SUCCESS-supported Activities

I. Building Powerful Workplace Magnetism - Dr. Li Chan Wing’s 4Q Winning Formula for Personal Branding (Online Course)

(This course will be live-streamed on 12 May 2026)

This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  This online course will explain the “4Q Winning Formula for Personal Branding”, helping participants use Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Emotional Quotient (EQ), Adversity Quotient (AQ) and Net Quotient (NQ) to clarify their personal positioning, build a personal brand and improve their workplace survival skills. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details and Registration (in Chinese only)

II. Picture Book Creation as a Storytelling Method (Online Course)

(This course will be live-streamed on 13 May 2026)
 
This course is offered by the HKPC. SUCCESS is one of the supporting organisations.  This online course will share the application and power of picture books, helping participants understand publishing and picture book creation industries. (This course will be conducted in Cantonese.)

More Details and Registration (in Chinese only)

Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)

The Second Agreement Concerning Amendment to the CEPA Agreement on Trade in Services (CEPA Amendment Agreement II) signed between the Mainland and Hong Kong has been implemented since March 2025.  The new Agreement introduces new liberalisation measures across a number of services sectors where Hong Kong enjoys competitive advantages, such as telecommunications and tourism services, etc., thereby opening up greater room and providing facilitation for Hong Kong service suppliers and professionals to develop businesses in the Mainland.  Meanwhile, the new Agreement also newly includes “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law” and “allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong” as facilitation measures for Hong Kong investors.

To learn more about the successful experiences of the Hong Kong trade in making use of the new CEPA measures to tap into the new business opportunities in the Mainland market, you are welcome to revisit RTHK television episode of “Government and You” titled “CEPA Amendment Agreement II – New Measures, New Opportunities” via the following links.

• Chinese version: https://www.tid.gov.hk/tc/our_work/cepa/promotional_materials/cepa_success_stories_video.html
• English version: https://www.tid.gov.hk/en/our_work/cepa/promotional_materials/cepa_success_stories_video.html

For more information about CEPA, please visit TID’s dedicated website (https://www.tid.gov.hk/en/our_work/cepa.html).

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Standards

The governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are dedicated to developing GBA Standards of various products and services for relevant trades to adopt on a voluntary basis, with a view to improving product and service quality, as well as promoting the interconnectivity and integrated development of the three places.  Currently, a total of 270 GBA Standards have been developed and promulgated, covering various fields, including food quality and safety, Cantonese cuisine, prepared dishes, transportation, mechanical and electrical products, as well as medical care, nursing care, education, e-sports, and "environmental, social and governance", etc..
 
For the development of new GBA Standards, the Standardization Research Center for GBA (GBA Standardization Research Center) has promulgated the “Guidelines on the Common Needs of ‘GBA Standards’ in 2026” (in Chinese only), which set out the priority sectors for developing GBA Standards and invite applications for developing GBA Standards from the trades in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
 
For the application requirements and documents as well as vetting arrangements for developing GBA Standards, please refer to the “Guidelines on Confirmation of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Standards (Trial)” (in Chinese only) promulgated by the GBA Standardization Research Center.  The relevant trades are welcome to submit applications through the GBA Standard Information Public Service Platform (GBA Standard Platform) (https://www.gbsrc.org.cn/applicationDevelopment) (in Chinese only) or by email to the GBA Standardization Research Center (gbsrc@gdis.org.cn) in accordance with the specific requirements set out in the two guidelines.  The two channels mentioned above accept applications all year round.
 
For information about GBA Standards, please visit the GBA Standard Platform (https://www.gbsrc.org.cn) or the dedicated webpage of the Trade and Industry Department (https://www.tid.gov.hk/en/our_work/trade_relations/mainland/gba_standard.html).

First batch of Phase 3 services of Trade Single Window to launch on 1 May 2026

The first batch of Phase 3 services of the Trade Single Window (TSW) will be launched on 1 May 2026, replacing Road Cargo System (ROCARS) for the submission and bundling of advance cargo information (road) by the trade. User data of the existing ROCARS will be automatically migrated to the TSW system. Users are not required to re-register and only need to log in with their existing accounts to use the TSW services seamlessly.
      
ROCARS will cease operation from midnight on 1 May 2026 to facilitate the system cutover work, and the TSW system is expected to launch in the early morning of the same day. During the system cutover period, cargo clearance services at land boundary control points will remain normal. Hong Kong Customs reminds the trade to plan ahead for the submission of advance cargo information (road) and the completion of the relevant bundling arrangements well in advance, so as to ensure the smooth flow of cross-boundary transportation during the system cutover period.
      
Hong Kong Customs will continue to maintain close liaison with the trade to facilitate the smooth transition to the Phase 3 services of the TSW. For enquiries, please contact the Office of Trade Single Window Operation of Hong Kong Customs at 2117 3348 or by email to enquiry@tradesinglewindow.hk.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/24/P2026042300648.htm.

HKSAR and Mainland sign new arrangement on mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and Vice-president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) Mr Mao Zhonghua signed the Arrangement on Mutual Service of Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Proceedings between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (New Arrangement) on 20 April 2026, enhancing the mechanism for mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings between the two places.
      
Over the 27 years since the implementation of the existing Arrangement for Mutual Service of Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Proceedings between the Mainland and Hong Kong Courts (Existing Arrangement), the volume of requests for mutual service of judicial documents between the courts of the two places has surged in recent years. However, the success rate for service of judicial documents under the Existing Arrangement is relatively low. In response to the strong demand from the legal sector, statutory bodies and members of the public for an enhanced service mechanism, the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Judiciary and the SPC, after an extended period of prudent discussions, finalised the enhanced mechanism for mutual service of judicial documents in civil and commercial proceedings between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with the New Arrangement signed on 20 April 2026. The New Arrangement aims to further promote the alignment of mechanisms and rules between the two legal systems.
      
The New Arrangement is not a completely new arrangement, but an enhanced version of the Existing Arrangement. The New Arrangement increases the modes of service, offers more options and flexibility, and introduces efficiency enhancement measures. This aims to promote timely and efficient handling of cross-border civil and commercial cases, strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of parties in the two places, and better accommodate the increasingly close-knit ties and judicial needs between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
      
The DoJ introduced the New Arrangement to the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services on 27 April 2026. The New Arrangement will come into effect only after the completion of relevant legislative procedures in Hong Kong. The DoJ will work closely with the Judiciary to complete the required legislative amendments work to implement the New Arrangement as soon as practicable.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/21/P2026042100243.htm.

Hospital Authority introduces electronic maternity/sick leave certificates and maternity leave certificates

Following the digitalisation of medical certificates (commonly known as sick leave certificates) and attendance certificates, the Hospital Authority (HA) announced on 20 April 2026 the adoption of digitally signed electronic maternity/sick leave certificates and maternity leave certificates issued by the HA starting from 24 April 2026. These digital certificates will replace the traditional, manually signed paper certificates.

Same as the manually signed traditional certificate, the digital signature on the electronic maternity/sick leave certificate issued by a doctor, and the maternity leave certificate issued by a midwife, holds the same legal effect. The digitally signed certificates will include name of patient, proof of pregnancy, the expected date of confinement and recommended sick leave, etc.
 
All electronic certificates, including medical certificates, maternity/sick leave certificates, maternity leave certificates, and attendance certificates, display an encrypted QR code that allows verification of the electronic certificate (see Annex 1). They are automatically stored in the "Records" feature of the HA's mobile application HA Go (see Annex 2 and Annex 3). The electronic certificates could be used for sick leave application or proof of consultation. Patients can print out the certificates where necessary. For the patient issued with an attendance certificate, the electronic version will also be stored in HA Go.
 
The spokesperson for the HA said that the digitalisation of medical certificates issued by the HA for sick leave, maternity leave, and attendance marks an important milestone in the development of smart hospitals. In addition to streamlining the process of telehealth services and enhancing patient satisfaction, the digitalisation of certificates also reduces the risk of losing paper certificates, facilitates patient access, and improves the overall patient experience. While printed copies of electronic certificates will still be available for patients at this stage, the HA encourages patients to opt for electronic certificates in the future.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/20/P2026042000334.htm.

Report on "Navigating the Green Shift: Opportunities and the Evolving Landscape of Transition Finance"

 

The Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR), the research arm of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF), released a new Applied Research report on 17 April 2026, titled "Navigating the Green Shift: Opportunities and the Evolving Landscape of Transition Finance".
     
The report is available on the AoF/HKIMR website.
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/17/P2026041700316.htm.

Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited becomes recognised certification authority

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) announced on 16 April 2026 that Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) has become a recognised certification authority pursuant to the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) (ETO).

The Government established the Voluntary Certification Authority Recognition Scheme under the ETO. A certification authority may voluntarily apply to the Commissioner for Digital Policy for recognition. Recognition will only be granted to those certification authorities and digital certificates that meet the Government's trustworthiness standards, thus protecting the interests of users of services provided by a recognised certification authority.

Under the Recognition Scheme, a certification authority issues digital certificates to subscribers, allowing them to conduct electronic transactions with other parties in a secure manner.

The HKIRC has been granted authority to issue six types of digital certificate to individuals and organisations. The HKIRC's recognition brings the total number of recognised certification authorities in Hong Kong to three, the other two being Digi-Sign Certification Services Limited and the Postmaster General.

A spokesperson for the DPO said, "The Government has been encouraging organisations to provide services as certification authorities, offering the public who need certification services more choices and helping to promote and facilitate secure and reliable electronic transactions."

More details of the Recognition Scheme are available on the DPO website (www.digitalpolicy.gov.hk/en/our_work/digital_infrastructure/legal_framework/regulation/eto/ca/introduction/).
 
For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/16/P2026041600498.htm.

DH reminds trade that medical gases will be regulated as pharmaceutical products starting from 14 June 2026

The Department of Health (DH) reminded the trade on 14 April 2026 that medical gases will be regulated as pharmaceutical products starting from 14 June 2026. By that time, any company involved in the manufacture, wholesale or retail sales of medical gases must obtain the relevant drug dealer's licence(s) in accordance with the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), so that they can operate the businesses lawfully. In addition, medical gases must first be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be legally sold in Hong Kong, to ensure that the products meet the required standards of safety, efficacy and quality.

The Board decided on 14 June 2024 that medical gases should be regulated as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance. In addition, pharmaceutical products containing nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and nitric oxide should be regulated as prescription drugs. A two-year preparation period has been provided to the trade for obtaining the relevant licences and registering their related products.

According to the Ordinance, illegal possession or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products or prescription drugs, and manufacture or wholesale of pharmaceutical products without the relevant licences constitute criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment upon conviction.

Since 2024, the DH has maintained ongoing communication with the trade and stakeholders regarding the new regulatory arrangements, including sending letters to notify them and remind them to make early preparations. The DH will further enhance its communication efforts before the new regulatory arrangements take effect to help the trade understand the relevant requirements. Medical gases will soon be regulated as pharmaceutical products. For details on applying for the relevant licence(s) and product registration, please visit the Board's website or the website of the Drug Office of the DH. Information on the regulation of medical gases and a list of registered medical gases can be found on the DH's Drug Office website.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/14/P2026041400612.htm.

DoJ publishes first Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Services Providers Supporting "Go Global" to facilitate precise connections between Mainland enterprises and Hong Kong's legal services sector

The DoJ published on 14 April 2026, for the first time, the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Services Providers Supporting "Go Global", comprising over 70 legal services providers in Hong Kong to facilitate precise connections of Mainland enterprises with Hong Kong's legal professional services based on their specific needs for expanding overseas, and to encourage the use by Mainland enterprises of Hong Kong as their preferred springboard of going global. The Panel List has been uploaded to the DoJ website.

The Panel List covers international arbitration institutions, practising barristers and 60 local, international and registered foreign law firms of various sizes. All service providers on the Panel List have track records in the relevant professional fields of going global.

To facilitate precise connections with Mainland enterprises, the Panel List classifies legal services providers into 12 categories according to their practice areas: corporate structure and strategic governance; compliance and regulatory affairs; capital markets; banking and finance; taxation; intellectual property; data protection and cybersecurity; asset management and wealth succession; employment and cross-border human resources affairs; dispute resolution; real estate, infrastructure and energy; and industry-specific legal services. The service providers on the Panel List are also invited to submit their particulars to the GoGlobal Cross-sectoral Professional Services Platform established by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to allow enterprises to consult on relevant information through the website and proceed with business matching.
 
The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan gives explicit support to Hong Kong in leveraging its professional strengths to assist enterprises in their going global endeavours. The release of the Panel List at the outset of the 15th Five-Year Plan is a timely and practical response. By capitalising on Hong Kong's strengths as an international legal hub, it supports Mainland enterprises in improving risk management as they go global, enhancing their international competitiveness and making steady and sustainable progress in international markets.

Dr Cheung said, "The Panel List fully reflects the breadth of Hong Kong's legal professional services. Hong Kong's legal sector has strong professional capabilities to respond to different 'going global' models, stages of development, and industry demands for high-quality legal services, providing enterprises with comprehensive professional support across the full business cycle. In addition, the Panel List also highlights the depth of Hong Kong's legal professional services by showcasing the specialised practice areas of each legal service provider. The Panel List is different from a simple directory. Apart from listing service providers' names and contact information, it also sets out, with reference to their track records or case submissions to the DoJ, the service providers' business and professional strengths. This will help the Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform play the role of a 'golden matchmaker'."

The Chief Executive in his 2025 Policy Address tasked the Deputy Secretary for Justice to promote Hong Kong's professional services in areas such as law, finance and accounting, to comprehensively support Mainland enterprises wishing to expand overseas. The Hong Kong Professional Services GoGlobal Platform established under the steer of Dr Cheung in 2025 primarily supports Mainland enterprises in two ways: first, consolidating information on professional services in Hong Kong to facilitate precise connections; and second, helping the sector understand enterprises' specific needs for professional services when going global to co-ordinate Hong Kong's professional services sectors towards providing effective support to enterprises.

Dr Cheung further said that the inaugural edition of the "Collection of Success Stories: Hong Kong’s Professional Services Supporting Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global" (bilingual in Chinese and English) released by the DoJ in 2025 has received a positive response from stakeholders of different sectors. The DoJ is currently preparing to release a second edition. Meanwhile, it will invite representatives from the professional services sector and enterprises going global to share their successful experiences and produce short videos, providing practical references for Mainland enterprises which are interested in learning more about Hong Kong's legal and other professional services.

He expressed the hope that through the practical cases shared by both the professional services sectors and enterprises, the good story of "Go Global, Choose Hong Kong" will be told to continue promoting to enterprises and stakeholders on the Chinese Mainland and in other regions Hong Kong's unique role as a world-class springboard, as well as the advantages of Hong Kong's legal and other professional services.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/14/P2026041400576.htm.
 

Hong Kong and Viet Nam sign agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (Viet Nam), Mr Tran Hai Quan, signed a bilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters (MLA) on 14 April 2026 on behalf of the HKSAR and Viet Nam respectively.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Tang said that international co-operation in judicial assistance is very important in weaving concerted efforts among jurisdictions for bringing criminals to justice.

"Hong Kong has been sparing no effort in strengthening its international law enforcement capabilities by expanding its network of bilateral arrangements with foreign jurisdictions concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The signing of the agreement on MLA today (14 April 2026) represents an important step forward in legal co-operation between Hong Kong and Viet Nam," Mr Tang added.

Under the Basic Law, the Government of the HKSAR may, with the authorisation of the Central People's Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.

The MLA agreement between the HKSAR and Viet Nam contains the essential features and safeguards of international agreements of this type. Assistance covered by the agreement includes identifying and locating persons, serving documents, taking evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, providing information, confiscating proceeds of crime, and more.

A list of the major bilateral international agreements (including MLA agreements) of the HKSAR, which have come into force, can be found at www.doj.gov.hk/en/external/international_agreements.html.

For relevant press release, please visit https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202604/14/P2026041400417.htm.

 

 

Topical Issues

GDETO Newsletter

The latest issue of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) Newsletter has been published.

More Details (in Chinese only)

Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) of the Mainland

The TID issued a number of Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) on the Mainland's trade and economic rules and regulations.  The latest CICs have been published.

More Details

Overseas Market Regulations

The HKTDC gives guides and resources, as well as regulatory alert, on trade regulations of overseas markets, such as "OMAN: Emergency Transshipment Measures Introduced" (15 April 2026).

More Details