Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE meets University Grants Committee members (with photo)
The UGC Chairman, Mr Tim Lui, briefed Mr Lee on the UGC’s latest strategic initiatives to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. These initiatives include organising high-profile summits and forums to facilitate forward-looking exchanges with key stakeholders and academic leaders from around the world on how Hong Kong’s higher education could align with national development priorities and Hong Kong’s strategic planning objectives. Mr Lui said that these efforts showcase Hong Kong’s outstanding achievements in research, teaching and learning activities, while promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. The UGC also actively supports local institutions in nurturing local talent and attracting global talent, with a view to contributing to Hong Kong’s development into a leading international post-secondary education hub.
Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to UGC members from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas for their advice on the development of higher education in Hong Kong, as well as their efforts in enhancing the internationalisation and diversification of UGC-funded universities. Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong’s exceptional global standing as an international education hub was widely recognised, with five UGC-funded universities among the world’s top 100, and two of them even ranking among the top 20 globally. He noted that the development prospects of higher education in Hong Kong are highly promising.
Mr Lee said that the Government will soon announce Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, through which Hong Kong will advance such strategies as accelerating the Northern Metropolis development, developing into an international innovation and technology centre and building an international hub for high-calibre talent to actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Mr Lee remarked that the Government has specially adopted a town area concept in developing the Northern Metropolis University Town, integrating education, technology, talent, industry and urban development to build a high-quality university town area that further promotes the integrated development of industry, academia and research. Through digital transformation, deepening industry-academia-research synergy and international collaboration, the Government will further consolidate Hong Kong’s leading position as an international education hub, strive for research excellence and dedicate its efforts to nurturing future-ready talent.
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Hongkong Post to issue “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” special stamps
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hongkong Post announced today (September 2) that a set of special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” will be released for sale on September 17 (Thursday).
Guangcai, the shortened form of “Guangzhou painted porcelain” or “Canton Famille Rose Porcelain”, is one of the traditional craftsmanship of Lingnan culture. It involves painting patterns on pre-glazed white porcelain, followed by secondary firing. The technique dates back to the early Qing dynasty and was transmitted from Guangzhou to Hong Kong in the 1920s. In addition to conserving the traditional hand-painting technique and auspicious patterns, Guangcai produced in Hong Kong also incorporates local painting techniques and special motifs, hence the name Gangcai (Hong Kong painted porcelain). The Guangcai making technique was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2024. Hongkong Post will issue special stamps on the theme of “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” to promote Lingnan craftsmanship and local intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the finesse of Hong Kong artisans that has been passed down through generations.
Official first day covers for “Lingnan Craftsmanship – Guangcai (The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain) Making Technique” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (September 3). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and on ShopThruPost from September 17, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps will be available at philatelic offices only.
A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on September 17 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).
President Lai meets Italian Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
On the afternoon of September 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Italian Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Italian Parliament for its longstanding support of Taiwan’s international participation. He stated that in the face of continued authoritarian expansion, democratic countries should lend mutual support and safeguard democracy and peace. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Italy will further deepen economic, trade, and industrial collaboration, and that the friendship both have built over the years will yield even more tangible results, opening a new chapter in their cooperation.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Senate Vice President Centinaio is an old friend of Taiwan, and this is his fifth visit. Two years ago, he and Senator Daniela Ternullo also traveled here to attend my and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao’s inauguration ceremony. I am pleased to meet and exchange views with them again, and I would like to thank the entire cross-party group of lawmakers present today for being part of the largest-ever delegation from the Italian Parliament to visit Taiwan. This visit reflects the Italian Parliament’s strong support for Taiwan.
Your strong support is evident in many areas, including cultural exchanges. After more than 20 years of effort over five parliamentary terms, the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Senate passed a bill this year protecting foreign artworks on temporary loan from seizure. This legislation will provide a solid legal foundation for Taiwan’s treasured cultural artifacts to be exhibited in Italy in the future.
Regarding international affairs, the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee issued its first Indo-Pacific investigative report last year, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. A number of Italian senators have also repeatedly challenged China’s distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 through interpellation, and expressed support for Taiwan’s international participation. I would again like to express my deepest gratitude to the Italian Parliament, Senate Vice President Centinaio, and members of the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group for their longstanding efforts to speak up for and stand with Taiwan.
In the face of continued authoritarian expansion, it is only through mutual support that democratic nations can safeguard democracy and peace. During Italy’s G7 presidency in 2024, it deployed the aircraft carrier Cavour to the Indo-Pacific for the first time to participate in joint military exercises. Over the last two years, Italy has continued to deploy naval vessels to the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating its determination to uphold peace and stability in the region. Going forward, Taiwan will continue to work with Italy and other like-minded partners, not only to uphold the rules-based international order, but also to further expand economic, trade, and industrial collaboration.
As for Taiwan-Italy economic and trade relations, Italy is currently Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner in the European Union, and our industries are highly complementary. Italy has strong capabilities in automobiles, design, and advanced materials, while Taiwan has well-developed industrial clusters in semiconductors, information and communications technology, and electronics manufacturing. This past June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) led an economic and trade delegation to Milan, creating further opportunities for Taiwan and Italy to expand industrial cooperation.
With the support of our guests, I look forward to the friendship that Taiwan and Italy have built over the years yielding even more tangible results, bringing greater prosperity and development to both sides. I hope we can continue to work together to open a new chapter in Taiwan-Italy cooperation.
Senate Vice President Centinaio then delivered remarks, stating that the delegation, in size and composition, is the most significant delegation from Italy to visit Taiwan in recent years. He noted that it includes members of both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, representing ruling and opposition parties and different regions across northern, central, and southern Italy. Thus, he said, the delegation is honored to represent the whole of Italy in visiting Taiwan.
Senate Vice President Centinaio indicated that Taiwan and Italy’s relationship extends beyond economic and trade ties from business. For both countries, he said, democracy is a fundamental principle, and exchanges are ultimately about advancing and protecting the interests of the people. He stated that members of the delegation have continued to promote this work in parliament, including passing the bill protecting foreign artworks on loan and consistently voicing support for Taiwan-Italy relations. He stated that this demonstrates many members of the Italian Parliament deeply believe in the friendship with Taiwan. Furthermore, he said, they hold an important conviction – that supporting Taiwan and helping maintain the status quo in the international community are vital to safeguarding democracy around the world.
Senate Vice President Centinaio stated that continued parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges are critical to achieving the goals shared by Taiwan and Italy. He remarked that Taiwan’s establishment of an additional representative office in Milan helps more Italians learn about Taiwan, and also contributes to the shared missions of promoting democratic values worldwide and moving forward together to achieve even more through cooperation in the years to come. Finally, he reiterated that Italy remains a friend of and stands with Taiwan.
The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Italian Economic, Commercial and Cultural Promotion Office in Taipei Representative Marco Lombardi.
LCSD to roll out “three major ball games” sports days with sports fun for all
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCSD to roll out “three major ball games” sports days with sports fun for all
The sports days have a highlight on basketball, volleyball and football, in line with the national direction of promoting national fitness and developing the “three major ball games”. This encourages members of the public to participate in team sports and enhance their physical fitness, promoting “sport for all”. Activities will include professional skill demonstrations, challenge competitions, and elite friendly matches. In addition, renowned athletes such as Sun Yue, Lee Ho-ching, Sze Hang-yu, Wan Ka-nam, Lau Kin-ken, Kelvin Tsang and Leung Shiu-wah will share their experiences with the public in person. Other appeals include fitness exercises and activities, DIY workshops, and interactive games for participants of all ages.
Dates and venues of the sports days are as follows: