What's New

Revised duty - free concession effective April 1, 2007

Beijing Olympics 2008 Equestrian Events in Hong Kong
Jumping Fence Design Competition Winners

Influenza Prevention and Preparedness
Hong Kong Working to Prevent Avian Flu

"Prevention of Avian Flu: Banning Backyard Poultry Keeping in Hong Kong,"
Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (February 2006)

Centre for Health Protection

"Health Risks and Prevention of Various Forms of Influenza," Center for Health Protection (November 2005)

World Health Organization

Hong Kong Developments
Chief Executive delivers 2007-2008 Policy Address

Economic Summit Focus Groups Submit Reports and Action Agenda to Chief Executive

2006 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong Representing Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong shows that Hong Kong Still Preferred Base for Global Companies

Constitutional Development
A two-stage discussion will be conducted by the Committee on Governance and Political Development under the umbrella of the Commission on Strategic Development, the Hong Kong SAR Government’s broad-based policy advisory group, to discuss the principles and concepts relating to universal suffrage, and consequently the design of the systems to elect the Chief Executive and Legislative Council members by universal suffrage.

International Standing
Hong Kong ranked world's freest economy for the 13th consecutive year in the 2007 Index of Economic Freedom jointly published by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal (January 2007)

"Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007" ranked Hong Kong 11th out of 125 economies for the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI)

IMF Commends Hong Kong’s Macroeconomic Policy Framework

Hong Kong remains the world’s freest economy according to the Economic Freedom of the World: 2008 Annual Report released by the Cato Institute.

Hong Kong Disneyland Makes Magic

U.S.-Hong Kong Relations
Chief Executive Presents 2007-2008 Policy Address

Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region discusses Asia Pacific security challenges and Hong Kong’s role in promoting regional security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (February 20, 2004)

Asian Security and Hong Kong's Role in the Global War on Terrorism: U.S., Hong Kong Experts and Officials Discuss U.S.-Asian Cooperation in War on Terror at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (April 24, 2003)

Trade
Hong Kong and Mainland China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department

Notices
Smart ID card replacement exercise: Everyone holding a valid Hong Kong identity card issued on or after July 1, 1987 and before June 22, 2003 is required to apply for a smart identity card.

*People outside of Hong Kong who cannot have their id cards replaced during the specified call-up period should apply at the Smart ID card centers within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong. There is no need to rush back.

Immigration Department (IMMD)
Invalidation of old identity cards