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Speech by CE at Hong Kong Academy of Sciences 10th Anniversary Celebration Banquet (English only) 
Professor Dennis Lo (President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences), members of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences and the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 
 
     Good evening. It is an honour to join you tonight, in celebration of the landmark 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences.
 
     Over the past decade, the Academy has played a pivotal role in bringing together leading scientists, locally and internationally. No less important, it has nurtured promising young science and technology talent, inspiring scientific and technological excellence in Hong Kong. The Academy has also been the Government’s close partner in developing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) sector.
 
     I&T is shaping the future of our generation and our world. And the Government is committed to ensuring Hong Kong’s rise as an international I&T centre.
 
     I’m glad to tell you that we’re making notable progress. To quote a few figures, our gross expenditure on research and development in 2024 was more than double that of 2014, ten years ago, rising from 16 billion Hong Kong Dollars in 2014 to about 36 billion Hong Kong Dollars in 2024. The number of employees in the I&T sector has also surged 70 per cent, from 35 000 to about 59 000, over the same period.
 
     During that time, we witnessed the birth of 20 unicorn companies in Hong Kong. At last count, we are home to a thriving community of some 4 700 start-ups. And I have confidence that these figures will be on the rise, as we continue to attract quality I&T talent, companies and start-ups to Hong Kong.
 
     And we’re certainly not slowing down. Among many other initiatives, we launched the 3 billion Hong Kong Dollars Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme last September. The funding will help our universities attract leading scientists and researchers to Hong Kong.
 
     Last year, for the first time, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranked first, number one, among the world’s top 100 innovation clusters, in the annual Global Innovation Index.
 
     Also last year, Hong Kong ranked fourth, globally, in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking published by the International Institute for Management Development. That’s up three places from the previous year. In the areas of “technological framework” and “adaptive attitudes”, we came first globally.
 
     More than topping international rankings, our development into an international I&T centre tops the HKSAR Government’s policy agenda. In this, we enjoy the firm support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.   
 
     We are, let me add, expediting development across the entire I&T spectrum, which include:
      This wide-ranging, far-reaching approach is opening up fresh opportunities, particularly under our new South-North dual engine, which pairs finance in the south and I&T in the north. Hong Kong Park in the Loop and San Tin Technopole, both located in our fast-growing Northern Metropolis, are the strategy’s central pillars.
      
     Together, they will drive emerging technology industries in Hong Kong, and serve as a critical centre for developing new quality productive forces.
      
     Hong Kong Park in the Loop officially opened last month. That marked a milestone in the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, an area that straddles our boundary with Shenzhen.
      
     The 210 hectares of new I&T land in the San Tin area is a natural extension of the Loop. And our publication, last November, of the conceptual outline of San Tin Technopole’s development plan for the I&T industry, sets a clear strategy for San Tin Technopole.
      
     The San Tin area’s I&T sites are expected to integrate with the industry supply chains of cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. And the land will accommodate the varying scales and technology fields of their companies.
      
     We expect it will also take up the transformation and industrialisation of Hong Kong Park’s research outcomes. That will certainly drive economic growth, creating high-quality employment opportunities and industrial upgrading.
      
     Together, the new I&T land surrounding San Tin and Hong Kong Park will form a crucial node for the integrated emergence of upstream, midstream and downstream I&T industries. They will help propel Hong Kong’s development as an I&T powerhouse, radiating with influence that transcends boundaries.
      
     And that, ladies and gentlemen, is just the beginning. Thanks to the unwavering support of our country, the Northern Metropolis’ fast-track development, and the continuing contributions of key partners such as the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, I am confident that Hong Kong’s science and I&T sectors will be at the heart of our city’s flourishing future.
      
     My thanks, once again, to the Academy of Sciences for its dedication, perseverance and countless contributions over its first eventful decade. I look forward to the Academy’s next 10 years of scientific promise and great progress.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a very memorable evening and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 19:50

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HKICL alerts public of fraudulent website     
     The Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) has recently noted a fraudulent website at https://www.fpshk[.]lat purported to be from the HKICL. The fraudulent website intends to trick user into giving away login credentials and directs user to WhatsApp chats with the fraudster impersonating as customer service personnel.
      
     The HKICL advises that such fraudulent website has no affiliation with the HKICL, or any business of the HKICL. The HKICL does not set up any WhatsApp channel for communication, and will not contact individual members of the public proactively under usual circumstance. The genuine official website address of the HKICL is www.hkicl.com.hk      
     The HKICL urges the public to beware of suspicious calls, websites or other communications, and to remain vigilant in protecting personal information. If members of the public receive any suspicious communication purportedly from the HKICL, please call the HKICL’s general line at 2533 1111 to verify. Members of the public who suspect that they have become the victim of fraudulent acts should report promptly to the Police.
Issued at HKT 19:32

Speech by DSJ at closing ceremony of second edition of Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course (English only) 
Deputy Director Si (Deputy Director General of the Research Office of the Supreme People’s Court, Ms Si Yanli), distinguished judges, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to deliver the closing remarks for the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course – Company Law in Focus, which has brought together 24 senior judges representing 22 courts across the Chinese Mainland, including the Supreme People’s Court, as well as courts from 12 provinces and 3 direct-administered municipalities. Such unprecedented composition of judges reflects the breadth and depth of collaboration between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland in the area of judicial capacity building, and marks a new milestone in our ongoing endeavour to enhance mutual understanding and co-operation between our two legal systems. I am both humbled and honoured to witness this important achievement.
 
     I am also delighted to note that this Training Course focusing on company law is complementary to other key initiatives undertaken by my Department. As announced in the Policy Address 2025, I have been tasked by the Chief Executive to promote Hong Kong’s legal services and collaborate with other professional sectors, including accounting and finance, to support Chinese Mainland enterprises aspiring to expand their businesses overseas. In this connection, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, with the support of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, successfully organised the Legal Practical Training Course for Chinese Enterprises Going Overseas last October. That course provides training for over 30 general counsel and legal advisors from companies on the Chinese Mainland, and this Training Course provides training on the company law for judges on the Chinese Mainland.
 
     I must take this opportunity to show appreciation to all those involved in making this Training Course a real success. First and foremost, on behalf of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, I would like to extend our profound gratitude to the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China for its unwavering support. We are particularly grateful to Director General Si and her team for their invaluable guidance throughout this course. From the early stages of course planning and content design, through the nomination of participants, to the close co-ordination during the Training Course, the Supreme People’s Court has provided tremendous support to the Academy, which has been instrumental in making this second edition of the Hong Kong Common Law Practical Training Course a success.
 
     Second, I would like to thank all our distinguished speakers and moderators, who delivered nothing short of excellence despite their demanding schedules. Their interactive sessions have engaged participants in discussing real-world issues, turning classroom learning into an interactive judicial dialogue. Their willingness and dedication to share their valuable knowledge and practical experience have made this Course truly impactful.
 
     Third, I wish to offer my warmest congratulations and appreciation to all of you for your active participation throughout the course. Each question raised, each comment shared, and each perspective offered brought new dimensions to our collective learning. There is a Chinese saying, “教學相長”, that is teaching and learning advance hand in hand. This principle has truly come to life throughout this course. Your insights and contributions have deepened our understanding of cross-border judicial practice, demonstrating how the Hong Kong common law principles could be applied in civil law adjudication in foreign-related cases. This dynamic, two-way exchange of knowledge is what makes this course truly meaningful and enriching for both participants and speakers.
 
     I am grateful for the heartfelt sharing from some of you just now about your experiences throughout this course. Knowing the course has equipped you to address the real challenges in handling foreign-related cases back home brings great encouragement to me and my colleagues. It is most rewarding to learn that the course has met, and even exceeded, your expectations. We are also glad that you have known more about Hong Kong’s unique legal system and way of life, while building lasting friendships with fellow distinguished judges from across the country. I hope that you will carry these valuable insights and new connections forward into your future professional endeavours.
 
     Looking forward, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy will continue to collaborate with the Supreme People’s Court to organise judicial capacity-building programmes to foster the knowledge exchange between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. We will also continue to explore collaboration with provincial courts for judicial capacity building as well. For example, the Academy co-organised with the Shanghai High People’s Court a training course in Shanghai in November last year for around 100 judges in the Yangtze River Delta region. The training course focused on practical difficulties in foreign-related adjudication, including the characteristics of Hong Kong’s common law under the “one country, two systems” principle, its comparison and interaction with the law on the Chinese Mainland, and practical issues such as contract law, law of evidence, judicial reviews of arbitration, ascertainment of foreign law and drafting of judgments. We hope these initiatives will support the national strategy to be outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan to strengthen judicial capability and promote the rule of law. We look forward with great anticipation to many more similar courses in Hong Kong and on the Chinese Mainland in the years to come.
 
     Distinguished judges, thank you once again for your invaluable contribution and participation. To enable us to develop even more impactful training programmes ahead, I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the feedback form and share your views – whether on the structure of sessions, the balance between lectures and visits, or the inclusion of specific topics. Lastly, may I wish you a safe journey back home, and a joyful and prosperous Chinese New Year ahead. Thank you very much.
Issued at HKT 19:10

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HKETO San Francisco hosts New Year Reception in California  
     Guests attending the event included consuls-general, mayors, supervisors, academia, business and community leaders as well as representatives of cultural institutes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
     Speaking at the reception, the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Mr DC Cheung, provided an overview of Hong Kong’s latest business environment and highlights of new government initiatives, including the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global and the Economic and Trade Express as well as the development of the Northern Metropolis.
 
     “While the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global aims at providing one-stop customised support services to Mainland enterprises venturing overseas through Hong Kong, the Economic and Trade Express is a new functional platform supporting Hong Kong’s small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to explore high-potential overseas markets,” he said.
 
     “The Northern Metropolis is another new engine for Hong Kong’s economic development and holds immense potential. The Government will accelerate its development and formulate preferential policy packages covering land grants, land premiums, financial subsidies and tax incentives to attract high value-added industries and high-potential enterprises to set up businesses in Hong Kong, particularly in the Northern Metropolis,” he added.
 
     “Beyond business, Hong Kong also offers unforgettable experiences for visitors, including world-class arts, culture and sports competitions and shows. Hong Kong is a must-visit global city not only for business, but also for fun and new experiences,” Mr Cheung said.
 
     The reception concluded on a high note with a recital on sanxian, a traditional Chinese string instrument, by Hong Kong musician and ethno-musicologist Stella Chan.
Issued at HKT 7:10

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HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition       
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, stated that since its establishment in 1975, the Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC) has provided round-the-clock support on a secondary duty basis. Initially tasked with handling counter-terrorism and serious crime cases, the PNC later expanded its duties to include suicide intervention. In recent years, it has actively collaborated with stakeholders from different sectors, including the Education Bureau, the Hospital Authority, as well as the education and social welfare sectors, to strengthen schools’ capability in handling crises and promote psychological resilience among students. The PNC also shoulders the important mission of safeguarding national security, ensuring the harmony and stability of Hong Kong.
      
     Mr Chow added that with over 100 members, the PNC has consistently upheld the motto “Who Cares Wins” and has successfully resolved crises and saved lives through calm analysis, active listening, and strong teamwork. He expressed his gratitude to the PNC members over the years for their selfless dedication and efforts, and to the various units for their support. He hoped that the symposium would facilitate in-depth exchanges and foster collaboration among all parties to move forward together.
      
     The symposium has invited over 500 representatives engaged in negotiation and crisis management from Chinese Mainland, Cambodia, Dubai, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore, and Switzerland, as well as local representatives from the education and social welfare sectors.
      
     The first day of the symposium focused on sharing local and overseas experience in crisis management, negotiation, and solutions. The PNC, together with representatives from Mainland public security authorities and the international negotiation community, explored co-operation in crisis management and exchanged views on strengthening public safety and enhancing community resilience through negotiation work. These discussions strengthened international and regional partnerships and chart a forward‑looking roadmap for negotiation development in Hong Kong. The symposium tomorrow will engage local professional groups and academia in exploring the development of school support networks, the prevention of youth suicides, and the role of artificial intelligence in the course of negotiation.
      
     Also held at the venue was the PNC 50th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition, showcasing the contributions of the PNC in saving lives and maintaining social stability through historical photographs, memorabilia and significant negotiation cases. Looking ahead, the PNC will continue to work hand in hand with local, Chinese Mainland and international partners to resolve crises through dialogue, striving to ensure Hong Kong remains one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.
Issued at HKT 18:37

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FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in January