Hong Kong Financial Secretary Meets with UK Minister, Discusses Opportunities and National Security Law
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu of Hong Kong met with Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK minister for the Indo-Pacific, on Wednesday to discuss opportunities for cooperation between the two regions in the areas of finance and business. The meeting was the first between a local Hong Kong official and Trevelyan during her tour of China and Hong Kong.
Hui emphasized that the British National Overseas (BNO) passport is not recognized as a proof of identity in Hong Kong and cannot be used to support applications for early withdrawal of pension funds. This clarification is in line with the recent declaration by Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities that BNO passports are no longer recognized as valid travel documents or proof of identity.
Hui also highlighted the recent domestic national security law as creating a prosperous business environment in Hong Kong. He stressed that the law legally protects human rights and freedoms enjoyed and applied to Hong Kong under the Basic Law and international covenants. This, he argued, makes Hong Kong an attractive destination for businesses and investments due to its safer and more stable environment.
During the meeting, Hui and Trevelyan also discussed the latest developments in Hong Kong’s economic situation and financial markets. Hui expressed his desire to deepen cooperation between Hong Kong and British enterprises and investors in these areas, opening up greater opportunities for both markets.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued a statement after the meeting, saying that Trevelyan had stressed the UK’s historic ties to Hong Kong and its support for rights and freedoms set out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. She also shared concerns about the UK’s Hong Kong community, including the city police’s decision to impose bounties on fugitives.
Trevelyan’s visit to Hong Kong is significant as she is the first British official to visit the city since the enactment of the domestic national security law on March 23. Her office said she had earlier met with Deng Li, China’s vice-minister of foreign affairs, to discuss opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence safety, trade and development, and climate change.
