A robot drama education programme, funded by the Innovation & Technology Fund for Better Living, will help children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
 
     News.gov.hk interviewed Chinese University Department of Educational Psychology Associate Professor Catherine So, whose team developed the programme, and Evangelize China Fellowship Holy Word School Principal Carrie Lam to see how the programme helps improve autistic children's communication and social skills.
 
     The story appears on news.gov.hk today (November 18) in text and video format.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (November 18) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     Members of the Liquor Licensing Board, led by the Board Chairman, Dr Wong Kong-tin, visited a number of premises with liquor licences in Central District and Mong Kok District in the small hours today (November 18) to learn more about the operation of different types of premises with liquor licences and enforcement action by the Police.

     During the visit, members were briefed by representatives of the Police on various issues related to the regulation of premises with liquor licences, including crowd control, traffic flow, law and order, fire safety and noise problems.

     Representatives from the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department and Environmental Protection Department also joined the visit.

     The Board issued 1 034 new licences and renewed 5 069 liquor and club liquor licences from January to October this year.

     Apart from the Board Chairman, others taking part in the visit were the Vice-chairman, Ms Fan Chui-wah, and Board members Mr Chung Kong-mo, Ms Hui Mei-sheung, Ms Lau Mi-chun, Ms Lau Wan-ching, Ms Lee Kwun-yee, Ms Li Tsau-ha, Mr Lo Kin-tak and Mr Tam Siu-sing. They were joined by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Miss Vivian Lau.

  

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (November 17) attended related meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

     Mrs Lam arrived in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon (November 16) and had dinner with Hong Kong, China's representatives to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), Ms Marjorie Yang, Dr Jonathan Choi and Mr Nicholas Ho to thank them for reflecting the views of Hong Kong's business sector in the ABAC. Established in 1996 as a permanent business advisory body, the ABAC provides advice to APEC on business sector priorities.

     In the morning today, Mrs Lam attended the Women Political Leaders Breakfast Roundtable held on the sidelines of the APEC meetings, where she shared with the participants the initiatives in support of women and family-friendly measures rolled out by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to provide equal opportunities for women's development. The President of Chile, Mr Sebastián Piñera Echenique, also took part in the meeting. Mrs Lam said to him that with the signing between Hong Kong and Chile of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the related Investment Agreement earlier, she hopes that FTA negotiations with the Pacific Alliance, of which Chile is a member, can be commenced as soon as possible to further promote international free trade and multilateral co-operation.

     Mrs Lam then attended the APEC CEO Summit and spoke at a discussion session on the workforce of the future. She said that as Hong Kong needs talent and labour force to maintain its competitiveness and advance economic development, the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to education including free quality kindergarten education, life-wide learning and STEM education to nurture adaptability, creativity, problem-solving ability and curiosity in the next generation to meet the needs of society. Pointing out that start-ups will be pivotal to the economy in the future and that the number of start-ups is growing in Hong Kong in recent years, she said the Government will strengthen support and create a favourable environment for them.

     Mrs Lam also attended other sessions of the APEC CEO Summit that followed and listened to the speeches by President Xi Jinping and leaders of the other economies.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. She expressed her gratitude to Malaysia for its support for Hong Kong in the signing of the FTA and the related Investment Agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last year and for the acceptance by the Finance Minister of Malaysia of the invitation extended by the HKSAR Government to attend the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong in January next year. She said that trade between Hong Kong and Malaysia grew remarkably last year and that quite a number of Malaysian students choose to study in Hong Kong, including some on scholarships provided by the HKSAR Government every year. She expressed the hope that co-operation and exchanges in various areas with Malaysia will be continued to be strengthened.

     Later, Mrs Lam took part in the ABAC Dialogue with Leaders in which members exchanged views on the multilateral trading system, inclusive economic growth, digital and innovation development and the future work of the APEC. Also attended the dialogue session were the President of the Philippines, Mr Rodrigo Duterte; the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha; the Deputy United States Trade Representative, Mr Jeffrey Gerrish, and 10 ABAC members.

     Next, Mrs Lam attended the APEC Leaders' Dialogue with Pacific Island Leaders to learn how member economies of the APEC and the Pacific island countries can work together to meet the challenges posed by climate change in the island nations.

     In the evening, Mrs Lam attended a gala dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Mr Peter O'Neill, for leaders of various economies and watched cultural performances.

     Mrs Lam will attend the APEC 2018 Economic Leaders' Meeting in Port Moresby tomorrow (November 18).

                        

     In response to media enquiries on the Hong Kong Pride Parade, a spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau today (November 17) said that the Government is committed to promoting equal opportunities for people of different sexual orientations and transgenders on the basis of upholding the existing marriage institution, with a view to fostering in the community the culture and values of inclusiveness, mutual respect and non-discrimination.

     The spokseman said, "On public education and publicity, we have been using various channels, such as online platforms, television, radio, newspapers, seminars, briefings and roving exhibitions to promote the message of equal opportunities for people of different sexual orientations and transgenders. We have also introduced the Code of Practice against Discrimination in Employment on the Ground of Sexual Orientation to employers with a view to promoting equal employment opportunities among all persons, irrespective of their sexual orientations. At present, over 300 organisations employing a total of more than 500 000 employees have adopted the Code."

     "On support services for sexual minorities, the Government subsidises a 24-hour hotline operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) to provide easily accessible support, counselling and referral services to sexual minorities and their families, as well as relieving their stress and difficulties in everyday life. Since its establishment in January this year, the hotline has provided service to over 1 600 users."

     The spokesman pointed out that training resources targeting medical and healthcare professionals would be launched later this year to enhance their knowledge of and sensitivity towards sexual minorities as well as encouraging the concerned professional organisations to include the training resources as part of their regular pre-service or in-service training. The Government is also drawing up a charter on non-discrimination of sexual minorities covering various domains for voluntary adoption by service providers with a view to enhancing acceptance towards sexual minorities. 

     "We are conducting a further study on the experience of other jurisdictions in the use of legislative and administrative measures to eliminate discrimination. The study is expected to be completed in the first half of next year. The findings will provide more information to facilitate a more in-depth and rational discussion in the community on whether legislation should be introduced to protect people of different sexual orientations and transgenders against discrimination," the spokesman said.