Tag Archives: China

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) promoted opportunities in Hong Kong for innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups and companies that are attending the Web Summit Lisbon 2024 in Portugal.
 
     In collaboration with Invest Hong Kong and the Portugal-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Brussels ETO hosted a networking reception on November 12 (Lisbon time) for about 100 participants of the Web Summit. At the reception,  Brussels ETO Assistant Representative Mr Paul Leung outlined Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle and in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

     Mr Leung highlighted the commitment of the Government in strengthening the role of Hong Kong as an international I&T centre and encouraged I&T companies to set up their operations in Hong Kong. He invited participants to come and see firsthand how Hong Kong is the place for I&T and why Hong Kong is an ideal place for them to grow their business, innovations and technology.
 
     The Web Summit is a major global technology conference and is being held this year from November 11 to 14 (Lisbon time). It is attended by over 70 000 international participants in the field of technology. read more

     The Government announced today (November 14) that the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, has appointed or reappointed the following persons as Board members of the Hong Kong Dance Company Limited for a period of two years until the conclusion of the company’s Annual General Meeting in 2026.
 
Ms Christine Leung Wan-chong (reappointment)
Ms Melissa Kaye Pang (reappointment)
Mr Ronald Wu Keng-hou (reappointment)
Mr Ting Tin-yau (new appointment) read more

     The 18th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee was held in Xi’an on November 12. The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Ms Lin Xin.
      
     The meeting took note of the Committee’s work report since the 17th meeting, and reviewed and approved the Committee’s 2024-25 workplan. The Committee agreed to strengthen co-operation in the following areas:
 
(i) Strengthen policy co-ordination 

     Support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre at full speed in accordance with the directions and strategies set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, including accelerating the development of the Hong Kong Park in the Loop, as well as promoting new industrialisation and the flow of scientific research data.
 
(ii) Promote the opening up of national-level science and technology programmes to Hong Kong 

     Promote the opening of national science and technology (S&T) programmes to Hong Kong in an orderly manner, support Hong Kong scientists in participating in major national scientific research missions, and continue to increase support for young Hong Kong scientists.
 
(iii) Conduct science and research collaboration projects between the two places 

     Continue to implement the Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme, and the 2025 Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme between the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Grants Council.
 
(iv) Support more Hong Kong experts joining national science and technology expert databases and associations 

     Support more Hong Kong experts joining national science and technology expert databases and national science and technology award expert databases. Encourage more S&T professionals from Hong Kong to join the national societies of the China Association for Science and Technology, and participate in their governance and operations.
 
(v) Deepen the exchanges of S&T professionals in the two places 

     Support Hong Kong in organising an S&T forum and exhibitions, encourage international S&T institutions and organisations to set up in Hong Kong, increase efforts in attracting top scientific research talent from around the world, and encourage young scientists from Hong Kong and the Mainland to deepen exchanges and co-operation.
 
(vi) Strengthen the construction of Mainland and Hong Kong S&T co-operation platform and bases 

     Conclude the reorganisation exercise of the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong with a view to incorporating them into the national mechanism. Continue to deepen collaboration among the technology and industrial parks between the two places and accelerate the establishment of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratories.
 
(vii) Promote the I&T and regional technological development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 

     Accelerate the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements in the Greater Bay Area, support the development of the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong and continue to take forward the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
 
     A spokesman of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) said, “The workplan will further deepen the I&T collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong, accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, and facilitate its better integration into national development. The Commission, relevant departments of the HKSAR Government, universities, I&T parks and research and development institutes will continue to deepen their I&T collaboration and exchanges with the Mainland.”
      
     The Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee is tasked with organising and co-ordinating technological exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The liaison offices of the Committee are set up at the China Science and Technology Exchange Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the ITC of the HKSAR Government. read more

     Subsequent to the announcement last week that a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1 subtype) was detected in an environmental sample from the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) was notified by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) yesterday (November 13) that a sample from a dead wild bird and another environmental sample from the MPNR also tested positive for H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, a spokesperson for the AFCD said today (November 14).

     In collaboration with the AFCD, a research team of the School of Public Health, HKU, collects samples from the MPNR regularly for avian influenza surveillance. A sample from a Eurasian wigeon and an additional environmental sample collected on November 6 have been confirmed to be positive for H5N1 virus.

     An AFCD spokesman said the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, the managing organisation of the MPNR, has stepped up cleaning and disinfection of tourist facilities, including bird hides and a floating boardwalk. A disinfectant carpet has been placed at the entrance of the MPNR for visitors to disinfect the soles of their shoes. In addition, the AFCD is closely monitoring the situation of birds in the MPNR and has put up notices to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene.

     There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the sample has been collected. The AFCD has strengthened avian influenza surveillance and is closely monitoring the situation of local poultry farms and wholesale markets. Poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners, and licence holders of bird exhibitions are reminded from time to time to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza are implemented.

     “People should avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry as well as their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for the AFCD’s follow-up if they come across birds suspected to be sick or dead, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry,” the spokesman said.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

     The Department of Health will keep up with its health education to remind members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

     The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

     All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza. Health advice about preventing avian influenza is available on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_live/H5N1_healthadvice.html. read more

     Hong Kong Customs conducted a three-week enforcement operation codenamed “Nunchaku” from October 22 to November 11 to combat counterfeit goods activities involving cross-boundary transshipments during the Double 11 Festival shopping period. During the operation, Customs detected 35 related cases and seized about 3.25 million items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of over $90 million. One person involved in the cases was arrested.  

     Customs discovered that criminals intended to ship counterfeit goods abroad via Hong Kong to meet the huge shopping demand during the Double 11 Festival. As such, through risk assessment, Customs inspected seven containers at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound and two incoming lorries at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point Inbound Cargo Examination Building. After inspection, Customs officers seized a total of about 78 000 suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $27 million.

     Moreover, through intelligence analysis and detailed investigations, 26 related cases were uncovered in a number of local logistics companies. In the operation, Customs officers mounted strike-and-search actions against about 30 logistics companies in Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan, seizing about 3.17 million suspected counterfeit goods, including watches, footwear, clothing and glasses, with a total estimated market value of about $63 million.

     Investigations into the above-mentioned cases are ongoing. One person involved in the cases was arrested, and he has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs appeals to consumers to purchase goods from reputable shops or websites and to check with trademark or copyright owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt to avoid buying counterfeit or infringing goods.

     Customs reminds practitioners in the logistics industry to comply with the requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and to check with trademark owners or authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt when handling cargoes. The department also reminds traders or online sellers not to sell counterfeit or infringing goods and to be cautious in merchandising since selling counterfeit or infringing goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Customs will continue to step up inspections and conduct intelligence-led enforcement to vigorously combat counterfeit and infringing goods activities at different levels.

     Under the TDO, any person who imports or exports or sells or possesses for sale any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting or infringing activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).