Shenzhen Strengthens Support for Venture Capital Ecosystem
On 24 October 2024, the Shenzhen Municipal Committee’s Office of the Financial Committee promulgated the Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of Venture Capital Investment in Shenzhen (“Action Plan”). The document was released as a consultation draft, inviting public input. The deadline for feedback submission was 31 October 2024.
Key Measures Unveiled in Hong Kong 2024 Policy Address
On 16 October 2024, the HKSAR Government unveiled the highly anticipated 2024 Policy Address themed around continuous development and renewal. Accordingly, the Policy Address is titled “Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together”.
A broad array of initiatives are presented in the Policy Address to solidify Hong Kong’s status as a leading international financial and innovation centre. New growth areas will be explored and tapped into in order to facilitate comprehensive economic and social development.
Hong Kong Publishes Outcomes from Pillar Two Tax Regime Consultation
Between December 2023 and March 2024, the HKSAR Government conducted a consultation on the Global Anti-Base Erosion (“GloBE”) Rules and the Hong Kong Minimum Top-up Tax (“HKMTT”). Upon the conclusion of the consultation, Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Department, has recently published a Legislative Council (“LegCo”) Paper. The document recapitulates the input gathered from various stakeholders and presents the government’s feedback based on the findings.
New Peruvian Port to Serve as Key Gateway for Latin America-Asia Trade
The Chancay Port in Peru, a $3.6 billion project funded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative, is set to transform trade between Latin America and Asia. Located 70-80 kilometers north of Lima, it can handle large ships and reduce shipping times by 10-20 days. While promising economic benefits for Peru, the project has raised concerns about China’s influence in the region.
Hong Kong Set to Revise Copyright Ordinance
Hong Kong’s Intellectual Property Department has concluded a two-month public consultation on copyright concerns related to AI advancements. The consultation focused on protecting AI-generated works, addressing copyright infringement liability, and introducing a potential text and data mining exception. The existing Copyright Ordinance can protect AI-generated works, treating them as “computer-generated” creations. The proposed changes aim to balance AI development promotion with copyright protection.
China’s 136th Canton Fair Ends on High Note
From 15 October to 4 November 2024, the 136th Canton Fair in Guangzhou welcomed a record-breaking 253,000 attendees from 214 nations, marking a 2.8% increase from the previous session. Buyers from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries accounted for over 60% of participants, with Middle Eastern attendees rising by 32.6%. Export deals totaled USD 24.95 billion, driven by growing interest from U.S. and European markets. Enhanced digital platforms and innovative product showcases underscored the fair’s role as a catalyst for global trade.
