collaborate with Hong Kong AIDS Foundation to launch an outreach Mpox vaccination activity in the next two weeks at the organisation's service centre in Mong Kok. Eligible high-risk groups (especially men who have sex with men) can make an appointment on the organisation's website.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 88 Mpox cases (71 local cases and 17 imported cases), including the above-mentioned case. All patients were males. Epidemiological investigations revealed that most cases had history of high-risk sexual behaviour, including having sex with strangers or having sex without wearing condoms.

Mpox vaccine

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Mpox vaccine can prevent infection and severe disease. The DH provides Mpox vaccination services for highrisk groups. The following high-risk target groups are eligible for Mpox vaccinations on a voluntary basis:

individuals with high-risk sexual practices, e.g. having multiple sexual partners, sex workers, or having a history of sexually transmitted infection within the past 12 months;

healthcare workersresponsible forcaring forpatients with confirmed Mpox;

laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses; and

animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in caseof Mpox occurrences in animals in Hong Kong.

High-risk target groups can receive Mpox walk-in vaccinations at any of the DH's SocHS (namely Chai Wan SocHS, Wan Chai Male SocHS, Wan Chai Female SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Male SocHS, Yau Ma Tei Female SocHS, Yung Fung Shee SocHS, Fanling SocHS and Tuen Mun SocHS) and the DH's Yau Ma Tei Integrated Treatment Centre.

Meanwhile, the DH's Kowloon Bay Integrated Treatment Centre and the Hospital Authority's Special Medical Clinics at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital also provide Mpox vaccination services for their clients.

Mpox is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or aerosols in general, and transmission would not occur through social contact. The CHP reminds the public, especially those at higher risks of exposure, to take precautions and avoid close physical contact with persons or animals suspected of infection. They should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they experience relevant symptoms, including rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, and severe headaches. They should not engage in activities with others that may involve contact with skin rash or body fluids.

For more details, please visit the CHP's page onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.

Source: AI-found images