HKSAR Government strongly disapproves of and rejects European Parliament's Recommendation on EU-China political relations
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) yesterday (October 9) expressed firm opposition to and strong dissatisfaction with, and strongly condemned the so-called Recommendation on EU-China political relations by the European Parliament, which made biased and untrue slanders in the section concerning Hong Kong.
The Central Government Offices, Photo source: reference image
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government stressed, "The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under 'one country, two systems' and comes directly under the Central People's Government. The HKSAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and other relevant laws so as to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, safeguard the lawful rights and interests enjoyed by Hong Kong people and other persons in the HKSAR in accordance with the law, and provide a solid foundation for developments in Hong Kong's economy, social life and other aspects. Its overarching goal is to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'.
"The implementation of the HKNSL in the past six years or so has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to swiftly resume to normal and the business environment to be restored and improved continuously. Besides maintaining its position as the world's freest economy, Hong Kong has risen to top spot in cross boundary wealth management worldwide and is ranked second in world competitiveness. The city is ranked third among international financial centres and comes first in the world in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings in 2025. Hong Kong remains high in the overall ranking and continues to be ahead of the western countries which often unreasonably criticise the rule of law and human rights situation of Hong Kong in the 2025 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. These achievements are built upon the freedom and stability brought to Hong Kong society by the HKNSL, the SNSO, other relevant laws of the HKSAR, and the work of safeguarding national security.
"It is each and every sovereign state's inherent right, under international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, to enact laws safeguarding national security, and is also an international practice. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the European Parliament to immediately stop its slanders and smears against Hong Kong, as well as cease issuing in any form so-called recommendation that distort facts and spread alarmist narratives, and interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs. The HKSAR Government will, as always, safeguard independent judicial power and fully supports the Judiciary in exercising its judicial power independently, and at the same time steadfastly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and defend the dignity of the rule of law."
The National Security Law, Photo source: AP News
CCIDA and FDC lead industries to participate in Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea to showcase Hong Kong's new creative momentum
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led Hong Kong's film and creative industriesto participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea, promoting the unique appeal and new momentum of Hong Kong's creative industries to the international market, fostering cultural exchanges and expanding diverse global business opportunities.
Sponsored by CCIDA and co-organised by the BIFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy, the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception was held on October 9 (Busan time) and brought together over 750 representatives from the global creative and film communities. The occasion enabled emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and original content intellectual property (IP) rights holders to forge stronger connections with their international counterparts. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to boosting film productions and grooming talents for various segments of the film industry through various funding schemes under the Film Development Fund (FDF), in addition, CCIDA will set up a dedicated Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions, offering seamless facilitation for overseas crews filming in Hong Kong.
Local filmmakers and their works supported by the FDF also shone at this year's festival. The film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative, was selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). The screening drew over 200 attendees. Director Isabella Lam, alongside actors Maggie Shiu, Hedwig Tam and Lokman Yeung, attended the premiere and engaged with audiences during the post-screening interactive session, receiving an enthusiastic response that reflected the international appeal of Hong Kong films.
Throughout the BIFF, CCIDA representatives also met with various cultural and creative institutions and film festival organisers, including Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, Korean Film Council and Busan Asian Film School, to explore future collaboration and development opportunities.
On the business development front, CCIDA, the FDC and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, building a platform for co-operation to facilitate exchanges among creative talents and explore collaboration opportunities. This year, CCIDA, for the first time, sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in the ACFM's "Busan Story Market" to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Sponsored projects included the comic "Disposable Dolly" and animations –– "Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen", "Cirkillation" and "Blacky The Metal Arm Cat". In addition, CCIDA also sponsored the participation of four Hong Kong producers, Trevor Choi, Lau Kok-rui, Kelvin Shum and Whitney Yiu, in the ACFM's "Producer Hub". Emerging filmmaker So Chak-long, whose project was selected for the ACFM's "Asian Project Market", was also sponsored to take part in project pitching activities.
CCIDA will continue to support the development of Hong Kong's film and creative industries and, as outlined in the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, conduct a comprehensive review of the FDF with a view to attracting more private investment and ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) and sponsored Hong Kong producers to participate in ACFM's "Producer Hub". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea. CCIDA sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in ACFM's "Busan Story Market" to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, where business meetings were held with industry counterparts around the world. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market, during which the film “Dead End”, funded by the Film Development Fund, held its world premiere at the BIFF on October 10 (Busan time). Photo shows the director and actors of the film in the post-screening interactive session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (front row, fifth right) and representatives of Hong Kong's film and creative sectors attending the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative supported by the Film Development Fund was selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). Photo shows representatives of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Hong Kong Film Development Council, director and actors of the related film. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, speaking at the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception on October 9 (Busan time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
