The Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Ho Kai-ming, today (March 6) promoted Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world in his appeal to talent to make the move to Hong Kong on his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

     Mr Ho, accompanied by an officer of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), first attended a campus job fair in Universiti Malaya this morning and had exchanges with employers from various industries as well as recruitment portal representatives. In addition, Mr Ho hosted a recruitment talk to introduce to university students the development trends of different professions in Hong Kong, the outside talent needed and various talent admission schemes. Universiti Malaya is an eligible university under the Top Talent Pass Scheme. He urged students in Malaysia to explore opportunities and develop their careers in Hong Kong.

     Accompanied by the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, Mr Ho then called on the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Professor Noor Azuan Abu Osman, at a lunch gathering to learn more about the development opportunities of Malaysia in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They exchanged views on the recruitment and nurture of as well as support for talent, and explored directions of deepening talent exchange and collaboration between the two places.

     Mr Ho attended similar events of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and National University of Singapore in August 2023 and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen in November 2023. HKTE will continue to collaborate with Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses and Talents in the Mainland Offices and overseas Economic and Trade Offices to proactively reach out to and recruit talent through key Mainland and overseas job fairs, and provide one-stop support for the long-term settlement of talent arriving in Hong Kong.

     In the afternoon, Mr Ho visited the "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition held by the Information Services Department in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from immersing himself in exhibition zones presenting the appeal of Hong Kong by interactive art technology, Mr Ho also toured the information panels displayed on site covering insights from ASEAN talent about their experiences in Hong Kong. He encouraged visitors of the exhibition to visit, work, live or invest in Hong Kong as its theme suggests – "Hong Kong – Where the World Looks Ahead". The exhibition is set to run at Centre Court, Level 2, Pavilion Bukit Jalil until March 10.

                  

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (March 6, Perth time) attended the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2024 Conference and Exhibition in Perth, Australia, and exchanged views with international higher education leaders on the theme of the APAIE this year, "Collaborating for sustainable impact: partnerships across the Asia Pacific".
 
     In her speech at the "Study in Hong Kong" Seminar, Dr Choi promoted to overseas partners the advantages of Hong Kong as an international post-secondary education hub. She said that Hong Kong possesses unique charms as a vibrant, highly livable and diverse cosmopolitan city where east meets west. Also, Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five publicly-funded universities within the world's top 100. The higher education sector in Hong Kong is highly diverse and world-renowned with about one out of five students and two-thirds of academic staff coming from more than 100 countries or places outside Hong Kong, making Hong Kong an ideal destination for further studies.
 
     She pointed out that with support from national policies, co-operation of Hong Kong higher education in developing the "eight centres", substantial investment by the Government and joint efforts by industries, unprecedented development prospects in various fields are available to local and overseas students. In addition, with the double advantages of enjoying the strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, Hong Kong has gathered a pool of talent and plenty of resources, offering many collaboration and exchange opportunities and innovation platforms. She emphasised that the Government is sparing no effort to achieve the goal of building Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub and fully supports local universities to strengthen collaboration and connection with education institutions around the world on student exchanges and academic research.
 
     The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Professor James Tang, also addressed the Seminar. He shared the advantages and latest developments of the UGC-funded universities in teaching and learning as well as research, including the UGC's Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education launched last year with $100 million to encourage universities to apply artificial intelligence in transforming pedagogies and enriching student learning experiences. In the Research Assessment Exercise 2020, around 80 per cent of impact case studies were rated as "outstanding" or "considerable", the two highest levels. These examples attest to the determination of Hong Kong's higher education sector to do high-quality and impactful research.
 
     In addition, Professor Tang focused on analysing the prospects of regional cooperation between Hong Kong's higher education sector and countries of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as Hong Kong's role as the core engine of regional development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, emphasising that Hong Kong is the top choice for students from all over the world in terms of teaching quality and career development opportunities.
 
     Dr Choi visited the Hong Kong Pavilion, which was set up by the Heads of Universities Committee Standing Committee on Internationalisation and funded by the UGC, to learn about the proactive work of the publicly-funded universities in expanding their international network as well as their promotion for recruiting students from more places to undertake further studies in Hong Kong following the Government's announcement last October on increasing the non-local student quota of the universities. In addition, she toured various booths at the exhibition, including the one set up by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority to promote the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination to representatives of overseas universities. She also exchanged views with representatives from different countries and places on the development and promotion of post-secondary education.
 
     Dr Choi began her visit to Australia on March 3 (Sydney time) and met Hong Kong students studying in Sydney to learn about their studies in Australia. She also encouraged them to develop their careers in Hong Kong after graduation.
 
     On March 4 (Sydney time), Dr Choi paid a courtesy call on the Acting Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Chunsheng, to brief him on the latest education developments in Hong Kong. She later met the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education of New South Wales, Mr Steve Whan. They discussed various educational issues such as higher education cooperation between Hong Kong and Australia, promotion of vocational and professional education and training, and development of universities of applied sciences.
 
     On March 5 (Sydney time), Dr Choi visited the University of Sydney and met its leadership. They exchanged views on recruiting and supporting international students, developing applied degree programmes, and training for primary and secondary school teachers on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education.
 
     Dr Choi will continue her trip to Perth tomorrow (March 7, Perth time) and depart for Melbourne on March 8 (Perth time).

                  

     The Inland Revenue Department today (March 6) alerted members of the public to fraudulent emails purportedly issued by the department, which invite recipients to claim tax refunds. The emails are sent from the email address "noreply@campaign.eventbrite.com". Each email provides a hyperlink to a website that seeks to obtain the recipient's personal particulars and credit card information. The Inland Revenue Department issued an alert on March 1, but the sender continues to send similar emails to the public.

     The department has no connection with the fraudulent emails and has reported the case to the Police for further investigation. Members of the public are reminded not to open any suspicious emails.

     The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, led a delegation comprising representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the dispute resolution services sector to participate in the inaugural Riyadh International Disputes Week (RIDW) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 5 and 6 (Riyadh time). The objective of the visit is to promote Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services, enhance co-operation between Hong Kong and the Belt and Road region, explore more opportunities for the industry, and strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

     This was the first time that the Department of Justice has led a delegation to the Middle East to participate in an international legal and dispute resolution event. The RIDW brings together key players from the dispute resolution sector from more than 65 countries and regions to explore developments and opportunities in dispute resolution in the Middle East and promote collaborations and exchanges. Mr Cheung and his delegation attended various events at the RIDW.

     They first attended a thematic event, "Hong Kong and Riyadh: Legal and Dispute Resolution Services for Businesses along the Belt and Road", organised by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, on March 5. The event attracted more than 150 registrants from the business and legal sectors in the Middle East and other regions. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Chen Weiqing, also attended and spoke at the event.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Cheung stressed that Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of the motherland whilst being closely connected to the world. Apart from being the only common law jurisdiction within the country, it is also a "super connector" serving as an important bridge between China and Saudi Arabia as well as the rest of the world, which gives unparalleled advantages in offering legal and dispute resolution services.

     Mr Cheung said that Hong Kong has long been a renowned centre for international arbitration. With the staunch support of the Central Government, the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation, the world’s first inter-governmental international legal body dedicated to settling international disputes by mediation, will be housed in Hong Kong, which fully demonstrates the country's confidence in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will take forward the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy this year, sparing no effort in the training of legal talent.

     At the luncheon of the thematic event, Mr Cheung told the participants from the business and legal sectors in the Middle East and other regions that the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters by the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has come into operation, making cross-border enforcement of judgments more cost-effective and streamlined. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction to have an arrangement with the Mainland on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments with such a wide coverage, which will help businesses in the Belt and Road region to explore the Mainland market.

     During the panel discussion session at the thematic event, members of the delegation briefed participants on Hong Kong's comprehensive and diversified legal and dispute resolution services, as well as the opportunities for investing and doing business in the city. They also attended other events at the RIDW afterwards to enhance exchanges.

     Mr Cheung and the delegation attended the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition organised by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) today (March 6), gathering senior officials and industry experts from various regions to discuss the development of dispute resolution in Saudi Arabia and around the world.

     At the RIDW events, Mr Cheung also met briefly with the Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, Ms Anna Joubin-Bret, and the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Dr Marcin Czepelak, to exchange views.

     In addition, during his stay in Riyadh, Mr Cheung and the delegation met with the Vice-Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Najem bin Abdullah al-Zaid, and representatives of the Saudi Bar Association, briefing them on the legal and dispute resolution services in Hong Kong and exploring ways to strengthen co-operation in legal services between the two places. Mr Cheung also visited the local office of an international law firm to gain a better understanding of the Middle East’s need for cross-jurisdictional legal services.

     Mr Cheung also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Chen Weiqing, at a dinner gathering and thanked Mr Chen for supporting Hong Kong's promotion of legal and dispute resolution services in the Middle East. The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, who was also on duty visit in the Middle East, attended the dinner as well.

     Mr Cheung and members of the delegation will attend a dinner event organised by the SCCA and conclude the visit afterwards. They will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (March 7).

                    

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Inauguration Ceremony of WCO (World Customs Organization) Regional Dog Training Centre today (March 6):
 
Mr Das (Director for Compliance and Facilitation, World Customs Organization, Mr Pranab Kumar Das), Louise (Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon on this Day Two of the World Customs Organization Global Canine Forum.
 
     I am delighted that Mr Das, Director for Compliance and Facilitation at the WCO, and many customs officials from Mainland China and various overseas countries, are here today. Together, we are celebrating the inauguration of the WCO Regional Dog Training Centre in Hong Kong.
 
     And my congratulations to Hong Kong Customs for its accreditation by the WCO as one of now five Regional Dog Training Centres in the Asia-Pacific region. This status strengthens Hong Kong Customs' collaboration with neighbouring Customs administrations. 
 
     I am proud to add that this affirms the Department's international standing in canine training.
 
     As a WCO member since 1987, Hong Kong Customs has long participated in WCO activities and events and helped promote co-operation among Asia-Pacific region members.
 
     Indeed, it was some 20 years ago that Hong Kong Customs established a regional training centre. 
 
      Last year, Customs was elected the Asia-Pacific region's next WCO Vice-Chairperson for the term of 2024 to 2026. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the second time the Department has taken on this important role. It speaks clearly of Hong Kong Customs' endeavours to work with its Asia-Pacific members – and the WCO at large.
 
     Today, we mark another important initiative from Hong Kong Customs – the setting up of a WCO Regional Dog Training Centre. This new milestone, once again, demonstrates Hong Kong Customs' commitment to the WCO's canine programme.
 
     The Dog Training Centre is located at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao-Bridge, on an artificial island which is about a 15-minute drive from here.
 
     The 55-kilometre Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is the longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing in the world. No less important, it is a strategic development that connects Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.
 
     Now, it is also home to the WCO Regional Dog Training Centre. I think we can say it "bridges" – brings together – Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and the rest of the world. 
 
     Hong Kong Customs first opened the Hong Kong Regional Dog Training Centre in 2018. Under its own breeding programme, the Centre has nurtured 28 puppies in four litters, and trained 27 dogs and their handlers, so far.
 
     In 2021, the Centre's Drugs Detector Dog Handling Training Programme was accredited with Qualifications Framework Level 4 by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.   
 
     A year later, the Centre pioneered the development and application of smart collars on canines, enhancing their operational and enforcement effectiveness.
 
     And now, with the WCO Regional Dog Training Centre, Hong Kong Customs will take up greater responsibility for canine enforcement and professionalism in the Asia-Pacific region.
 
     Taking on a leading role in the sharing of good practices and experiences, and in expanding collaboration with our regional counterparts, we look forward to safeguarding security in Hong Kong and throughout the region.
 
     Ladies and gentlemen, the fun begins in just a minute, with our smartly trained dogs showcasing their expertise in a variety of on-the-job airport detection scenarios.
 
     And then it is on to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and its dog base. There, you will see first-hand the latest WCO Regional Dog Training Centre.
 
     I know you will enjoy the rest of this afternoon and the last day, tomorrow, of the 6th WCO Global Canine Forum. Thank you very much.