The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Education continued its duty visit in Shanghai and Suzhou today (August 14).

     The delegation visited the Zhangjiang AI (Artificial Intelligence) Robot Valley in the morning to learn about the application and operation of high-end medical robots, featured industrial robots and intelligent service robots. Members noted that Zhangjiang AI Robot Valley has attracted more than 80 robotics enterprises, fostering the high-quality development of the robotics industry in Shanghai.

     The delegation then visited the Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence of Fudan University and had in-depth exchanges with the research team on the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, different research-academic-industry projects and result transformation. Members also had lunch with representatives from Hong Kong communities and students in Shanghai to learn about their studies, work and living there.

     In the afternoon, the delegation arrived at Suzhou and visited Nanjing University Suzhou Campus. Members noted that the Suzhou Campus is the latest campus of Nanjing University, focusing on emerging industries in the areas of Internet and high technology, and is committed to promoting the development of research-academic-industry collaboration. 

     The delegation then exchanged views with the leaders of Nanjing University on issues relating to research-academic-industry education and digital transformation of education, and had dinner together. The delegation looks forward to strengthening co-operation with Nanjing University in talent cultivation in the future.

     The delegation will continue its duty visit in Suzhou tomorrow (August 15).

      

     Police are eager to locate the next-of-kin of a boy who was found wandering in Yau Ma Tei today (August 14).

     At about 1.20pm, Police received a report that a boy was found wandering at the junction of Wylie Road and Ho Man Tin Hill Road.

     The boy is about 16 years old. He is about 1.6 metres tall and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He wore a yellow long-sleeved shirt, black trousers and white sports shoes. No identity document was found.

     The boy, sustaining no superficial injuries, was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for check-up.

     Police urge his relatives or anyone who has information, to contact any police station or the officers of Yau Mei Tei Division on 3661 9576 or email to do-rr-1-ymtdiv@police.gov.hk.

  

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (August 14) strongly condemned and vehemently opposed Chris Patten's malicious slandering against the judgment of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) in the case of Lai Chee Ying and others participating in an unauthorised assembly, and his wanton personal vilifications against Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, an overseas Non-Permanent Judge (NPJ) involved in the adjudication of the relevant appeal.

     The HKSAR Government spokesperson said, "Patten's slandering remarks were made in blatant disregard of the detailed legal analysis by the CFA in its 76-page judgment and the factual background of the relevant case. Such remarks were made for the sole purpose of exerting political pressure on the judges of the CFA who adjudicated the case independently in strict accordance with the law, in an attempt to influence the judicial system of the HKSAR, and were nothing but a despicable political manoeuvre.

     "Patten's criticisms against Lord Neuberger NPJ who handled the relevant case were completely groundless and unjustified personal attacks aiming to smear and slander the NPJ's reputation, which fully exposed Patten's malicious attempt to undermine the system of NPJ. As a matter of fact, all the judges of the case (including the NPJ) have made very detailed legal analysis and explanations on the rulings in their judgments, such as providing authoritative expositions and modifications to the legal concept of 'operational proportionality', placing it in the well-established framework for constitutional challenges in this jurisdiction, as well as explaining clearly why, from the jurisprudential point of view, the two United Kingdom (UK) case authorities should not be followed by Hong Kong courts. Lord Neuberger NPJ not only delivered a separate judgment which clearly explained his reasons for agreeing with the joint judgment delivered by the Mr Justice Cheung, the Chief Justice of the CFA, and Mr Justice Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the CFA, but also presented his observations on Ziegler, Abortion Services and in other UK case authorities. The NPJ observed that while the differences in the constitutional framework in Hong Kong and the UK do require a different approach if the court concludes that the restriction is not proportionate, they do not mandate a different approach when it comes to considering whether a restriction on the freedom of assembly is proportionate. The relevant legal perspectives bear great significance to the development of the constitutional jurisprudence in the HKSAR.

     "Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the robust rule of law, where citizens enjoy the freedom of speech. Everyone has the right to express his or her views on court decisions within the boundaries permitted by the law, but no one can abusively criticise or slander judges, or make baseless allegations purely out of political motives. Patten deliberately ignored the judgment delivered by Lord Neuberger and maliciously accused the judge of not properly explaining the reasons for his judgment. Such an act was totally unfounded and outrageous. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns Patten's blatantly improper words and deeds."

     â€‹The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, will depart for Chengdu, Sichuan, tomorrow morning (August 15) to attend the signing ceremony of the co-operation agreement on the gift of a pair of giant pandas from the Central Government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and to follow up on the arrival arrangements for the giant pandas to Hong Kong. Representatives from Ocean Park Hong Kong will also accompany the delegation.
      
     During his stay in Sichuan, Mr Yeung will visit its cultural and creative industry zones to learn more about the operation of pluralistic cultural parks.
      
     Mr Yeung will depart from Sichuan on the afternoon of August 16 and return to Hong Kong. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, will be the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

     The Lands Department announced today (August 14) that in respect of the tender for the site Sha Tin Town Lot No. 623 at Yuen Shun Circuit, Siu Lek Yuen, Sha Tin, New Territories, which was awarded on July 17 to the successful tenderer, Fair Opal Limited (parent company: Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited), on a 50-year land grant at a premium of $619,000,000, the tender amounts submitted by the unsuccessful tenderers in descending order are published on an anonymous basis as follows: 

(1) $590,000,000
(2) $533,880,000
(3) $470,000,000
(4) $391,540,000
(5) $356,000,000
(6) $300,000,000
(7) $284,000,000
(8) $233,000,000
(9) $218,000,000
(10) $171,000,000

     The information disclosed in this press release is for information only.