The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 25) that aquatic products and vegetables from a regulated Japanese prefecture were suspected to be in breach of the relevant … read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:
The Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr David Wong, welcomed the education initiatives announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” delivered today (October 25).
Dr Wong said, “As the Chairman of the Education Commission, I support the Government’s commitment to elevate the quality of education and foster multifaceted exchanges in education between Hong Kong and the Mainland and the rest of the world, with a view to developing Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub, thereby creating strong impetus for the development of Hong Kong education and nurturing talent for the future.
“I support the Education Bureau (EDB) to leverage the excellent foundation of our diversified and internationalised post-secondary education, increase the admission quota of non-local students to Government-funded post-secondary institutions and expand scholarship schemes to attract more outstanding students from around the world to further their studies in Hong Kong, and take forward the development of educational infrastructure in the Northern Metropolis. At the same time, the EDB will raise the status of vocational and professional education and training, facilitate the development of universities of applied sciences, establish the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology, and enhance mutual recognition of qualifications with the Mainland to provide diversified pathways for our young people. The multipronged initiatives will enlarge our talent pool to support the rapid development of our country.”
He added, “I am pleased to note that the Government strives to build mainstream values characterised by patriotism with affection for our country and Hong Kong and in conformity with the principle of ‘one country, two systems’. The EDB will introduce a subject in primary schools on humanities with enriched elements of Chinese culture, history and geography, enrich the contents of the Values Education Curriculum Framework and emphasise the role of Chinese culture as the backbone of values education, and strengthen training for teachers, hence promoting national education within and beyond campus in a holistic manner.
“Talent is the engine that drives and fosters innovation and technology development. I, therefore, support the EDB’s diversified strategies to strengthen the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools, including the introduction of Science subject in primary schools, to equip our students with the competencies needed for the 21st century from an early age and step up the efforts to identify and cultivate local talent with great potential, with a view to bringing a new force in innovation and technology for our country and Hong Kong.”
Dr Wong also appreciated the Government’s utmost efforts in building a caring and inclusive society. The establishment of resource teachers for aided special schools and schools for social development will be optimised to strengthen the support for students with special education needs. Also, there will be further enhanced support for non-Chinese speaking students who call Hong Kong home to encourage their mastery of the Chinese language to facilitate their integration into the community.
“Education is a mission to cultivate values and nurture talent. Young people are the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s future. The Education Commission will continue to render advice and work in concerted efforts with the Government and enhance the quality of education with the mission of meeting the development needs of our students, to nurture amongst our teenagers a strong affection for our country and their understanding of the world, thereby building a better future for our country, our city and themselves,” Dr Wong said. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Steering Committee on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training and Qualifications Framework:
　
The Chairman of the Steering Committee on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training and Qualifications Framework, Dr Daniel Yip, welcomed the various new initiatives announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” today (October 25) to further promote the development of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in Hong Kong.
The Policy Address announced a series of measures to promote VPET at multiple levels, which include developing universities of applied sciences (UAS) and providing financial and related support, encouraging institutions to offer more applied degree programmes, supporting the Vocational Training Council to establish the Hong Kong Institute of Information and Technology, and collaborating with the relevant Mainland authorities to take forward the mutual recognition of sub-degree level qualifications.
　
Dr Yip said, “The new initiatives announced by the Chief Executive in the Policy Address, in particular the support for the development of UAS and encouraging post-secondary institutions to offer more applied degree programmes, will further raise the status of VPET at the degree level, nurturing more talent equipped with applied skills for society, and grooming maestros in different trades. We also support UAS to closely collaborate with professional skills sectors and incorporate substantial internship and work-based learning opportunities in their programmes, which will help students develop applied skills and create impetus for Hong Kong’s development. In addition, we are glad to know that the Government will set aside a start-up fund to support prospective post-secondary institutions to form an alliance of UAS for joint promotion in the post-secondary education sector, in order to further enhance the status of VPET in society and among parents and students.”
　
The Steering Committee will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with the Government, adopting a multipronged approach to promote the positive image of VPET and fostering closer partnerships between institutions and industries. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Youth Development Commission:
The Youth Development Commission (YDC) warmly welcomed the policy initiatives on supporting youth development in “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 25).
The Vice-Chairman of the YDC, Mr Kenneth Leung, said, “I am pleased that the Chief Executive has emphasised in the Policy Address that the Government will sustain its efforts in promoting youth development, continue to implement and enhance the some 160 measures in the Youth Development Blueprint, and organise the Youth Development Summit in mid-2024 as the opening and highlight of the 2024 Youth Festival. Moreover, I agree with the statement in the Policy Address that the Government would further support youth innovation and entrepreneurship, broaden young people’s horizons and strengthen youth engagement.”
He expressed appreciation of the Government’s acceptance of suggestions raised by members of the YDC, and said that the YDC would work proactively and closely with the Government and other stakeholders to follow up on the implementation of relevant policy initiatives in the Policy Address and the Blueprint to promote youth development.
Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the YDC strives to enhance policy co-ordination within the Government for promoting youth development and enable a more holistic and effective examination of and discussion on issues of concern to young people. Since its establishment, the YDC has implemented a wide spectrum of programmes to promote youth exchange, internship, entrepreneurship, life planning, positive thinking and more. It has also actively supported the Government in formulating and implementing the Blueprint, so as to promote the all-round development of young people and nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and are equipped with a global perspective, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:
The Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC), Professor Stephen Cheung, welcomed the transport-related initiatives announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” delivered today (October 25).
Professor Cheung said, “The Policy Address announced that the Government plans to publish the Hong Kong Major Transport Infrastructure Development Blueprint by the end of this year, which will outline the implementation of all major transport infrastructure, including the enhanced Three Railways and Three Major Roads proposals and the new two railways and one major road projects. I welcome the Government’s continued effort to improve our railway and major road networks, boosting the sustainable development of Hong Kong and facilitating the commuting of the public. The Policy Address also announced the implementation of smart and green mass transit at East Kowloon, Kai Tai and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen to promote green transport and, at the same time, fully embody the principle of “bringing forward infrastructure construction and increasing development capacity”, unleashing the development potential along the infrastructure and strengthening the connectivity with other cities in the Greater Bay Area, thereby sustaining the momentum of Hong Kong’s long-term development.
“Furthermore, the Policy Address also announced measures for advancing the development of digital government, including the provision of automated parking systems in newly completed government car parks and short-term tenancy car parks. I welcome the Government’s stepped-up efforts to promote this smart mobility initiative, which seeks to meet the public’s demand for parking spaces by utilising technology to optimise space efficiency and increase parking density.
“I am also pleased to note that the Government has set indicators for different measures in order to enhance transparency and ensure their timely implementation. The TAC will, as always, continue to earnestly offer views on various traffic and transport policies and measures for the Government to proceed with building and enhancing our transportation system, with a view to elevating and consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international metropolis and regional logistics hub.” read more