Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, at the Design Thinking Launch Reception today (October 6):
 
Eric (Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre, Professor Eric Yim), Mr Kelley (Partner of IDEO, Mr Tom Kelley), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to all of you. I am very excited to join you today at the Design Thinking Launch Reception. In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Tom Kelley who flew all the way from Palo Alto to Hong Kong to support the launch event and share his insight with us.
 
     As we all know, Mr Kelley is a design thinking guru and author of international best-sellers on the subject of innovation. I have heard wonderful feedback from participants of the roundtable discussion this morning who have benefitted richly from Mr Kelley’s talk on the innovation imperative and how organisations can build a culture of innovation. For those who have missed his sharing this morning – we will have another chance to hear from Mr Kelley on “the value of design thinking on business, society and personal development” after the launch ceremony.
 
     Launching this series of design thinking events here at No. 7 Mallory Street is also of particular significance. As one of Urban Renewal Authority’s Heritage Preservation and Revitalisation projects, No. 7 Mallory Street is indeed a cluster of ten pre-war Grade 2 historic buildings with preserved original structures such as balconies, a tiled pitched roof, timber French doors and an internal timber staircase.
 
     Given its rich history and prominent location at the city centre, the Government is working closely with Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) to utilise this place in an innovative manner for promotion of design and design thinking. To turn design, a sometimes elusive idea to the general public, into something relatable and tangible, we understand the importance of enhancing the community’s understanding and appreciation of good design and design thinking. I believe the launch event today at No. 7 Mallory Street is a good place to start.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, is about to deliver her second Policy Address in a few days’ time. Some may recall in her last (2017) Policy Address, Mrs Lam spoke at length on design thinking and creativity, and partnering with the HKDC to promote them as tools for problem-solving both within and outside Government. It aligns well with the people-centric governance philosophy of the current-term Government.
 
     Within the Administration, we have had a good start in just a year. In December 2017, we piloted an “Inner Circle Briefing on Design Thinking” workshop to senior officers of the Government. The Civil Service Training and Development Institute, together with the Efficiency Office and the HKDC have so far organised nine design thinking workshops or seminars for over 300 civil servants of different ranks, including directorates and middle management. Some of those courses will be included as on-going training programmes to be conducted regularly.
 
     We have been seeking to apply design thinking concepts in various Government initiatives, such as the design of Hong Kong’s exhibition area in the “China International Import Expo 2018” to be held in Shanghai in November. Other upcoming projects applying design thinking include our new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system, by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the electronic identity (e-ID) which will be provided for free for all Hong Kong residents, allowing them to use a single digital identity and authentication to conduct government and commercial transactions online. Some public organisations such as the Ocean Park have also applied design thinking in improving provision of services.
 
     Looking ahead, the Government is also drawing up internal guidelines to encourage bureaux and departments to apply design thinking in the Government procurement process.
 
     We firmly believe that the nurturing of creativity and design thinking should begin at an early age and should take place both within and outside our education system. This year, we have sponsored various industry players to carry out meaningful projects to promote design thinking among our young people through CreateSmart Initiative of Create Hong Kong. For example, earlier this summer, PMQ organised the first “PMQ WOW Summer Camp” and a summer fair to introduce the idea of design thinking to young students and the public. On top of that, a new project “deTour YOUTH” offers education and mentorship opportunities to young kids and teens from September to December 2018. I am pleased to say that more are in the pipeline for 2019.
 
     While promoting design thinking is a priority area of the Government, we also need support from members of the design fraternity, and participation of the wider community. To this end, I would like to thank the HKDC, our close and strategic partner, for all its effort in promoting design and other relevant creative sectors.
 
     Last but not least, may I wish the upcoming events on design thinking every success and a most rewarding one to each and every participant. Thank you very much. read more

     Hong Kong Customs today (October 6) seized about 2.9 kilograms of suspected rhino horns with an estimated market value of about $590,000 at Hong Kong International Airport.         &nbs… read more

     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at the Symposium on Cancer Challenge in Hong Kong today (October 6): Dr Leong (President of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Socie… read more

     The Hong Kong Biodiversity Festival (HKBF) 2018 will offer more than 100 fun-filled activities from October to December to promote the rich biodiversity of Hong Kong. Its launch ceremony was held at Tamar Park, Admiralty, today (October 6).

     With the support of 48 partners including government departments, universities, community organisations and the public and private sectors, the HKBF public event has again been organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department this year. The theme of the three-month HKBF 2018 is “City within Nature”.

     Officiating at the launch ceremony of the HKBF 2018 today, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that as a “city within nature”, Hong Kong’s urban side co-exists with the natural environment. Biodiversity has been considered during various government projects for urban development, enabling Hong Kong to be a more sustainable and liveable city.
 
     Mr Wong said he hopes the Festival will help enhance public awareness of local biodiversity, and members of the public can also appreciate the natural ecology in urban areas.
 
     The AFCD will hold a number of guided eco-tours on projects under different government departments from October to December. These facilities support the sustainable development of the city and, in parallel, conserve the nearby ecology and protect biodiversity. They include green premises, slopes and vegetation projects, and heritage sites. Participants will be able to appreciate how various types of urban premises and projects integrate with nature, and understand that city life and nature are closely linked.
 
     Apart from a film appreciation activity held at Tamar Park this afternoon, the HKBF 2018 features the Mr. B Adventure Truck, which enables the public to learn more about living with nature in the busy urban city of Hong Kong through games. The Mr. B Adventure Truck will meet the public in different places in Hong Kong from October to December. Furthermore, to promote biodiversity and foster a sense of nature appreciation, a series of fun-filled activities including workshops, exhibitions, seminars, training, volunteer programmes and family days will also be held during the HKBF 2018. Members of the public are invited to join.
 
     For event details, please visit the event webpage (hkbf.afcd.gov.hk) and the “Mr. B Nature Classroom” Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkbf.hk). read more

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, officiated at the opening ceremony of the “Port Works 90 Exhibition – A Time to Remember” today (October 6).

     Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said that due to the unique geographical features of Hong Kong, reclamation has always been one of the city’s major strategies for expanding land resources. Reclamation also plays an indispensable part in promoting urban development, laying the foundation for the prosperity of Hong Kong, he said. He also expressed his gratitude to colleagues and members of the construction industry who had taken part in port works development, for helping to create a safe and quality living environment for all.

     The Director of the Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Lam Sai-hung, said in his welcome remarks that next year will be a special year as it marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) as well as the 90th anniversary of the Port Works Division under the CEDD. The CEDD will hold a series of events to enhance public understanding of the development of port works in Hong Kong.

     Established in 1929, the Port Works Division has played a vital role in the port and city development of Hong Kong by implementing various marine works-related engineering projects as well as providing port maintenance and marine works advisory services. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Port Works Division, the CEDD has specially organised the “Port Works 90 Exhibition – A Time to Remember”.

     Through thematic exhibition areas, interactive games and parent-child workshops, members of the public can revisit the history and development of the Port Works Division. They can also get a glimpse of the changes to Hong Kong’s coastlines over the years at the augmented reality zones.

     The exhibition will be open for public from 1pm today to October 31 at City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central. For details of the exhibition, please visit the dedicated website (www.pwd90.hk).
 
     Other officiating guests at the ceremony today included the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Liu Chun-san; and Mr Lam.