SFST Articulates Hong Kong's Gold Master Plan at Global Precious Metals Conference

SFST articulates Hong Kong's gold master plan at Global Precious Metals Conference

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 organised by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time). He articulated to delegates from the worldwide precious metals industry Hong Kong's master plan in building a gold-trading ecosystem that is supported with government-led infrastructure, market-informed governance and commercially driven activities.

At a panel discussion session, Mr Hui was joined by a representative from the Monetary Authority of Singapore to discuss "The Next Chapter in Gold - How Hong Kong and Singapore are Reshaping Market Dynamics". Mr Hui said that Hong Kong, uniquely positioned in terms of its strategic location, international financial centre status and common law legal system, has been working at full steam to build a gold-trading ecosystem that would connect existing gold markets and add usable liquidity to the international market.

He elaborated, "We have already moved from planning to the full implementation stage. Our trial operation of the Hong Kong Gold Central Clearing and Settlement System has been well received. In addition to the 11 banks serving as provisional direct participants of the settlement system, other banks have also expressed interest in joining the settlement system, which is scheduled to be formally launched in the first quarter of next year. Meanwhile, we are in the final stages of connecting the System with Hong Kong's Real Time Gross Settlement system to enable Delivery versus Payment settlements. Our objective is to reduce settlement risk and operational friction, giving participants a reliable foundation on which they could build their businesses. The Government is also giving a big push in drawing private market participation in expanding gold storage capacity and refining capability through different policy strategies including exploring tax concessions to give add-on attractiveness along with the current tax-free policy on activities like gold import and export."

Mr Hui also announced to the audience that the LBMA is going to cohost its Asia Forum with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited (HKPMCC) in Hong Kong next April. He said that he is thrilled with the decision by the LBMA as it is a significant endorsement to Hong Kong's rapid gold development in these two years. With the gold central clearing and settlement system officially launched by then, the Government will take the occasion to showcase to international and Asian participants the city's capability in aligning with international standards and how the industry can utilise Hong Kong as a trusted platform to connect international and Mainland gold markets.

On aligning with international standards, Mr Hui highlighted that the Government and the LBMA are exploring ways to materialise co-operation on delivery standards. He said the move, if materialised, will help embed internationally recognised standards in Hong Kong's gold infrastructure, laying a trustworthy foundation for industry engagement.

Besides speaking at the panel discussion session, Mr Hui also met with the LBMA Chair, Mr Peter Zöllner, for an in-depth exchange on global precious metals market trends and ways to strengthen connectivity between Hong Kong and Londongold markets.

He then met with the President of the Swiss Precious Metals Association, Mr Christoph Wild, and its Executive Director, Dr Sabrina Karib, to discuss sustainable strategies in aligning with international standards of the gold market and to explore room for collaborations.

Mr Hui also met with the Managing Director and Global Head of Metals Trading at Deutsche Bank, Mr Prakash Shah, and the Director of Precious and Base Metals, Global Markets at Deutsche Bank, Mr Rao Sheng, to update them on the latest gold market developments in Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive Officer of the HKPMCC, Mr Bryan Chan, joined Mr Hui for the trip. He attended the Asia Working Group meeting and luncheon on October 5 (Sorrento time) at the Conference to brief industry stakeholders on gold infrastructure developments in Hong Kong, including Delivery Connect, launched with the Shanghai Gold Exchange.

The Global Precious Metals Conference is an annual flagship event for the international bullion and metals industry. This year, more than 1 000 delegates from across the precious metals industry are engaging to conduct focused debates and build lasting connections.

Mr Hui will visit multiple leading refineries for gold of international standard in Ticino, Switzerland, on October 7 (Ticino time) and meet with their senior management.

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time). Photo shows Mr Hui (first left) at a meeting with the Managing Director and Global Head of Metals Trading at Deutsche Bank, Mr Prakash Shah (first right), to provide an update on the latest gold market developments in Hong Kong. Next to Mr Hui is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (second left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time). Photo shows Mr Hui (second right) meeting with the President of the Swiss Precious Metals Association, Mr Christoph Wild (first right), and the Executive Director of the Association, Dr Sabrina Karib (second left), to discuss sustainable strategies in aligning with international standards of the gold market, and to explore room for collaborations. Next to them is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time) and had a lunch meeting with the Chair of the London Bullion Market Association, Mr Peter Zöllner, at the margins of the Conference. They had an in-depth exchange on global precious metals' market trends and ways to strengthen connectivity between the Hong Kong and London gold markets. Also present was the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Limited, Mr Bryan Chan. Photo shows Mr Hui (centre), Mr Zöllner (left) and Mr Chan (right) before the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (centre), attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time) and participated in a panel discussion session moderated by the Senior Advisor for Asia of the London Bullion Market Association, Mr Jeremy East (left). Also joining was the Executive Director of the Financial Markets Development Department of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Mr Lim Cheng Khai (right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time). Photo shows Mr Hui (left) at a panel discussion session announcing that the London Bullion Market Association is going to cohost its Asia Forum with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited in Hong Kong next April. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui (centre on stage), attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time) and participated in a panel discussion session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, attended the Global Precious Metals Conference 2026 in Sorrento, Italy, on October 6 (Sorrento time). Photo shows Mr Hui (left) introducing the suite of measures that Hong Kong is putting forward to foster the building of a gold trading ecosystem and its relevant progress at a panel discussion session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Traffic and transport arrangements for redeveloped Huanggang Port

The Transport Department (TD) said today (October 7) that, to facilitate the redeveloped Huanggang Port coming into operation to provide 24-hour services, traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented accordingly to provide members of the public and visitors with a convenient and smooth travel experience. The public should use other land and rail boundary control points (BCPs) based on their needs and not rush to the new port for crossing the boundary.

Franchised buses, green minibuses and cross-boundary coaches

The Huanggang Port will be served by seven franchised bus routes (including one overnight route), six green minibus (GMB) routes (including three overnight routes), and five short-haul cross-boundary coach (CBC) routes operating round the clock, carrying passengers directly to various districts across the city. Among them, the franchised bus routes will pass through nine MTR stations and four bus-bus interchanges, providing convenient interchanges with railways or buses to different districts. Cross-boundary travellers should plan their journeys early, pay attention to the daytime and overnight service hours of various routes, and choose suitable ones for travelling to and from the new port.

Route

Destination

Service areas

Franchised bus daytime routes

KMB B10

Kwai Tsui Estate Public Transport Interchange

Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Tsing Yi, Kwai Fong

KMB B11

Tin Fu Bus Terminus

San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Yuen Long Town Centre, Tin Shui Wai

NLB B12

Wu Kai Sha Station Public Transport Interchange

San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Tai Po (Kwong Fuk Bus-Bus Interchange), Science Park, Ma On Shan

Citybus B13

Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort)

San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Western Harbour Crossing Bus-Bus Interchange, Sheung Wan, Central, North Point, Sai Wan Ho, Chai Wan

Citybus B14

Kai Tak (Olympic Avenue)

Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Kai Tak Sports Park

*Provides daily service during morning and evening peaks at initial launch

Citybus B15

Castle Peak Bay

Hung Shui Kiu, Tuen Mun Town Centre, Tuen Mun Station, Tuen Mun South

*Provides daytime service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

Franchised bus overnight route

KMB NB73

Sha Tin Town Centre

San Tin Public Transport Interchange, Sheung Shui Station, Tai Po (Kwong Fuk Bus-Bus Interchange), Sha Tin Town Centre

GMB daytime routes

44B

Tuen Mun Station

Leung King Estate, Tuen Mun Hospital

44B1

Tuen Mun Ferry Pier

Tuen Mun Town Centre, Hung Kiu

78

Pat Heung Road (near Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange)

Tai Lam Tunnel Bus-Bus Interchange, Kam Sheung Road Station

GMB overnight routes

79S

Tin Shui Wai (Grandeur Terrace)

Long Ping Station, Yuen Long Town Centre

N44B

Tuen Mun Ferry Pier

Tuen Mun Town Centre, Leung King Estate, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun Station

616S

Mong Kok (Sai Yeung Choi Street South)

Mong Kok, Kowloon Tong

Short-haul CBC routes (24-hour operation)

*Some stopping points will only be in use during specific hours

Mong Kok

Arran Street (outside Golden Plaza)

Cheung Sha Wan, Lai Chi Kok

Yau Tsim

Austin Road Cross Boundary Coach Terminus

Tsim Sha Tsui (China Hong Kong City), Jordan

Kwun Tong

Lam Tin Station Public Transport Interchange

Kwun Tong (Millennium City), Kowloon Bay Station, Diamond Hill Station

Wan Chai

Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange

Wan Chai (near Southorn Centre), Sheung Wan

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Discovery Park Public Transport Interchange/Tsuen Wan Station Public Transport Interchange (overnight service)

Tsuen Wan Town Centre, Tsuen Wan West Station

The TD has arranged dedicated public transport lanes leading directly to San Sham Road from Fanling Highway and San Tin Highway for use by franchised buses, GMBs and CBCs to the new port, bypassing San Tin Interchange and thereby enhancing the efficiency of travelling to and from the port. A public transport buffer area has also been set up near the port building. Public transport operators (PTOs) will arrange backup vehicles in the buffer area, which can proceed to the port to pick up passengers within a short time to strengthen service frequencies when necessary, aiming to expedite the dispersal of passenger flows during peak periods.

Taxis

To ensure smooth overall traffic at the port, drivers of vacant urban and New Territories taxis as well as pre-booked fleet taxis must first obtain a queue ticket at the public transport buffer area, and then proceed to respective taxi stands or the designated taxi fleet pick-up area at the port's public transport interchange (PTI) to pick up passengers in order.

As for fleet taxis, a pre-booked fleet taxi waiting area set up inside the port building features a service station and a display panel for fleet taxi arrival information. Passengers who have pre-booked a fleet taxi should first register at the service station by showing the vehicle registration mark to the fleet taxi ambassadors. The ambassadors will dynamically deploy taxis waiting at the public transport buffer area to the dedicated pick-up area to ensure passengers can board quickly and smoothly.

The Huanggang Port PTI also provides convenient facilities for passenger queueing and boarding. Service ambassadors and PTO personnel will assist passengers at major locations in choosing suitable services and boarding in an orderly manner. Additional traffic signs and road markings have been installed at the PTI and on major connecting roads such as the Lok Ma Chau Bridge.

A spokesman for the TD said, "We will closely monitor passenger demand jointly with PTOs and step up or adjust services as necessary. Passengers should refer to PTOs' notices, websites, mobile apps or heed onboard broadcasts to understand route details, stop locations and service hours.

"During the initial stage of commissioning of the Huanggang Port, traffic in the vicinity may be relatively busy. Members of the public are urged to use other land and rail BCPs based on their needs for travelling between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and not to rush to the new port for crossing the boundary. Cross-boundary travellers who need to use the Huanggang Port should plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient time to adapt to the new arrangements. The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor traffic and public transport conditions of the new port," the spokesman added.

The TD has briefed the Traffic and Transport Committees under relevant District Councils as well as the local and cross-boundary transport trades on the traffic and transport arrangements. Members of the public and visitors may visit the TD's designated webpage "Access to Huanggang Port" for details, or heed the latest traffic news via the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), the HKeMobility mobile app as well as radio and television broadcasts.

The Transport Department (TD) said today (October 7) that, to facilitate the redeveloped Huanggang Port coming into operation to provide 24-hour services, traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented accordingly to provide members of the public and visitors with a convenient and smooth travel experience. The public should use other land and rail boundary control points based on their needs and not rush to the new port for crossing the boundary. Photo shows the Deputy Commissioner for Transport/Transport Services and Management, Ms Candy Kwok (second left); the Assistant Commissioner for Transport/New Territories, Miss Amy Tse (second right); the Principal Transport Officer/New Territories of the TD, Ms Vivian Kwan (first right); and the Chief Traffic Engineer/New Territories West of the TD, Ms Vilian Sum (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases