German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday (Sep 6) the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong "must be guaranteed", after meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. Protesters in Hong Kong have appealed to Angela Merkel to support them in her meetings with China's leadership. (Photo: AFP/Roman Pilipey) Hong Kong has faced months of pro-democracy protests, and ahead of her three-day visit to China this week, demonstrators in the semi-autonomous city appealed to the German chancellor to support them in her meetings with China's leadership. Merkel said she had discussed tensions in the former British colony, and civil rights there, with her hosts and had "pointed out that these rights and freedoms must of course be guaranteed". "In the current situation, everything must be done to avoid violence," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Li, as seen in video footage published by German media. "And the solutions can only be found in a political process - … [Read more...] about Merkel in Beijing says Hong Kong freedoms must be “guaranteed”
Robuchon latelier hong kong
Hong Kong leader insists she will stay on
Beijing has not stopped me from quitting, Carrie Lam tells the media this morning. —AFP Photo HONG KONG — Hong Kong's embattled leader insisted today she had no intention of stepping down, after an audio recording emerged of her saying she wanted to quit and apologise for causing the unrest that has rocked the southern Chinese city. Hong Kong has endured three months of protests, triggered by opposition to Chief Executive Carrie Lam's bid to push through a law allowing extraditions to mainland China. The protests evolved into a wide campaign involving violent clashes between protesters and police, in the biggest challenge to China's rule of Hong Kong since its 1997 handover from the British. "I told myself repeatedly in the last three months that I and my team should stay on to help Hong Kong," Lam told a press conference this morning. Lam said she had "not even contemplated" discussing resigning with the Chinese government, which gives Hong Kong a restricted … [Read more...] about Hong Kong leader insists she will stay on
Hong Kong spurs investment
The ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement is expected to help Vietnam attract more Hong Kong investors, Photo: Le Toan On June 11, the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA), signed by Hong Kong and 10 Southeast Asian countries, officially came into force for Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and Singapore. Under the agreement, the economies will reap benefits from reducing goods tariffs, opening a free flow of services, and widening investments within and across borders. Similar to other nations’ commitments of cutting tariffs, Vietnam will eliminate customs duties on about 75 per cent of tariff lines within 10 years and reduce customs duties of about another 10 per cent of tariff lines within 14 years. “The AHKFTA is another peg in securing the trade liberalisation tent and it is a big win for the ASEAN, and particularly Vietnam,” said Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Vietnam. “With no end to the trade tensions, Hong Kong businesses are looking for wider … [Read more...] about Hong Kong spurs investment
Danang tourism gets exposure in Hong Kong
The Danang Centre for Tourism Promotion under the Danang Department of Tourism recently hosted a roadshow in Hong Kong at The Cityview Hong Kong Hotel to promote tourism products and services, while simultaneously connecting travel firms in Hong Kong and Danang as well as promoting direct flights between the two locations. The Danang tourism promotion event in Hong Kong The event featured the presence of Tran Thanh Huan, consul general, Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, more than 60 representatives of tourism businesses in Hong Kong as well as local journalists and reporters. The Danang group was led by Huynh Thi Huong Lan, deputy director of the Danang Centre for Tourism Promotion, and representatives of the Danang Tourism Association, airlines, as well as hotels and golf courses in Danang. “Today’s event is organised to develop and reinforce business relations between travel firms in our two locations. Our … [Read more...] about Danang tourism gets exposure in Hong Kong
Viet Nam, Hong Kong to promote trade amid US-China tensions
Viet Nam and Hong Kong should promote investment, trade and service flows between the two sides to take advantage of a diversion of trade from China amid escalating tension between the US and China, a banking official said yesterday. Speaking at a media briefing in HCM City, Terence Chiu, country head of commercial banking at HSBC Hong Kong, said that more Hong Kong investors were eyeing Viet Nam as a good destination to seize huge opportunities for investment. Some companies had started shifting production out of China to avoid tariffs imposed by the US, he said. “Viet Nam is very likely to benefit from the adjusted supply chains,” he added. “We have seen strong business flow from Hong Kong to Viet Nam,” he told Viet Nam News. Over the past five years, trade between Viet Nam and Hong Kong has seen double-digit growth. Compared to other ASEAN member countries, Viet Nam had many advantages, which have helped the country gain attention from Hong Kong businesses, … [Read more...] about Viet Nam, Hong Kong to promote trade amid US-China tensions