Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government today (May 27) announced that the Chief Executive has appointed Ms Cordelia Chung as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) for two years starting from July 1, 2026, succeeding the incumbent HKSTPC Chairman, Dr Sunny Chai, whose term of appointment will end on June 30, 2026.
 
Ms Chung possesses extensive experience in managing multinational enterprises in the information technology sector. She actively participated in public service, and was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the HKSTPC from 2017 to 2023.
 
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, welcomed the appointment of Ms Chung as the new Chairman of the HKSTPC. He said, “Ms Chung has rich experience in the field of innovation and technology (I&T). Under her leadership, the HKSTPC will continue to support the development of local I&T enterprises, cultivating a more vibrant I&T ecosystem.”
 
Professor Sun also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Dr Chai, for his significant contributions to the work of the HKSTPC over the years. “Under Dr Chai’s sterling leadership, the HKSTPC has continuously enhanced existing I&T infrastructure and various measures to support I&T enterprises, nurtured I&T talents and promoted Hong Kong’s I&T and the development of new industrialisation, so as to strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international I&T hub. In addition, under his outstanding leadership, the HKSTPC has conducted planning studies for San Tin Technopole as requested by the Government. Under the leadership of the new Chairman, the Government anticipates that the HKSTPC would continue to provide full support and cooperation for the development of the San Tin Technopole and work closely with the soon established San Tin Technopole Company Limited to jointly strengthen the I&T ecosystem and attract enterprises and international talent,” said Professor Sun.
 
The Government also announced the appointment of two new members and re-appointment of seven serving members by the Financial Secretary for a period of two years from July 1, 2026.
 
Professor Philip Chiu and Professor Helen Meng are appointed as new Board members of the HKSTPC.
 
Mr Conrad Chan, Ms Dilys Chau, Ms Susanna Hui, Mr Timothy Leung, Dr Samson Tam, Ms Phoebe Tse and Ms Eunice Yung are re-appointed as Board members of the HKSTPC.
 
Professor Sun said, “I am confident that with their extensive experience and professional knowledge in various fields, members of the Board will continue to guide the HKSTPC to fulfil its public mission effectively and propel the I&T development in Hong Kong.”
 
The tenure of two incumbent Board members, Professor Stephanie Ma and Mr Daryl Ng, will expire on June 30 this year. Professor Sun also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Board members for their valuable advice on the HKSTPC and strong support for the I&T development in Hong Kong over the past six years.
 
Established in 2001, the HKSTPC is a statutory body wholly owned by the Government. It provides quality infrastructure facilities and support services for the I&T development in Hong Kong. The HKSTPC is responsible for managing and operating the Hong Kong Science Park, three InnoParks and the InnoCentre.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Yang Wing-kit and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
 
Question:
 
     In its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the 6th of this month, the Government stated that it is studying the construction of a bridge across the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter to provide a direct linkage between the former Kai Tak runway area and Kwun Tong, thereby improving the external transportation connectivity of the former runway area, and is also exploring the option of adding vehicular lanes on the bridge. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the preliminary timetable and the scope of works for taking forward the aforesaid project;
 
(2) whether the Government will consider reserving space in the aforesaid project to allow the route of the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Kai Tak to be extended to Kwun Tong, so as to meet long-term transport development needs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) whether it will take into account the future need to hold major sporting events (e.g. a harbourfront marathon) when designing the aforesaid project, so as to reserve space for staging such events and providing related facilities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government has been actively enhancing the overall transport network in Kowloon East, including the Kai Tak Development Area, to better meet the travel needs of the public. Among them, the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) was completed in 2025, while the Central Kowloon Bypass (Kowloon Bay Section) will soon be commissioned, significantly strengthening the connectivity of major transport corridors. On the other hand, the Government is pressing ahead with the Smart and Green Mass Transit System project in Kai Tak (Kai Tak Project), which serves as a light and green feeder service to the nearby railway station within the area to strengthen connections among the residential and commercial developments, facilities focused on tourism, culture and recreation, sports and the community within the area, as well as the connection with the railway network. Meanwhile, the Development Bureau (DEVB) is implementing a range of measures, including the construction of elevated walkways, to improve pedestrian accessibility and safety. Furthermore, the Government is studying the construction of a bridge across the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter (KTTS) to provide a direct linkage between the former Kai Tak runway area and Kwun Tong, thereby enhancing the external transportation connectivity of the former runway area.
 
     In response to the Hon Yang Wing-kit’s question, after consulting the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the reply is set out below:
 
(1) Regarding the proposed bridge across the KTTS, the DEVB originally proposed constructing a pedestrian and cyclist bridge with travellators, of approximately 600 metres in length, to enhance the connectivity and accessibility between the former Kai Tak runway area and the Kwun Tong Promenade in a more environmentally friendly approach. In response to public views, the Government is now exploring the feasibility of incorporating vehicular access into the design. The ongoing study will assess the technical viability of different options, including the alignment of the bridge and the connection points at both ends. The study will also be co-ordinated with the latest planning circumstances of the Kai Tak Development Area and its related transport infrastructure. Upon formulating feasible proposals, we will strive to consult relevant stakeholders and invite their views next year.
 
(2) To ensure the early completion of the Kai Tak Project, the Government will take forward the project based on the current alignment running along the former Kai Tak runway area with the termini connecting to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the existing MTR Kai Tak Station, with a view to commencing construction works as soon as possible. After finalising the system and design adopted for the basic alignment of the Kai Tak Project, the Government will review the technical and financial feasibility of extending the system to other areas, such as Kwun Tong, in the future, and co-ordinate with the bridge project across the KTTS.
 
(3) The waterfront of the KTTS has been developed into a continuous promenade, parks, and event spaces, complemented by diversified recreational and public facilities. With the progressive implementation of works to connect the promenade and further enhance the waterfront sites, various organisations have successfully held a wide range of activities along the KTTS waterfront in recent years. While the DEVB has been developing high-quality waterfront spaces in Kowloon East for public enjoyment, it has also focused on providing ancillary facilities to transform the waterfront into a vibrant and dynamic public space, offering locals and visitors a more diverse and unique experience, valuing both quality and quantity. To encourage and facilitate diversified activities organised by various organisations so as to introduce new waterfront experiences to the public, the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) is committed to establishing direct communication channels between event organisers and relevant Government departments, with a view to continuously co-ordinating and streamlining the detailed arrangements of activities. Looking ahead, if events are planned to take place at the proposed bridge across the KTTS (such as a waterfront marathon), the EKEO will also provide assistance to the organisers to ensure smooth implementation and effective co-ordination.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chun-ying and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
 
Question:
 
It is learnt that the demand for pet hospice services is growing day by day. Given that the Government currently has no plans to establish a licensing regime for operators of pet hospice services, nor does it provide pet cremation services, most pet owners choose to entrust private organisations with the handling of their pets’ after-death arrangements, resulting in the rapid development of the relevant industry. As the cremation of animals in ordinary industrial buildings (IBs) constitutes breaches of land leases, owners intending to set up cremation facilities and provide pet funeral services in ordinary IB units must apply to the Lands Department for an amendment to lease conditions or exemption from the relevant use restrictions, which may require applying to the Town Planning Board for a change of statutory planning use or planning permission. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective numbers of applications received, approved and rejected by the relevant departments in each of the past three years concerning the amendment to lease conditions or exemption from restrictions for the setting up of pet cremation facilities in IBs;
 
(2) regarding the setting up of cremation facilities in IBs to provide pet funeral services, whether the relevant departments have considered streamlining the application procedures for amending lease conditions or exempting from restrictions, and providing guidelines on the application procedures; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3) regarding operators of pet hospice services who have not applied for the setting up of pet cremation facilities in IBs, whether the authorities have grasped the numbers of their companies or facilities, as well as the locations thereof (e.g. IBs, brownfield sites, shopping centres and commercial buildings); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:
 
President,
 
Currently, various government departments regulate pet cremation operating premises in accordance with applicable legislations or the terms of the land leases. For example, upon receipt of complaints about these premises causing sanitary nuisance, environmental pollution, fire hazard or breach of terms of the land lease, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Fire Services Department or the Lands Department (LandsD) will carry out inspections and take enforcement actions as necessary.
 
Having consulted the Development Bureau and the Security Bureau, the reply to the question from the Hon Chan Chun-ying is as follows:

(1) and (2) Generally, the leases of industrial buildings specify that the lot shall be used only for industrial and/or godown purposes. If an owner intends to install a cremation facility in an industrial building unit to provide pet cremation services, the owner must apply to the LandsD to modify the lease terms or waive the relevant user restrictions. In the past three years, the LandsD received only one waiver application in 2023 for the installation of pet cremation facility in an industrial building. As the application failed to meet the statutory land use zoning requirement, the LandsD rejected the application in 2024.
 
“Pet cremation facilities” is currently not under any existing categories of use in statutory town plans. Interested operators may submit an application to the Town Planning Board in accordance with section 12A of the Town Planning Ordinance to rezone a certain statutory planning use to a designated use for “pet cremation facilities”, or submit an application for planning approval in accordance with section 16 under appropriate circumstances if said “pet cremation facilities” are for temporary use only. If any person applies to the LandsD for modifying lease terms or waivers to install cremation facilities in industrial buildings to provide pet cremation services, upon receiving the application, the LandsD will examine whether the application meets the statutory land use zoning requirement, and will consult the relevant policy bureaux and/or departments to ascertain whether it receives policy support and complies with other laws and regulations, before considering whether to approve the application. Details can be found on the LandsD’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/land-transaction.html) or by contacting the District Lands Offices.

(3) Upon receipt of complaints regarding pet cremation operating premises or applications from operators on specific facilities and land leases, various government departments will follow up in accordance with their respective areas of responsibility. The Government does not maintain statistical data on the total number or locations of such facilities.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Jonathan Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):

Question:

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):

     Under the existing Nutrition Labelling Scheme (the Scheme), prepackaged food products are required to label the energy and seven core nutrients (i.e. total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sugars, sodium, protein and carbohydrates) “per package” or “per serving”. It has been more than 15 years since the Scheme was fully implemented in 2010. In recent years, there have been notable changes in the dietary pattern of the public and the types of prepackaged food products, and cases of discrepancies between nutrition labels and actual ingredients have aroused public concern about the effectiveness of the Scheme and the monitoring work. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Hung Kam-in and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (May 27):
 
Question:
 
     In recent years, some local institutions have collaborated with universities in the Mainland and overseas to introduce “2+2 degree programmes” or “joint degree programmes”, allowing students to complete their studies in different regions and obtain qualifications recognised by institutions in multiple regions concurrently. There are views that while current institutional collaborations are concentrated in the Greater Bay Area or the Mainland, there is also potential to further expand them to overseas to establish a transnational and cross-boundary institutional network, so as to nurture talent who can connect Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the institutions in Hong Kong which are currently collaborating with Mainland and overseas institutions to offer cross-boundary programmes, and the academic disciplines covered by such programmes; of the respective numbers of local and non-local students enrolled in such programmes in the past three years; whether the Government knows if any institutions in Hong Kong are exploring the implemetation of “multilateral joint programme” mode in collaboration with institutions in Southeast Asia or other overseas regions; if so, of the details;
 
(2) whether it knows the employment situations of and degree recognition for graduates upon completion of “multilateral joint programmes”; whether graduates who have completed such programmes currently meet the requirements of the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; if not, whether the Government will study the provision of relevant arrangements so as to attract such graduates to work in Hong Kong;
 
(3) apart from mutual recognition of programmes, whether the Government has studied or promoted multilateral recognition of vocational and professional education and training programmes, or other more attractive arrangements, such as encouraging institutions to collaborate with enterprises in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas in designing programmes, so as to enhance the competitiveness of graduates and make it easier for them to be employed in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas; and
 
(4) whether the Government has plans in the next three to five years to encourage more institutions to participate in transnational and cross-boundary joint programmes and set a specific timetable, so as to strengthen the role of Hong Kong’s institutions in international education collaboration and enhance Hong Kong’s strengths in nurturing and retaining talent as well as building international interpersonal networks?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government actively encourages local universities to collaborate with the Chinese Mainland and overseas institutions in offering dual/joint-degree programmes to expand the pool of high-calibre talent across various fields and propel Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub. Regarding the question asked by the Hon Hung Kam-in, the reply is as follows.
 
(1) and (2) Over the past three academic years (AYs), six University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities, namely City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Hong Kong, have partnered with Chinese Mainland and overseas institutions to offer undergraduate dual/joint-degree programmes including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan, as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Over the past three AYs, around 60 undergraduate dual/joint-degree programmes were offered annually, spanning fields such as STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), social sciences, humanities, law, economics and business administration, admitting approximately 4 000 to 5 500 local and non-local undergraduate students. The total number of students enrolled in these programmes is as follows:

Number of enrolment of undergraduate dual/joint-degree programmes from the 2023/24 to 2025/26 AYs

 
     In the 2023/24 and 2024/25 AYs, these programmes recorded over 4 800 graduates annually, with non-local students accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the total. The Government does not keep the information on the pathways of the graduates concerned. Under the prevailing Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, non-local graduates who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time locally accredited programme in Hong Kong may apply to stay in/return to Hong Kong for 24 months without other conditions of stay. They do not need a job offer to be eligible for the arrangement if they apply within six months after graduation. Further details on the eligibility criteria can be found on the Immigration Department’s website.
 
     As for local students, the Government has launched the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies starting from the 2025/26 AY to encourage local students to pursue designated taught postgraduate programmes and nurture high-calibre talent needed for Hong Kong’s future. Awardees are required to sign an undertaking that he/she would contribute towards relevant industries/sectors either through relevant full-time employment or entrepreneurial activities in Hong Kong or within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, upon graduation, in support of the Government’s policy objective of attracting, nurturing and retaining talent.
 
     As regards self-financing non-local post-secondary programmes, over the past three AYs, post-secondary institutions operating full-time locally accredited self-financing non-local post-secondary programmes in collaboration with overseas institutions include the Hong Kong Institute of Technology, UOW College Hong Kong, the School of Continuing and Professional Education of the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Art School, the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, the College of International Education of the Hong Kong Baptist University and the School for Higher and Professional Education under the Vocational Training Council (VTC). These programmes mainly cover the field of business and management studies, computer science and information technology, social sciences, media, journalism and communications, arts, design and performing arts, architecture and town planning, biological sciences, education as well as engineering and technology. The total number of students enrolled in these programmes is as follows:
 
Number of enrolment of full-time locally accredited self-financing non-local post-secondary programmes from the 2023/24 to 2025/26 AYs

 
     The Government does not keep information on the annual number of graduates and their pathways.

     The Government will continue to encourage institutions to explore innovative models for dual/joint-degree programmes and endeavour to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand, with a view to nurturing versatile talent with both specialised academic knowledge and global vision to meet Hong Kong’s long-term development needs.
 
(3) The Government endeavours to promote the development of vocational and professional education and training (VPET), and supports institutions in strengthening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland and overseas enterprises and education institutions to enhance students’ competitiveness in employability.

     Among others, as the largest VPET provider in Hong Kong, the VTC has been proactively promoting collaboration with the Chinese Mainland in areas including student admission and employment, education and training, as well as teacher and student exchanges, and has established partnerships with over 110 Chinese Mainland Government departments, education institutions and organisations. To facilitate cross‑boundary learning and development, the VTC also encourages students to pursue dual award collaborative programmes in the Chinese Mainland and at the same time provides a comprehensive articulation pathway to attract Chinese Mainland students to enrol in VTC’s programmes in Hong Kong. In addition, the VTC has established the Vocational and Professional Education Services (Shenzhen) Company Limited in Shenzhen to strengthen institution‑enterprise collaboration, promote student internships and innovation and technology training, and support teachers and students in participating in study tours, exchange programmes and skills competitions, with a view to further enhancing connection with the Chinese Mainland industries. In addition, the VTC has established collaboration with various overseas VPET organisations and institutions to promote students’ participation in diversified outbound activities. These include student exchange programmes, semester-based overseas studies and industrial attachments across a wide range of overseas destinations, such as Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
 
     To further enrich students’ learning experience, the VTC has also invited scholars and industry practitioners from the Chinese Mainland and overseas to visit Hong Kong to share the latest industry developments, including emerging trends, practical insights and professional expertise through thematic seminars and interactive workshops, thereby enhancing students’ employability in the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
 
(4) The Education Bureau (EDB) has always attached importance to promoting co-operation between local post-secondary institutions and institutions from the Chinese Mainland and overseas. The EDB encourages institutions to establish partnerships with high-quality post-secondary education institutions around the world on a mutually beneficial basis, including the joint delivery of cross-border programmes, with a view to facilitating student exchanges and enhancing the quality of teaching. Post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong will negotiate and agree on specific programme arrangements with overseas institutions in accordance with their academic development strategies and curriculum design through establishing various forms of co-operation including student exchange programmes and operating dual-degree programmes, providing students with diverse learning opportunities. The EDB will continue to maintain communication with relevant Government departments and organisations from the Chinese Mainland and overseas and provide support measures (e.g. the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong and the UGC’s funding in the 2022-25 triennium for the Heads of Universities Committee’s Standing Committee on Internationalisation jointly set up by the eight UGC-funded universities), with a view to supporting institutions in expanding their international networks to promote Hong Kong’s strengths as an international post-secondary education hub to their partners from the Chinese Mainland and abroad, and to jointly exploring models for cross-regional co-operation and areas for exchange, thereby laying a solid foundation for continuously enhancing international collaboration and promoting broader academic co-operation among institutions.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region