Air services amendment agreement
On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Housing, Prof Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, signed an air services amendment agreement with the Government of the State of Israel in Tel Aviv on June 8, 2017.
Representing the Government of the State of Israel to sign the agreement was the Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Mr Israel Katz.
The amendment agreement and the air services agreement signed in March 1998 provide a legal framework for air links between Hong Kong and Israel, which will promote economic development and cultural exchanges between the two places.
Prof Cheung said that Israel is an important aviation partner to Hong Kong. Israel is along the corridors of the Belt and Road Initiative. The signing of the amendment agreement marks an important chapter of the bilateral aviation relations between the two places, which will create more opportunities for economic and trade development between Hong Kong and Israel under the Belt and Road Initiative.
MoU on co-operation in industrial R&D
Representing the Government of the State of Israel, Mr Sagi Karni, Consul General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, on 17 February 2014 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in industrial research and development (R&D) with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, represented by Mr Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.
The MOU would provide a framework for the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy of Israel to jointly encourage industrial R&D collaborations and technology development between Hong Kong and Israeli entities.
Agreement for Surrender of Fugitive Offenders
The Agreement between Israel and the Hong Kong SAR for "Surrender of Fugitive Offenders" was initialed on 28 July 2011 in Hong Kong between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the State of Israel.
The negotiations of the Agreement were held in Hong Kong between the State of Israel’s delegation led by Mr Gal Levertov, Director, Department of International Affairs, Office of the State Attorney, Ministry of Justice, and the HKSAR’s delegation led by Mr Wayne Walsh, Deputy Law Officer (Mutual Legal Assistance), International Law Division, Department of Justice.
MoU on Cultural Co-operation
Ambassador Amikam Levy, Consul General in Hong Kong, on behalf of the Government of the State of Israel, and Mr. Tsang Tak-sing, Secretary for Home Affairs, representing the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Co-operation on 15 June 2010 in Hong Kong.
As this co-operation will contribute to furthering mutual understanding and friendship between the sides, the two governments will promote and strengthen co-operation in the fields of culture, the arts and sport.
“This document reflects the deep and strong will of both places to collaborate in a wide range of fields”, said Ambassador Levy at the signing ceremony.
The governments will encourage information exchanges, cultural presentations, arts groups and personnel; sports-related events, contests and meetings.
The signing ceremony took place at the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, graced by demonstrations of Chinese tea-brewing culture and Israeli wine from the Golan Heights Winery. Israeli Dead Sea skin care products were offered as gifts.
MoU on Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters
On 4 May 2010, Hong Kong Customs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding co-operation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters with the Israel Tax Authority in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Commissioner of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Mr Richard Yuen, and the Head of the Customs Directorate of the Israel Tax Authority, Mr Doron Arbely, represented the two administrations at the signing ceremony.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Yuen said the MOU signified the mutual commitment and determination of the two administrations to enhance co-operation in combating transnational smuggling and criminal activities.
With the signing of the MOU, both parties were committed to co-operating more closely through mutual administrative assistance on matters relating to information exchange and enforcement of customs laws.
MoU on Securities and Derivatives Laws and Regulations
In March 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Israel Securities Authority and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission concerning consultation and co-operation and exchange of information.
Considering the increasing international activity in the securities and derivatives markets, and the corresponding need for mutual co-operation and consultation, the two authorities will provide mutual assistance and exchange information to ensure enforcement of their Laws and Regulations.
Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
On 26 July 2005, Consul-General of Israel, Mr Eli Avidar, representing the Government of the State of Israel, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, signed a bilateral agreement concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
The agreement is signed to facilitate greater international co-operation to combat serious crime. It will allow for a wide range of reciprocal assistance to be offered in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences and in the proceedings relating to criminal matters. It contains all the essential features and safeguards for international agreements of this type.
Agreement on Co-operation in IT and Communications
On 7 March 2000, the Agreement on Co-operation in IT and Communications between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and the Government of the State of Israel was signed in Hong Kong by Mr. Ran Cohen, Minister of Trade and Industry of Israel and Ms Eva Cheng, Acting Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting of Hong Kong SAR.
The Agreement identifies a wide range of areas for co-operation such as trade matching, investment partnership, joint research. It has symbolized a concrete step forward in closer co-operation between Israel and Hong Kong in the information and communication fields. It has also enhanced their communication in relation to funding support of IT projects initiated by the private sector which are beneficial to the development of IT in both places.
Agreement on Air Services
On 19 March 1998, the Agreement on Air Services was signed between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and the Government of the State of Israel. It marked a new phase in the aviation relationship between Hong Kong and Israel; and provided a legal framework for the further expansion of air links between the two places.