MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 20th meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (November 18).

At the meeting, members were briefed by government representatives on the new initiatives relating to youth development in “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address”. Members were pleased to note that the Policy Address has introduced a series of measures to promote youth exchange and development, providing continuous all-round support for young people to unleash their potential. Among other initiatives, the Government will launch the Young Talent Training Programme, which includes (i) providing more opportunities for young people to intern at international organisations and attend international conferences; (ii) introducing a new media thematic internship programme on the Mainland; (iii) strengthening the Youth Financial Education Programme; and (iv) launching new mediation workshops to enhance young people’s understanding of the mediation industry.

Furthermore, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) reported on the latest progress of promoting youth innovation and entrepreneurship at the meeting. The Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area, established by the HYAB together with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province, has pooled resources from 70 member organisations to provide a one-stop information, publicity and exchange platform to support Hong Kong young people who start businesses in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Funded projects under the new round of the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the HYAB Funding Scheme for Experiential Programmes at Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases have also commenced progressively since this year. The funding schemes respectively provide capital funding and entrepreneurial support and incubation services for youth start-ups and facilitate young people in exploring the on-site entrepreneurial environment in the GBA and other Mainland provinces and municipalities.

Mr Chan said, “The latest Policy Address continues to inject fresh impetus into youth development work. The Government will continue to work hand in hand with the YDC in future, rallying the strength of all sectors of society to implement the various youth development measures in the Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint, helping young people achieve their aspirations and realise their full potential.”

​At the meeting, Mr Chan also appealed to members to cast their votes on the polling day of the Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election on December 7 and to help promote the election among their family members, relatives, friends and affiliated associations, so as to elect a new term of responsible, visionary and capable LegCo Members.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 18) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in November, covering 13 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central and Western	Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun	0.0%	N/A
Southern	Pokfulam	0.0%	N/A
Sham Shui Po	Sham Shui Po East	0.0%	N/A
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	1.9%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Ngau Chi Wan	0.0%	N/A
Tai Po	Tai Po West	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Yuen Long Town	5.3%	1.0

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Islands	Tung Chung	0.0%	N/A
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	0.0%	N/A
	Lai Chi Kok	0.0%	N/A
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O West	0.0%	N/A
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	0.9%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Lai King	0.0%	N/A

Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering seven survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.

The FEHD has so far released three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 31 survey areas. Among these 31 survey areas, 22 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Nine other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

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:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
• check 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;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD is disseminating the 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 the 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 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, 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 Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (November 18) released the Preliminary Report and Public Notice PLR-2025-04 on an accident involving a Boeing 747-481 BDSF freighter aircraft (registration mark TC-ACF) operated by ACT Airlines (on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo), which veered off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport on October 20, 2025.

A spokesperson for the AAIA said that the Preliminary Report has been published to provide factual information established in the investigation’s early-evidence collection phase to both the aviation industry and general public in a timely manner, and should be regarded as tentative. The full report is available for download from the AAIA webpage (www.tlb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.html).

“The investigation team is conducting a detailed analysis of the data and information collected in order to determine the circumstances and causes of this accident, with a view to preventing a recurrence in conjunction with identifying areas for further investigation or lines of inquiry to follow up,” the spokesperson said.

The AAIA, an independent investigation authority formed under the Transport and Logistics Bureau, is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) and with reference to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the International Forum on China’s Economy and Policy 2025 today (November 18):

Honarable Doctor Zhao Zhimin (Secretary-General of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), Nobel laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz, (University Professor of Columbia University; Nobel Memorial Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences), distinguished speakers, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. Welcome to Hong Kong, and to the International Forum on China’s Economy and Policy 2025.

My thanks, first of all, to the organisers affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: the National Academy of Economic Strategy and the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong; to the co-organisers from three universities in Hong Kong; and to all the heavyweight speakers here today.

This forum is convened by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, which is my think tank responsible for research and engagement on long-term, strategic issues.

It works closely with academia and other think tanks, contributing rigorous analyses and innovative ideas that enhance Hong Kong’s economic resilience and ongoing vibrancy. It is precisely this mission that makes this forum so valuable to us.

I understand that nearly 500 of you are here with us to discuss this year’s theme: “Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World”. Given today’s complex global economy, it’s a particularly timely topic.

The forum, and its expert speakers, will examine the challenges facing today’s global economy. It will assess China’s economic strategy and the sustainable development model for regional economic co-operation. To contribute to that discussion, I would like to share three main points with you today.

First, China, our country, is solidly on a path of high-quality development, creating a stable platform for global growth.

In the face of the global economy’s distressing instability – the rise of protectionism and unilateralism – our country continues its focus on high-quality development, achieving groundbreaking progress.

The world’s second-largest economy, our country contributes more than one-third of global economic growth. China’s expanding trade and capital flows help buoy the economy of the region and the world at large. Its fundamentals remain sound, thanks to a vast domestic market and the robust policies in place to withstand external challenges.

This year marks the conclusion of our country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, and preparation for the 15th Five-Year Plan is well underway.

The fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concluded last month, in Beijing, setting a key objective for the next five years, among other goals, to achieve significant advancements in high-quality development, with fresh policy pledges poised to reaffirm the country as a crucial anchor of stability and a source of opportunities for the global economy.

Second, as a part of this national endeavour, the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) is proud to contribute with its own unique advantages.

Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the dual advantage of having both national and global opportunities. Despite the chaos in the global economy, Hong Kong’s third-quarter performance was robust, thanks to a continuing surge in exports and sustained expansion in domestic demand.

Looking ahead, the Hong Kong economy should see further solid growth, supported by sustained moderate global economic growth, vibrant financial market activity, interest rate cuts in the US (United States), a continued increase in visitor arrivals, and so on.

In fact, Hong Kong has long shone as a resilient and resourceful economy, one of the world’s most competitive in the many sectors we commit to. Confidence is getting stronger and stronger. And the world has recognised our achievements.

This year’s World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Hong Kong third in the world, up two places from last year. The Fraser Institute once again ranked Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy, number one, and we placed third in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, just two points back of New York, one behind London – and tops in Asia.

These, and other international kudos, highlight our economic strengths, long supported by the rule of law and a common law system that dovetails with most global financial hubs. That provides the critical assurances investors demand and take confidence in.

Our determination to build on these strengths is reflected in the theme of my Policy Address this year: “Deepening Reforms for Our People, Leveraging Our Strengths for a Brighter Future”. It serves as a roadmap for our economic progress, our pursuit of diversified development, and our determination to improve the livelihood of the people of Hong Kong. In doing so, I am confident we will accelerate our advancement from stability to prosperity.

This brings me to my third point. Hong Kong’s unparalleled advantages are not just for our own benefit – they equip us to play a critical role in global economic transformations.

In these times of economic uncertainty, Hong Kong remains a financial harbour wide open to the world, to free and unfettered trade, thanks to our role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, building bridges for a world of mutual opportunity.

We hold fast to the belief that free trade is the answer to boosting global output – the critical element in creating a more interconnected, productive and peaceful world economy.

This belief is put into practice through our role as the paramount destination both for Chinese companies looking to access offshore capital and for the world seeking the Chinese Mainland’s deep capital market.

As of last year, more than 2 600 Chinese Mainland enterprises had established operations in Hong Kong. Our Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global, launched last month, will co-ordinate efforts to help mainland enterprises connect, more efficiently, with global markets and buyers, taking advantage of our world-class financial and professional services.

As an international financial, shipping and trade centre, Hong Kong has the infrastructure and services to support international trade at the highest levels. Our ports, airports and logistics systems boost trade flow efficiency, supporting cross-boundary e-commerce and supply chains designed for the flourishing future we are surely building.

Hong Kong, after all, is China’s most internationalised city. We offer the world a market-friendly business environment, replete with business and investment advantages unmatched by any other city anywhere in the world. We are working now, proactively, to align ourselves with the 15th Five-Year Plan, fulfil Hong Kong’s responsibilities and seize the plentiful opportunities there for us – for all of us.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is ready to contribute to the “economic transformations” you will discuss. I wish you all a rewarding forum, the best of business in the coming year, and an enjoyable stay in our Asia’s world city – Hong Kong. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

The University Grants Committee (UGC) today (November 18) welcomed the Executive Council’s approval in principle for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to develop a third medical school. 

The HKUST will launch a publicly funded four-year graduate-entry level medical programme in the 2028/29 academic year, aiming to admit its first cohort of 50 students, subject to the Medical Council of Hong Kong’s agreement-in-principle for the accreditation of its medical curriculum. The establishment of a new medical school is conducive to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent.  

The UGC Chairman, Mr Tim Lui, said, “The establishment of a third medical school is a strategic investment in both public health and Hong Kong’s education. It will nurture innovation, advance cutting-edge research, and attract outstanding overseas talent to Hong Kong. We are confident that the third medical school will not only enhance Hong Kong’s global reputation but also strengthen the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand and make substantive contributions to Hong Kong’s long-term development.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 18) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Porto District in Portugal, and outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States (US), France and Denmark, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

The relevant areas are as follows:

Portugal
—-
(1) Porto District

Germany
—-
State of Hessen
(2) District of Wetteraukreis

Netherlands
—-
(3) Noord-Holland Province

US
—-
State of California
(4) Sonoma County

State of South Dakota
(5) Hamlin County

France
—-
(6) Dordogne Department

Denmark
—-
(7) Viborg Municipality

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, in the first nine months of this year, while no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Portugal, Hong Kong imported about 60 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Germany; about 150 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from the Netherlands; about 40 060 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the US; about 830 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 50 000 poultry eggs from France; and about 230 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 180 000 poultry eggs from Denmark.

     “The CFS has contacted the Portuguese, German, Dutch, American, French and Danish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (November 18) met with two Nobel Memorial Prize laureates in Economic Sciences in 2001, Professor Joseph E Stiglitz and Professor Michael Spence, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest including the economy, innovation and technology (I&T), and education. The Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, and the Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, Dr Stephen Wong, also attended the meeting.
 
     Mr Lee welcomed Professor Stiglitz and Professor Spence to Hong Kong to attend the International Forum on China’s Economy and Policy 2025 to share their insights on the economic development of the world, the country and Hong Kong. Mr Lee said he was pleased that the two scholars are optimistic about Hong Kong’s development prospects, recognise its notable strengths in education and I&T, and support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s various strategic plans of diversifying investments, exploring emerging markets, and further deepening collaborative developments in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to seize opportunities.
 
     Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong enjoys the dual advantage of having national and global opportunities under the “one country, two systems” principle and will continue to play the roles of a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, connecting the Mainland with the world, fully integrating into the overall national development and actively dovetailing with GBA developments. As one of the core cities of the GBA, Hong Kong plays a vital role in driving regional development. The HKSAR Government will continue to collaborate with GBA cities in strengthening connectivity and enhancing the flow of people, goods, data and capital, with a view to further encouraging and supporting enterprises and talent to grasp development opportunities in the GBA.
 
     Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is the world’s freest economy, which attracts global capital and top talent, and has maintained its position of third globally and first in Asia Pacific as an international financial centre according to the newly published Global Financial Centres Index. Hong Kong is the only city worldwide that hosts five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, and its ranking leapt to fourth globally in the newly published World Talent Ranking 2025, marking its highest-ever ranking. The HKSAR Government is actively accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to further develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent.
 
     Noting that the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace and facing global economic uncertainties, Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government is continuously seeking new growth opportunities. Among these, the Northern Metropolis being developed at full steam serves as a new engine for Hong Kong’s economic growth, boasting significant development potential and economic value. It is expected to create more jobs and enhance productivity for Hong Kong. At the same time, the HKSAR Government is vigorously promoting I&T, artificial intelligence, and related industries, while advancing the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and fostering the integrated development of education, technology, and talent to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre with a view to contributing to the country’s high-quality development.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

     At the 28th Presentation Ceremony of The Ombudsman’s Awards today (November 18), the Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, presented the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for Public Organisations to the Housing Department (HD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), and the Correctional Services Department (CSD), respectively. He also honoured the Transport Department (TD) with the Award on Mediation, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) with the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award, and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) with the Customer Services Award. Additionally, 10 teams were recognised with the Team Awards, and 80 public officers received the Individual Awards.

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan shared the Office of The Ombudsman’s record-breaking accomplishments across all three strategic focuses he introduced last year, and extended his sincere appreciation to all relevant government departments and public organisations for their active co-operation and collaboration. This year, following the completion of several direct investigation operations into livelihood issues, which have drawn widespread public concern and significant attention from the Government, the Office is poised to surpass last year’s achievements. Furthermore, it will actively leverage the Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy to foster innovation and drive positive changes in public administration, advocate the concept of “maladministration prevention”, and continue to strengthen ties and exchanges with international ombudsman bodies. These initiatives aim to showcase the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world while telling good stories of Hong Kong.

     The HD received the Gold Award this year. Despite its heavy workload in handling public rental housing applications, tenancy matters and estate management, the HD has been earnest in responding to the Office’s inquiries. Its efficient staff have contributed a lot to many successful mediation cases, demonstrating a strong commitment to service. The HD has shown particular concern for cases involving the elderly and people in need, working closely with the Office to resolve public concerns promptly and effectively. These efforts reflect its people-oriented approach and unwavering commitment to enhancing public administration.

     The FEHD was recognised for its outstanding performance in food safety, environmental hygiene and public health. It responds promptly to public complaints and actively implements the Office’s recommendations for improvement. The FEHD also takes the initiative to participate in the Office’s mediation efforts, striving to resolve public complaints more swiftly and effectively. Moreover, it has embraced innovative technologies to enhance service efficiency, illustrating a positive and forward-looking service mindset.

     The CSD has proactively introduced innovative initiatives, including a chatbot and the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service, to enhance penal management and convenience for the public. It also offers a diverse range of rehabilitation and education programmes to support persons in custody and rehabilitated individuals in reintegrating into society. The CSD adopts a proactive and positive approach to complaint handling, delivering comprehensive and timely responses, which is commendable.

     The TD, recipient of the Award on Mediation this year, resolved 74 cases by mediation in 2024-25. Its staff responded promptly and communicated clearly, exemplifying a balanced approach that is lawful, practical and empathetic throughout the mediation process. Such practices led to satisfactory resolutions and earned the TD high praise from the Office for its exemplary performance in promoting mediation.

     The DSD was honoured with the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award for its dedicated in-house development of smart drainage systems to address challenges posed by extreme weather. Among its notable achievements, the Mosaic Model Map effectively predicts the flood risks of all districts throughout the territory, thereby enhancing emergency response capabilities. The system was recognised at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva this year, underscoring the DSD’s excellence in technology application and creativity.

     The DPO received the Customer Services Award. Operated by the DPO, the 1823 Contact Centre provides 24-hour customer service. Last year, it processed 7.55 million cases using artificial intelligence and excelled itself across all key performance indicators. 1823 has actively adopted innovative technologies to further streamline service workflows and is committed to delivering professional, courteous and efficient service at all times.

     This year, the Office introduced a new Team Award to not only recognise professional teams that have demonstrated excellence in enhancing public administration but also foster stronger connection and team spirit. A total of 10 teams received the Team Awards, including three involving interdepartmental collaboration. In addition, the Individual Awards were presented to 80 distinguished public officers. At the ceremony, Mr Chan praised the awardees, saying, “I am very pleased to see more public officers being commended. This is both a testament to their efforts and contributions and a showcase for continuous progress in public services.”

     In his final remarks, Mr Chan underscored the significance of the eighth Legislative Council General Election, noting its pivotal role in supporting the HKSAR Government’s actions in policy formulation and implementation and driving economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood. He stressed that as the independent watchdog, the Ombudsman is obliged to communicate an important message to 106 departments and organisations subject to the Office’s jurisdiction:   Public officers, as the backbone of the governance team, should set an example and cast votes in the elections to fulfil their civic responsibility. The Ombudsman and all his staff fully support the election. He urged all members of the public to support the election wholeheartedly and all voters to vote on December 7. He also wished that every colleague present would motivate their families and friends to fulfil their civic responsibility by casting a precious vote for the HKSAR’s good governance, economic vibrancy and public well-being, as well as the full implementation of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Mr Chan expressed his sincere appreciation to all winning organisations and public officers for their united efforts in advancing the quality of public administration.

     A full list of this year’s Individual Award recipients and citations for the winning teams (Chinese only) can be found in Appendices 1 and 2, respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU), the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Chinese Institute of Hong Kong today (November 18) held the Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World – International Forum on China’s Economy and Policy 2025 at the Central Government Offices. The Forum marks a significant milestone, inviting three prominent local universities’ think tanks as co-organisers: Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKUST Li & Fung Supply Chain Institute, and the Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy, HKU Business School. The Forum brought together more than 20 experts, academics, business leaders and government officials from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong to deliver presentations, integrating the latest dynamics and trends of global transformations, examining the impacts and challenges faced by the global economy, and focusing on key topics such as the nation’s economic development strategy during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, sustainable development models for regional economic co-operation in the world, and how Hong Kong can enhance its international competitiveness and contribute to future global economic development in the evolving landscape.
 
    The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and member of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Secretary-General, Chinese Academy of Social Science, Dr Zhao Zhimin, delivered welcoming remarks at the Forum. Columbia University Professor and Nobel Memorial Prize laureate in Economic Sciences Professor Joseph E Stiglitz and the Head of the CEPU, Dr Stephen Wong, took part in a fireside chat. Philip H Knight Professor Emeritus of Management, Graduate School of Business, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and Nobel Memorial Prize laureate in Economic Sciences Professor Michael Spence also delivered a special address.
 
    Mr Lee said, “Our country is solidly on a path of high-quality development, creating a stable platform for global growth. As part of this national endeavour, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is proud to contribute its unique advantages, which also enable us to play a critical role in global economic transformations. Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong enjoys the dual advantage of having both national and global opportunities. In these times of economic uncertainty, Hong Kong, as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’, builds bridges for a world of mutual opportunity, offering a market-friendly business environment. We are working now, proactively, to align ourselves with the 15th Five-Year Plan, fulfil Hong Kong’s responsibilities and seize the plentiful opportunities there for us.”
 
    In addition, the Forum included three panel discussion sessions, with the first session in the morning focusing on Global Significance of China’s New Development Plan. The remaining two sessions were held in the afternoon with focused discussions on The New Development Landscape of Hong Kong and The Integrated Symbiosis of Regional Economies in the World. Academician, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Dr Cai Fang; Vice Director, Economic Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Vice Minister, Development Research Center of the State Council, Dr Liu Shijin; member of the Standing Committee, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Chairman, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi; member, International Advisory Council, National Financial Regulatory Administration Mr Andrew Sheng; Academician of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Dr Zhang Yuyan; Council Chairman, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Foreign Member, US National Academy of Engineering, Professor Harry Shum; the Chairman, Fosun International, Mr Guo Guangchang; the Chairman, Vital Technology Group, Mr Zhu Shihui; Dean and Professor, School of Business, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor He Dexu; the Managing Director and member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum, Ms Neo Gim Huay; the Director, the Institute for European Policymaking, Bocconi University, Professor Daniel Gros; the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, First Eastern Investment Group, Mr Victor Chu; and the Chairman, Europe-Asia Center, former Under-Secretary-General, United Nations, and former Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme, Mr Erik Solheim, also spoke at the Forum. The Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy, the University of Hong Kong, Professor Richard Wong; the Executive Director, Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance and Associate Professor of Economics, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Terence Chong; and the Chairman, Fung Investments, Dr Victor Fung, were the moderators for the three panel discussion sessions respectively.
 
    Dr Wong said, “At this pivotal juncture following the victorious conclusion of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, against the backdrop of accelerating global transformations unseen in a century, the CEPU has once again collaborated with two high-level think tanks affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Together with three world-leading university think tanks in Hong Kong, we have jointly organised this International Forum. The Forum establishes a platform with international influence for high-level dialogue and exchange among the academic community, business leaders and think tanks. Renowned speakers from the United States, Europe, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and across the globe have been invited. This initiative serves a dual purpose: to deepen international exchanges and co-operation for local think tanks, thereby enhancing their global influence; and to explore international and national economic development trends, uncovering Hong Kong’s unique advantage as a bridge connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world. This will accelerate Hong Kong’s integration into and contribution to the broader National Development landscape.”
 
    Around 600 participants attended the Forum including experts, academics and personnel from overseas institutions in Hong Kong as well as representatives from think tanks, the business sector, professional bodies and local and foreign chambers of commerce.