Hong Kong signs first protocol to amend ASEAN - Hong Kong investment agreement
The First Protocol to Amend the Investment Agreement (IA) between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Hong Kong (the Protocol) was signed today (September 20) to activate the relevant provisions of the IA to enable Hong Kong enterprises to enjoy treatments no less favourable than those accorded to local or foreign enterprises in the 10 ASEAN member states.
The Protocol was signed between the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Ms Ma. Cristina A. Roque; and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Mrs Suphajee Suthumpun, in Manila, the Philippines, before the 10th ASEAN Economic Ministers - Hong Kong, China Consultation cochaired by Hong Kong and the Philippines as the ASEAN Chair this year.
The Protocol mainly incorporates the schedules of reservations into the IA to give effect to Article 3 (National Treatment) and Article 4 (Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment) of the IA. These articles provide that a party shall accord other parties' enterprises and their investments non-discriminatory treatment, except for those measures reserved in the schedules. The signing of the Protocol is set to bring about legal certainty, enhancing the investment environment and creating more investment flows.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, "ASEAN is Hong Kong's key investment partner and has been our third-largest destination of outward direct investment for four consecutive years, with a stock of $671.2 billion. Our flourishing investment relations have been boosted by the IA which has strengthened Hong Kong's position as an international investment hub.
"We are confident that the signing of the Protocol and its subsequent implementation will drive steady growth in Hong Kong's economic, trade and investment relations with the ASEAN region. We will work side by side with our ASEAN partners to strive for further economic development and investment growth in the region," the spokesman added.
Under the trade in services chapter of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Hong Kong and the 10 ASEAN member states, national treatment is committed for services and services suppliers for specified sectors, including through a commercial presence. Complementing the FTA, the IA will accord enterprises and their investments in non-services sectors national treatment and most-favoured-nation treatment, after reservations incorporated by the Protocol into the IA enter into force.
Apart from non-discriminatory treatment, the IA provides for fair and equitable treatment of investments, physical protection and security of investments, and the assurance of the free transfer of investments and returns. In case of expropriation or investment loss owing to war, armed conflict or a similar event, compensation will be provided according to the agreed standard as specified under the IA.
The text of the Protocol will be uploaded onto the Trade and Industry Department's website after all parties have completed signing the Protocol. Hong Kong and the 10 ASEAN member states will continue to work closely to bring about the early implementation of the Protocol, so that Hong Kong enterprises may reap the benefits as soon as possible.
The 10 ASEAN member states concerned are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. An extension of the FTA and IA to Timor-Leste, the 11th member state of ASEAN, is pending the internal procedures of ASEAN.
Hong Kong signs first protocol to amend ASEAN - Hong Kong investment agreement Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 20) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.
In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:
- Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;
- Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;
- Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;
- Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and
- Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.
In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:
- Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;
- The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.
- Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.
The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.
Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
- While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;
- Seek shade;
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.
If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
For more health information, the public may visit theCHP's heat strokepage andUV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.
Source: AI-found images
