Hong Kong Customs Commissioner Leads APEC Delegation to Strengthen International Cooperation and Innovation in Trade.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Dalian and Qingdao and attends APEC Customs-Business Dialogue

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, led a delegation to visit Dalian and Qingdao from August 19 to 22, and attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Customs-Business Dialogue held in Dalian.

Coinciding with this year being the APEC "China Year" and with the nation hosting the meetings, Mr Chan led a delegation on August 20 to attend the Strategic Dialogue and related events of the APEC Customs-Business Dialogue, engaging in in-depth discussions with Mainland officials, Customs leaders from APEC economies, and business representatives on championing technology and innovation, as well as building smart Customs co-operation partnerships.

On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Mr Chan met with the Director General of the National Customs Service of the Republic of Chile, Ms Alejandra Arriaza Loeb, and signed the Customs Co-operative Arrangement to strengthen co-operation on information exchanges in combating transnational crimes, and to promote closer ties in trade facilitation. Hong Kong Customs has so far signed 36 similar arrangements with customs administrations worldwide. The signing of the Arrangement signifies the continuous effort of Hong Kong Customs in promoting international customs co-operation and fostering multilateral trade.

In addition, Mr Chan also met with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), Ms Sun Meijun, in Dalian to exchange views on further deepening collaboration between Mainland Customs and Hong Kong Customs. He expressed gratitude to the GACC for their consistent and strong support for the work of Hong Kong Customs at the meeting.

During the visit to Dalian and Qingdao, Mr Chan met with the Deputy Director General of the Dalian Customs District, Mr Wen Siquan, and the Director General of the Qingdao Customs District, Mr Shen Yang, respectively. He also conducted on-site visits to local customs facilities, including the Dayaowan Customs House of the Dalian Customs District, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport and the automated terminal of Qingdao Port, to learn about local Customs clearance procedures and advanced regulatory technology.

Mr Chan stated that Hong Kong Customs will continue to actively promote the development of Smart Customs and leverage innovative technology to enhance trade facilitation and safeguard the gateway of the country, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of the country and regional economic and trade prosperity.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Dalian and Qingdao and attends APEC Customs-Business Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Dalian and Qingdao and attends APEC Customs-Business Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Dalian and Qingdao and attends APEC Customs-Business Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Dalian and Qingdao and attends APEC Customs-Business Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Dalian and Qingdao and attends APEC Customs-Business Dialogue Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (August 24) led a cross-professional delegation comprising members of Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution sectors, as well as the financial and accounting sectors, to commence their first leg of a visit to Urumqi, Xinjiang. The delegation attended the opening ceremony of a training course organised by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of the Department of Justice. They also met with leaders of Xinjiang to promote Hong Kong's legal and professional services.

Mr Lam attended the Exchange Meeting on Opportunities and Strategies for Chinese Enterprises "Going Global" and the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Common Law and Dispute Resolution Practical Training Course organised by the Academy in the morning. He delivered his opening remarks and gave a keynote speech briefing the participants on the principle of "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's common law system.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Lam said that Xinjiang serves as a pivotal gateway, connecting Mainland enterprises to Central Asia and extending their reach into Europe. In recent years, its foreign trade volume has repeatedly surpassed the RMB100 billion mark. As cross-border trade and investment become increasingly frequent, enterprises face a complex and ever-changing international landscape alongside rigorous compliance requirements, making professional legal services crucial to their overseas expansion. This practical training course was timely as it focused on the opportunities and risks associated with Chinese enterprises going global. The course covered three core themes - the unique value of the "one country, two systems" principle and Hong Kong's common law system; Hong Kong court litigation procedures and international arbitration practices; and practical issues and arbitration clauses relevant to Chinese enterprises expanding into Central Asia - all designed to help Mainland enterprises understand and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages and professional services as they navigate global markets.

Mr Lam then attended a plaque-unveiling ceremony of a partnership association set up between Urumqi, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong law firms, witnessing further exchanges and professional collaboration between the legal sectors of the two places.

In the afternoon, Mr Lam met the Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee, Mr Chen Xiaojiang, for a lunch meeting to brief him on the latest progress of Hong Kong's work on aligning with the country's planning. They also exchanged views on strengthening co-operation between the two places.

Mr Lam also met with the Party Secretary of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Liu Jiansheng, and the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director-General of the Department of Justice of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Naibijiang Yibulayimu, to discuss topics such as further promoting the training, exchange and co-operation of legal professionals between Xinjiang and Hong Kong, as well as how Hong Kong's professional services can assist Xinjiang enterprises in going global.

Mr Lam then visited a themed exhibition in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to learn more about Xinjiang's development achievements.

Mr Lam and the delegation will depart for Almaty, Kazakhstan, tomorrow (August 25) to continue their visit.

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ leads cross-professional delegation to begin visit to Xinjiang Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases