Following is the video speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong Spring Lunch 2024 today (February 22):
      
Mr Wilson Kwong (Chairman of the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     It is a pleasure to see you all at this annual gathering of the Employers' Federation of Hong Kong. I hope that all of you had a great time during the Chinese New Year holiday, and enjoyed the festive and dynamic atmosphere with your families and friends.
      
     It is encouraging to note that during the eight-day Chinese New Year Golden Week, Hong Kong recorded a total of 1.4 million inbound visitors. They include about 1.2 million Mainland tourists, and the number has exceeded that in 2018. The strong recovery of tourism has injected impetus to different sectors, including catering, retail, hotel and many more. The Chinese New Year was but one example to illustrate our continuous growth, as Hong Kong's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) recorded a 3.2 per cent growth in real terms last year, compared to 2022.
      
     To sustain the strong momentum of growth in various sectors, it is important to provide our businesses with a strong pool of high-quality talent. You would all be aware of the proactive efforts by this Government in talent attraction and grooming, not just in nurturing home-grown talent, but also attracting professionals from around the world.
      
     At today's gathering of a lot of our most prominent employers, I'm pleased to share with you some enthusiastic results of the Top Talent Pass introduced by this Government.
      
     As you know, the Top Talent Pass Scheme seeks to attract high-income and well-educated talent to come to Hong Kong. Our Labour and Welfare Bureau recently conducted a survey on the Top Talent Pass Scheme. Based on the employment status of applicants who have arrived in Hong Kong, the Scheme is estimated to contribute directly to Hong Kong's economy by an amount of some HK$34 billion in value-added per annum. That's equivalent to 1.2 per cent of our GDP.
      
     For top talent who have already secured employment here, their median monthly income was HK$50,000. In fact, a quarter of them were earning a monthly income of over HK$100,000, proving their popularity in our labour market. I'm sure they are quite popular among the employers here today, too.
      
     In the past year or so, the Scheme has already attracted nearly 70 000 applications, and some 55 000 of them have been approved. More than 40 000 applicants have arrived in Hong Kong. Our survey found that most top talent entrants who have landed a job were in high-skilled services or managerial positions. The same applies to their accompanying spouses who have decided to work in Hong Kong. The heartening outcome shows that the Scheme, which has just entered its first anniversary, has made significant contribution to expanding Hong Kong's high-quality talent pool.
      
     In addition to rolling out the Top Talent Pass Scheme, we have also enhanced our existing talent admission schemes. Together, they have attracted over 240 000 applications since the end of 2022. Some 140 000 of them have already been approved. In last year alone, some 90 000 talent have arrived in Hong Kong, nearly three times as many as our annual target of 35 000.
      
     Meanwhile, the Government has also introduced sector-specific labour importation schemes, and enhanced the existing Supplementary Labour Scheme. These measures will boost the labour supply for different industries, on the premise of ensuring the employment priority for local workers.
      
     But certainly, the steady supply of quality manpower is just one of the factors in ensuring a healthy business environment. The collaborative relationship between employers and employees is also key to our growth. The Government has been working closely with the business and labour sectors, striking a balance between both sides when it comes to employment rights improvement.
      
     A fresh example is the review on the "continuous contract" requirement under the Employment Ordinance. The review was one of the labour support measures announced in my Policy Address last year, and could provide better protection to employees with shorter working hours. I am pleased to note that the Labour Advisory Board, with representation of employers and employees on an equal footing, has reached a consensus on the review recommendation for the benefits of our workforce. I know that the Employers' Federation has long been a member of the Board, and I thank you for your contribution in gathering and reflecting the views of employers.
      
     Indeed, since its establishment in 1947, the Federation has been a well-regarded organisation that advocates employment issues on behalf of employers. We value your advice and support on various policies and initiatives, from advocating good employment practice, to promoting the opportunities in national development.
      
     In this new year, let us continue to work together to foster industrial harmony, serve the community and bring prosperity to Hong Kong. I wish all of you the best of health and business. Thank you.

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (February 22) that its client UISEE, having built a solid business foundation in Hong Kong, has picked Hong Kong to set up its international headquarters as its springboard to global expansion. It will also set up a research and development (R&D) centre in the city focusing on applications for overseas developments. 

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, lauded the success of UISEE, "We are very delighted to see the continuous growth of UISEE in Hong Kong and beyond. UISEE's success shows that the city is an ideal platform for advanced technology companies to build a solid foundation for their global expansion, and to raise funding to ensure their continued success."

     The Beijing-founded company, which is a leading autonomous driving technologies company already with two R&D centres and multiple offices in Mainland China, expanded to Hong Kong in 2018 and started their first overseas driverless project with Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in 2019, having won the project over other companies from Germany, Japan, and Mainland China. 
      
     To date, UISEE has provided more than 50 driverless cars to HKIA, including autonomous electric baggage tractors, driverless patrol cars and driverless shuttle buses, completing more than 700 000 kilometres of real driverless operation. Their solutions help address challenges such as labour shortages, intense outdoor working conditions and cost issues.
      
     The Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of UISEE, Mr Gansha Wu, said Hong Kong is a strategic location for research and development, which is in line with the group's vision of "Beijing DNA with Hong Kong bloodline, China standard for global products".
      
     He said, "Having established our safety record and operational efficiency with HKIA, which showcases our company's capabilities, we are expanding our foothold to Singapore, the Middle East and Europe. Hong Kong with its strategic location, strong global business network and connectivity is an ideal location to base our international expansion from, so it is only natural that we set up our international headquarters here."
      
     UISEE had previously announced three rounds of financing from strategic investors, including German electronics giant Bosch, the National Manufacturing Transformation and Upgrading Fund (under the Ministry of Finance), Chongqing Gaoke Group, and Dongfeng Asset Management. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, is being considered as a location for a dual-listing for the company's initial public offering. 
      
     Ms Lau confirmed that InvestHK and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises will continue to work with UISEE to facilitate the establishment of their first overseas R&D centre, introducing further business opportunities into Hong Kong and assisting the company's continued expansion overseas.

              

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, at the launching ceremony of Art March 2024 today (February 22):

Ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. Welcome to the Launching Ceremony of Art March 2024.
      
     Every March in Hong Kong, art lovers and visitors enjoy the many international and local arts and cultural events converged in the city. My bureau, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, has been pulling together the hard efforts of the arts and cultural sectors to enrich the ambience of mega arts and cultural events in Hong Kong. And this year for the first time, we launch "Art March" as a brand to promote multiple events organised, funded, or supported by the Government. We hope that everyone could enjoy an unforgettable experience immersed in the artistic vibe of Hong Kong during March every year.
      
     Under "Art March", we showcase the blend of Eastern and Western cultures and the unique colour of Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges. Ranging from arts and culture, pop, as well as TV and film, various happenings including exhibitions, film events, a cultural summit and a fashion show, welcome all walks of life. This year, we are delighted to see again the well-received events in the past, as well as new-event brands in Hong Kong, making the city's vibrant cultural landscape more colourful.
      
     We strive to showcase to the world the unique charm and diverse characteristics of Chinese culture in Hong Kong, thereby assisting our country to strengthen its international influence. We also aim to maximise the economic benefits of mega arts and cultural events. Tourism-related industries, such as hotels, retail and catering, are encouraged to join hands with the arts and cultural sectors in polishing the brand of "Art March" to provide citizens and visitors with an enriched artistic journey. You will also find exciting events including free ice cream distribution, tram rides and Star Ferry rides at different times in March to promote "Art March" and its programmes. Please stay tuned for the details to be announced in March.
      
     Last but not least, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to thank all the event organisers and partners for supporting and participating in "Art March". I wish all of you a unique arts and cultural journey in this coming March.

     The Government announced today (February 22) that the Chief Executive has reappointed Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong as a non-official member of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) for another term from February 25, 2024, to December 31, 2025. 
      
     Under the WKCDA Ordinance (Cap. 601), the Board is the governing and executive body of the WKCDA. It is responsible for the planning, development, operation and maintenance of the arts and cultural facilities and related facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "Chemical and Occupational Health" on March 1 (Friday) at 3.30pm in the Health Education Room, Occupational Safety and Health Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong. The talk will elaborate on how chemicals enter the human body and their impact on health, as well as the prevention of chemical hazards.
 
     The LD will hold another talk entitled "Infection Control in the Workplace" on March 5 (Tuesday) at 6.30pm at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay. The talk, designed for employees who may come into contact with pathogenic bacteria and viruses in their workplace, will explain how micro-organisms enter human body and affect people's health. The concept of infection control in the workplace will also be covered.

     Both talks will be given in Cantonese by the LD's occupational health nurse. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Interested participants can register online (www.oshsreg.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call 2852 4040.