Remarks by S for S and STL at media session after opening of Huanggang Port (with video)
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, at a media session after inspection of the first-day operation of the Huanggang Port this morning (October 12):
Reporter: Good morning, for the Secretary for Security, will the Joint Command Centre with Shenzhen still be in operation for the upcoming Chung Yeung Festival peak this weekend, and what enhancements will there be for the authorities to handle the upcoming Chung Yeung Festival and the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)conference at the checkpoint? And for the Secretary of Transport and Logistics, how would you ensure that the bus routes serving tour groups at the San Tin Interchange will not cause jams for other passengers at other stations? And how many extra buses could be provided at the transport buffer zone outside the checkpoint? Thank you.
Secretary for Security: For the joint operation centre between Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities, we will operate as long as it's necessary. In particular, during high peak season, for example, on weekends or during the APEC conference, we will ensure that we will have sufficient manpower, be it the Police, Customs, Immigration or other departments. We are ready to take the challenge, even with a high tide.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics: The operation of public transport today so far has been smooth and efficient. We will not underestimate the challenges to be brought about in the coming long weekend. We have already agreed with the Police to arrange a public transport buffer area, which is very near to the Huanggang Boundary Control Point. We can make emergency and contingency arrangements and settings of franchised buses, minibuses and even taxis in the buffer area which can accommodate around 200 vehicles. With emergency vehicles to be set there and through the highly efficient communication channel here at the Boundary Control Point, we can arrange and deploy the vehicles to come and pick up passengers without causing congestion at this Boundary Control Point.
As for the San Tin Public Transport Interchange, we will optimise the design and planning of the interchange to make good use of the waiting area there. We will also arrange different transport options, including franchised buses and coaches, to have separate pick-up and lay-by areas at the San Tin Public Transport Interchange to ensure smooth, safe and efficient pick-up and drop-off arrangements.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Source: AI-found images
CEDB briefs Trade and Industry Advisory Board on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and Policy Address
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, briefed members of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board on major initiatives related to economic and trade developments in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address (Policy Address) at a meeting today (October 12).
Mr Yau said that based on the overall plan and development blueprint of Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, the Policy Address this year has rolled out a series of initiatives to strengthen Hong Kong's position and role as an international trade centre, and deepen its development as a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre by leveraging the city's international advantages, creating more opportunities for the industrial and commercial sectors.
Mr Yau highlighted that despite the challenges brought about by geopolitics and trade protectionism, Hong Kong's external trade has demonstrated strong resilience. In 2025, Hong Kong ranked as the world's fifth-largest trading entity. Since the beginning of this year, Hong Kong has recorded encouraging results in merchandise exports, with the total export value in August recording a year-on-year increase of 53 per cent, marking the 19th consecutive month of double-digit growth.
In this regard, he shared with the members the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's multipronged measures to continuously expand international economic and trade networks to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's role as an international trade centre. Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government will promote the high-quality development of trade by pursuing upgrades with the goal of achieving "digitalisation" and "diversification", and also develop Hong Kong into a high value-added supply chain service centre to assist enterprises in connecting with overseas supply chains and expanding their international businesses, capitalising on Hong Kong's strengths in professional services.
Mr Yau added that in response to the National 15th Five-Year Plan expressly supporting Hong Kong's development into a regional IP trading centre, the HKSAR Government is pressing ahead with the development of a vibrant IP ecosystem through a number of complementary measures, such as the launch of the Intellectual Property Financing Sandbox, the introduction of the Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme, the setting up of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy and the establishment of the Strategy Committee on Intellectual Property Trading Development, with a view to strengthening the foundation for Hong Kong's development into a regional IP trading centre.
In addition, Mr Yau noted that the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for 98 per cent of the total number of enterprises in Hong Kong, is of great importance to Hong Kong's economic development. As such, thePolicy Address announced 10 measures to support the diversified development of SMEs, as well as their upgrading and transformation.
Among these, the funding ceiling of "Easy BUD" applications under the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) has been increased to $150,000. The BUD Fund also provides more targeted funding support for AI projects, and the geographical scope of the BUD Fund will be expanded to cover Uzbekistan and Qatar. Moreover, the Trade and Industry Department will co-ordinate with the "Four-in-One" Integrated Services of SME Centres to assist SMEs in formulating brand development strategies. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will also strengthen the services of the E-Commerce Express, raising awareness of Hong Kong brands and expanding their coverage in e-commerce markets outside Hong Kong.
With Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address as action plans, Mr Yau looks forward to working hand in hand with the trade to further promote Hong Kong's economic and trade developments, particularly advancing the development of the Northern Metropolis and assisting Mainland enterprises in going global, with a view to reinforcing Hong Kong's important role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" while injecting new impetus into the city's economy.
CEDB briefs Trade and Industry Advisory Board on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and Policy Address Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDB briefs Trade and Industry Advisory Board on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and Policy Address Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
