Financial Secretary Paul Chan Engages in High-Level Discussions at Summer Davos in Dalian on Innovation and Technology Collaboration.

2026-06-23 20:20 Last Updated At：20:28

FS visits Dalian (with photos/video)

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, began his visit to Dalian today (June 23). This morning, he attended events related to the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 (Summer Davos), including the High-Level Dialogue on China Megacities, where he exchanged ideas with leaders of Mainland cities, business representatives, and international business leaders on the role of China's megacities and regions in the new round of high-level opening up, and how to promote cross-border co-operation and the collaborative development of industrial chains.

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FS visits Dalian (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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FS visits Dalian (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In his speech, Mr Chan stated that competition among cities in the future will revolve around innovation and technology (I&T), requiring cities to strengthen collaborative development and complementary advantages through a "city cluster" model. He said that Hong Kong, building on its status as an international financial and trade centre, is actively promoting I&T as one of the main engines of economic development. This includes accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, strengthening collaboration with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and combining scientific research, the transformation of research outcomes, and advanced manufacturing to promote the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is also continuously enriching its financial products, including commodities, gold trading, and digital assets, and leveraging its shipping and air transport networks and international regulatory advantages to play the role of a multinational supply chain management centre, supporting Mainland enterprises' overseas expansion amid the reshaping of global supply chains. He further noted that Hong Kong is committed to attracting high-end talent; since the enhancement of the talent admission schemes at the end of 2022, approximately 300 000 people have come to Hong Kong to develop their careers, injecting greater momentum into the city's development through its talent pool.

In the morning, Mr Chan met with the President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum, Mr Alois Zwinggi. He also met with Vice Mayor of Beijing Mr Sun Shuo and Vice Mayor of Shanghai Mr Lu Shan, respectively, to discuss strengthening exchanges and co-operation between Beijing and Hong Kong, as well as between Shanghai and Hong Kong. In addition, Mr Chan attended the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders luncheon at noon.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan led members of the Hong Kong delegation to visit the Dalian High-Tech Industrial Zone and held a roundtable meeting with representatives of I&T enterprises from both places. He noted that Liaoning Province has prioritised the building of a modern industrial system anchored by advanced manufacturing as a key task during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, while Dalian is also committed to establishing itself as a regional science and innovation centre with national influence. Meanwhile, under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong is supported to consolidate and enhance its status as an international financial, trade and maritime centre, and to develop into an international I&T centre. He added that the development focuses of both sides are highly aligned, offering vast room for co-operation.

Mr Chan pointed out that Dalian and Hong Kong are highly aligned and mutually complementary in their I&T development paths. Under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong possesses unique institutional advantages, characterised by a multi-tiered financial market and a highly internationalised professional services sector. Furthermore, the I&T ecosystem is rapidly expanding; for instance, the Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport has brought together numerous technology enterprises and research and development (R&D) institutions, providing comprehensive support for start-ups from incubation to scaling. Various leading Mainland and overseas enterprises have chosen Hong Kong as their base for R&D and international expansion. Through facilitating the smooth flow of people, capital, logistics, and data, the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone creates highly favourable conditions for fields such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The HKSAR Government is also establishing an ecosystem of "patient capital" through the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, driving international long-term capital to invest in early-stage, small high-tech enterprises on a long-term basis , accompanying enterprises to thrive through economic cycles.

Mr Chan said that Hong Kong is not only a "super connector" and "super value-adder" but can also act as an "adapter" for Mainland enterprises entering the international market, aligning them with international best standards. He hoped that financial institutions, innovation and technology parks, capital, and enterprises in Hong Kong and Dalian will strengthen co-operation and establish exchange mechanisms to jointly seize the significant opportunities brought by the new round of innovation and technology development.

Mr Chan and the delegation attended a dinner hosted by member of the Standing Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee, Ms Xu Guangxiang, in the evening.

Mr Chan will continue his visit to Dalian tomorrow (June 24), which includes attending the opening ceremony of the Summer Davos.

Two women sentenced for smuggling duty-not-paid cigarettes, highlighting strict customs enforcement in Hong Kong.

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing/possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming female passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000, respectively, by the Fanling Magistrates Courts today (June 23) for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 43-year-old Chinese female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on April 19 and seized 13 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $59,000 and a duty potential of about $46,000. She was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 49-year-old local female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 21 and seized 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $4,000 and a duty potential of about $3,000. She was subsequently arrested and released on bail. Customs officers intercepted the female passenger again at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on June 6 and seized 1 261 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $5,000 and a duty potential of about $4,000. She was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Courts today.

Customs welcomes the sentences, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Engages in High-Level Discussions at Summer Davos in Dalian on Innovation and Technology Collaboration.

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