<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">I am writing to express the view of
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on the release of "hk"
as the second level domain (SLD) in new gTLDs. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">Our ccTLD, .hk, is commonly understood
as the abbreviated name of Hong Kong. HK means Hong Kong to the Internet
community globally and locally. The use of "hk" as SLD in new
gTLDs would give the perception that the domain names in question belong
to or are related to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong community. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">(I) gTLDs for Regulated Sectors
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">As pointed out by GAC, gTLD strings
that are linked to regulated or professional sectors should operate in
a way that is consistent with applicable laws. These gTLD strings
or Category 1 gTLDs are likely to invoke a level of implied trust from
consumers, and carry higher levels of risk associated with consumer harm.
GAC advised ICANN to apply safeguards (GAC Safeguard Advice 1 - 5)
to these strings. In addition, for a limited subset of the Category
1 gTLDs that are associated with market sectors which have clear and/or
regulated entry requirements (i.e. highly-regulated sectors), additional
safeguards (GAC Safeguard Advice 6 - 8) should apply. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">In this context, for the use of "hk"
as SLD in new gTLDs associated with (1) Highly-regulated Sectors/Closed
Entry Requirements in Multiple Jurisdictions and (2) Inherently Governmental
Functions as set out in the ICANN NGPC Resolution No. 2014.02.05.NG01,
</font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">The Government of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) requests that : </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">(a) Registry operator should consult
HKSAR Government on any request for domain name registration; </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">(b) The registry operator should implement
measures in line with GAC safeguards 6-8 on verification and validation
of credentials of registrants; </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">(c) Registry operator should consult
HKSAR Government on any complaint expressing doubt with regard to authenticity
of licences or credentials. </font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">(II) Geographic gTLDs </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">For geographic gTLDs which are names
of cities, countries or regions, or have strong geographic connotation,
putting "hk" at the second level may cause confusion or perception
of subordination. Among the current requests posted from 23 February
2015 to 19 March 2015, these gTLDs include: .amsterdam, .bayern, .berlin,
.budapest, .capital, .city, .country, .frl, .hamburg, .kyoto, .london,
.miami, .nagoya, .nrw, .nyc, .osaka, .taipei, .tirol, .tokyo, .town, .wien,
.world, .yokohama, and .zuerich. </font>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">In this context, HKSAR Government requests
that Registry operator should consult HKSAR Government on any request for
domain name registration on such gTLDs. </font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">Best Regards, </font>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">Victor Lam, </font>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">Government Chief Information Officer
</font>
<br><font size=4 face="Courier New">GAC Representative of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, China </font>
<br>