Published in China News on 09.10.2023
Recently, Guangdong released the latest edition of Invest Guangdong, an annual foreign investment guidebook, presenting a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment and inviting global investors to share business opportunities.
Published in China News on 21.09.2023
In the last couple of months, the news from and or about China was not very favourable. Too many voices, and too many opinions but no clear picture as to how to keep the business with China going. As a matter of fact, de-coupling from China is no option! But what does China want from us? To provide a clearer picture and some guidance the European Chamber of Commerce in China has released its European Business in China Position Paper 2023/2024 (Position Paper 2023/2024), shedding light on the perplexing messages emanating from Chinese authorities. This contradictory messaging has left European businesses uncertain about the nature of China's desired relationship with them.
Published in Hong Kong News on 21.08.2023
Hong Kong has been easing immigration rules left and right to attract more foreign workers into the city.
However, one problem — as pointed out by Mathew Gollop, managing director of Connected Group — is that some firms still fail to hire talent from overseas due to limiting factors such as language requirements.
“A candidate of mine took on a new role. His role is to look at talent as part of their diversity program and his first conversation with the talent function was to say, ‘Why do so many of our job descriptions have ‘must speak Cantonese?’ The response was: ‘We don’t know, that’s just what it says on the job description,’” Gollop told Hong Kong Business.
“Of course, many jobs in the local market will require Cantonese as a language but that’s a huge limiting factor when we know that the local talent market is decreasing. If we’re looking outside of that, then we’re going to have to be more flexible on some of these language requirements,” he said.
Published in ASEAN News on 19.08.2023
Hong Kong stands among a list of cities in Asia Pacific (APAC) that are expected to see office rentals decrease over the coming 12 months, according to new research.
The other cities identified on this list, published in the Knight Frank's Asia-Pacific Prime Office Rental Index for Q2 2023, are: Guangzhou, China; Shenzhen, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Published in Hong Kong News on 18.08.2023
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) has announced the release of an updated set of population projections on August 15th.
These projections, compiled by the C&SD, cover the period from 2022 to 2046, with the mid-2021 population serving as the base. In addition to the baseline population projections, the C&SD has also included high and low population projections for reference. While the baseline projection scenario is based on assumptions regarding fertility, mortality, and movement that are considered the most likely to occur at the time of compilation, the two additional projection scenarios explore potential outcomes under more aggressive or conservative assumptions.
According to the data, under the baseline population projections, the Hong Kong Resident Population is expected to reach 8.19 million by mid-2046. However, the high and low population projections indicate potential figures of 8.96 million and 7.76 million, respectively.
Published in ASEAN News on 07.02.2022
They are followed by China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Thailand. However, looking at the global ranking, the top three countries with the best pension systems are: Iceland, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Published in Hong Kong News on
The coronavirus crisis has proved a catalyst for digital transformation through financial technology - or fintech. As Hong Kong recovers from the Covid 19 pandemic, the city's tech sector is boosting confidence in the economy's "new normal" and helping businesses and individuals embrace new ways of doing business.
Published in ASEAN News on 16.09.2021
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that the country will reopen more cities to foreign tourists who are fully vaccinated from 1 October. Destinations to be given the green light to reopen under the second phase of the schedule include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Published in Hong Kong News on 26.08.2021
In light of recent developments in the COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong, the Government has made sudden changes to quarantine requirements for residents flying into Hong Kong. As The European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, we felt it is our obligation to express our opinions in an open letter to the Hong Kong Government. Please find the enclosed letter that was sent to the Chief Executive, the Secretary for Food and Health, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, and the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Government to express the international community’s concerns towards sudden changes on quarantine regulations for several European countries and beyond.
Published in China News on 17.03.2021
According to the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong S.A.R, starting March 15, 2021, travelers who have received Chinese COVID-19 vaccines (Sinovac) and obtained the vaccination certificate will enjoy facilitation for visa applications.
Published in China News on 21.01.2021
Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 cases domestically and the coming Chinese New Year holiday, many places in China have tightened local travel policies and are encouraging people to avoid unnecessary travel during the holiday.
Published in ASEAN News on 22.12.2020
In recent weeks, the question of when and how quickly an economic recovery can be expected has arisen with increasing frequency. After a year dominated by the Corona pandemic, various vaccines give hope that global economic momentum can be resumed in 2021.
Published in ASEAN News on 22.12.2020
On November 15, 2020, the RCEP free trade agreement, in a video conference, was signed by all 15 participating countries.
In addition to the 10 ASEAN countries Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, which have already concluded free trade agreements between themselves. Are also involved countries China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Thus, the agreement consists of quite diverse countries - rich and poor, large and small, highly developed and those where industrialization is just beginning.
Therefore, in the 31 rounds of negotiations - contrary to the name - a not very comprehensive agreement was worked out in order not to structurally disadvantage less developed and smaller economies.
Published in China News on 16.12.2020
In order to enter China at present, a self-employed person needs a valid M visa. This visa is valid in most cases 180 days and is issued primarily to entrepreneurs who want to pursue economic or commercial activities. Such as visiting clients, factories or trade fairs.
It is also possible to enter most provinces with a Z-VISA. These are issued to employees and are valid for 30 days. Within these 30 days, the worker must apply for a work and residence permit, which is usually a formality. This permit must be valid for at least 90 days and can be valid for a maximum of 5 years.
Published in Hong Kong News on 10.12.2020
In the 1990s, as financial security in old age became an ever-greater problem due to the increasing number of older people, a falling birth rate and the disintegration of extended families into nuclear families, the British government planned a mandatory pension scheme from 1993.
This was finally introduced on December 1, 2000, and since then has been the only compulsory social insurance in Hong Kong.
In mid-2020 a total of HKD 1 trillion (approx. 107 billion euros) in assets was managed for Hong Kong citizens.
