Month: March 2025

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki held a gathering today with the third-term Partners’ Board under the Strive & Rise Programme and some 200 guests, sharing the programme’s fruitful achievements.

During the gathering, mentors said that by making use of resources allocated by the business sector, various innovative activities were organised to enrich mentees’ learning profiles and broaden their exposure. In addition, mentors shared how they built trusting relationships with mentees and guided them to develop a positive outlook on life.

Addressing the event, Mr Chan highlighted that 4,000 mentees had been admitted to the third cohort of the programme and that the matching of mentors and mentees had been completed.

Mentees, their parents, and mentors have been attending orientation sessions and training courses since January. About 380 enterprises and organisations offered enthusiastic support to the third cohort, including nominating a sufficient number of mentors, raising about $18.6 million in donations, and providing group activities, study tours, diversified learning opportunities and internship programmes.

Mr Chan also said that in addition to continuing the enhanced measures adopted for the second cohort, the third cohort focuses on strengthening the support for mentors and further encouraging youth leaders of the Strive & Rise Alumni Club to organise more activities for self-development, with a view to maintaining the Strive & Rise Programme’s spirit and sustaining its effectiveness.

A newly-developed mobile application for the programme has also been launched to facilitate mentor-mentee communication, featuring functions such as signing up for group activities, arranging meetings, and submitting mentees’ personal development plans, he added.

To date, the cumulative number of Strive & Rise mentees has exceeded 10,000. The Chief Secretary remarked that through the powerful synergy of the Government, the business sector, and the community, the programme will continue to help uplift more underprivileged youths by broadening their horizons, reinforcing self-confidence and developing a positive outlook on life.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today officiated at the YDC Youth Ambassadors Programme 2025 launch ceremony.

Themed “Build a Caring & Inclusive Society, Youth Tell Good Stories of Hong Kong” this year, cadet ambassadors, through training activities and exposure opportunities, can extend their care for the community, leverage their influence and take actions to build a caring, inclusive and harmonious society, while joining hands to tell good stories of Hong Kong, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau explained.

Addressing the ceremony, Miss Mak encouraged the cadet ambassadors to learn more about youth development work by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission, including the measures stated in the Youth Development Blueprint that help address the needs of young people at different development stages.

She also advised the cadets to seize the opportunities of participating in the training activities and service projects of Community Care Teams, through which they could broaden their perspectives, nurture their passion to serve society, further integrate into the country’s overall development, contribute to Hong Kong and the country, and tell good stories of Hong Kong.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Labour Department today announced that the levels of 18 types of compensation available to employees injured at work or suffering from occupational diseases, and to family members of deceased employees, will be increased on April 17.

The Legislative Council yesterday passed three resolutions to increase such compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, the Pneumoconiosis & Mesothelioma (Compensation) Ordinance and the Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Ordinance.

The levels of increase for the 18 types of compensation range from 3.8% to 86.3%.

The department said the compensation levels are adjusted every two years, according to an established mechanism. Adjustments for most types of compensation are normally made in light of wage movements, as reflected in the Nominal Wage Index, or of price movements, as reflected in the Consumer Price Index.

It added that the increased levels of compensation will enhance protections for employees injured at work, sufferers of occupational diseases, family members of deceased employees, and family members of people who die due to work injuries or occupational diseases.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The Labour Department today announced that the maximum level of ex gratia payments made from the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund to employees who are owed severance by insolvent employers will be increased from tomorrow.

Following a Legislative Council resolution under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Ordinance, the maximum level of payment will be increased from $100,000 to $200,000, plus 50% of any excess entitlement.

The adjusted maximum amount will take effect tomorrow upon the resolution’s publication in the Government Gazette, and will apply to severance where the liability for payment arises on or after that date.

The department said the legislative amendment will strengthen protection of employees’ entitlement to severance payment upon business closures.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

The 10th National Security Education Day thematic exhibition was launched at the Hong Kong Museum of History today, kickstarting a series of activities on national security education.

The exhibition will be open to the general public from tomorrow.

April 15 this year marks the 10th National Security Education Day. The thematic exhibition adopts the national theme of “The 10th anniversary of National Security Education Day: advancing towards more in-depth & effective implementation”, reflecting on the development of promoting national security education in the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region over the years.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said the Education Bureau has been supporting schools in enhancing national education as well as fostering students’ sense of patriotism and awareness of national security.

“We will continue to work hand in hand with all sectors of society to promote national security education, with a view to strengthening the public’s awareness and sense of responsibility in safeguarding national security on their own accord, and creating a positive atmosphere of patriotism and love for Hong Kong.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that it will continue to widen and deepen the promotion of national security education.

As of the first term of the current school year, over 43,000 students from about 120 primary and secondary schools visited the National Security Exhibition Gallery.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Chief Executive John Lee will depart for Hainan tomorrow to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future’.

Mr Lee will attend the conference’s opening plenary and deliver a speech at the Global Free Trade Port Development Forum.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong will also attend and speak at a forum about enhancing digital capacity and bridging digital divides.

During his visit, Mr Lee will also witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the People’s Government of Hainan Province.

Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Clement Woo will be present for part of the trip.

Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on Thursday. During his absence, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will be Acting Chief Executive.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Continuing his visit to Beijing, Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the China Development Forum opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech at the forum’s Symposium on Igniting Growth Momentum through Reform.

In the speech, Mr Chan pointed out three major trends that are profoundly impacting the global political landscape and economic development.

He said the rise of protectionism and unilateralism is bringing uncertainty and instability to the global economy, while the trend of regionalisation is reshaping international economic and trade relations, as well as the global trading system.

At the same time, the emergence of economies in the Global South is becoming a new driving force for economic growth, while technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is triggering changes in production models, business models and consumption patterns.

He emphasised that in the face of a complex and changing global situation, China remains steadfast in embracing true multilateralism, and works with countries to promote inclusive economic globalisation. He also remarked that China has stressed the need to expand high-level opening-up and advance institutional innovation, deepen reforms in the technology sector, and nurture new quality productive forces based on local conditions.

Separately, the Financial Secretary mentioned that Hong Kong, under “one country, two systems”, has unique advantages and can play a special role in deepening international exchanges and co-operation, contributing to the country’s high-level opening-up and quality development while creating greater business opportunities for global economies and enterprises.

First, Hong Kong will leverage its advantage of connecting both the Mainland and the world. While strengthening ties with traditional markets in Europe and the Americas, Hong Kong will explore new markets and develop high-value multinational supply chain management and trade financing services to support Mainland enterprises in going global.

Second, through financial empowerment, Hong Kong is actively supporting the financing needs of enterprises and projects in areas such as tech development and climate change. The city will continue to enhance the breadth, depth and efficiency of its financial markets to promote mutual benefit between finance and the real economy.

Third, Hong Kong will drive technological innovation with a particular focus on AI. Leveraging strengths in innovation and technology, international capital, data and talent, along with the innovative capabilities, depth of industries and wide scope of application scenarios of sister cities in the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is committed to becoming a hub for international exchange and co-operation in the AI industry.

Hong Kong also aims to support the growth of technological innovation and future industries by building an ecosystem of “patient capital”, he added.

Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Financial Secretary Paul Chan, on a trip to Beijing, today visited a cultural and creative enterprise, and a company focused on high-precision artificial intelligence products.

Mr Chan toured a leading pop cultural entertainment company’s thematic park and met its senior management.

The finance chief expressed his pleasure that the company, as a leading cultural and creative enterprise, has successfully used Hong Kong as a platform to enter both regional and global markets. He also welcomed the firm’s plans to establish more physical sales networks in Hong Kong and to diversify its services.

He also encouraged the company to fully leverage Hong Kong’s advantages in funding, talent and professional services by establishing its international business headquarters and corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong, in order to support the company’s global business development.

Afterwards, the Financial Secretary called on an enterprise focused on the research and development (R&D) of high-precision artificial intelligence products, where he viewed its latest high-end products and engaged in in-depth discussions with senior executives and the R&D team.

The company is planning to establish its international business headquarters and global R&D centre in Hong Kong, and is preparing to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Mr Chan encouraged the company to bring its R&D teams and more technological solutions to Hong Kong, and utilise the city’s international capital, talent and professional services to further expand its business into other markets in the world.

The Financial Secretary attended a dinner of the China Development Forum this evening and will speak at the forum’s thematic seminar tomorrow.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

A topping-out ceremony was held today for three buildings in Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Buildings 8 and 9 are wet laboratory-enabled, while Building 11 is intended for talent accommodation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said the Hong Kong Park is a “super platform” that will help Hong Kong serve as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.

“We will make good use of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city and an international hub for high-calibre talent to build the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a bridgehead for I&T (innovation and technology), and a showcase and incubator for high-end achievements for the country.”

Comprising about 87 hectares, the park will be developed in two phases from west to east. Following the completion of the above-mentioned three buildings, it will enter into its operational phase when the first batch of tenants from pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence, and data science, move in from the second half of this year.

The construction of another five buildings is in full swing. The Government has earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities for the park’s Phase 1 development and detailed planning of the second phase will be completed within the current year.

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Elior Group SA today announced its intention to strengthen its presence in Hong Kong, after it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the city’s Airport Authority on February 19.

Witnessed by Financial Secretary Paul Chan, the MoU was signed by the authority’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Vivian Cheung and Elior Group SA Chairman and CEO Daniel Derichebourg.

Mr Chan mentioned in the 2025-26 Budget last month that under the co-ordination of InvestHK the authority had signed an MoU with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in Hong Kong, thereby establishing Hong Kong as Asia’s first aircraft parts processing and trading centre.

The company, Elior Group SA, is based in France, and is part of Derichebourg SA.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau highlighted that under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, Hong Kong boasts a high degree of internationalisation, a favourable business environment, a strategic location, a robust legal framework, and a low tax regime. He added that the city has always been a prime location for foreign investment and international conglomerates.

Mr Yau said Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role of connecting the Mainland and the world, thereby attracting more companies from around the world to set up in the city.

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said she was pleased that Elior Group SA and the authority are exploring the possibility of introducing aircraft parts handling and trading services in Hong Kong, as this will enrich the city’s standing as an international aviation hub and support aviation development in China and the wider Asian region.