LegCo Members Inspect New Quality Productive Forces, Grassroots Legislation and Urban Renewal Projects During Study Visit in Beijing

LegCo Members on National Affairs Study Visit inspect new quality productive forces, grassroots legislation and urban renewal projects

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) continued the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing today (23 July). In the morning, Members attended a thematic seminar on the continuous improvement of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics centred on the Constitution. The seminar focused on the development process of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, as well as the national legislative mechanism with the National People's Congress system at its core. Fully adhering to law-based governance is the fundamental requirement and an important guarantee of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The legislative bodies must uphold Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law as its guidance, deeply advance scientific legislation, democratic legislation as well as law-based legislation, and expedite the improvement of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics centred on the Constitution. This would ensure that the people act as masters of the country, and drive reform, foster development and safeguard good governance through good laws, thereby realizing rapid economic development and long-term social stability.

Members gained a profound understanding from the seminar that LegCo, as the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), exercises important constitutional functions under the Constitution and the Basic Law. Members have the responsibility to refine legislative processes, enhance the quality and efficiency of legislation, assist the HKSAR Government in resolving long-standing, big and difficult issues in society. Furthermore, under the executive-led system, legislation in key and emerging fields should be strengthened to enhance the targetedness, timeliness and operability of laws. During the seminar, Members actively raised questions and exchanged views with experts, noting that more communication with Mainland legislative bodies and drawing reference from national experience would enable LegCo to better discharge its duties and responsibilities.

In the afternoon, Members were divided into four groups to visit projects relating to new quality productive forces, grassroots legislation and urban renewal projects to draw on local experiences.

One group of Members inspected projects relating to innovation and technology (I&T) development and application such as new energy vehicles, robotics and embodied intelligence. Members first visited the Xiaomi Auto Super Factory in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) to receive a briefing from representatives of the Xiaomi Group on the planning and layout of the intelligent factory. While visiting the production workshops, Members learnt about the key components and manufacturing processes. Members noted that the support of BDA policies has facilitated independent research and development (R&D) and innovation at the factory, which has established full-chain R&D capabilities, and deployed over 700 robots to achieve round-the-clock automated new energy vehicles production. It has also opened its workshops to visitors to promote industrial tourism.

Members later visited the Robot World in the BDA, where they observed robots made by enterprises across the country and their applications in industrial manufacturing, elderly care and bionic animals. They also visited an experience zone of popular science education to learn about the innovation achievements in areas such as artificial intelligence and biomimetics.

Members noted that the nation holds a globally leading position in I&T development, while Hong Kong is the home to five of the world's top 100 universities with outstanding research capabilities and talents. The HKSAR can play a key role in accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance under the National 15th Five-Year Plan. During the visit, Members also deeply appreciated that removing red tape for the development of the I&T industry requires the coordination and support of policies, legislation and funding. This serves as an important demonstration for Hong Kong in expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis, including the Northern Metropolis Development Bill currently being scrutinized by LegCo.

Another group of Members visited Beijing Tashan Technology Co., Ltd (Tashan) to learn about the I&T application in robots and embodied intelligence. Tashan is a leading enterprise in tactile sensing technology in the Mainland, focusing on developing artificial intelligence tactile sensing chips and application solutions, which are applied to areas such as robots as well as smart vehicles and home appliances. Tashan is also one of the first Zhongguancun high-tech enterprises that has signed an agreement for R&D cooperation with the Hong Kong Productivity Council, enabling the Mainland enterprise to explore overseas markets. Members observed demonstrations of tactile sensing technology for humanoid robots, including the application of "electronic skin" on robots. Members considered that in light of the growing I&T collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong, LegCo could proactively support the HKSAR Government in promoting the integration of an efficient market with a capable government, and join hands with the Government to develop high-quality industries, realizing R&D outcomes. Giving full play to Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of having our nation's strong support and being closely connected to the world would enable more Mainland high-tech companies to "go global" through Hong Kong, strengthening the city's status as an international I&T centre.

One group of Members proceeded to Nanmofang Township in Chaoyang District in Beijing Municipality to visit the Home for Deputies to the People's Congress and Legislative Contact Point (Home and Contact Point), learning about the grassroots legislation there and exchanging views with representatives of the Standing Committee of Chaoyang District People's Congress of Beijing Municipality. The Home and Contact Point collects citizens' views on legislative work through online and offline channels, conveying feedback directly to the National People's Congress. This initiative is regarded as a "direct train" for national legislation and a successful practice of "whole-process people's democracy" in the legislative field. Members considered that maintaining close contact with the public, conducting in-depth research and fully taking on public views and pooling public wisdom make the Home and Contact Point an important practical innovation in democratic lawmaking with significant reference value. Serving as representatives of public voice, Members can draw on the successful experience of the Home and Contact Point to further listen to grassroots citizens, strengthen the sense of responsibility and commitment, and fully reflect public opinion in LegCo's work.

Another group of Members visited the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District (Longfu Temple District) in Dongcheng District in Beijing Municipality to inspect urban revitalization and renewal projects in the area. Since 2012, Longfu Temple District has promoted historic preservation and urban renewal projects, blending traditional "hutong" courtyards with modern architectural designs to transform the old district into a new landmark for culture and consumption. Members visited shops with a long-established reputation, cultural and creative parks, and cultural centres in Longfu Temple District, gaining an understanding of how new vitality was injected into traditional commercial projects during renovation and renewal, as well as the promotion of the integrated development of culture, commerce and tourism. Members took the view that Longfu Temple District has successfully preserved its original features while breaking new ground. It not only renovates and upgrades public spaces, but also organically integrates culture, arts and trendy lifestyles. Hong Kong can draw on its experience to promote urban revitalization, strengthen research and offer suggestions on urban renewal policies, so as to inject new economic momentum into old districts.

Members will continue with the Study Visit programme tomorrow (July 24).

Click here to watch the highlight of today's Study Visit.

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and are briefed about the historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and are briefed about the historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and are briefed about the historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and are briefed about the historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members posing for a group photo at the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District in Dongcheng District in Beijing Municipality. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about grassroots legislative work at the Home for Deputies to the People's Congress and Legislative Contact Point of Nanmofang Township. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about grassroots legislative work at the Home for Deputies to the People's Congress and Legislative Contact Point of Nanmofang Township. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about grassroots legislative work at the Home for Deputies to the People's Congress and Legislative Contact Point of Nanmofang Township. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about grassroots legislative work at the Home for Deputies to the People's Congress and Legislative Contact Point of Nanmofang Township. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members posing for a group photo at the Home for Deputies to the People's Congress and Legislative Contact Point of Nanmofang Township. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about the applications of innovative technologies such as robotics and embodied intelligence at Beijing Tashan Technology Co., Ltd. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about the applications of innovative technologies such as robotics and embodied intelligence at Beijing Tashan Technology Co., Ltd. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about the applications of innovative technologies such as robotics and embodied intelligence at Beijing Tashan Technology Co., Ltd. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about the applications of innovative technologies such as robotics and embodied intelligence at Beijing Tashan Technology Co., Ltd. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members posing for a group photo with representatives of Beijing Tashan Technology Co., Ltd.. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about the latest developments in robotics and embodied intelligence at the Robot World. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and learn about the latest developments in robotics and embodied intelligence at the Robot World. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows the President of LegCo, Dr Starry Lee (seventh left, front row), and Members presenting a pennant to representatives of the Robot World to express their gratitude. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members conducting group inspections and are briefed on the cutting-edge technologies in the research and development as well as smart manufacturing of new energy vehicles. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows the President of LegCo, Dr Starry Lee (ninth right), and Members posing for a group photo with representatives of the Xiaomi Group at the Xiaomi Auto Super Factory in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Legislative Council (LegCo) Members today (July 23) continue the National Affairs Study Visit in Beijing. Photo shows LegCo Members attending a thematic seminar on "continuously improving the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics centred on the Constitution". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by DSJ at forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan"

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7):

Dr Phyllis Kwong (President of the Asia Pacific Law Association), Consul General Mr Dosmanbetov (Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong, Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov), (Deputy Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association, Ms Liu Jianqing), distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join today's forum organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association.

In June, I had the privilege of joining a highly fruitful delegation led by the Chief Executive to Kazakhstan in my capacity as the Deputy Secretary for Justice as well as the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global.

That visit reinforced a clear message: Hong Kong is a natural and indispensable partner not only for Kazakhstan's development, but also for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into Kazakhstan and beyond. I would like to share some of my observations.

Opportunities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, sits at the strategic crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its economy momentum is remarkable - with growth of 6.5 per cent in 2025 and projected to hold steady at 4.8 per cent in 2026. As a global heavyweight in energy fuels and critical minerals, and a vital node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan is not just opening its markets, but undergoing profound economic transformation.

Its young and tech-savvy population is driving unprecedented demand for digital services, modern infrastructure, and sophisticated financial products. This creates a fertile ground for partnership.

I am certain that the Consul General will share more on Kazakhstan's latest development in a minute.

Hong Kong's Unique "Hub-to-Hub" Role

Let me now focus on how Hong Kong serves as the ideal "hub" to connect with Kazakhstan's growing "hub" - a "hub-to-hub" collaboration as remarked by the Chief Executive in our recent visit.

Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is more than a gateway. We are the active catalyst.

Hong Kong as the Premier Financial Hub

First, let's consider our financial market. In the first quarter of 2026, our stock market ranked first globally in IPO (initial public offering) funds raised. This liquidity is matched by a deep and robust bond market, evidenced by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan's issuance of Renminbi "dim sum" bonds in Hong Kong.

We serve as a deal-making bridge connecting Kazakh capital with high-growth Mainland sectors. This is essential for pre-IPO financing through which Chinese businesses' capital base would be diversified while enriching Kazakh financial industry's investment portfolio.

On capital market listings, we facilitate dual access. Last year, we welcomed the first simultaneous dual listing on the Hong Kong and Astana exchanges of a Mainland mining firm. By tapping into investor bases simultaneously, the company was able to raise more funds than it could have through a single listing.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's national railway company wholly-owned by its sovereign wealth fund has recently submitted its listing application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This showcases how Hong Kong also acts as the premier gateway for Kazakh state-owned enterprises seeking international expansion and funding.

The Common Law Advantage

Behind every successful transaction lies a solid legal foundation. The Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan has established a special jurisdiction operating under common law principles. This mutual legal grounding in common law gives Hong Kong a distinctive edge in safeguarding cross-border transactions with predictability.

First, on investment infrastructure. Complex and multi-jurisdictional Belt and Road projects require sophisticated legal engineering with expertise in cross-border regulatory landscape. Hong Kong lawyers, with rich experience and a wide network, navigate the intersection of common law, international regulations, and Chinese corporate governance to ensure the projects' sustainability.

Second, on dispute resolution. Hong Kong offers a regulatory framework that delivers the certainty and effectiveness for cross-border dispute resolution. We have established a comprehensive mutual legal assistance network with the Chinese Mainland, enabling distinctive advantages no other jurisdiction could match, including in mutual enforcement of civil and commercial judgments and interim measures for arbitral proceedings.

Our Judiciary is setting up the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), a specialist division of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes. The HKICC, together with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, will provide businesses with a comprehensive range of dispute resolution options.

Our Initiatives

Now that you have a clearer picture of how Hong Kong's world-leading financial market with quality professional services could assist businesses to seize Kazakh opportunities. The next question is: how to find your suitable advisors?

To strengthen the connection between enterprises and Hong Kong's professional services, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched several new initiatives.

We have been leading mission trips to the Chinese Mainland and beyond, directly linking Hong Kong's legal and other professionals with enterprises seeking to go global. These are not just networking events but matchmaking platforms for concrete business needs.

This April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting "Go Global", detailing their practice areas, such as capital markets, taxation, etc, and the industries they have assisted.

We have also compiled two collections of success stories, showcasing the track record of Hong Kong's legal, accounting, financial and business consultancy services.

With these tools, businesses could appreciate in practical terms the value our professional services could create, backing their full business cycle.

Ladies and gentlemen, the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's financial and legal infrastructures position us to play a pivotal role in supporting closer collaboration with Kazakhstan. I look forward to working together with you to build better partnerships among Chinese Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. I wish today's event a huge success. Thank you very much.

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, speaks at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases