Hong Kong – Basic Law Quiz Competition Final and Prize Presentation Ceremony held today (with photos)

Apr 22, 2024 | International

Basic Law Quiz Competition Final and Prize Presentation Ceremony held today (with photos)

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     Jointly organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE) and the Working Group on Local Community under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, the Basic Law Quiz Competition Final and Prize Presentation Ceremony was held today (April 21). This year’s competition received an overwhelming response, attracting a record-breaking number of over 42 000 participants.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung, said that the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) stemmed from the Constitution. Article 31 of the Constitution stipulates that “the state may establish special administrative regions when necessary”. The formulation of the Basic Law and the “one country, two systems” principle were also based on the Constitution. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, the Central Government authorises the HKSAR to enact laws on its own to prohibit acts that endanger national security in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance officially took effect upon gazettal on March 23, ensuring the effective protection of national security and enhancing social stability and harmony. With safety comes stability; with stability comes prosperity.
      
     He added that the HKSAR Government has been dedicated to enhancing public understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law, while the ceremony is one of the flagship events of the HYAB. He said he was delighted to know that the number of participants this year reached a record high and thanked the public for their support for the competition.
      
     The quiz competition covered the relationship between the Constitution and the Basic Law, the Basic Law and its history and the National Security Law. The competition comprises the Family, Senior Primary School, Secondary School and Open categories. To tie in with the quiz competition, the organisers hosted four seminars in February and March to introduce the Constitution and the Basic Law to secondary and primary school students.
      
     The HYAB has long been working closely with the CPCE in promoting the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law at the community level through various channels and diversified means, including publishing parent-child magazines, creating websites and social media pages, organising competitions, seminars and exhibitions, as well as sponsoring eligible organisations to organise various promotional and exchange activities on civic and national education.

28th WebAward Competition: Who Will Win Best Financial Services Website?

Mar 8, 2024 | Business

 The Web Marketing Association is looking for the best Financial Services websites in the world as part of their 28th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 90 industries, including banking, credit union, insurance, investment, mutual funds, financial services and new categories for cryptocurrency and blockchain websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for Financial-related web sites to enter to be judged is May 31, 2024.

“In the financial sector, a website often serves as the initial interaction point with prospective clients. An adeptly crafted website is crucial for establishing trust and credibility,” emphasized William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “Given the intense competition in web development within the financial services industry, companies gain significantly from impartial assessments of their digital initiatives. Future financial websites must navigate the delicate equilibrium between the innovation and technology desired by users and the stringent regulatory requirements of the industry. The WebAward Competition presents an unparalleled opportunity to display exemplary achievements in financial website development, highlighting those who set the benchmark for excellence.”

Websites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry in the Financial Services category is judged against other financial services entries and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All financial services entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific criteria scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward’s professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the financial services categories will also receive:
· A limited-edition Commemorative NFT
· Increased visibility for their company
· Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
· Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
· Social media posts for your company and personal feeds
· A highlight for your resume
· Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers
· Unlimited bragging rights

Each year, the Web Marketing Association names the Best of Industry for the various financial services categories based on the score they receive from the WebAward judges.

Past winners of the Best Financial Services Website include:

§ 2023 – WSI for Impact Financial Engineering
§ 2022 – Risdall Marketing Group for First Advisors
§ 2021- MBC Strategic for Angel Oak Capital Advisors
§ 2020 – Mastercard for Mastercard.com Website Design
§ 2019 – Conceptual Minds, Inc. for ClienTax, Inc.
§ 2018 – Small Army for Country Bank Website
§ 2017 – Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life for HelloLife Consumer Site
§ 2016 – Edward Jones for Edward Jones Website
§ 2015 – Prudential Financial for Sponsor Center – Supporting Retirement Security Plan Participants
§ 2014 – Nimble for Nimble Website
§ 2013 – Nimble for Nimble Website
§ 2012 – InvestLab & Comrade for InvestLab Tradepop Branding & Design
§ 2011 – Brightworks Interactive Marketing & RBC for RBC Better Student Life
§ 2010 – Standard Chartered Bank and TBWATEQUILAHong Kong for The Standard Chartered Bank Homepage
§ 2009 Standard Chartered Bank and TBWATEQUILAHong Kong for The Standard Chartered Private Bank Global Website
§ 2008 Organic Inc for Bank of America Fees & Processes
§ 2007 John Hancock Funds, LLC for Financial Professional Website
§ 2006 T3 (The Think Tank) for Chase Card with Blink
§ 2005 Merrill Lynch for Merrill Lynch Gateway Website
§ 2004 Moving Minds, LLC for Trancentrix Corporate Payment Solutions Website
§ 2003 Weber Shandwick Worldwide for CNBC on MSN Money

Past winners of the Best Bank Website include:

§ 2023 – Jack Henry for First Eagle Bank
§ 2022 – First National Bank and Trust for A Better Digital User Experience
§ 2021 – Jack Henry Digital – Banno for The Bank of Princeton
§ 2020 – Jack Henry & Associates / Banno Group for Think Bank
§ 2019 – ZAG Interactive for Berkshire Bank
§ 2018 – Mirum (Thailand) Co., Ltd. for Krungthai Bank Website
§ 2017 – Reichl und Partner eMarketing for DADAT Direct Bank
§ 2016 – Western Alliance Bancorporation for Western Alliance Bancorporation Website Redesign
§ 2015 – Turkiye Is Bankasi (ISBANK) for Turkiye Is Bankasi New Privia Website
§ 2014 – Ally Bank for Ally Bank Product Pages
§ 2013 – Group Digital Banking for The New Standard Chartered Bank India Website
§ 2012 – Cleartag SAL for Audi Card Artist Website
§ 2011 – Finn Digital on behalf of Johnson Financial Group for Johnson Bank Website Redesign
§ 2010 – Standard Chartered Bank and TBWATEQUILAHong Kong for The Standard Chartered Bank Homepage
§ 2009 – Organic, Inc. for Bank of America – Morris on Campus (2009 Best of Show Winner)
§ 2008 – TBWATEQUILA HK for Standard Chartered Bank/People in Action
§ 2007 – Organic, Inc. for Bank of America No Fee Mortgage Plus
§ 2006 – Carat Fusion for Wachovia Championship 17
§ 2005 – Agency.com for Sainsburysbank.co.uk
§ 2004 – Ion Global Limited for HSBC Card Services HK

Past winners of the Best Credit Union Website include:

§ 2023 – Jack Henry for Embers Credit Union
§ 2022 – Jack Henry for P1FCU
§ 2021 – Sundin Marketing for St. Jean’s Credit Union
§ 2020 – ZAG Interactive for Andrews Federal Credit Union
§ 2019 – ZAG Interactive for University Credit Union
§ 2018 – ZAG Interactive for Coastal Credit Union
§ 2017 – ZAG Interactive for Black Hills Federal Credit Union
§ 2016 – America First Credit Union for America First Credit Union Website
§ 2015 – CU Solutions Group for Water & Power Community Credit Union
§ 2014 – ZAG Interactive for SF Police Credit Union
§ 2013 – Extractable for Logix Federal Credit Union Website
§ 2012 – Boston Interactive for IC Federal Credit Union
§ 2011 – Extractable for Security Service Federal Credit Union
§ 2010 – Extractable for Citizen’s Equity
§ 2009 – America First Credit Union for www.americafirst.com
§ 2008 – Delta Community for CU Delta Community Credit Union
§ 2007 – Extractable for SAFE credit union
§ 2006 – Webnbeyond for Union America Mortgage
§ 2005 – America First Credit Union for www.americafirst.com
§ 2004 – Imirage, Inc for APCI Federal Credit Union

Past winners of the Best Cryptocurrency Website include:

· 2023 – Solid Digital for Cryptotech Solutions
· 2022 – Certificate Exchange Inc. for CryptoBuxx.com

Past winners of the Best Insurance Website include:

· 2023 – BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee for Health Equity
· 2022 – theOrigo Ltd. for BOC Life Website
· 2021 – The Zebra for The Zebra 2021
· 2020 – TrustedChoice.com for TrustedChoice.com
· 2019 – 90 Degree Design for Brentwood Services Website
· 2018 – Antyra Solutions (Private) Limited for Fairfirst Insurance
· 2017 – TribalVision for Falvey Yacht Insurance
· 2016 – Insurify for Insurify Website
· 2015 – GEICO for GEICO Website
· 2014 – TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Co. for Life Wizard
· 2013 – Cigna for Health Care Reform for YOU Infographic
· 2012 – The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies for The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, Agency
· 2011 – American Family Insurance for www.amfam.com
· 2010 – Liberty Mutual, Hill Holiday, and Red Interactive Agency for 2099 Online Racing Game, Presented by Liberty Mutual
· 2009 – AXA Equitable for www.axa-equitable.com
· 2008 – Blue Shield of California for blueshieldcachatbox.com
· 2007 – Progressive Insurance for Progressive Corp.
· 2006 – Blue Shield of California
· 2005 – Internet Communications for Medical Mutual – Ohio’s Get-Well Card TM
· 2004 – Graficalnter.active for Horizon Empire Blue Cross BlueShield
· 2003 – Empire BlueCross BlueShield for Empire BlueCross BlueShield web site
· 2002 – Progressive Insurance for progressive.com

Past winners of the Best Investment Website include:

· 2023 – MBC Strategic for Buckingham Strategic Partners
· 2022 – MBC Strategic for Axiom Investors
· 2021 – Sondhelm Partners for Chase Investments
· 2020 – Cloud Construct for RA Capital
· 2019 – MBC Strategic for Domos
· 2018 – PaperStreet Web Design for Aviator Capital
· 2017 – John Hancock Investments for John Hancock Investments Website
· 2016 – Boston Interactive for Standish Mellon
· 2015 – Orbis Investments for Orbis Access
· 2014 – Behringer for BehringerInvestments.com
· 2013 – Behringer Harvard for Behringer Harvard.com
· 2012 – Extractable for Motif Investing Website Redesign
· 2011 – John Hancock Funds, LLC for John Hancock Funds Financial Professional Website
· 2010 – Lending Club Corporation for Lending Club
· 2009 – Razorfish for Investor’s Business Daily
· 2008 – John Hancock Annuities for jhannuities.com
· 2007 – Frank Worldwide Inc. for 55 West Wacker- Cape Horn Group
· 2006 – i33 communications LLC for BetterInvesting website redesign
· 2005 – BusinessWeek Online for BusinessWeek Online website
· 2004 – Alliet Capital Corporation for Allied Capital Corporation website
· 2003 – Summit Partners for Summit Partners website
· 2002 – Frank Russell Company for Russell.com

Past winners of the Best Mutual Fund Web site include:

· 2023 – Tom Sudyka Lawson Kroeker Investment Management
· 2022 – MBC Strategic for Homestead Funds
· 2020 – Mairs & Power / SunStar Strategic for Mairs & Power Website
· 2017 – Pacific Life for Pacific Funds Web Site
· 2015 – Aston Asset Management for Aston Funds Website
· 2014 – Aston Asset Management for Aston Funds Website
· 2013 – John Hancock Investments for John Hancock Investments Advisor Site
· 2012 – John Hancock Funds, LLC for John Hancock Funds Public Website
· 2011 – John Hancock Funds, LLC for John Hancock Funds Financial Professional Website
· 2010 – John Hancock Funds, LLC for Mutual Fund Financial Professional Website
· 2009 – John Hancock Funds, LLC for John Hancock Funds Financial Professional Website
· 2008 – John Hancock Funds John for Hancock Funds Public Website
· 2007 – John Hancock Funds, LLC for John Hancock Funds Financial Professional Website
· 2006 – Cohen & Steers for Cohen & Steers website
· 2005 – Cohen & Steers for Cohen & Steers website
· 2004 – bbdigital/SEI Investments for HighMark Funds website
· 2003 – Barclays Global Investors for iShares.com
· 2002 – Pioneer Investments for pioneerfunds.com

Financial Services Websites can be entered into consideration for the 2023 Best Financial Services Website and other financial related WebAward at the WebAward Website.

The 2043 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: PR.com, iContact, and eTailConferences. The Web Marketing Association thanks these companies for their commitment to the entire online marketing community.

About the WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association was founded in 1997 to help define the standard of excellence for online marketing. Our internationally known award programs, such as WebAward Competition for Website Development, Internet Advertising Competition and the MobileWebAwards, recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective online marketing programs on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from assessment of their marketing efforts by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented by being recognized as an award-winning web developer.

Web Marketing Association
William Rice
860-558-5423
www.WebAward.org

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Hong Kong – Speech by SCED at Competition Enforcers and Academics Summit (English only)

Aug 10, 2023 | International

Speech by SCED at Competition Enforcers and Academics Summit (English only)

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     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the Competition Enforcers and Academics Summit, today (August 10):
 
Samuel (Chairman of the Competition Commission, Mr Samuel Chan), Professor Cai (Dean of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School, Professor Cai Hongbin), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to be here with you today at the Competition Enforcers and Academics Summit, the largest international competition event co-organised by the Competition Commission and the HKU Business School in Hong Kong. This Summit is a significant milestone as it is the Competition Commission’s very first physical international event since Hong Kong fully bounced back from COVID-19 earlier this year. On behalf of the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government, I would like to welcome all of you here, especially our distinguished academics and our fellow colleagues of competition agencies from the Mainland and the Asia Pacific region.  
 
     Under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Having direct access to the huge Mainland markets and strong international connectivity at the same time, Hong Kong serves as a bridge linking the Mainland and the rest of the world. I am happy to see that the Competition Commission is leveraging Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages in bringing together experts and scholars from both the Mainland and overseas to harness their objectivity, wisdom and creativity, fostering exchanges for betterment in the area of competition.
 
     In Hong Kong, fair competition plays a pivotal role in consolidating our status as an international commerce and financial centre in Asia. The Competition Commission, our competition law enforcement agency, is a central pillar in maintaining Hong Kong’s long-standing tradition of free and open markets, ensuring that the markets function effectively with fair competition and free from anti-competitive practices. This helps create an environment in which both local and international businesses can thrive and, more importantly, a level playing field for all businesses regardless of sector or size, thereby attracting new enterprises and investments into our vibrant city.
 
     The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in different areas. It has led to dramatic changes to the way businesses operate and perhaps more importantly, what the general public expects from service or goods providers. For example, the pandemic has led to a surge in e-commerce and accelerated digital transformation. From online shopping to food delivery, we can now buy what we want more easily with just a single click on our mobile phones. With these ongoing digitisation of various economic activities, competition enforcement work must also adapt, which is why attention of competition enforcement agencies worldwide is naturally turned to conduct that affects digital markets. I am pleased to learn that fellow academics and enforcers will discuss this issue later today, especially with regard to the challenges faced by competition authorities in regulating digital markets, and whether there is a need to apply a standard set of competition law tools to tackle difficulties arising from the fast-growing digital economy. 
 
     Apart from digital markets, I am also glad to know that the Summit today will cover other interesting and meaningful topics such as resale price maintenance as well as the interplay between competition law and ESG (environmental, social and governance). I am confident that the Summit is a platform to facilitate our exchanges of ideas and will provide us with a wealth of insightful ideas for enhancing our competition enforcement work.
 
     My heartfelt thanks to the Competition Commission and the HKU Business School for organising the Competition Enforcers and Academics Summit today. My team and I at the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau will continue to render our full support to the Competition Commission in further fostering international partnerships and collaborating with competition agencies in the Mainland and overseas, in promoting our common value of fair competition.
 
     I wish you all a fruitful day ahead, and the best of health in the coming year. Thank you.

Hong Kong – Design competition for open space at Choi Hung Road Playground concludes (with photos)

Aug 5, 2023 | International

Design competition for open space at Choi Hung Road Playground concludes (with photos)

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     The Design Competition for Redevelopment of Open Space at Choi Hung Road Playground, co-organised by the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) and the Architectural Services Department, concluded successfully with the award presentation ceremony held today (August 5).
      
     The competition aimed to gather creative design concepts and ideas for the redevelopment of the open space at Choi Hung Road Playground, so as to enhance the attractiveness and inclusiveness of the open space, promote diversified development, and inject new vitality into San Po Kong.
      
     The competition comprised the professional group and the student group, and 36 and 13 entries were received respectively. The first prize entry of the professional group, “Field and Hill”, blends elements of Chinese cultural heritage into a poetic landscape design, and incorporates inclusive design to meet the various needs of visitors. The first prize entry of the student group, “Ride Along the Living Wall”, injects vibrancy and energy into the open space with an outstanding theme.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Edward Tse, said that the Government strives to build quality recreational and leisure spaces for public enjoyment. The overall design standard of the entries is very encouraging. All winning entries have innovative design concepts and match the characteristics of the Choi Hung Road Playground. Apart from gathering high-quality design concept proposals for the Choi Hung Road Playground Open Space, this competition provided a platform for designers, especially the younger generation, to showcase their talents, participate in government projects and contribute to society.
      
     The Deputy Head of the EKEO, Ms Lilian Cheung, said that the EKEO has been advocating improvement of public open space as well as local landscape and environment through quality urban design and place making, so as to tie in with the transformation of Kowloon East into the second core business district. The community engagement workshop held during the competition enabled participants to interact with stakeholders, including people who live or work in San Po Kong, and to create designs that reflect the unique history and culture of the district, while meeting the aspirations and needs of the community.
      
     The list of the winners and winning entries are available on the competition webpage (chrpdc.com).

Hong Kong – Distance Run Competition of Corporate Games 2023 opens for enrolment

May 2, 2023 | International

Distance Run Competition of Corporate Games 2023 opens for enrolment

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     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (April 24) that the enrolment for the Distance Run Competition of the Corporate Games 2023 will start from today until May 22. Employees of commercial and industrial organisations as well as the public sector are welcome to take part in the Games.
      
     The Distance Run Competition will be held at main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir, Tai Po (Tai Mei Tuk), on October 8 (Sunday). The distance for the competition is about 7 kilometres. Participants must enrol in the name of an organisation or a government department and shall represent only one organisation throughout the Games. The quotas for Group A (organisations with 300 or more employees in Hong Kong), Group B (organisations with less than 300 employees in Hong Kong) and Group C (government departments) are 500, 100 and 300 respectively. Places will be allocated by balloting if enrolment quotas are exceeded.
 
     Interested organisations can enrol via the LCSD dedicated website (corporategames.lcsd.gov.hk), or by returning the completed enrolment form to the LCSD by post (Address: Major Events Section, 2/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin) or by fax (2634 0786).
 
     Meanwhile, the enrolment period of badminton, basketball, futsal, snooker , tennis and 11-a-side soccer competitions has ended. There are remaining quotas for some competition events of athletes, table tennis, tenpin bowling and volleyball. Interested organisations can enrol by post or fax on a first-come, first-served basis until the places are full or the final enrolment deadlines for the respective competitions are reached. For details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/cg/2023/news.html or call 2601 7673 for enquiries.
 
     The Corporate Games organised by the LCSD is a major multi-sport event for employees of private and public sector organisations. Eleven sports competitions, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, distance run, futsal, snooker, table tennis, tennis, tenpin bowling, volleyball and 11-a-side soccer are held between February and October at various recreation and sports venues throughout Hong Kong.