The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, is leading a delegation of Hong Kong higher education institutions to visit Beijing for two consecutive days (May 8 and 9). They called on the Ministry of Education, and visited Peking University, the Changping Laboratory, the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Beijing Centre of the University of Hong Kong.
 
     Today (May 9), the delegation called on the Ministry of Education and met the Minister, Mr Huai Jinpeng. Dr Choi expressed sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Education and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for arranging the study tour, providing the leaders of Hong Kong higher education institutions with a comprehensive understanding of the overall development of the country, the strategy of building a leading country in education and the latest advancements in education and technology of the country, facilitating institutions in planning for future developments.
 
     Dr Choi pointed out that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region endeavours to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. The key measures include promoting collaborative development of higher education in Hong Kong and on the Mainland, encouraging post-secondary institutions to strengthen international exchanges and co-operation, supporting local institutions' expansion and quality enhancement for attracting more non-local students to study in Hong Kong, and planning ahead for the future development of higher education to actively complement the national development strategies.
 
     She said that Hong Kong will continue to build on the unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, complement the national strategy of "invigorating the country through science and education", make the most of its role as the gateway and window for international connections, and strive to build the "study in Hong Kong" brand, leveraging Hong Kong's strengths to contribute to the country.
 
     At the meeting, a number of the delegation members shared the advantages of Hong Kong higher education institutions, and their efforts in promoting collaboration with Mainland and international higher education institutions, strengthening values education and developing universities of applied sciences, etc.
 
     Thereafter, the delegation visited Peking University and attended a sharing session by the University's Honorary Dean of the National School of Development, Professor Justin Lin, on his thematic report.
 
     The delegation also met the representatives of Mainland members of the Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance to discuss ways to deepen exchanges and co-operation between the universities of the two places on talent cultivation, student admission and employment, and scientific research. The Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance was jointly established in 2018 by 12 universities of Beijing and eight Hong Kong universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).
 
     Yesterday (May 8), the delegation toured the Changping Laboratory to learn about the latest developments of life sciences in the country, and met its Director and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Sunney Xie, and his team to explore academic exchanges and scientific research collaborations between Hong Kong and Beijing.
 
     Later, the delegation visited the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to learn about the development background of the Bank. They also visited the Beijing Centre of the University of Hong Kong to learn about its efforts in enhancing co-operation and exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland in academic research and providing opportunities for practical industry experience.
 
     Dr Choi said that with the support of the country, several Hong Kong higher education institutions have launched joint education programmes in various forms on the Mainland. She encouraged Hong Kong higher education institutions to deepen and broaden co-operation with their Mainland counterparts.
　
     Members of the delegation include the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui; the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Timothy Tong; the Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education, Dr Alex Chan; and presidents or representatives of eight UGC-funded universities, 13 degree-awarding self-financing post-secondary institutions and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The delegation will continue their visit to Beijing tomorrow (May 10).

        

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Europe Day Reception today (May 9):

Ambassador Gnocchi (Mr Thomas Gnocchi, Head, European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao), Consuls General, ladies and gentlemen, friends of the European Union,
 
     Good day on a grand day. Europe Day.
 
     Europe Day stands as a resonating symbol of the EU's openness, its unity and commitment to peace, stability and prosperity. 

     Hong Kong shares those goals – for our economy, for our community and the world at large. 

     The EU is an important, highly valued trading partner of Hong Kong. As a bloc, the EU was Hong Kong's third largest trading partner last year. 

     And we hope now, as we move deeper into the post-pandemic economy, that we can further strengthen our longstanding, long-rewarding economic ties. 

     Hong Kong's advantages remain remarkably strong and inviting. Thanks to the "one country, two systems" grand design, Hong Kong continues to serve as the global gateway between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world. 

     At last count, Hong Kong was home to about 1 550 EU companies – a number that speaks of the enduring confidence EU nations have in Hong Kong, in our economy, our policies and plans and the boundless promise we offer companies and investors. 

     It helps that our tax system is as simple as it is low, that capital flows freely, that our business environment is open to all, and that our communications and logistics infrastructure is world-class. 

     We are also working, assiduously and creatively, to attract strategic companies, investment and talent. 

     Our Top Talent Pass Scheme, introduced to entice graduates of the world's top universities to pursue careers in Hong Kong, is doing just that. 

     In February, we approved more than 180 000 applications from our various talent-admission schemes. About 120 000 of them have already arrived in Hong Kong. 

     To help companies and professionals settle into Hong Kong faster and easier, we've put together a variety of initiatives. For example, expatriates, including foreign staff of companies in Hong Kong, can now travel to the Mainland on multiple-entry visas, enjoying priority visa processing. 

     Hong Kong Talent Engage, established late last year to recruit international and mainland talent, also offers a wide range of support for incoming professionals. Earlier this week, it organised a Global Talent Summit, attracting some 1 000 participants and running alongside it an exhibition, featuring nearly 100 exhibitors, alongside it. 

     We welcome more EU companies and professionals, entrepreneurs and start-ups to join us, to help Hong Kong expand and diversify our world-class financial system. 

     Green finance is central to the future of our financial sector.

     In February, we launched about 715 million euros worth of digital green bonds. They were denominated in Hong Kong dollars, renminbi, US dollars and euros, all under the Government Green Bond Programme. 

     That was our second digital bond issuance, following the Government's inaugural tokenised green bond, released 15 months ago. 

     Last month's GreenWay forum, the third edition, showed a promising way forward in responding, creatively and co-operatively, to green issues. 

     EU companies are working with Hong Kong companies and the Government to tackle waste management and the many other environmental concerns we all face. We look forward to continuing, and expanding, our collective co-operation in this critical, long-term challenge. 

     I invite you, too, to take advantage of the far-reaching opportunities presented by our fast-emerging innovation and technology sector. 

     There are about 20 EU I&T start-ups and incubatees in Hong Kong Science Park, and another 10 in Cyberport. Four InnoHK research and development centres have also been established in collaboration with EU institutions. 

     It's a good start, and I'm confident we'll see more EU I&T presence here in the coming years.  

     Hong Kong is also a pivotal player in the region's international I&T ambitions. To take one example, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park is fast emerging. Its first buildings, including laboratories, will progressively open from year's end. The years, and the decades to follow, look awfully promising. 

     So, too, does Hong Kong's cultural and creative sector, thanks to the West Kowloon Cultural District's emergence on the world stage. Thanks, too, to our continuing rise as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. 

     That very much includes pan-Europe's resplendent arts and cultural offerings. The annual French May Arts Festival, to take just one shining example, would feature more than 100 arts and cultural programmes, from music and dance to film, theatre, wine and dine delights – and a great deal more. 

     East meeting West could not be more gratifying. 

     Listening to our national anthems being played earlier this evening, I was reminded that Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme – the fourth movement of his Ninth Symphony – is the EU's official anthem. This past Tuesday marked the first public performance of Beethoven's Ninth – 200 years ago in Vienna.

     There's a line from the Ode's lyrics: "All men become brothers." That, ladies and gentlemen, is eminently worth striving for. 

     Happy Europe Day! Thank you.

    

     The Department of Health (DH) and National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) today (May 9) signed the Co-operation Agreement on Research of Chinese Medicines Standards and on Chinese Medicines Herbarium (Co-operation Agreement) to strengthen technical, talent and academic exchanges, and further promote the modernisation and innovation of Chinese medicines. NIFDC is a subsidiary of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
 
     Witnessed by the Commissioner of the NMPA, Mr Li Li, the Co-operation Agreement was signed by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and the Director General of the NIFDC, Mr An Fudong. The areas of collaboration include technical exchanges in the area of developing standards for Chinese Materia Medica (CMM), establishment of collaborative mechanisms in field of Chinese medicines specimens, as well as talent and academic exchanges. The Co-operation Agreement also further facilitates the modernisation and innovation of Chinese medicines, enhances the quality and safety of Chinese medicines with a view to safeguarding public health.
 
     Following the signing of the Co-operation Agreement, Mr Li, on behalf of the NMPA, presented to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government a collection of 21 CMM specimens. Among them was a set of cordyceps showcasing different growth stages and specimens from various production regions of the Mainland. This will play a significant role in strengthening the identification of CMM.
 
    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Lam said, "Thank you for the continuous support to the HKSAR Government for the development of Chinese medicine and enhancing the collaboration on regulatory strategies and measures with the DH by the NMPA and NIFDC. Today, I would like to express my gratitude to the NMPA and NIFDC for once again gifting precious CMM specimens to the HKSAR Government, which is very important for our work in Chinese medicine testing, research, education, as well as the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicine culture."
     
     Mr Li, Mr An and their delegation, accompanied by Dr Lam, visited the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) managed by the DH and located at the Hong Kong Science Park on the same day. They were briefed on the latest work on local Chinese medicines testing and research through touring the GCMTI's laboratories and the Chinese Medicines Herbarium. The Digital Herbarium for Chinese Medicines website developed by the GCMTI was also demonstrated to the delegation during their tour.
     
     The DH has been closely collaborating with the NMPA and the NIFDC, actively promoting exchanges in Chinese medicines testing, reference standard research, and the Chinese Medicines Herbarium. The NMPA and the NIFDC offered technical advice and valuable opinions to the Chinese Medicines Herbarium in the GCMTI when it was established in 2017. They also arranged to gift precious and representative specimens of commonly used CMM to the HKSAR Government to enhance the collection of the Chinese Medicines Herbarium. These physical specimens will serve as useful references for the Chinese medicines research and industry in Hong Kong, facilitating their advancement towards high-quality development. The first batch of the specimens has been on display at the GCMTI since 2019. Furthermore, since its establishment, the GCMTI has completed 12 research and thematic projects, the results of which have been uploaded to the website of the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office under the DH.
 
     The permanent GCMTI building is expected to be commissioned in phases starting from the end of 2025. It will house a Chinese Medicines Herbarium Laboratory to collect CMM and the specimens of the animals and plants from which they derived. The herbarium will be open to the public, the trade and international research institutions. The GCMTI will continue to develop a set of internationally recognised reference standards for Chinese medicines and related products by employing state-of-the-art technology and through scientific research, and help empower the industry through transfers of technology to strengthen the quality control of products and promote high-quality development of Chinese medicines.

            

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (May 9):
      
     Four male patients (aged 43 to 75) in a surgical ward in KWH have been confirmed to be carriers of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae upon testing since May 4. Two patients are being treated in isolation at KWH and are in stable condition. A patient was transferred to TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital for further medical care in isolation on May 8 and is in stable condition. The remaining patient has been discharged.
      
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
      

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Continuing to apply stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection for the environment and facilities of the ward.

      
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
 
 

     The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, today (May 9) paid a visit to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in Beijing.

     In the morning, he called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, to brief him on the latest situation of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) and development of new industries, as well as the progress of key areas of work under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), which include enhancing Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, promoting "new industrialisation", fostering the development of technology industries, developing digital economy, and attracting strategic I&T enterprises and talent. Director Xia highly commended the performance of the ITIB and fully recognised the work of the bureau.

     Director Xia said that the current-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has placed the promotion of I&T development at the forefront of its administration, while continuously enhancing the I&T ecosystem and actively attracting I&T enterprises and talent, noting that the efforts have achieved positive results that deserve full recognition. The Central Government will, as always, fully and faithfully uphold the principle of "one country, two systems", and fully support Hong Kong in consolidating its unique position and advantages and accelerating the development of an international I&T centre.

     Professor Sun expressed his gratitude for Director Xia's encouragement. The country staunchly supports the development of Hong Kong as an international I&T hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will live up to the mission that the country has entrusted to it, support the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and continue to strengthen I&T co-operation with different Mainland provinces and cities, thereby complementing each other's strengths. Hong Kong will better integrate itself into national development and contribute to the country's grand vision of realising self-reliance and self-improvement and building a strong nation in science and technology.

     Professor Sun visited the MOST in the afternoon for a work meeting with Vice Minister of Science and Technology Mr Chen Jiachang and relevant responsible officials. Professor Sun expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and the MOST for their staunch support for Hong Kong's I&T development over the years, with the introduction of numerous important technology measures benefitting Hong Kong, including the expansion of national science and technology programmes open to Hong Kong and promoting the cross-boundary flow of key elements of scientific research. Both sides exchanged views in the meeting on advancing the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and explored the implementation of dedicated cross-boundary measures to promote the flow of I&T elements, such as people, materials and data, thereby allowing Hong Kong to further contribute to the science and technology development of the country. They also discussed the restructuring of the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and the arrangements for the 18th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee.

     Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 10). Before concluding his visit to Beijing, Professor Sun will meet with the leadership of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality.