DSJ Leads Delegation to Support Mainland Enterprises' Global Expansion at Shenzhen-Hong Kong Exchange Event

DSJ leads legal sector delegation to first upgraded Shenzhen-Hong Kong exchange event to empower Mainland enterprises to go global

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation of nearly 30 members, including several legal experts specialising in intellectual property rights and data protection, to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen, with the aim of jointly empowering Mainland enterprises to expand their businesses overseas.

Entitled Greater Bay Area Enterprise Global Expansion Enablement Event - Session on Intellectual Property and Data Protection, the event attracted 50 Mainland enterprises from sectors such as smart hardware, electronic information, new energy, biopharmaceuticals, and high-end manufacturing, seeking to expand overseas. In addition to Hong Kong, their target markets cover regions including Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Addressing the event, Dr Cheung said that, after reviewing the successful experience of co-organising the exchange and matching activity last year, Shenzhen and Hong Kong decided to fully upgrade the event by increasing the frequency of hosting similar activities and focusing more specifically on issues of the greatest concern to Mainland enterprises, in order to further enhance matching effectiveness. As the first upgraded exchange and matching event, this session focused on the cross-border intellectual property rights and data protection issues of concern to the enterprises. In future, Shenzhen and Hong Kong will continue to organise similar events focusing on common legal issues concerning overseas expansion.

Dr Cheung also said that the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address stated that he was tasked to promote Hong Kong's legal services and collaborate with other professional service sectors, such as accounting and finance, to jointly support Mainland enterprises in going global. In addition to building matching platforms, the DoJ has actively provided practical tools for enterprises going global. In April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Services Providers Supporting "Go Global", covering more than 70 Hong Kong legal service providers with proven track records in the relevant professional fields of doing business overseas. Last week, the department launched the second series of the "Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong's Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global", compiling over 160 success stories on cross-disciplinary professional services spanning law, accounting, finance, and business consulting.

He emphasised that the DoJ has always attached great importance to helping enterprises connect directly with Hong Kong's professional services, and that the Panel List and the Collection of Success Stories serve to help Mainland enterprises identify the most suitable professional partners more effectively.

Dr Cheung noted that most of the law firms participating in the exchange session are listed in the Panel List and contributed case studies to the Collection of Success Stories. He expressed confidence that the delegation could offer Mainland enterprises practical solutions for addressing legal issues associated with going global.

Member of the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committeeof the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Zhang Liwei, delivered opening remarks at the event. The Qianhai Authority of Shenzhen also introduced the services of the Shenzhen Centre for Foreign Law Ascertainment and Legal Service for Enterprises Going Global.

In the sharing session that followed, delegation members gave detailed explanations on common legal risks and mitigation strategies in cross-border intellectual property rights and data protection, and highlighted the pivotal role Hong Kong's legal profession plays in assisting Mainland enterprises with their global expansion. Members of the delegation later split into groups to engage in in-depth discussions with representatives from Mainland enterprises.

The delegation also visited the "Go Global" Global Service Center in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Established under the co-ordination of the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government, the Center is a comprehensive international platform designed to provide full-range, one-stop services and support for Mainland enterprises expanding overseas and foreign companies coming to China, and to facilitate the integration of enterprises into the global market.

Dr Cheung and the delegation returned to Hong Kong in the evening after concluding their visit.

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows delegation members engaging in in-depth discussions with representatives from Mainland enterprises. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows the delegation answering questions from representatives of Mainland enterprises. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows member of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global Ms Annie Tsoi sharing on "cross-border IP protection: challenges encountered by mainland enterprises and the role of Hong Kong legal profession". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows Partner of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader Mr Tommy Liu sharing on cross-border data protection. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows Dr Cheung (centre) and member of the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Zhang Liwei (fifth right), with other guests at the activity. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows Dr Cheung (second right), member of the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Mr Zhang Liwei (first right), and the delegation visiting the "Go Global" Global Service Center in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows Dr Cheung delivering opening remarks for the activity. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, today (July 14) led a legal sector delegation to attend the first upgraded exchange and matching activity co-organised by the Department of Justice, the CPC Nanshan District Committee and the Nanshan District People's Government of Shenzhen. Photo shows Dr Cheung delivering opening remarks for the activity. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH takes action against unlawful tobacco advertising to safeguard a healthy, smoke free future for young people

In response to an online animation suspected of contravening the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371) (the Ordinance), the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 18) stressed that the animation in question does far more than depicting a character smoking. It repeatedly, continuously and prominently displays cigarette packs and tobacco products from multiple angles, with clearly recognisable brand names and logos. Such depictions constitute tobacco advertising as defined under the Ordinance and are suspected to involve product placement and dissemination of tobacco advertisements, in breach of sections 13B and 14.

TACO received a public complaint regarding an animation containing tobacco advertisements posted on two online platforms. The animation repeatedly and clearly displayed tobacco products and a tobacco product brand name. Following investigation, TACO issued notices to the relevant platforms requiring them to cease any activities that may contravene the statutory prohibition on tobacco advertising. TACO will continue to follow up on the case.

According to section 13B of the Ordinance, no person shall place or cause to be placed a smoking product advertisement on the Internet; Section 14(1) of the Ordinance stipulates that an advertisement is a smoking product advertisement if it: (a) contains any express or implied inducement, suggestion or request to purchase or smoke any smoking product; (b) relates to smoking in terms which are calculated, expressly or impliedly, to promote or encourage the use of any smoking product; or (c) illustrates or mentions smoking or any smoking products or their packages or qualities; Section 14(2) of the Ordinance clearly states that where an advertisement includes any trade mark or brand name of a smoking product, or any pictorial device or part thereof commonly associated therewith, then the advertisement shall be deemed to be a smoking product advertisement. According to the Ordinance, advertisement means any announcement to the public made or to be made in any manner.

Any person convicted of an offence under the relevant provisions is liable on conviction to a fine of HK$50,000, and in the case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine of HK$1,500 for each day during which the offence continues.

From 2022 to 2025, TACO received approximately 1 100 to 4 600 complaints or referrals each year concerning smoking product advertisements. During the same period, TACO issued a total of 180 summonses and 45 warning letters for suspected violations.

Prohibiting tobacco advertising and promotion is a key tobacco control measure in Hong Kong. TACO enforces the law strictly in accordance with statutory requirements and evidence, preventing any attempt to subtly promote tobacco products through animations or other means. This helps eliminate the harm posed by tobacco products and protects public health.

TACO again urges smokers to quit as early as possible, not only for their own health but also for the well being of their families and others. The DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline 1833 183, operated by registered nurses, provides professional counselling services to support smoking cessation.

Source: AI-found images