The Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the relevant officials from the Central Authorities and the governments of Guangdong, the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) and Shenzhen, attended the press conference held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing this morning (December 28). They introduced the latest developments of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which covered the Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (Qianhai Overall Development Plan), with a view to jointly taking forward the high-quality development of the GBA.
 
     In response to a media question on the Qianhai Overall Development Plan, Mr Chan said, "The HKSAR Government has fully dovetailed with key national strategies such as the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the GBA, and worked with the governments of Guangdong and Shenzhen under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, to promote Hong Kong's integration into the country's overall development. The Outline Development Plan for the GBA points out that the functions of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (Qianhai Cooperation Zone) will be enhanced. The 14th Five-Year Plan emphasises the need to press ahead with the development of Qianhai in Shenzhen as a major platform for the co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao."
 
     He added, "The HKSAR Government is grateful for the Central Government's latest promulgation of the Qianhai Overall Development Plan. It is of paramount significance for it to state that the development of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone is an important initiative for supporting Hong Kong's social and economic development; fostering a higher level of co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; and establishing a new development paradigm in pursuing opening up. Leveraging the institutional advantages of 'one country, two systems' and a business environment that is highly market-oriented, internationalised and underpinned by the rule of law, Hong Kong will deepen co-operation with Shenzhen on the implementation of the Qianhai Overall Development Plan. Hong Kong will continue to capitalise on its own advantages serving as an international financial, maritime and trading centre as well as an international aviation hub, to assist Qianhai in expediting its alignment of rules, harmonisation of mechanisms and development of a modern services industry.
 
     "On financial services, the co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has been close. Both cities have jointly promulgated measures earlier in support of the linked development of venture capital investments between Hong Kong and Qianhai of Shenzhen. We support the various policy initiatives in the Qianhai Overall Development Plan that will consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre and an intermediary for two-way flow of capital, which will in turn provide support for the further opening up of the Mainland markets. These policy initiatives include proactively taking forward the establishment of insurance after-sales service centres in the GBA; supporting Qianhai enterprises to make use of Hong Kong as a platform for fundraising, establishing overseas operations and issuing green bonds; and fostering collaboration in fintech.
 
     "On legal services, Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in our country, and a hub for international legal talent and enterprises. Hong Kong-invested enterprises are allowed to choose Hong Kong law as the applicable law and choose Hong Kong as the seat for arbitration in Qianhai. We will continue to develop Hong Kong into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. To dovetail with the Qianhai Overall Development Plan, we will promote the interface of cross-boundary rules between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as support Hong Kong legal practitioners who have obtained the Lawyer's License (GBA) to practise as legal consultants in law firms in Qianhai.
 
     "On professional services, Hong Kong supports Qianhai in seeking more policy breakthroughs on a pilot basis under the Qianhai Overall Development Plan. For instance, Qianhai will provide facilitation for Hong Kong enterprises and professionals of the construction and related engineering sectors that have acquired corresponding qualifications by way of registration to provide services at planning and designing stages, and expand the scope of Hong Kong's management mode in the field of construction and engineering on a pilot basis. Also, Qianhai will support local accounting firms to launch non-audit services with Hong Kong accountants.
 
     "In the long run, Hong Kong is steadfastly driving the development of the Northern Metropolis, as a major hub for Hong Kong's integration into the country's overall development, through in-depth integration with the planning of the GBA. That includes the development of a high-end professional services and logistics hub. This hub, covering Hung Shui Kiu and the surrounding areas, faces the Qianhai Cooperation Zone on the other side of Shenzhen Bay and will benefit from the connection of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai). Hong Kong will co-operate with Qianhai in developing the modern services industry to promote high-quality economic co-operation in areas such as finance, logistics, and professional services. Also, more Qianhai enterprises will be encouraged to make good use of Hong Kong to expand their overseas businesses."
 
     He stressed, "President Xi Jinping, in his important speech delivered on July 1 last year, emphasised that the Central Government has pledged full support to Hong Kong in its efforts to seize historic opportunities brought about by the country's development. We will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong's strengths to serve the country's needs, endeavouring to make new contributions to the high-quality development of the GBA and the country."
 
     The Central Government promulgated this month the Qianhai Overall Development Plan, which provides a comprehensive view of the strategic positioning, development objectives, spatial layout, industry planning, business environment, urban planning, quality living environment, governance model of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone, etc. Its objective is to promote the demonstrative and leading roles Qianhai plays in the development of the GBA, further deepening the co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
 
     In addition to the Qianhai Overall Development Plan, the Central Government promulgated this month the Overall Development Plan for the Guangdong-Macao Zone in Hengqin, the Comments on Special Measures for Relaxation of Market Entry Requirements in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin, and the Three-year Action Plan for the Development of International First-class Business Environment in the GBA.
 
     Officials attending the press conference today were member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Leadership Group of the National Development and Reform Commission Mr Guo Lanfeng; member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Executive Vice-Governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Hu; Mr Chan; the Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Cheong Weng-chon; and the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Qin Weizhong.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China CITIC Bank International Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Lands Department today (December 28) posted land resumption notices in accordance with section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124) for the implementation of public housing development at Ching Hiu Road, Sheung Shui. 

     Seven private lots with a total area of about 0.34 hectares will be resumed by the Government. The land will revert to the Government upon the expiry of a period of three months from the date of affixing the notices (i.e. March 29, 2024).

     The Government will closely liaise with the relevant land owners and affected parties, and properly handle their compensation and rehousing matters.

     The public housing development at Ching Hiu Road, Sheung Shui, will provide about 620 residential units with the earliest population intake anticipated in 2028-29.

     The Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) administered by the Health Bureau invites funding applications for investigator-initiated research projects and health promotion projects from today (December 28) onwards. Applications from locally based tertiary institutions, hospitals, medical schools, non-governmental organisations or other appropriate centres, units and services are invited.
 
     The HMRF aims to build research capacity and to encourage, facilitate and support health and medical research to inform health policies, improve population health, strengthen the healthcare system, enhance healthcare practices, advance the standard and quality of care, and promote clinical excellence, through generation and application of evidence-based scientific knowledge derived from local health and medical research. It also provides funding support to evidence-based health promotion projects that help people adopt healthier lifestyles by enhancing awareness, changing adverse health behaviours and creating a conducive environment that supports good health practices.
 
     The HMRF emphasises the importance of the translational potential of research findings, and therefore supports applications on the following research projects:
 

1. Clinical research (including patient-oriented research, epidemiological and behavioural studies, outcomes research and health services research);
2. Infectious diseases research with public health implications from bench to bedside and at community level and with translational value; and
3. Clinical research based on Chinese medicine theory or clinical research on Chinese medicine theory and methodology.

 
     Applications in the following areas will be accepted for consideration by the HMRF:
 

1. public health, human health and health services (e.g. primary healthcare, non-communicable diseases, Chinese medicine, etc.);
2. prevention, treatment and control of infectious diseases with public health implications;
3. advanced medical research which applies advanced technologies to facilitate the translation of knowledge generated from health and health services or infectious diseases studies into clinical practice and to inform health policy; and
4. health promotion that facilitates mobilisation of local resources to promote good health and prevention of illness in the community.

     Higher priority for funding will be given to proposals addressing this year’s thematic priorities, which are infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, primary healthcare, preventive medicine, telehealth and advanced technology as well as clinical trials and implementation science.

     The grant ceiling is $1.5 million per project with a grant duration not exceeding three years. As for larger-scale pilot studies such as those evaluating trialability and scalability for future implementation and small-scale research with achievable objectives, submission can be made to apply for a seed grant which has a grant ceiling of $500,000 per project.

     Only one application from each principal applicant is allowed, either a new submission or a resubmission of an application. The principal applicant should be based in a Hong Kong organisation throughout the project period and be employed by the administering institution at the time of submission.

     Applications will be subject to a two-tier peer review. The vetting will take into account scientific merit, local relevance, translational potential or value of the proposals, sustainability of health promotion projects, capacity of the administering institutions, track record of applicants, value for money of the proposals and research ethics, where applicable.

     Completed electronic application forms should be submitted via the electronic Grant Management System (eGMS) on or before 6pm on March 28, 2024 (Hong Kong time). Briefing sessions and training workshops for grant applications, to be held in January 2024, are now open for registration.

     Details are now available on the website of the Research Fund Secretariat. Enquiries can be made by e-mail to rfs@healthbureau.gov.hk.

     The Government announced today (December 28) that the annually updated aggregate list of eligible universities (aggregate list) under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) would take effect on January 1, 2024.

     The TTPS aims to attract talent in the following three categories:
 

1. Category A: persons with annual income reaching HK$2.5 million or above in the year immediately preceding the date of application;
2. Category B: full-time bachelor's degree graduates of the universities/institutions prescribed in the aggregate list (eligible universities/institutions) with at least three years of work experience over the past five years immediately preceding the date of application; or
3. Category C: full-time bachelor's degree graduates of eligible universities/institutions in the past five years immediately preceding the date of application with less than three years of work experience.

     Upon the launch of the TTPS last year, the aggregate list comprised the top 100 universities/institutions in four world university rankings (namely the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, the U.S. News and World Report's Best Global Universities Rankings and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking of World Universities) in the past five years as at 2022. This round of updates to the aggregate list reflects the changes to the relevant world university rankings in 2023.

     The updated aggregate list consisting of 185 universities/institutions (see Annex) will be uploaded onto the online platform of Hong Kong Talent Engage (www.hkengage.gov.hk) and the TTPS webpage of the Immigration Department (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/TTPS.html) on January 1, 2024.