Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (November 6). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;
– Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

– The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
– Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;
– Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and
– Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

– Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
– Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;
– Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

– Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
– Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
– Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
– Canal Road East; and
– The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) organised a meet-the-artist reception on November 4 (Liège time) in Liège, Belgium in celebration of the staging of the immersive installation "The Tides of Time" by Hong Kong artist, Wong Chi-yung, at the International Meeting in Performing Arts and Creative Technologies (IMPACT) festival from November 3, 2024 to January 15, 2025. The reception was also supported by the Théâtre de Liège, the lead partner of the IMPACT festival.

     Wong, a transdisciplinary artist, specialises in the art of light. He integrates multimedia technology, creative arts and theatrical techniques to explore the connection between light and human experience, and invites the audience to view the world from a different, illuminated perspective. 

     Supported by the funding from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the installation "The Tides of Time" is a testament to Hong Kong's creative talent, bringing together art and innovation in a strikingly modern form. Wong masterfully employs delicate threads to represent human connections, and borrows the ideas of natural ebb and flow of tides through an exquisite interplay of light, sound, music, and space to reflect on the delicate balance between life's eternal cycles and its fleeting moments.

     Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Fiona Li, highlighted in her welcome speech at the reception that the art installation presented by Wong in this IMPACT festival was a perfect showcase of the variety of talented artists in Hong Kong and our support to them. 

     Miss Li said that, "Hong Kong is promoting arts and technology, and is strengthening its efforts on developing the city into an international arts and innovation hub by nurturing talents and offering them exposures". She elaborated that in the recent Budget and the latest Policy Address, the Government had committed to injecting billions in support of creative arts and design projects, as well as research and innovation initiatives.

     Delighted to see Hong Kong artist find its way to Liège through the IMPACT festival, Miss Li added that "Hong Kong welcomes artists and you all in Belgium and other European countries to come explore the opportunities for collaboration". 

  

     The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a building in Kowloon City this afternoon (November 5), in which a male worker, while dismantling a bamboo scaffold at the external wall of the building, fell from height to the first-floor canopy. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
 
     The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the erection, alteration, dismantling and use of the bamboo scaffold at the external wall of the building. The contractors cannot resume the work until the LD is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
 
     The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
 
     To prevent workers from falling from height while dismantling bamboo scaffolds at external walls of buildings, the LD reminds employers to take suitable safety measures, including providing every worker engaged in the work with a suitable full-body harness that is attached continuously to a suitable and secure anchor point or an independent lifeline with a fall arresting system, and ensuring the proper use of the safety equipment by the workers concerned throughout the work.
 
     The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years on conviction on indictment; or $3 million and imprisonment for six months on summary conviction.
 
     In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
 
     The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
 
     For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers. 

     The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held from today (November 5) to November 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Over 300 Hong Kong enterprises participate in this year's CIIE to promote quality Hong Kong products and services, representing almost one-tenth of the total number of exhibitors at the Enterprise and Business Exhibition. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to attend the opening ceremony and relevant events today.

     Mr Lee, together with the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the opening ceremony of the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum this morning.

     Later, Mr Lee accompanied Premier Li Qiang in touring the Hong Kong Exhibition Area at the China Pavilion. Under the theme of "Connectivity and Opening up", the Hong Kong Exhibition Area showcased Hong Kong's top position in international rankings and leading performance reflected in indicators of various areas; the active efforts in attracting enterprises, investment and talents, and promoting Hong Kong's position as the "eight centres" including an international trade and financial centre, an international innovation and technology centre, and an international maritime centre; as well as the latest developments in new quality productive forces, with a view to promoting Hong Kong's strengths.

     In the afternoon, Mr Lee, accompanied by Mr Chan, Mr Yau, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam, visited the Hong Kong Product Pavilion and the Hong Kong Service Pavilion set up by the HKTDC at the Enterprise and Business Exhibition to show his support to Hong Kong enterprises. A total of 52 Hong Kong enterprises showcase quality products and services covering food, innovation and technology, professional services, logistics, information technologies, trade and finance at the two pavilions, which occupy an area of 1 500 square metres. A number of exhibitors participate in the CIIE for the first time to show that Hong Kong enterprises are keeping up with the times and actively developing new quality productive forces, such as using artificial intelligence to provide advanced services, combining traditional food with health concepts and building a modern brand image, and demonstrating Hong Kong as an ideal springboard for overseas brands to explore the Mainland market. They tell the good stories of Hong Kong at the CIIE through Hong Kong products and services.

     The exhibition area of Invest Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Service Pavilion highlights Hong Kong's advantages, while that of the Hong Kong Tourism Board promotes Hong Kong's latest tourism appeal.

     Later, Mr Lee and Mr Chan attended the high-level 2024 Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Shanghai Forum (Shanghai Forum) jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, and delivered speeches to promote Hong Kong's advantages and its role as a connecting platform under the national dual circulation strategy to Mainland enterprises.

     Following the successful Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference held in Beijing in September this year, a number of heavy-weight speakers gathered at the Shanghai Forum under the theme of "Hong Kong, joining hands with Shanghai, the channel for more opportunities", to share insights on Hong Kong's advantages and opportunities in different areas, attracting more than 500 participants.

     Speaking at the Shanghai Forum, Mr Lee said, "Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world under 'one country, two systems', playing its roles as a 'super-connector' and 'super value-adder' while driving functions in going global and attracting foreign investment. Currently, there are over 2 100 enterprises from the Mainland based in Hong Kong, and more than 1 400 Mainland companies listed in Hong Kong, of which nearly 200 are from Shanghai, with a market value exceeding HK$2 trillion. This fully demonstrates that Hong Kong can become a financing and investment platform to serve the development of Shanghai and Mainland enterprises."

     Mr Lee added that the new Policy Address has set out a number of reform initiatives aimed at exploring new growth areas for Hong Kong, creating new impetus for economic development. Hong Kong benefits from converging both the China advantage and the global advantage under "one country, two systems" and will leverage its strengths to achieve complementarity with Shanghai, fostering mutual benefits and synergistic development.

     In addressing the topic "Hong Kong's Advantages" in his speech, Mr Chan highlighted that for Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong holds the unique advantages of being international and practising the common law. These advantages can facilitate the expansion of such enterprises' international business. Using the fundraising market as an example, in addition to its highly internationalised securities and bond markets, Hong Kong boasts a thriving venture capital ecosystem, a full spectrum of funding sources, a good variety of financial products, and a foreign exchange market in which currencies are freely convertible. These make Hong Kong an ideal location for Mainland enterprises to establish corporate treasury centres. He also emphasised that Hong Kong has a highly developed transport infrastructure that connects conveniently with the world, along with high-quality education and a great quality of life. He said that Hong Kong welcomes friends from the Mainland to come to Hong Kong to pursue their dreams.

     Government delegation members including Mr Yau; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Maggie Wong; and the Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also attended the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference. Two thematic networking sessions were hosted by Ms Yan and Dr Ge to the senior managements of the Mainland's financial and innovation and technology enterprises intending to be listed or develop business in Hong Kong for in-depth promotion of the investment opportunities in Hong Kong.

     The Executive Vice Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji; the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Gong Zheng; the Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Ling Ji; Vice Minister of Science and Technology Mr Long Teng, as well as Dr Lam, also spoke at the event.

     A number of Hong Kong's business leaders were invited to the Shanghai Forum to share their insights on the unique positions and advantages of Hong Kong and Shanghai in international finance, international technology and innovation, and professional services sectors, as well as to explore ways to promote complementarity and shared prosperity of the two places. They included the Group Chairman of Nan Fung Group and the Group Chairman and Co-Founder of New Frontier Group, Mr Anthony Leung; the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Ms Bonnie Chan; the Head of Des Voeux Chambers, Ms Winnie Tam, SC; and the Chairman of GT Healthcare Capital Partners, Professor Lo Yuk-lam. In addition, a Mainland representative shared the successful experience of Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation and investing in Hong Kong. Invest Hong Kong also signed a number of key co-operation projects with Shanghai enterprises.

                      

     The StartmeupHK Festival 2024 concluded on October 25, following an exciting week filled with engaging events, networking opportunities, and pitch competitions.

     The flagship startup event set the stage for over 200 visionary speakers and attracted over 3 400 participants, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, tech enthusiasts, and government officials from 49 territories. The Festival also welcomed six delegations from Canada, Mainland China, India, the Philippines, Thailand and the United Kingdom, highlighting the diversity of Hong Kong's international start-up ecosystem.

     For the first time, a series of 15 roadshow events have been held across eight economies, successfully expanding the Festival's international influence. These events attracted over 1 400 participants, connecting them with Invest Hong Kong. These impressive figures once again augment the city's great potential and aspirations in becoming a global start-up and innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

     Under the theme "A Future Unlimited", the Festival featured a range of hot topics in the tech sector in particular, including artificial intelligence (AI), web3, GameFi, responsible tech, healthtech, sustainability, and more.
     
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly committed to nurturing vibrant startup ecosystem in Hong Kong

      Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said at LOUDER Connect that by connecting the dots for responsible tech the Hong Kong Government is dedicated to fostering a robust start-up ecosystem that promotes innovation while ensuring responsible technology use. He highlighted that a significant milestone was the establishment of the Digital Policy Office (DPO) in July, pivotal in advancing data-driven, user-centric, and outcome-oriented digital policies across government and various sectors. 

     During the Asia Health Innovation Summit, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, emphasised that Hong Kong is well positioned to become an international I&T centre as well as a health and medical innovation hub. It is home to five of the world's top 100 universities, two world top 40 medical schools, eight state key laboratories and 16 InnoHK research centres which are life and health-related, offering world-class research and development (R&D) capabilities.

      The Director-General of Investment Promotion for Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau, spoke at the JUMPSTARTER Ignition Gala, stating that cross-sector government support, combined with a comprehensive stakeholder ecosystem, has made Hong Kong an ideal destination for start-ups to thrive. "There is a record high of over 4 200 startups operating in Hong Kong, employing over 16 000 staff. Twenty-six per cent of these start-ups have founders from outside of Hong Kong, demonstrating the dynamism of our startup ecosystem," she said.

AI and sustainability: driving innovation across industries

     The JUMPSTARTER Ignition Gala kicked off the Festival with a dynamic showcase of cutting-edge ideas and technologies. Industry leaders and experts gathered for thought-provoking discussions focusing on AI's future and its impact on diverse markets. Sessions explored the challenges of adapting AI technologies to meet the needs of the Asia-Pacific region, as well as global trends and ethical considerations.

     In a keynote session, the Founder and CEO of Redcoat AI, Mr John Whaley, said that humanity is currently at a pivotal moment in history with the rise of generative AI and foundational models. While their full potential remains largely unexplored, their significance is widely acknowledged and has the potential to change humanity for the better.

     At Game On! 2024, a standout moment was the inspiring story of Cheng Yip-kai, the 16-year-old Pokémon GO world champion. His journey to the top demonstrated the dedication and quick decision-making needed in this fast-paced game, like speed chess, with only a few players able to consistently excel at the global level. Cheng sees Olympic gold medalist Cheung Ka-Long as his role model, as he aspires to become a world champion for the second time, just like him. 

     At LOUDER Connect, industry leaders and experts debated the importance of responsible tech and its role in shaping a sustainable future. The event also introduced for the first time pitch debates on the iconic Star Ferry, which challenged student founders by placing them in the dynamic and competitive context of pitching against their peers.

     The 1.5°C Summit – The defining decade for impact with tech brought a sharp focus to climate change and technological solutions. This unique event gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore how technology can revolutionise industries and foster a more sustainable future. Through keynotes and panel discussions, participants shared insights on critical actions needed to reduce emissions over the next decade.

Innovative pitching formats and an array of community events

     The StartmeupHK Festival 2024 also showcased innovative pitching formats that connected startups with investors, and a wide range of community events that fostered meaningful discussions among investors and startup founders. Highlights included exclusive breakfast sessions organised by Hupo for business leaders, and dynamic events hosted by Rock & Run, which combined a hike to Victoria Peak with a jog along the Hong Kong Harbourfront, allowing investors and founders to connect in a relaxed, scenic setting.

     "We are thrilled to celebrate another successful year of the StartmeupHK Festival, which has facilitated deeper engagement between start-ups and investors. Bringing overseas attendees to our festival not only enhances the vibrancy of our start-up ecosystem but also fosters invaluable connections that drive innovation and collaboration. As we continue to engage with the world, we unlock new opportunities that are essential for our growth as a leading innovation hub," said the Head of Startups, Invest Hong Kong, Ms Jayne Chan.