MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Jointly organised by the Film Programmes Office, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Science Museum of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” will feature two popular sci-fi films, “Interstellar” (2014) and “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001), which will be screened free of charge at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 2pm on April 20 and 21 respectively, leading audiences to reflect on the impact of technological advancements on human life. 

     Astrophysicist and Associate Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Chan Man-ho, and Research Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Principal Investigator of the CUHK Jockey Club AI for the Future Project, Professor Yam Yeung, have been invited as guest speakers for post-screening talks respectively to explore the scientific knowledge behind the films.

     In “Interstellar”, the protagonist, Cooper, is pulled into a black hole while on a mission searching for habitable planets for humankind. He accidentally enters a five-dimensional space created by future humans, where he communicates with his daughter on Earth using gravity and helps her achieve a plan to save humanity. The film visually presents scientific concepts such as relativity, black holes and wormholes on the screen, allowing the audience to experience the wonder of science through the story.

     In “A.I. Artificial Intelligence”, directed by Steven Spielberg, a robotic boy named David, endowed with genuine human emotions, is adopted by a human, Monica, as a replacement for her seriously ill son. Following her own son’s recovery and return home, David desperately searches for a way to become a real human in the hope of regaining Monica’s motherly love and care. The film profoundly explores the relationship between love, humanity and technology, making it a classic in the genre of sci-fi films featuring robots.

     Both films are in English with Chinese subtitles.

     Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=74. “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” is one of the programmes of HK SciFest 2025 held by the Hong Kong Science Museum from April 18 to 27. For details about HK SciFest 2025, please visit the website at www.hk.science.museum/scifest2025/?lang=en.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:41PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Justice is observing the 135^th  birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar here today, to honor the legacy of one of India’s foremost politicians, jurists, and social reformers.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was Born on 14th April 1891, dedicated his life to the fight against social discrimination and worked tirelessly to secure equal rights for women, laborers, and marginalized communities. His vision laid the foundation for a just and inclusive society, as reflected in the Constitution of India, which he was instrumental in drafting.

Ambedkar Jayanti, also known as Equality Day, commemorates Dr. Ambedkar’s invaluable contributions to social justice and the rule of law. In recognition of his enduring legacy, 14th April 2025 has been declared a public holiday across India.

This day serves not only to remember Dr. Ambedkar’s monumental contributions to society and the Constitution but also as a call to uphold the principles he championed—equality, justice, and dignity for all.

This day holds great significance in honouring the remarkable contributions of Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to our nation, particularly in the fields of social justice, equality, and the drafting of the Indian Constitution.

To commemorate his birth anniversary, a special event was successfully organized, presided over by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice. The event was also graced by the presence of the Secretary (Justice), Senior officers, and the officials/staff of the Department of Justice.

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Samrat: pibpiolaw[at]gmail[dot]com

  

(Release ID: 2121544) Visitor Counter : 128

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee

I am delighted to welcome you to Hong Kong, and the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

 

And I am honoured to say that the Asia-Pacific Summit, taking place over these next two days in Hong Kong, marks the first time the World Internet Conference has held an international summit outside Mainland China.

 

That, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to Hong Kong’s rising role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. It also reflects our deepening integration with our country’s national development.  

 

That will become abundantly clear over these next two days. Like the World Internet Conference itself, this summit offers high-level dialogue for the global internet community – for you – the nearly 1,000 professionals here from 30 countries and regions.

 

You are senior government officials and business leaders, industry association heads, academics and researchers and professionals from different disciplines. And you are here to expand your international connections, create business opportunities and help build the interconnected digital future.

 

Hong Kong’s rise as an I&T hub has been fast-tracked by our vibrant economy, which is powered by free trade and boasts the world’s third-largest financial centre. It helps, too, that Hong Kong has long been a key business conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world.

 

And it all comes together under our unique “one country, two systems” framework.

 

This cardinal governing principle gives Hong Kong the best of both worlds: access to the vast opportunities of the Mainland market, while maintaining the advantages of our unmatched connectivity of our common law system, free flow of information, capital, goods and people. This unmatched connectivity has brought you here.

 

There are many good examples. A shining example is the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which ranks second, globally, in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index. It shows how, with the development of the Greater Bay Area, we can converge Hong Kong’s excellent research and development and world-class, international business environment, with the innovative prowess of the Mainland’s technology industry.

 

We are building Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which straddles the small river that separates Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Hong Kong park within this co-operation zone smartly embodies the virtues of the “one country, two systems” principle and cross-boundary co-operation.

 

Last month, I attended the topping-out ceremony for the park’s first three buildings – two wet laboratories and a talent accommodation complex. The park will enter its operational phase this year, with the first tenants – from life and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI), to data science and other pillar industries – moving in.

 

The development of another five buildings is in full swing. We have earmarked some US$500 million to expedite the park’s two-phase development.

 

We need, of course, strategic companies and talent to take full advantage of the park’s opportunities – and other of Hong Kong’s far-reaching prospects. And we are getting them. Under the enhanced talent admission regime we rolled out in 2022, we have already approved more than 300,000 talent admission applications. Over 200,000 of them, ie two-thirds, have already arrived here.

 

Meanwhile, over 80 strategic enterprises from around the world in the booming industries of life and health technology, AI and data science, fintech and more, have joined us. They will invest over US$6 million and create over 20,000 jobs here in the coming years.

 

The park is situated in the Northern Metropolis, an entirely new economic engine for Hong Kong. The Northern Metropolis, which makes up one-third of Hong Kong’s area, straddles our land boundary with Shenzhen.

 

I am confident that our collaborative efforts with Shenzhen, and throughout the Greater Bay Area, will see the rise of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone as a world-class I&T hub, creating a critical source of new quality productive forces for the country.

 

AI is central to the Hong Kong park’s research and development. It is no less central to Hong Kong’s future.

 

In December last year, the first phase of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre became operational. Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport is home to more than 330 startups specialising in AI and big data.

 

Hong Kong is determined to maximise AI’s immense potential for new industrialisation, and to further society’s digital transformation.

 

We have, for example, set up funding schemes to help local manufacturers switch to smart manufacturing and strategic industries to establish smart production facilities here in Hong Kong.

 

And our HK$10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund, amounting to nearly US$1.3 billion, channels market capital to invest in industries of strategic importance, including AI and robotics.

 

There is more. We aim to establish, by the next financial year, the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute, having reserved nearly US$130 million to get it up and running. The institute will spearhead Hong Kong’s research and development, and drive AI-based industrial applications.

 

AI will also promote smart government. Not only driving document digitalisation and automation, and payments and business processes, but, more important, how we go about making policy and delivering public services.

 

All that, and much more, will fuel discussion and debate at today’s main forum and the three sub-forums taking place tomorrow.

 

This summit matters. Co-operation matters. Especially during these challenging times to geopolitics and trade relations. Hong Kong champions free trade and multilateralism. We believe in teamwork and offer a range of welcoming programmes for investors, companies, researchers and other strategic talent. Hong Kong welcomes all business interests from those who are keen to pursue development with us. In this global city, we will make a decided difference for you, and your future.

 

I am grateful to the World Internet Conference for hosting the Asia-Pacific Summit here in Hong Kong. Grateful, too, to our Innovation, Technology& Industry Bureau and other government offices for organising this high-profile global event.

 

I wish you all an inspiring summit, and the best of business, and health, through this endlessly challenging, but promising, year.

 

Chief Executive John Lee gave these remarks at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit on April 14.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department said today that around 6.04 million passengers are expected to pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during the upcoming Easter festive period from April 17 to 21.

 

It also estimates that some 5.05 million passengers will pass through land boundary control points. The number of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will be relatively higher on April 18 and April 21, with around 759,000 passengers and 618,000 passengers respectively.

 

Passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point will see a daily average of about 225,000. Meanwhile, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point can expect to handle about 202,000 and 164,000 passengers respectively.

 

To facilitate flexible staff deployment and the operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks, the department noted that it has minimised leave for frontline officers accordingly.

 

Furthermore, in collaboration with local organisations and Mainland authorities, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.

 

Passengers can check the expected busy times at boundary control points on the department’s website and find the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points via its app.

 

Separately, from March 31, Hong Kong permanent residents, aged at least seven and at least 1.1m tall, and holding a smart identity card and valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, may use e-Channels without prior enrolment for self-service immigration clearance via face recognition technology at all control points.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced that the 10th National Security Education Day will be held tomorrow, marking the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

 

The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will hold the Opening Ceremony & Seminar of the National Security Education Day at the Convention & Exhibition Centre tomorrow morning.

 

CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech via video link.

 

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive and Hong Kong National Security Committee Chairman John Lee extends his very warm welcome and expresses sincere gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his care, guidance and support for Hong Kong all along.

 

Mr Lee pointed out that at present, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace. With Hong Kong faced with ever-changing national security risks, the Hong Kong SAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the “one country, two systems” principle, deepen the understanding of a holistic approach to national security, continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and actively promote national security education across society.

 

Moreover, he highlighted that the Hong Kong National Security Committee organises the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day and co-ordinates a series of school and community activities, which help to promote national security education, encourage community-wide participation, and continuously strengthen the community’s awareness and atmosphere of safeguarding national security of their own accord.

 

“While we strive on all fronts to develop a vibrant economy, advance development and improve people’s livelihood, we must also make every effort to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, so as to contribute more to the country’s opening-up at a higher level,” the Chief Executive added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Opening Ceremony of BIT Week 2025 today (April 13):

(member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) (Vice Governor of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government) (Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Peter (Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam), Margaret (Executive Director of the HKTDC, Ms Margaret Fong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Hong Kong’s Business of Innovation and Technology (BIT) Week. As Margaret eloquently highlighted, this week features a dynamic series of exhibitions, dialogues, summits and festivals – each designed to spark collaboration, inspire innovation and seek to map the future of the digital economy.

To our international guests: a very warm welcome to Hong Kong, Asia’s World City.

Allow me to take a moment to highlight why Hong Kong is the ideal strategic destination for innovation and technology businesses.

In addition to our world-class infrastructure and business-friendly environment mentioned by Margaret, Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” arrangement has set us apart from any other city in Asia. To name just a few of our unique strengths, we have –

• first, convenient access to the vast Chinese Mainland and Asian markets;
• second, a trusted common law system and strong intellectual property protection;
• third, the convergence of Mainland and international data and capital; and
• fourth, a thriving international talent pool that attracts and nurtures the top minds from around the world.

These strengths have made Hong Kong a premier launchpad for companies looking to scale up their business in Asia and beyond.

Today, we are home to over 4 700 startups, and 28 per cent of their founders come from outside the city. For a glimpse of this dynamism, I encourage you to visit InnoEX, which showcase the ingenuity of our startups and talent, with groundbreaking innovations ranging from AI and robotics to green tech, smart mobility, and much more.

Hong Kong’s appeal extends beyond these. We offer a comprehensive funding ecosystem, spanning angel investments, venture capital, private equity to one of the world’s deepest and most liquid stock markets. Besides, together with Greater Bay Area cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou, we offer you a vibrant ecosystem that caters to the needs of innovative companies from different sectors and different stages of development. In fact, we have been ranked the world’s second most innovative cluster for five consecutive years.

Ladies and gentlemen, we gather at a pivotal moment. We are witnessing a shifting global landscape marked by a daunting trade war and technological fragmentation. Trade patterns, industrial chain, supply chain and partnerships are being reshaped. In this “new normal”, many businesses will have to find new collaborators, explore untapped markets and embrace more agile business models.

In these turbulent times, Hong Kong remains open and welcoming to businesses and talent from all over the world. We are eager to establish new connections and forge new partnerships. These are in our DNA. Rest assured that our free port status and free trade policy remain unshaken. We are firm in our commitment to the free flow of capital, goods, talent and information.

Let me conclude by extending my gratitude to my government colleagues, the HKTDC, and all the exhibitors and partners who have brought the BIT Week to life. To our visitors: beyond networking and conducting business, please take some time to explore this vibrant city, not just our scenic hills, stunning coastlines and beautiful outlying islands, but also the 200+ Michelin-recommended restaurants. We impose no duty on wine. Coldplay was performing in our world-class Kai Tak Stadium. The Palace Museum and M+ museum are just across the harbour.

I am sure you will enjoy the city, and wish you all the best of business and health for the time ahead. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of 2nd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and Xiangjiang Nobel Forum 2025 today (April 13):

First of all, a very warm welcome to our distinguished guests and friends from aboard, including the Nobel Laureates and Academicians, for joining us at today’s event, which is one of the highlights of the BIT Week (Business of Innovation and Technology Week) 2025.

Science is more than just discovery. In particular in a world of uncertainties and rapid technological shifts, the role of scientists and scholars has become even more critical in providing clarity, unravelling mysteries and fostering global collaboration. Hong Kong, as an international hub for highly skilled professionals and higher education, is blessed with five world’s top 100 universities and many renowned scholars and scientists, providing a solid foundation for our outstanding R&D (research and development) achievements and our ambition to be an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre.

I&T talents and enterprises are the core elements for Hong Kong’s I&T development. Hong Kong has spared no effort to promote international I&T exchanges by fully leveraging its two-way platform role as an important bridge connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world. Today’s World Youth Science Congress best demonstrates Hong Kong’s unique advantages in attracting global talents and enterprises. We will continue to support world-class science and technology exchange events in Hong Kong, such as the WIC (World Internet Conference) Asia Pacific Summit, which our Chief Executive mentioned earlier, and the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong. Thank you again for coming and I wish you all a wonderful experience here in Hong Kong.