Following is the speech by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the opening ceremony of the China Hong Kong Pavilion at Marintec China 2023 in Shanghai today (December 5):
 
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning and welcome to the opening ceremony of the China Hong Kong Pavilion.
      
     It brings me great pleasure to meet you all at the Marintec China 2023. It has been four years since the China Hong Kong Pavilion was last presented here in Shanghai. This year marks a remarkable restart in rekindling cross-boundary connections after the epidemic era. On behalf of the Transport and Logistics Bureau, as well as the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support rendered by the Hong Kong TDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council), the Marine Department (MD) and our fellow exhibitors for allowing us to gather at the China Hong Kong Pavilion to tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
      
     Hong Kong has long been recognised as one of the world's leading maritime hubs. With strong support from the Central Government, Hong Kong has continued to consolidate as an international shipping centre. As a further advancement, we will promulgate an action plan on maritime and port development strategy within this month to enhance high-end maritime services, facilitate transformation towards zero emission, promote smart initiatives and digitalisation in the maritime industry, and promote exchanges and collaboration among maritime industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and around the world.
      
     Hong Kong is positioned as the "super connector" between Mainland China and the global markets with good reasons. With our business-friendly environment, Common Law system, competitive tax regime, and excellent professional services, Hong Kong serves as a natural springboard for Mainland companies to go global and for overseas companies to tap into the vast market in China.
      
     The China Hong Kong Pavilion exemplifies these excellent advantages. This year, in addition to the MD's booth promoting our world-class Hong Kong Shipping Registry, we are featuring a diverse range of maritime-related companies, spanning marine equipment and ship manufacture, weather services, ship supply, and digital technology.
      
     Marintec China is the largest marine technology exhibition in Asia. I am glad to see our Hong Kong exhibitors using this opportunity to share their latest technological products and services with the global maritime community. The Hong Kong SAR Government is also playing its part. To further enhance port efficiency and reduce the time and cost of cargo handling, we are actively promoting the development of smart ports by setting up a digitalised port community system to facilitate the flow of data. We will commence a feasibility study on providing green methanol bunkering for both local and ocean-going vessels, with a view to promulgating an action plan next year. To realise these goals, new technology, including the ones we see around us today, will continue to play a critical role.
      
     I would like to thank all the exhibitors, organisers and industry representatives once again for all the hard work in setting up the China Hong Kong Pavilion. May I also wish Marintec China 2023 a great success and we welcome every one to visit the China Hong Kong Pavilion, and more importantly, to come to Hong Kong and tap into the unrivalled business opportunities we offer.
      
     Now, let me say a few words in Chinese.

    

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 Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited relating to a fraudulent website and internet banking login screen, 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 website or login screen 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.

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at "Thousands of Years at a Glance: Exploring Ancient Chinese Civilization – visit to Hong Kong Palace Museum" today (December 5):
 
Acting Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Acting Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Li Yongsheng), Mrs Betty Fung (Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to join Acting Commissioner Li and Betty in welcoming you all to the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
      
     Home to more than 900 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Hong Kong Palace Museum also presents continuing exhibitions.
      
     Today, I am delighted to introduce you to "Gazing at Sanxingdui: New Archaeological Discoveries in Sichuan". The exhibition is particularly meaningful, as it showcases the latest archaeological excavations at Sanxingdui for the very first time in a major exhibition beyond Sichuan.
      
     Sanxingdui provides concrete proof of the existence of a regional cultural centre, with its distinctive features, that played a large part in the formation and development of the wider Chinese civilisation.  
      
     In July, President Xi Jinping visited the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan to see for himself the impressive excavation and research achievements of the heritage sites.
      
     To celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the Hong Kong Palace Museum brings together archaeological artefacts from various cultural institutions and museums in Sichuan. They include 120 remarkable bronze, jade, gold, and ceramic objects dating back some 2 600 to 4 500 years. 
      
     I'm sure visitors, including you all, will be impressed with this outstanding aspect of China's long history.
      
     Apart from the Sanxingdui exhibition, you're welcome to visit the many other exhibitions on display in this world-class museum.
      
     The Hong Kong SAR Government, with the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, is committed to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.  
      
     In realising this important goal, we are working closely with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. And that very much includes the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
      
     We are also actively driving the development of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong. As our Chief Executive noted in his Policy Address delivered in October, we are stepping up efforts to promote Chinese culture. Next year, we will establish the Chinese Culture Promotion Office and organise for the first time the Chinese Culture Festival.  
      
     We will boost financial and manpower resources to expand cultural exchanges and collaborations between Hong Kong and Mainland China, as well as the rest of the world.
      
     I am grateful to the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Hong Kong SAR for its continuing support for the Government's cultural efforts.
      
     And my thanks today to you all for joining me on this exploration of China's remarkable arts and cultural history.
      
     Please enjoy your time at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. I hope to see you again here very soon. Thank you.

    

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2023 today (December 5):

Mr Inserra (Chairman of the APICTA, Mr Fulvio Inserra), Rocky (President of the Hong Kong Computer Society, Dr Rocky Cheng), Peter (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Peter Yan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning and welcome to the APICTA Awards 2023. First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Hong Kong Computer Society for working with the OGCIO (Office of the Government Chief Information Officer) for orchestrating this flagship ICT (information and communications technology) event in the Asia-Pacific region. 

     The APICTA Awards stand as a beacon of excellence, bringing together the brightest minds and talent who have demonstrated not just exceptional perseverance but also remarkable creativity. The Awards serve as the catalyst for fostering closer collaboration among ICT industry players in the Asia-Pacific region, driving technological breakthroughs forward and laying the groundwork for a future rich in innovation.

     Followed by the events in 2004 and 2013, Hong Kong is honoured to host the prestigious APICTA Awards again for the third time. It is the best testament to our standing as a vibrant and leading ICT hub in the region. It also underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and the growth of our ICT ecosystem.

     To strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness and promote high-quality economic development, the Hong Kong SAR Government has recently announced a series of proactive I&T (innovation and technology) initiatives in the 2023 Policy Address promulgated in October to chart the way forward for further developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Let me share with you some highlights.

     First, we will set up a dedicated agency, namely the Digital Policy Office, to promote the opening up of data and co-ordinate among government departments to provide more digital government services. Second, we will launch over a hundred digital government initiatives from 2024 to further promote the development of digital government and smart city. The initiatives include issuing and verifying certain licences and certificates electronically, enhancing security in public cargo areas, and providing electronic payment options for all government fees within one year. Third, we are establishing an AI (artificial intelligence) supercomputing centre right here at Cyberport to foster the AI development in Hong Kong. 

     On the other hand, we have been working closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government to develop the Digital Bay Area and to promote the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative. We will strive to strengthen I&T co-operation with the Mainland, thereby further promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and facilitating our better integration into the overall development of our country.    

     All in all, Hong Kong will thrive as a bustling gateway that connects I&T companies in the Mainland, the Asia-Pacific region and the world under the principle of "one country, two systems".

     Today’s opening ceremony signifies the official start of the riveting four-day journey of the APICTA Awards programmes. To all the APICTA Awards 2023 entries, I wish you the best of luck as you embark on this incredible adventure. I also wish to express my gratitude to all members of the APICTA Executive Committee and the APICTA Awards 2023 Hong Kong Organising Committee, as well as all the judges for your unwavering support and dedication which have helped elevate the ICT industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

     Before I close, December 10 is the polling day of the District Council Ordinary Election in Hong Kong. May I take this opportunity to invite all eligible voters to cast your vote on the coming Sunday for a better community in Hong Kong.

     May I wish you all a truly enriching and rewarding APICTA Awards experience and a wonderful stay in our vibrant city, Hong Kong.

  

     â€‹A sick 58-year-old male remand person in custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre died in a public hospital today (December 5).
      
     The remand person in custody suffered from liver carcinoma. He required continuous medical care and follow-up treatment at the institution hospital and a public hospital. On November 18, he was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort. During hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 8.06am today.
      
     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.
      
     The person in custody was remanded for the offence of criminal intimidation in July 2023.