Tag Archives: China

     The Film Programmes Office (FPO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present “!magine Fest” from December 10 to January 27 next year at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA), the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) and K11 Art House. The programme will showcase 17 world cinema works with highly imaginative stories, allowing audiences to open their imaginations. Some of the screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks or seminars.
 
     Selected films include the epochal sci-fi masterpiece directed by Stanley Kubrick, “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), which examines topics of human evolution and the meaning of existence through a computer mutiny, reflecting the dominance and threat of technology towards humankind. Also set in space, the characters of “High Life” (2018) are in a protracted seclusion amid an interstellar journey, facing the disorder and fear brought by the gradual breakdown of humanity.
 
     There are also films exploring the theme of artificial life, including “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), which delves into the complexities of human nature through the loneliness of the monster. The film is also hailed as an example of a perfect sequel in cinema history. “Ex Machina” (2015) explores this theme with the humanoid robot Ava, who possesses self-awareness. It reveals the discomfort and distrust of humans towards artificial intelligence technologies with a drama fueled by secrets, tests, and lies. What is more, the newly released French animation “Mars Express” (2023) explores the contradictions between humans and robots, and depicts a futuristic fantasy in which humans colonise Mars, and souls of the deceased are converted into androids.
 
     Films with the theme of life and death are also among the selection. “A Matter of Life and Death” (1946) depicts a story in which the protagonist must make an appeal in a heavenly court to stay alive after his miraculous survival of a battle due to an angel’s oversight. In Hirokazu Kore-eda’s early work “After Life” (1998), the deceased can bring with them to heaven a memory that they cherish the most. The film depicts precious affection through imagination.
 
     The festival has also selected the restored versions of two masterpieces. “Orlando” (1992) is an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel of the same name. The story follows the androgynous nobleman Orlando on a fantastical journey of self-discovery spanning four centuries. In Agnès Varda’s recently restored “The Creatures” (1966), which has been recently premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, a writer relocates to an island after a car crash, where strange things happen and the boundaries between reality and fantasy break down.
 
     The remaining four selected films explore different themes through rich imagination. Adapting fantasy stories from the 18th century, “The Fabulous Baron Munchausen” (1961) combines animation and live-action performances to deliver a dreamlike rhapsodic fantasy with the use of heavy tinting. The Japanese New Wave masterpiece “The Face of Another” (1966) reflects the loss of identity and angst of modern people through the experiences of the protagonist after a facial transplant surgery. “Stalker” (1979) turns the protagonists’ exploration of a mysterious forbidden zone into a spiritual journey of the inner self, encouraging audiences to self reflect. Through oil painting-like images and rich symbolism, “The Spirit of the Beehive” (1973) examines the fear of death and historical traumas through the eyes of a young girl, Ana, in the wake of the Spanish Civil War.
 
     The festival also features two family-friendly animations. The winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2009, “WALL-E” (2008), depicts a solitary robot which discovers signs of the Earth resurrecting from its ruins. The film has minimal dialogue at the beginning but captivates audiences with its rich audio-visual details. “Ernest & Celestine” (2012), based on a Belgian picture book, highlights the theme of overcoming prejudice through the friendship between a bear and a mouse.
 
     The FPO and the HKScM will co-organise two free fringe activities, including free screenings of “A Trip to the Moon” (1902) and “Forbidden Planet” (1956) on December 30 (Saturday) and January 27 (Saturday) respectively at the Lecture Hall of the HKScM. They will be followed by post-screening talks hosted by director Willis Wong, and curator Ernest Chan and assistant curator of the HKScM Dr So Chu-wing respectively. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
 
     In addition, the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) parent-child stop-motion animation workshop “STEAM Laboratory: Animate it!” will be held after the post-screening talks of “A Trip to the Moon” at the laboratory on the G/F of the HKScM for parents and children. Hosted by an illustrator, participants will learn the principles of moving images by making stop-motion toy modules together. Online registration for the free workshop will be available on the website of the HKScM (hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/event/scifi/fpo.html) starting 10am on December 1 (Friday). Admission is free with a limited quota on a first-come, first-served basis.
       
     The FPO will also hold two seminars hosted by Chan at the HKFA Cinema on December 17 (Sunday) and December 24 (Sunday). Writer Kevin Yan and psychologist Dr Ken Fung will be the speakers for the former, titled “The Magic of Imagination”, while four local animation artists: Lee Kwok-wai, Nic Ho, Mak Siu-fung and Tsui Ka-hei, will be the speakers for the latter titled “To Infinity and Beyond – The Power of Animated Fantasies”. The seminars will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission to the seminars is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Audiences may queue at the 1/F Foyer of the HKFA 15 minutes before the seminar begins.  
 
     “A Trip to the Moon” is a silent film without subtitles. “The Creatures” and “The Fabulous Baron Munchausen” are with English subtitles. All other films are with Chinese and English subtitles.
 
     Tickets for screenings at the HKFA priced at $60 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For screenings at K11 Art House, tickets priced at $110 and $130 are now available at K11 Art House and the website of MCL Cinemas (www.mclcinema.com). For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=56. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:      The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a t… read more

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Wendy Hong and a written reply by the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, in the Legislative Council today (November 15):


Question:
 
     The 2023 Policy Address has mentioned that the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has reached out to over 200 strategic enterprises, of which 30 are planning to establish their foothold or expand their operations in Hong Kong; and in the first nine months of 2023, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) assisted over 300 Mainland and overseas enterprises in establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of a breakdown of the number of aforesaid enterprises (i.e. (a) strategic enterprises which are planning to establish their foothold or expand their operations in Hong Kong and (b) Mainland and overseas enterprises which established or expanded their operations in Hong Kong in the first nine months of 2023) by (i) type of operations, (ii) place of registration of parent company and (iii) whether they have set up corporate divisions or started operations in Hong Kong (set out in Table 1 to Table 3);

Table 1

(i)	(a)	(b)
Life and health technology
Artificial intelligence and data science
Financial technology
Advanced manufacturing and new energy technology
Business and professional services
Creative industries
Others

Table 2

(ii)	(a)	(b)
Mainland
Europe and the United States
Japan and Korea
Middle East
Southeast Asia
Others

Table 3

(iii)	(a)	(b)
Enterprises which have set up corporate divisions or started operations in Hong Kong
Enterprises which have never set up corporate divisions or started operations in Hong Kong

(2) whether the InvestHK has offered concessionary terms to Mainland and overseas enterprises to attract them to establish their foothold or expand their operations in Hong Kong; and
 
(3) given that at present, the OASES does not offer special concessionary terms to strategic enterprises which it attracts to establish their foothold in Hong Kong, whether the OASES will consider offering such terms; if so, of the criteria to be adopted?

Reply:
 
President,
 
     In his 2022 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the establishment of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) to attract high-potential and representative strategic enterprises, particularly those from industries of strategic importance (including life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology), to establish a presence or expand their business in Hong Kong. The OASES was officially established in end-December 2022. When attracting strategic enerprises, factors that would be considered include whether the enterprises would fit in Hong Kong’s direction in industry development, their business plans, technology level, job opportunities, contributions to the industry’s ecosystem and the domestic gross domestic product.  Meanwhile, the Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) continues to actively provide high-quality and comprehensive support for other overseas and Mainland enterprises interested in setting up or expanding their operations in Hong Kong.
 
     My reply to Dr the Hon Wendy Hong’s questions is as follows:
 
(1) Since its establishment, the OASES has reached out to over 200 strategic enterprises, of which 30 are planning to establish a foothold or expand their operations in Hong Kong. A total of about $30 billion of new investment is involved, with around 10 000 employment opportunities expected to be created. With the Launching Ceremony of OASES Partnership held in October 2023, the OASES has become an official partner of the first batch of 20 strategic enterprises setting up or expanding their business in Hong Kong. They will work together to promote the development of the innovation and technology ecosystem of Hong Kong.
 
     In the first nine months of this year, the InvestHK assisted 300 Mainland and overseas enterprises in establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong, representing an increase of more than 25 per cent over the same period last year. The fact that these enterprises came from across the globe covering various trades and industries is a testament to Hong Kong’s attractiveness to enterprises as an international business centre.
 
     The number of the aforesaid enterprises with a breakdown by their type of operations, place of registration of parent company (according to the place of origin as declared by the enterprise concerned) and whether they have established presence or started operations in Hong Kong before is provided below –

(1) Type of operations

	Strategic enterprises	Enterprises handled by the InvestHK
Life and health technology	15	17
Artificial intelligence and data science	7	9
Financial technology	2	41
Advanced manufacturing and new energy technology	6	8
Business and professional services	–	34
Creative industries	–	28
Others (Note)	–	163
Total	30	300

(2) Place of registration of parent company (according to the place of origin as declared by the enterprise concerned)

	Strategic enterprises	Enterprises handled by the InvestHK
Mainland	25	111
Europe and North America	5	112
Japan and Korea	–	15
Middle East	–	3
Southeast Asia	–	32
Others	–	27
Total	30	300

(3) Whether they have established presence or started operations in Hong Kong before

	Strategic enterprises	Enterprises handled by the InvestHK
Enterprises which have established presence or started operations in Hong Kong	12	94
Enterprises which have never established presence or started operations in Hong Kong before	18	206
Total	30	300

(2) & (3) Regarding the work of attracting strategic enterprises, the OASES will provide tailor-made and attractive measures and proposals to targeted enterprises. Also, having regard to their individual needs, the OASES would provide the enterprises with customised support such as office accommodation, research and supporting facilities and recruitment of talent, in setting up their operations in Hong Kong. Moreover, their employees from outside Hong Kong will be provided with one-stop facilitation services in areas such as application under various talent admission schemes or related visa application as well as provision of information on their children’s education. As most of the strategic enterprises are in the information and technology field, the OASES will assist suitable strategic enterprises in setting up their operations at the Hong Kong Science Park or Cyberport. The OASES will also refer them to local universities and institutions for research collaboration, thereby enhancing synergy and further fostering the development of our local industries and ecosystem.
 
     Based on the experience gained so far, strategic enterprises (particularly large-scale multinational corporations) have various concerns and considerations when deciding whether to set up their operation in Hong Kong. The OASES will continue to follow up the needs of individual enterprises. When necessary, the OASES will continue to liaise with relevant bureaux to draw up special measures for targeted enterprises with a view to facilitating the setting up of their operations in Hong Kong.
 
     Through its global network of 17 Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses and Talents in the Mainland Offices and overseas Economic and Trade Offices of Hong Kong, as well as 16 consultant offices, the InvestHK proactively attracts and assists enterprises interested in setting up or expanding operations in Hong Kong. It offers one-stop support services to such enterprises, rendering assistance from planning to implementation. Such services include providing market information and guidance on laws and regulations in relevant sectors, offering assistance in office search, staff recruitment as well as visa and licence applications, providing information about funding schemes and other support measures, introducing business partners and service providers to such enterprises, and rendering marketing support on business launch. Furthermore, the InvestHK also offers aftercare support to enterprises that already have a presence in Hong Kong by assisting them in exploring new growth areas and opportunities so as to facilitate their business expansion in Hong Kong.
 
     The Government attaches great importance to the work of attracting enterprises and investment. The OASES, InvestHK and other bureaux and departments will continue to work together to attract and assist different enterprises to set up or expand operations in Hong Kong. The OASES and InvestHK have frequent communication and would co-ordinate amongst themselves. During the discussion with enterprises, if the InvestHK considers it would be more appropriate for the OASES to follow up on a case, the InvestHK would refer the case to the OASES for further processing, and vice versa.
 
Note: Such as transport and industrial, consumer products, tourism and hospitality, information and communications technology etc. read more

     The Government welcomes the Legislative Council’s passage of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (Stock Transfers) Bill 2023 today (November 15) to give effect to the measure of reducing the rate of Stamp Duty on Stock Transfers (the Stamp Duty) to 0.1 per cent as announced by the Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address.
 
     A Government spokesman said, “The reduction of the rate of the Stamp Duty will lower investors’ transaction costs, improve market sentiment, and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s stock market. The Government will work with financial regulators and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited to follow up on the other measures recommended by the Task Force on Enhancing Stock Market Liquidity to promote the sustainable development of the market.”
 
     The Amendment Ordinance will be published in the Gazette tomorrow (November 16) and come into operation on November 17. read more

     Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (November 15):

Question:

     Regarding the data governance system, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) given that as proposed in the latest Policy Address, the Government will publish administrative guidelines to facilitate data flow and ensure data security before the end of 2023, of the nature of the administrative guidelines; as there are views that data flow and data security are only two of the essential elements of the data governance system, whether the authorities will consider enacting comprehensive regulations on data governance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) given that as stated in the latest Policy Address, the Government (i) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mainland authorities in June 2023 to foster secure cross‑boundary flow of Mainland data within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and (ii) is liaising with the authorities of the Guangdong Province to adopt an early and pilot implementation approach in the GBA to streamline the compliance arrangements for the flow of personal data from the Mainland to Hong Kong in order to facilitate the provision of cross‑boundary financial and medical services within the GBA, whether the authorities have plans to drive the flow of people, goods and capital within the GBA by the flow of information; if so, of the specific plans and timetable for the relevant measures; if not, the reasons for that;

(3) as the Government indicated in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on June 7, 2023 that it might not be necessary to centralise all the data on one platform, and the Government would develop the Consented Data Exchange Gateway (CDEG) to facilitate the interflow of data among government departments, with the target of rolling out CDEG by the end of 2024, of the latest progress of the relevant work; and

(4) in tandem with facilitating data interchange to foster the development of the innovation and technology industry, the financial industry, etc. (for example, the Commercial Data Interchange of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will be connected to CDEG by the end of 2023), of the safeguards for cyber and data security the authorities have in place to realise the vision of secure flow and orderly sharing of data?

Reply:

President,

     Having consulted the Security Bureau, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), my reply to the questions raised by the Hon Carmen Kan is as follows:

(1) Data governance encompasses multiple elements, including the integration, application, opening up and sharing of data; data security; infrastructure; industry development; and alignment with different standards and regulatory frameworks. The Government has been developing a data governance system that suits the circumstances of Hong Kong under a multi-pronged strategy covering policies, legislation, guidelines, infrastructure, etc.

     Data flow and data security are key elements in promoting and enhancing data governance. In this regard, “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” announced that the Government will publish administrative guidelines to facilitate data flow and ensure data security, with the objective to elaborate on our management principles and strategies concerning the relevant elements of data governance and to propose an action plan for further promoting the interchange of data and related security safeguards, covering areas like top-level design, policies, guidelines, regulations, infrastructure, and cross-boundary data flow. We will publish the aforementioned management measures by the end of this year.

(2) Facilitating the secure cross-boundary flow of Mainland data in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a key initiative to promote the development of digital economy and smart city in the three places. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Cyberspace Administration of China entered into the Memorandum of Understanding on Facilitating Cross-boundary Data Flow Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (MoU) in June 2023, with a view to fostering the safe and orderly flow of Mainland data to Hong Kong under the national management framework on safeguarding the security of cross-boundary data. This initiative will not only reduce the compliance costs of cross-boundary data flow for enterprises, but will also promote the digital economy and scientific research development in the GBA, and thus is conducive to facilitating Hong Kong’s integration into the GBA and the nation’s overall development, as well as building Hong Kong into an international data hub.

     In accordance with the framework set out in the MoU, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) is liaising with the Cyberspace Administration of Guangdong Province to strive for adoption of the early and pilot implementation approach as soon as possible to streamline the compliance arrangements for personal information flow from the Mainland to Hong Kong. The initial early and pilot implementation arrangement is expected to be first applied to high-demand cross-boundary services such as finance, credit checking and healthcare, so as to promote the provision of relevant cross-boundary services in the GBA and bring convenience and facilitation to the public and businesses. We will consider extending the facilitation measure to other sectors in an orderly manner having regard to the effectiveness and experience in the first stage of the pilot implementation of the arrangements.

(3) OGCIO is developing the Consented Data Exchange Gateway (CDEG) and will introduce in the first instance the function of interfacing with the HKMA’s Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) by end-2023 to facilitate the sharing of data from government departments to financial institutions upon the authorisation of their enterprise clients. OGCIO will roll out other functions of CDEG before end-2024 for citizens to authorise government departments to share their personal data within the government to facilitate their use of digital government services. Following enhancement to the functionalities of “iAM Smart” platform and by providing one-time authorisation on “iAM Smart”, citizens can in future make use of CDEG to directly access their personal information in various government services and leverage the “iAM Smart” e-ME function for auto-filling of personal information when applying for other government services, hence obviating the need for repetitive input or submission of the same information, thereby realising the goal of achieving a “single portal for online government services”. 

(4) The Government has devised a multi-layered mechanism on data security protection while promoting the sharing and application of data. The mechanism focuses on data governance, classification, grading, protection, audit, risk assessment, monitoring and contingency plans, etc.

     For instance, CDEG will not store any data shared between bureaux and departments (B/Ds). The shared data will only be saved on respective systems of B/Ds, which are required to conduct regularly risk assessment and audit concerning their information systems and data security to safeguard the government systems and data security. With regard to online transmission, CDEG will be linked to the systems of various B/Ds and the CDI with encryption. CDEG will also utilise the Shared Blockchain Platform of OGCIO to ensure that the records of authorisation by citizens and data sharing between B/Ds cannot be tampered. When developing the CDEG, OGCIO had consulted the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and engaged independent third parties to conduct security risk assessments and audit as well as privacy impact assessments to ensure compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

     On the other hand, for CDI launched by the HKMA, there are rules requiring participating banks to ensure that the scope and use of data collected comply with the purposes agreed by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as owners of the data. At the technical level, CDI connects banks and data providers with encryption, while the commercial data will not be stored in the system of CDI. A number of corresponding information security requirements are also put in place to protect the privacy of SMEs and to ensure data security. Meanwhile, CDI has a strict regulatory mechanism to protect customers. 

     To address potential security risks associated with critical infrastructure in different sectors, the Critical Infrastructure Security Coordination Centre (CISCC) and the Cyber Security Centre (CSC) of the Police Force operate round the clock. The CISCC seeks to strengthen self-protection and restoration capabilities of the critical infrastructure through public-private sector co-operation, risk management, on-site security inspections, etc. Meanwhile, the CSC conducts timely cyber threat audits and analyses to prevent and detect cyber attacks against the critical infrastructure. 

     At the same time, the Government will strive to enhance the protection of cybersecurity of critical infrastructure (including energy, telecommunications, transportation, financial institutions). Among other things, the Government will enact legislation to stipulate the cybersecurity obligations of critical infrastructure operators. The Government is working on the legislative proposals and will consult the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and relevant stakeholders in due course. The target is to introduce the bill into the LegCo within 2024. read more