- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Unveils New Roadmap to Develop Hong Kong as a Global Virtual Asset Hub
- Hong Kong Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group Sets 2025 Priorities to Support Growth of Sustainable Finance in Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Flags Cybersecurity Incidents Involving Licensed Firms that Resulted in Business Disruptions in Thematic Review Report
- The Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Study Advocates for Improved Sustainability Assurance Practices and Urges Auditors to Incorporate Climate Risks in Financial Audits
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Concludes Consultation on Proposals to Pave Way for Fully Digitalized Public Offerings
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Reprimands and Fines Hang Seng Bank Limited HK$ 66.4 Million for Misconduct in Selling Practices of Investment Products
- London Metal Exchange Approves Hong Kong as a Delivery Point, Expanding Global Commodity Market Access
- International Monetary Fund Acknowledges Hong Kong’s Economic Recovery and Resilient Financial System Amid Global Challenges
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Supports Listing of Alternative Funds to Broaden Investor Choice and Bolster Market Development
- Hong Kong Gazettes Subsidiary Legislation to Implement Uncertificated Securities Market Regime for Enhancing Market Efficiency
- Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department Launches Revised Trade Marks, Patents, and Designs Forms Effective May 2025
- Hong Kong Companies Registry Implements Key Legislative Reforms Effective April 17, 2025
Author: JML
Important Hong Kong Companies Ordinance Reforms in 2025
Important Hong Kong Companies Ordinance Reforms in 2025
Discover how companies can adapt to new treasury share and paperless communication provisions
Important Hong Kong Companies Ordinance Reforms in 2025_enAccess Grants through the Innovation & Technology Fund for Better Living in Hong Kong
Access Grants through the Innovation & Technology Fund for Better Living in Hong Kong
Learn how organisations can access grants to develop technology-driven projects through the Innovation & Technology Fund for Better Living
Access Grants through the Innovation & Technology Fund for Better Living in Hong Kong_enUsing the Digital Bond Grant Scheme to Raise Funds from Hong Kong’s Securities Market
Using the Digital Bond Grant Scheme to Raise Funds from Hong Kong’s Securities Market
Opportunities to obtain government grants for digital bond issuances in Hong Kong
Using the Digital Bond Grant Scheme to Raise Funds from Hong Kong’s Securities Market_enBTI v Sequana SA & Implications of Keepwell Deeds under Hong Kong’s Insolvency Regime
BTI v Sequana SA & Implications of Keepwell Deeds under Hong Kong’s Insolvency Regime
Explore the implications of directors’ duties and keepwell deeds in Hong Kong’s evolving insolvency framework
BTI v Sequana SA & Implications of Keepwell Deeds under Hong Kong’s Insolvency Regime_enFinancial Services Regulatory Update 2025/01/25
- Hong Kong OTC Market Expands Collateral Options to Include China Government Bonds and Policy Bank Bonds for Derivatives
- The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Publishes Conclusions on Further Paperless Listing Reforms
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Launches Digital Bond Grant Scheme to Advance Securities Market Innovation
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Issues Circular on Listed Structured Funds
- Hong Kong Enhances New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme to Attract Global Investors
- Hong Kong Legislative Council Passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024 to Establish a Treasury Share Regime and Promote Paperless Corporate Communication for Both Listed and Unlisted Hong Kong Companies
- Hong Kong Process Review Panel for the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Publishes 2023-24 Annual Report
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Gives its First Direction for Additional Continuing Professional Development in Accounting Firm Disciplinary Case
- The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong Extends Swift Licensing Process for Virtual Asset Trading Platform Applicants
- New Initiatives between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the People’s Bank of China – Strengthened Financial Cooperation Between Hong Kong and Mainland China
- Tender of 10-year Hong Kong Dollars Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Institutional Government Bonds
- Hong Kong Outlines Sustainability Disclosure Roadmap to Enhance Green Finance Standards
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Settle Carbon Credits on Core Climate Marketplace
Practical Tips on Avoiding Money Laundering Traps for Businesses in Hong Kong、
Practical Tips on Avoiding Money Laundering Traps for Businesses in Hong Kong、
Ignoring AML-related obligations can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Practical Tips on Avoiding Money Laundering Traps for Businesses in Hong Kong_enUsing AI While Safeguarding Personal Data Privacy in Hong Kong
Using AI While Safeguarding Personal Data Privacy in Hong Kong
Learn how organizations can adopt ethical AI practices with the Privacy Commissioner’s new framework
Using AI While Safeguarding Personal Data Privacy in Hong Kong_enEmerging Compliance Challenges for Hong Kong Companies in Offshore Jurisdictions
Emerging Compliance Challenges for Hong Kong Companies in Offshore Jurisdictions
The evolving regulatory landscape in offshore jurisdictions presents both challenges and opportunities for Hong Kong companies
Emerging Compliance Challenges for Hong Kong Companies in Offshore Jurisdictions_enHow to Structure a Return Guarantee that Survives an IPO for a Pre-IPO Private Equity Investor
Financial Services Regulatory Update 2024/12/20
- Hong Kong Government Publishes Stablecoins Bill to Establish Regulatory Framework for Stablecoins
- The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Concludes Consultation on Review of the Corporate Governance Code and Related Listing Rules, with Changes Applicable to Corporate Governance Reports and Annual Reports for Financial Years Commencing on or after July 1, 2025, and Updates its New ESG Regulatory Focuses
- The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Presents Results of Review of Issuers’ 2023 Annual Reports and Publishes New Comprehensive Guidance
- The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Releases the 2024 Analysis of ESG Practice Disclosure
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Publishes Quarterly Report on Greater Connectivity Driving Hong Kong’s Capital Markets Forward
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Introduces New Post-Trade Services on Orion Cash Platform – Technically Ready to Support T+1 Settlement by End of 2025
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Introduces Fund Repository on Integrated Fund Platform, enhancing transparency of fund information
- Hong Kong Court Verdict on Conspiracy to Defraud Listed Issuer, its Board and Shareholders over Secret Backdoor Listing
- Hong Kong Market Misconduct Tribunal Sanctions Former Chairman and CEO of China Forestry Holdings Company Limited for Market Misconduct, Ordering the Former CEO to Disgorge a Substantial Sum of HKD 353,430,000
- Hong Kong Government Launches Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Government Welcomes Passage of Stamp Duty Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024
Succession Planning in Family-Owned SMEs: Practical Strategies for Hong Kong Business
Succession Planning in Family-Owned SMEs: Practical Strategies for Hong Kong Business
Succession Planning in Family-Owned SMEs Practical Strategies for Hong Kong Business_enFinancial Services Regulatory Update 2024/11/29
- Hong Kong Government Amended Stamp Duty Legislation to Waive the Stamp Duty Payable on the Transfer of Units of Real Estate Investment Trusts and the Jobbing Business of Options Market Makers, and to Provide for a Revised Stamp Duty Collection Arrangement Upon the Implementation of the Uncertificated Securities Market Regime in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Government Welcomes First Batch of Brokers Joining Cross-Boundary Wealth Management Connect
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited to Digitalize Exchange-Traded Products Servicing Capabilities with Online Platform
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Holds Forum to Encourage Responsible Regtech Adoption for Anti-money Laundering and Counter-financing of Terrorism
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Sets Out Vision to Foster a Vibrant Fintech Ecosystem in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption Jointly Combat Share Options Fraud
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Publishes 2023-24 Annual Report
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Penalizes Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited for Anti-Money Laundering Failures
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Concludes Consultation and Publishes Guidelines for Market Soundings Which will Come into Effect on May 2, 2025
Financial Services Regulatory Update 2024/10/25
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Flags Asset Manager Misconducts in Managing Private Funds and Discretionary Accounts
- Hong Kong Financial Services and Treasury Bureau and Bloomberg Establish Strategic Collaboration to Enhance Hong Kong’s Family Office Ecosystem
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Issues Joint Statement on Enhanced Timeframe for New Listing Application Process
- Highlights of the Hong Kong Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Issues Takeovers Bulletin to Remind on Need to Factor in E-Submission System Registration Time and Severe Weather Arrangements
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Calls on Auditors and Audit Committees to Strengthen Independence Safeguards around Procurement and Purchases from Audit Clients
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Welcomes Voluntary Code of Conduct for ESG Ratings and Data Products Providers
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Implements New Public Fund Depositaries Regime: Key Changes for Hong Kong’s Asset Management Sector
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Concludes Consultation on Proposals to Enhance Real Estate Investment Trusts Regime and Securities and Futures Ordinance Market Conduct Regime for Listed Collective Investment Schemes
- Hong Kong Standing Committee on Company Law Reform Publishes Annual Report Supporting Paperless Corporate Communication for Hong Kong Companies
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Publishes Audit Focus for 2024 Year-end Audits to Remind Auditors of Financial Reporting and Audit Risks
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Publishes “Half-Yearly Monetary and Financial Stability Report” to Analyze the Current Hong Kong Financial Conditions
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Publishes “Quarterly Bulletin About Regulatory Regime for Stablecoin Issuers in Hong Kong” Promote the Development of Stablecoins
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Commences Market Misconduct Tribunal Proceedings Against Dickson Poon
- CSC Futures (HK) Limited and Zheshang International Financial Holdings Co Fined by Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission for Regulatory Breaches
- Hong Kong Financial Services and Treasury Bureau Publishes Consultation Conclusions on Promoting Paperless Corporate Communication for Hong Kong Companies
Financial Services Regulatory Update 2024/09/26
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Secures First-of-its-kind Settlement to Compensate Public Shareholders of Combest Holdings Limited
- PRC National Financial Regulatory Administration Issued Notices to Expand the Pilot Scope of Equity Investment in Financial Asset Investment Companies from Shanghai to 18 Cities Including Beijing and Shenzhen and Relaxed Restrictions on the Amount and Proportion of Equity Investment
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Emphasizes the Importance of Maintaining the Quality of Cross-Border Audit Services While Noting the Ministry of Finance’s Imposed Administrative Sanctions against Mainland Audit Firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP for its Serious Infractions in the Audit Work on Hengda Real Estate Group Co Ltd.
- Joint Announcement of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in Relation to Modifications to Requirements for Specialist Technology Companies and De-SPAC Transactions; Amendments to the Guide for New Listing Applicants Effective on 1 September 2024
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council’s 2024 Oversight Report Identifies Improvement Areas for the HKICPA to Support the Development of the Accounting Profession
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Announces Arrangements to Facilitate Distribution of Research Reports of Eligible ETFs under Stock Connect
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Launches Project Ensemble Sandbox to Promote Tokenization in Hong Kong with Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Releases Quarterly Report: Hong Kong Sees a Quarter of Broad Market Growth, Firmer Ties and Regulatory Progress
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption and Macao Judiciary Police Conduct Joint Operation Against Suspected Cross-Boundary Fraud and Misconduct in Listed Company
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Releases New Quick Reference Guides for Visiting and Returning Professionals to Highlight Pragmatic Licensing Options
- The Hong Kong Monetary Authority Fines WeChat Pay Hong Kong Limited for Anti-Money Laundering Lapses
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Introduces Gold Standard’s Verified Emission Reductions
Financial Services Regulatory Update 2024/08/23
- Hong Kong Legislative Council Discusses Waiver of Stamp Duty for Transfer of REIT Units and Jobbing Business of Options Market-makers
- Hong Kong Advances Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Stablecoin Issuers and Uncertificated Securities Market
- Hong Kong to Enhance Digital Asset Regulation in 18 Months
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Publishes the Consultation Conclusions on Review of Three-Tier Banking System
- Hong Kong Insurance Authority Inspection Results in Enhancements to Anti-money Laundering Controls and Processes and Fine
- Hong Kong Monetary Authority Issues a Report on Its Review of Virtual Banks
- Hong Kong Securities and Future Commission and Insurance Authority Join Forces to Tackle Cross-sector Irregularities
- The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Publishes Consultation Paper on a New Phase of Paperless Listing Reforms
- Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission Consults on Proposals to Abolish Mixed Media Offers
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council and the Supervision and Evaluation Bureau of the Ministry of the People’s Republic of China Enhances Cross-border Regulatory Collaboration to Improve the Effectiveness in Audit Regulation
- The Monetary Authority of Singapore Sets Up Review Group to Strengthen Equities Market Development
- Federal Trade Commission of United States Outlines Remedy Concerns in Amicus Brief After Jury Finds Google Illegally Monopolized App Store
Due Diligence Requirements for Corporate Finance Advisers
Corporate finance advisers in Hong Kong are required to comply with various due diligence requirements. The Securities and Futures Commission(“SFC”) issued the Corporate Finance Adviser Code of Conduct (“CF Code”) and the Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the Securities and Futures Commission (“Code of Conduct”), and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“HKEX”) issued the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange Of Hong Kong Limited (“Main Board Listing Rules”) and the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Growth Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“GEM Listing Rules”, together with the Main Board Listing Rules, the “HKEX Listing Rules”). These requirements are aimed at ensuring that the advisers have conducted sufficient research and analysis to provide accurate and reliable advice to their clients. For example, corporate finance advisers are required to obtain detailed information about their clients and their business structure, ownership, and financial position, conduct industry research and financial analysis relating to client’s businesses and make sure the clients comply with all relevant regulations, including the Securities and Futures Ordinance, the Takeovers Code, and the HKEX Listing Rules.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) recently issued the Notice on Business Conduct Requirements for Corporate Finance Advisers (“Notice”) on 23 February 2023. At the end of this article, we will compare the due diligence requirements set out in this notice with those of Hong Kong.
Due Diligence Requirements for Corporate Finance Advisers 2023040809Recent Regulatory Developments and Risks regarding Offshore Jurisdictions of Listed Issuers
Financial Services Regulatory Update 2024/07/26
- Significant Proposals by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited to Enhance the Corporate Governance Code
- Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Announces Implementation of Severe Weather Trading from September 23, 2024
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Issues New Practice Notes to Enhance Transparency and Efficiency in Transactions
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Sets Clear Timeline for Implementing an Uncertificated Securities Market in Hong Kong and Launches New Online Application And Submission System for Investment Products
- Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and Hong Kong Monetary Authority Welcome People’s Bank of China’s New Measure on Northbound Swap Connect Margin Collateral Arrangement
- Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Hong Kong Monetary Authority Jointly Release Consultation Conclusions on Regulatory Regime for Stablecoin Issuers
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Emphasizes Full Compliance with Laws and Regulations for Auditors in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Calls to Improve the Quality of Financial Reporting and Audit in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Emphasizes the Importance of Tone at the Top
- Hong Kong Competition Commission Combats Anti-competitive Conduct Relating to Government Subsidy Scheme
- Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Finds that the Operation of the Worldcoin Project in Hong Kong Contravenes the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance