The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, met the President of Tsinghua University and the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA), Professor Qiu Yong, at Government House at noon today (April 13) and hosted a lunch after the meeting for the 15 heads of the AUA member universities who will attend the annual AUA Summit in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, also attended the lunch.

     At the meeting with Professor Qiu, Mrs Lam welcomed further co-operation between Tsinghua University and higher education institutions in Hong Kong, in particular in innovation and technology (I&T) and its application, to contribute jointly to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an international I&T hub. She also thanked him for the arrangement made by Tsinghua University for her to speak at the institution to introduce the latest situation of Hong Kong during her trip to Beijing earlier.

     Addressing the lunch, Mrs Lam welcomed the visit of heads of AUA member universities to Hong Kong to attend the AUA Summit 2019 to be held tomorrow (April 14) at AUA member the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which she is also invited to attend. She said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government highly supports the strengthening of co-operation among universities in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. The AUA brings together top universities in the region and provides an effective platform to promote various professional exchanges among member universities, enabling the enhancement of the quality of higher education and the capability in technological innovation in the Asian region.

     Mrs Lam said that the HKSAR Government is committed to promoting the development of I&T and establishing two world-class research clusters at the Hong Kong Science Park on healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence and robotics technologies. She encouraged the AUA to continue to deepen regional co-operation, including boosting exchanges among scientific researchers and collaboration in scientific research.

     Pioneered by Tsinghua University, the AUA was established in Beijing in 2017 with 15 universities from 14 Asian countries and regions.

    

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (April 14).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee praised the over 30,000 police officers at a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College today (April 13) for their dedication in serving the community and maintaining a stable law and order situation in Hong Kong, making Hong Kong as one of the safest cities in the world.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said that a total of 54,225 crime cases were recorded in 2018 in Hong Kong, down by 3.2 per cent when compared with 2017. The figure was the lowest in 45 years. The number of crimes per 100,000 population in 2018 stood at 728 cases, a decrease of four per cent when compared with 2017, and was a record low in the past 49 years.

     Mr Lee noted that the situation of global terrorism has become increasingly complex in recent years. He said that although the threat level of Hong Kong being subject to terrorist attack is "moderate", the Government must stay vigilant and continuously enhance Hong Kong’s capability and preparedness to combat terrorism. He added that the Inter-departmental Counter-terrorism Unit established by the Security Bureau last year held its first large-scale counter-terrorism exercise last month to strengthen Hong Kong’s counter-terrorism deployment and capability.

     Lastly, Mr Lee hoped the graduates would uphold the Force's values and fine tradition, remain steadfast in their duties and further reinforce the achievements of the Force in the past 175 years to ensure a stable law and order situation in Hong Kong.

     A total of 34 probationary inspectors and 194 recruit police constables passed out today.

        

     The Government announced today (April 13) the appointment of Professor Roland Chin Tai-hong, Mr Jimmy Lai Chi-ming and Professor Lu Jian as non-official members and the re-appointment of 17 non-official members to the Committee on Innovation, Technology and Re-industrialisation for a term of two years with effect from today until April 12, 2021. 
      
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, thanked outgoing member Professor Tony Chan Fan-cheong for his contribution during his term of service.
      
     Chaired by the Financial Secretary, the Committee advises the Government on matters relating to the promotion of innovation and technology development and re-industrialisation in Hong Kong, and puts forward appropriate development strategies and work proposals to enhance co-operation and co-ordination among stakeholders.
      
     The updated membership of the Committee is as follows:

Chairman

Financial Secretary
Mr Paul Chan

Ex-officio Members (Four)

Chairman, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu
 
Chairman, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited
Dr Lee George Lam
 
Chairman, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
Mr Wong Ming-yam

Chairman, Hong Kong Productivity Council
Mr Willy Lin Sun-mo

Non-official Members (20)
 
Professor Philip Chan Ching-ho
Professor Daniel Cheng Man-chung
Mr Raymond Cheng Siu-hong
Mr Herbert Chia
Professor Roland Chin Tai-hong
Mrs Cindy Chow Lok Mei-ki
Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping
Mr Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah
Mr Jimmy Lai Chi-ming
Dr Humphrey Leung Kwong-wai
Miss Nisa Leung Wing-yu
Professor Li Zexiang
Mr Tak Lo
Professor Lu Jian
Professor Irene Ng Oi-lin
Mr Gavin Poon Ka-ming
Mr Rex Sham Pui-sum
Professor Norman Tien Chihnan
Professor Benjamin Wah Wan-sang
Mr Pindar Wong
 
Official Members (Seven)

Secretary for Innovation and Technology
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Education
Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
Government Chief Information Officer

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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 13) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.