Hong Kong and Indonesia Strengthen Trade Ties at HKCHAM Inauguration Dinner in Jakarta

HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) co-organised a seminar and the inauguration dinner of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (HKCHAM Indonesia) in Jakarta on September 17, deepening business, trade, and investment ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Delivering opening remarks at the event, the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, congratulated HKCHAM Indonesia on its inauguration. She said that the Chamber should aspire to be a bridge linking business sectors of the two places. She also said that the Chamber would be a key on-the-ground partner of the HKETO Jakarta in promoting two-way trade and investment, and supporting Hong Kong's major initiatives, including the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global and the Economic and Trade Express platform.

In addition, Miss Cheng introduced key highlights of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's newly announced First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the HKSAR (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. She emphasised that Hong Kong is driving high-quality development through the dual engines of "Finance+" and "AI+", while playing the roles of "super-connector" and "super value-adder" in connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Mainland market with Association of Southeast Asian Nations economies, including Indonesia. She added that Hong Kong's trusted common law system, low tax regime, world-class professional services, offshore Renminbi hub status, and pursuit of early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership enable Hong Kong to deliver a triple-win outcome for the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

Miss Cheng highlighted the solid economic foundation between the two places, noting that bilateral merchandise trade reached close to US$6 billion in 2025. Hong Kong was Indonesia's second-largest source of realised foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025 at US$10.6 billion, and became the top FDI source in the second quarter of 2026 for the first time.

The event also featured remarks by the Chairman of HKCHAM Indonesia, Mr Suwito, and the Director of Indonesia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Horasis Lung, a keynote address by the Deputy for Coordination of Business and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Dr Ali Murtopo Simbolon, as well as a fireside chat and a panel discussion on doing business in Indonesia from the perspectives of Hong Kong companies. Prominent speakers and guests included the President of the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, Mr Abdul Alek Soelystio, and the Managing Director, Legal & Compliance of Danantara Indonesia, Mr Daniel Ginting. Invest Hong Kong also set up a promotional booth during the event.

The event brought together over 100 representatives from the business communities, chambers of commerce, governments and relevant stakeholders from Hong Kong and Indonesia.

HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO Jakarta co-organises seminar and HKCHAM Indonesia inauguration dinner to deepen Hong Kong-Indonesia business ties Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP investigates two confirmed Mpox cases and recommends high-risk target groups to receive Mpox vaccination

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (September 18) that it is investigating two confirmed Mpox (also known as Monkeypox) cases. Due to the recent increase in Mpox cases, the CHP strongly urged individuals who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact, particularly with strangers, to remain vigilant and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving the Mpox vaccination, and avoid close physical contact with anyone suspected of having contracted Mpox. Moreover, unsafe sexual contact can increase the risk of infection. The CHP has stepped up public education and outreach efforts, including setting up an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to provide health assessments and advice to people concerned, strengthening Mpox prevention and control campaigns on social media platforms, and sending a letter to doctors across Hong Kong reminding them to immediately notify the CHP of suspected Mpox cases for follow-up.

Case details

--------------

The first new case involves a 28-year-old man who developed rashes over his body starting on September 9, including genital organs, forearm, abdomen and face. He sought medical attention at a social hygiene service clinic (SocHS) under the DH on September 15 and was arranged to receive isolation treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The other new case involves a 26-year-old man who developed a fever, sore throat, myalgia, fatigue and lymphadenopathy on August 30. Subsequently, a rash appeared in various parts of his body, including his genital organs, chest and limbs. As his symptoms persisted, he respectively sought medical attention on September 8 and 15. The CHP subsequently arranged him to receive isolation treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Upon laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, the two individuals' clinical specimens tested positive for the monkeypox virus, and are in stable condition.

According to information provided by the two patients, both have had high-risk contact with other men respectively in Hong Kong during the incubation period.

No epidemiological linkages between these two cases, nor with other confirmed Mpox cases recorded earlier in Hong Kong, have been identified so far. The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations of the two cases, and will endeavour to contact individuals who had high-risk contact with them. The CHP will also report these two cases to the World Health Organization.

Since 2022, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 109 Mpox cases (87 local cases and 22 imported cases), including the above-mentioned cases. All patients were males. Since this August, the number of Mpox cases in Hong Kong has seen an increase. As of today, 25 cases have been recorded this year, including 20 local cases and five imported cases. Among them, 16 are new cases reported since August. Epidemiological investigations showed that among the 16 recently identified cases, all patients reported having sexual activities with men. No epidemiological links were found between the cases. All patients reported engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours during the incubation period, including having sex with male strangers or having sex without a condom. In 10 of these cases, patients reported using dating apps to find sexual partners.

Stepping up public education

-------------------------------------

Epidemiological analysis shows that high-risk sexual contact between males (including having sex with unknown men or multiple partners without using condoms) is a risk factor for Mpox infection. The CHP urges people who have engaged in high-risk sexual contact to seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms associated with Mpox, such as a rash, fever or swollen lymph nodes. The CHP has set up an Mpox hotline (2125 2373) to provide health assessments and advice to people concerned, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm.

The CHP also stepped up its Mpox prevention and control outreach on social media platforms (including dating apps), and will further coordinate and communicate with relevant non-governmental organisations to strengthen health promotion efforts for Mpox prevention among target groups.

Getting vaccinated to prevent Mpox

--------------------------------------------

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

1. 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;
2. healthcare workers responsible for caring for patients with confirmed Mpox;
3. laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses; and
4. animal care personnel with high risk of exposure in case of 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, without prior appointments.

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 being infected. 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 webpages onMpoxandMpox Vaccination Programme.

Source: AI-found images