Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 8) released the eighth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 10 survey areas, as follows:
　　

District	Survey Area	August 2026
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Wan Chai	Happy Valley and Tai Hang	2.6%	1.3
Kowloon City	Kowloon City	2.8%	1.3
Mong Kok	Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui	1.7%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin West	2.0%	2.0
Yau Tsim	Tsim Sha Tsui East and King’s Park	0.0%	N/A
Tai Po	Tai Po West	2.7%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Tsing Yi South	5.2%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Ma Wan and Sham Tseng	7.3%	1.0
Tuen Mun	So Kwun Wat	3.6%	1.0
	Tuen Mun North	3.1%	1.0

     During the rainy season, the FEHD continues to carry out a series of mosquito prevention and elimination measures, including:  

• interdepartmental collaboration: convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders (such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies) in strengthening mosquito control work at venues; 
• precise risk assessments: carrying out intensive and targeted mosquito control work at locations with more serious mosquito infestations, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations; 
• promotion and education: organising exhibitions with relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters to enhance public awareness of mosquito control and prevention; and 
• rapid alert mechanism: notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, and advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.

During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at a sports ground and a private housing estate in Kwai Tsing District and Tsuen Wan District, the FEHD has issued a total of two statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including: 

• tidying up their premises and checking for any accumulation of water inside the premises; 
• removing all unnecessary water collections and eliminating the sources; 
• checking household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water; 
• changing water in flower vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces thoroughly, and removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week; 
• properly covering all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; 
• properly disposing of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and 
• scrubbing drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

​Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The Gravidtrap and Density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force) today (September 8) held the Set Sail from Hong Kong, Harness the Power of the Northern Metropolis – Mainland Enterprises Going Global Seminar at the Central Government Offices. Attended by over 120 representatives of central and other state-owned enterprises preparing to attend the 11th Belt and Road Summit, the seminar promoted Hong Kong’s unique advantages as the platform of choice for enterprises going global, introduced how enterprises can seize the development opportunities of the Northern Metropolis (NM), and demonstrated how they can leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, shipping, trade and professional services to build commodity-trading businesses for expanding into overseas markets.

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said in his address that Hong Kong, with its international business environment, world-class professional services, and top-tier talent, is the best home port for enterprises setting sail overseas. Through the three-step approach of “bringing in”, making preparations in Hong Kong for going global, and “reaching out”, the GoGlobal Task Force under his steer helps enterprises to go global in an orderly manner. The NM offers enormous development potential and ample land for industrial use, which is conducive to enterprises establishing and growing their operations in Hong Kong and venturing into overseas markets with the support of Hong Kong’s world-class professional services.

     Executive Vice President of China Merchants Group Mr Song Rong said that under the guidance of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, China Merchants Group partnered with various central state-owned enterprises to establish the Belt and Road Action Platform in Hong Kong in 2024 to support Hong Kong’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past two years, platform members have leveraged Hong Kong’s distinct advantages in finance, shipping, and professional services to effectively stabilise supply chains and optimise the allocation of global resources. Hong Kong is backed by the country and connected to the world, and the NM serves as a new engine for its future development. Moving forward, China Merchants Group will continue to use this platform as a base, joining hands with all sectors to “set sail via Hong Kong”, contributing further to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Ms Linda So, was also invited to the seminar and briefed participants on the latest developments of the NM. The seminar featured two thematic discussions. The first explored the industrial layout of the NM and how the opportunities arising from its modern logistics ecosystem can help internationalise the businesses of Mainland enterprises. The second examined how Mainland enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to respond to the new dynamics of global commodities markets and the strains on overseas supply chains, and to optimise overseas trade, commodity hedging and risk management.

The seminar successfully fostered exchanges between representatives of central and other state-owned enterprises and members of the GoGlobal Task Force and deepened their understanding of Hong Kong’s professional services and the development of the NM, helping to attract more Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a base for their go-global plans.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School’s Wealth Management Academy today (September 8):

Professor Cai (Dean and Chair of Economics of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Business School, Professor Cai Hongbin), Professor Wong (Director of the Wealth Management Academy, HKU Business School, Professor Anna Wong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure of mine to join you for the inauguration of HKU Business School’s Wealth Management Academy. I congratulate Professor Cai, Professor Wong and everyone who has helped bring this initiative to life.

In her invitation to me for joining this inauguration by Professor Wong, she spoke of “connecting the dots”: bringing students, academics and practitioners together to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a wealth management hub. That is very fitting as an ambition for an academy, and also a timely one for Hong Kong. Our next chapter will depend on how well we connect the strengths we already possess.

That’s why for today, apart from myself, Joseph (Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan) is also here. Normally, either one of us will be in an event. It’s not that we have nothing else to do but rather you can see from our presence the importance that we attach to this academy. 

The panel later today, which Joseph will attend, asks what comes after being number one. Hong Kong’s emergence as the world’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre is an achievement in which we can all take pride. It tells us how far we have come. It does not, however by itself, tell us where we should go next.

      The more important question is, what kind of leadership do we want that position to represent. Just now, Professor Cai gave me three dimensions. As a very diligent student, I also try to follow his feet. So I am going to set out three priorities which are about earning trust, developing talent, and helping wealth serve a lasting purpose. Together, they can turn financial scale into enduring strength.

Earning trust

     First of all, we must keep learning and earning the trust on which our success rests. Wealth management is a long-term promise: to understand a client’s needs and safeguard their interests through changing circumstances. Families plan across generations. They need a financial centre that takes the long view as seriously as they do.

     As of end last year, Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management business reached approximately $42.2 trillion. Behind that figure are decisions about retirement, the future of businesses, and the opportunities one generation hopes to provide for the next. Our responsibility is to remain worthy of those decisions.

     Hong Kong’s rule of law, open markets and free flow of capital provide essential foundations. Our connections with the Mainland and the wider world give us a distinctive role. The Government’s task is to strengthen those foundations while ensuring that our framework keeps pace with investors’ needs.

     Consider the enhancements to strengthen connectivity between the Mainland and Hong Kong markets. A series of measures will further expand mutual market access and connectivity, for example the inclusion of REITs (real estate investment trusts) under Stock Connect, and enhancing the arrangements for mutual recognition of funds, which we call MRF. These measures will further bolster Hong Kong’s position as an asset and wealth management hub. Connectivity matters most when it expands meaningful investment choice.

     We have also introduced legislative proposals to enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices and carried interest. Subject to the Legislative Council’s approval, these would broaden the range of qualifying investments, including private credit, digital assets and precious metals, etc. Wider choice must go hand in hand with clear explanations of risk and sound professional judgement.

     Yet policy can only take us so far. Trust is also earned in the everyday conduct of our industry: in recognising a client’s changing needs, managing conflicts honestly, and giving advice that serves the client beyond the next transaction. That is where the strength of a financial centre becomes personal.

Developing talent

     This brings me to my second priority: developing people with the judgement to carry that trust. For wealth management, the quality of human capital ultimately determines how well financial capital is managed.

     A family’s needs rarely fit neatly into one professional discipline. An investment decision may also involve succession, governance, different jurisdictions and deeply held personal values. Technical expertise is indispensable, but so are the ability to listen, the confidence to question an assumption, and the integrity to advise against an unsuitable course.

     As technology gives us more powerful tools, we should also ask ourselves more of professional judgement, not less. An AI model may help us compare portfolios. It cannot, by itself however, resolve a family’s disagreement about what its wealth is for, or take responsibility for the advice a client receives.

     This is why this new Academy’s role is so important. By connecting university research with professional practice, it can help students understand the decisions behind the textbook, and help practitioners test familiar assumptions against fresh evidence.

     I hope this exchange will work in both directions. Industry can bring difficult, real-world questions into the university, and researchers can test them with independence and rigour. As a policymaker, I would welcome research that helps us remove unnecessary barriers without weakening essential safeguards.

     Our establishment of the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy a few years back under the Financial Services Development Council reflects a related commitment to knowledge exchange and talent development for practitioners and also next-generation wealth owners. HKU’s new Academy brings a distinct university contribution to this wider endeavour. There is much to be gained from institutions building on one another’s strengths.

     To the industry leaders here today, I would offer a practical invitation: bring your experience into HKU’s Academy’s work. Mentor a student, contribute a case study, or help frame a research question. A young professional’s first encounter with sound judgement may shape an entire career.

Giving wealth lasting purpose

     Last but not least when it comes to the third priority, it is about the purpose that expertise should serve. Preserving wealth matters, but so does preparing the next generation to use it wisely.

     For a family, a successful transition is more than the transfer of ownership. It is about passing on the capacity to make decisions, to resolve differences and to accept responsibility. A carefully constructed portfolio cannot substitute for those capabilities.

     Hong Kong is home to more than 3 380 single family offices at the end of last year. It’s not something said by me but an independent survey. Our ambition is to be a place where such families can build lasting relationships and contribute to the life and future of our city. Our Invest Hong Kong’s dedicated FamilyOfficeHK team provides one-stop support to help them establish that presence.

     The name of our Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, our annual flagship event for global family offices, expresses a wider ambition. Wealth can support enterprise, scientific discovery, education, arts and culture, and the transition towards a more sustainable economy. When families choose to pursue these goals, they need sound advice and credible ways to understand the results.

     Here, too, an academy can make a valuable contribution. It can help bring the same discipline to discussions of purpose: asking what a family hopes to achieve, what evidence would demonstrate progress, and how its commitments can endure.

     For Hong Kong, this is an opportunity to deepen the contribution of finance to society. The benefits of a thriving wealth management sector should reach beyond the assets it manages, through skilled careers, investment in enterprise and support for our communities.

Closing

     An inauguration is an occasion to look ahead. We should ask what people will be able to do better because this Academy exists.

     If the students who are going to be inspired become advisers worthy of trust, if its research improves decisions, and if its partnerships help wealth create lasting value, its contribution will be felt far beyond this room. That, to me, is a compelling answer to “what comes next?”.

     So let us return to Professor Wong’s invitation to me and Joseph to connect the dots. Let us build a Hong Kong where capital finds opportunity, knowledge strengthens judgement, and success carries responsibility.

     I wish the Wealth Management Academy every success, and very much look forward to the connections, ideas and people it will bring together under the leadership of Professor Cai, Professor Wong and many others. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     ​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 8) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case. The CHP urged the public to receive vaccinations as early as possible after the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes commence on September 17 to safeguard their own health and that of their families. In addition, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

     The case involves a five-year-old boy with underlying illnesses who developed a fever and cough on September 6. He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tin Shui Wai Hospital because of shortness of breath on September 7, and was immediately transferred and admitted to the paediatric ward of Tuen Mun Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the hospital for further treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus. His clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. The patient remains hospitalised at PICU in stable condition.
 
     The CHP’s preliminary investigation revealed that the boy had no travel history during the incubation period. One of his household contacts, who recently developed mild upper respiratory symptoms, has now recovered. The CHP will continue to investigate the case.

     “Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June. The latest surveillance data showed that influenza activity increased further last week and remains at a high level. Since the end of June, a cumulative total of 17 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded. Among these cases, nine patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, three patients are in stable condition, two are in serious condition, two are in critical condition and one has passed away. The overall number of severe influenza cases among children is comparable to that of previous flu seasons. However, owing to widespread influenza transmission in the community in recent months and the substantial rise in infections, the number of severe cases has increased accordingly. We anticipate that influenza activity will remain at a high level during the initial period of the new school year, with possible influenza outbreaks in schools. Therefore, schools and parents must remain vigilant and take preventive measures,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

     “The 2026/27 SIV Programmes, including the SIV School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP), will commence on September 17. The SIVSOP this year will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) feature via eHealth. We have distributed school-specific QR codes to participating schools for distribution to parents. The QR codes have become effective. Parents are encouraged to fill out the e-consent forms for their children as soon as possible. This new measure not only facilitates the public to join the SIV Programmes but also streamlines the administrative procedures for healthcare service providers and schools, so that SIV outreach activities can start as early as possible. Around 80 schools have scheduled to organise SIV outreach activities in September so far, which is 16 times that of the same period last year. I appeal to all schools and parents in Hong Kong to work closely with the CHP and complete the consent process as soon as possible, so that students can be arranged to receive SIV earlier,” he added.

     Dr Tsui reminded parents that the health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child’s condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions. Members of the public should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop respiratory symptoms. If they live with members of high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses or compromised immune systems, they should wear a surgical mask at home to reduce the risk of infecting them. Other effective ways to reduce the spread of the disease include maintaining household hygiene, frequently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, practising good hand hygiene, and ensuring proper indoor air circulation.

     Members of the public may refer to the CHP’s COVID-19 & Flu Express, Seasonal Influenza Webpage and Vaccination Schemes for the latest information.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 released today (September 8) show Hong Kong students’ outstanding performance in the innovative domain of “Learning in the Digital World”, with their overall performance in mathematical, scientific and mother-tongue reading literacy continuously surpassing the international average.
 
PISA, organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is conducted every three years to assess the mathematical, scientific and mother-tongue reading literacy of 15-year-old students. Hong Kong has participated in PISA in the form of academic research projects. A total of 91 countries or economies participated in PISA 2025 globally. The EDB commissioned the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to conduct the main study in Hong Kong from May to July 2025, which involved 6 445 students aged 15 from 230 secondary schools.
 
PISA features an innovative domain in each cycle to gauge whether students have acquired the knowledge and skills needed for the future. For PISA 2025, the innovative domain was “Learning in the Digital World”, in which Hong Kong students performed exceptionally well, achieving a score of 545, significantly higher than the international average of 500. The OECD’s report indicated that Hong Kong was one of the top-performing education systems globally in the innovative domain “Learning in the Digital World”, with over 40 per cent of participating students attaining high proficiency levels, capable of undertaking moderate to sophisticated programming and modelling and effectively applying computational logic for analysis.
 
The EDB spokesman said, “The outstanding performance of Hong Kong students in the innovative domain ‘Learning in the Digital World’ demonstrates the tangible results achieved through Hong Kong’s vigorous promotion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education. Building on the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools announced earlier, the EDB will continue to focus on AI education. Efforts will be directed towards developing curriculum frameworks, supporting teacher training, optimising infrastructure and supporting facilities, as well as promoting cross-sector collaboration to strengthen students’ digital literacy and equip the younger generation to meet the opportunities and challenges of the digital era.”
 
The spokesman added, “In terms of education equity, the PISA 2025 results reaffirm that Hong Kong’s education system excels in achieving educational equity, consistently ranking among the top three countries or economies with high academic achievements. In addition to establishing a broad and balanced 15-year school curriculum framework, the Government is also committed to providing a diverse range of life-wide learning activities, various programmes to support e-learning, comprehensive learning support for non-Chinese-speaking students, and promoting the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education. These efforts provide all students with high-quality and equal education opportunities, thereby promoting social mobility.”
 
In the three core domains of mathematical, scientific and mother-tongue reading literacy, Hong Kong students’ overall performance has consistently surpassed the international average, scoring 522 in mathematical literacy (international average: 463); 496 in scientific literacy (international average: 482); and 480 in mother-tongue reading literacy (international average: 461).
 
The spokesperson continued, “According to the OECD’s report, the impact of COVID-19 on the learning stage of students participating in PISA 2025 during their critical developmental period is one of the factors contributing to the general decline in the overall performance of participating countries or economies. Compared with the results in previous assessment cycles, there is a notable disparity between Hong Kong students’ latest scores across these three domains and the observations of the education sector regarding these students’ abilities. This phenomenon may be attributable to multiple factors and warrant our in-depth investigation. Among these are Hong Kong’s positioning of PISA as an academic research project (distinct from systematic school-based learning assessments or public examinations), Hong Kong students’ psychological state and concentration during the test, the test administration arrangements, and students’ habits and attitudes towards using digital devices after school, all of which may also have affected their performance in PISA.”
 
Meanwhile, different international studies and assessments are underpinned by unique design concepts and assessment emphases. In recent years, Hong Kong students’ overall performance in international assessments has far surpassed the global average. Since 2006, Hong Kong has been ranking among the top three globally for four consecutive cycles in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), and ranked second in the latest PIRLS 2021 cycle. Furthermore, Hong Kong has consistently ranked among the top five globally in mathematics in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study since 1995, and has also averaged a top-10 global ranking in science.
 
The EDB attaches great importance to Hong Kong students’ performance in major international assessments and studies. As PISA is one of the reference indicators, the EDB will work closely with the project team from HKU and education stakeholders to carefully review the assessment arrangement and results. The EDB will also conduct analyses across various sub-indicators to gain understanding of students’ learning needs, with a view to formulating measures to improve assessment arrangements and enhance students’ assessment literacy.
 
With a view to conducting a more comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s performance in major international assessments and studies, the EDB has established an Expert Group on Educational Performance Evaluation, which comprises education experts from universities, school principals, representatives from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and EDB officials, among others. The group will conduct an integrated analysis of international and local assessment data, taking into account the current stage and trends of education development in Hong Kong and formulate recommendations on how to systematically incorporate assessment results into education policies. The EDB will take these recommendations into consideration and continue to work closely with various stakeholders to maintain the strengths of Hong Kong’s education system, further enhance the international competitiveness of Hong Kong students and optimise assessment literacy in schools.
 
Background information and key statistics of PISA 2025 are in the Annex.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong students excelled in digital learning in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025, while their performance in mathematical, scientific and mother-tongue reading literacy surpassed the international averages.

According to the assessment results released today, Hong Kong students performed exceptionally well in the innovative domain “Learning in the Digital World”, achieving a score of 545, which is significantly higher than the international average of 500. 

In the three core domains of mathematical, scientific and mother-tongue reading literacy, Hong Kong students scored 522 in mathematical literacy, 496 in scientific literacy and 480 in mother-tongue reading literacy, compared to the international averages of 463, 482 and 461 respectively.

Organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD), the international assessment is conducted every three years. A total of 91 countries or economies participated in PISA 2025 globally.

The Education Bureau commissioned the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to conduct the main study in Hong Kong from May to July 2025, which involved 6,445 15-year-old students from 230 secondary schools.

The OECD’s report indicated that Hong Kong was one of the top-performing education systems globally in the innovative domain “Learning in the Digital World”, with over 40% of participating students attaining high proficiency levels, and capable of undertaking moderate to sophisticated programming and modelling and effectively applying computational logic for analysis.

In a statement, the Education Bureau said Hong Kong students’ outstanding performance demonstrates the tangible results achieved through Hong Kong’s vigorous promotion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education.

The bureau added that it will continue to focus on artificial intelligence education, building on the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary & Secondary Schools announced earlier.

The statement also noted that efforts will be directed towards developing curriculum frameworks, supporting teacher training, optimising infrastructure and supporting facilities, as well as promoting cross-sector collaboration to strengthen students’ digital literacy and equip the younger generation to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the digital era.

In terms of educational equity, the bureau said the assessment results reaffirm that Hong Kong’s education system excels in achieving educational equity, consistently ranking among the top three countries or economies with high academic achievements.

In addition to establishing a broad and balanced 15-year school curriculum framework, the Government is also committed to providing a diverse range of life-wide learning activities, various programmes to support e-learning, comprehensive learning support for non-Chinese-speaking students, and the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education.

The statement mentioned that these efforts provide all students with high-quality and equal educational opportunities, thereby promoting social mobility.

The bureau stressed that it attaches great importance to Hong Kong students’ performance in major international assessments and studies. It will work closely with the project team from HKU and education stakeholders to carefully review the assessment arrangements and results.

The bureau will also conduct analyses across various sub-indicators to gain an understanding of students’ learning needs, with a view to formulating measures to improve assessment arrangements and enhance students’ assessment literacy.

The bureau has established an Expert Group on Educational Performance Evaluation, aiming to conduct a more comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s performance in major international assessments and studies.

The group will conduct an integrated analysis of international and local assessment data, taking into account the current stage and trends of educational development in Hong Kong, and will formulate recommendations on how to systematically incorporate assessment results into education policies. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global today held a seminar to promote Hong Kong’s unique advantages in going global and the opportunities offered by the Northern Metropolis (NM).

More than 120 representatives of central and other state-owned enterprises preparing to attend the 11th Belt & Road Summit joined the “Set Sail from Hong Kong, Harness the Power of the Northern Metropolis – Mainland Enterprises Going Global Seminar”.

Addressing the seminar, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said that Hong Kong, with its international business environment, world-class professional services, and top-tier talent, is the best home port for enterprises setting sail overseas.

Under his leadership, the task force helps enterprises go global in an orderly manner through a three-step approach of “bringing in”, making preparations in Hong Kong for going global, and “reaching out”.

He added that the NM offers enormous development potential and ample land for industrial use, which are conducive to enterprises establishing and growing their operations in Hong Kong and venturing into overseas markets with the support of Hong Kong’s world-class professional services.

The seminar featured two thematic discussions. The first explored the industrial layout of the NM and how the opportunities arising from its modern logistics ecosystem can help internationalise the businesses of Mainland enterprises.

The second examined how Mainland enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to respond to the new dynamics of global commodity markets and the strains on overseas supply chains, as well as how to optimise overseas trade, commodity hedging and risk management.

Source: Government of Singapore