Author Archives: hksar gov

     ​Hong Kong Customs today (November 7) seized five live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $50,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
      
     Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted a parcel declared as containing toy model gift box from the United States to Hong Kong today. Upon inspection, the batch of live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species was found inside the parcel.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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).

  

     ​The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) continued to host the third edition of the Youth Development Summit · Hong Kong this afternoon (November 7).
      
     Following the opening session and the keynote speeches in the morning, the afternoon featured three thematic sessions, namely “Synergising Culture & Tourism · Celebrating Traditions & Creativity”, “Advancing Connectivity · Integrating into Greater Development”, and “Fostering Diversified Development · Embracing the World”. The sessions gathered experts from the creative industries, arts and culture, distinguished scholars, and leaders from the innovation and business sectors to share their valuable experiences and latest developments, helping young people seize opportunities.
      
     The opening of the thematic sessions was addressed by the General Manager and Vice President of Hunan Broadcasting System, Mr Cai Huaijun.
      
     The first thematic session, themed “Synergising Culture & Tourism · Celebrating Traditions & Creativity”, was chaired by Legislative Council Member Mr Kenneth Fok. Together with the founder and Challenge Director of the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge, Mr Andre Blumberg; Mr Cai; and the Chief Executive Officer of Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, Mr Andrew Kam, they explored the synergy effect of integrating culture, sport and tourism and analysed how cross-sector collaboration can inherit cultural and urban resources, drive innovation and unlock iconic cultural intellectual property to foster the sustainable development of cultural tourism. They shared insights in shaping new experience for culture, sports and tourism. They also explored how young people can unleash their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to inject vibrant energy into urban development and the cultural tourism industry, carving out a future that embraces both economic benefits and cultural values.
      
     The Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung was the moderator of the next session titled “Fostering Diversified Development · Embracing the World”. The panelists, including pianist Aristo Sham, artist Mike Tsang, and actor and acting coach Zhang Songwen envisioned how young people can broaden their horizons through diversified development and shine on the Chinese Mainland and global stage. The panelists shared their inspiring journeys of overcoming challenges to reach the international arena. They also discussed how the Government can create diversified opportunities for young people, encouraging the younger generation to pursue their dreams and embrace the world.
      
     The final session “Advancing Connectivity · Integrating into Greater Development” was hosted by member of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) Mr Conrad Ho. Mr Ho was joined by the Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Anderson Shum; Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress and the President of the Internet Professional Association, Mr Hendrick Sin; and the Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd, Ms Kay Yang, to examine how Hong Kong can enhance connectivity with the Chinese Mainland and the world, actively integrate into and serve the overall national development, and leverage the city’s unique advantages. Discussions focused on topical issues on the latest development of cutting-edge technologies such as how artificial intelligence is reshaping our global future and how digital entertainment is spearheading cross-disciplinary trends, as well as the new opportunities that startup investments bring to the youth. Panelists also shared their insights on cross-boundary and cross-sector collaborations, demonstrating how the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area serves as a launchpad for global expansion, and inspire young people to seize the momentum of national development to build career and entrepreneurial paths.
      
     In addition to the above sessions, starting yesterday (November 6), the HYAB has arranged a three-day thematic visit programme and exchange activities to enhance participants from the Chinese Mainland and overseas in understanding Hong Kong’s latest developments in technological innovation, culture and arts, and to provide them with an opportunity to exchange and interact with local youth. The YDC Youth Ambassadors and the Youth Link Committee members served as the ambassadors of the programme, alongside over 500 Summit participants in exploring Hong Kong. The activities will foster cross-regional interaction and collaboration among young people, showcase the charm and vibrancy of the city, and tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong youth.
      
     For the highlights of the Summit, please visit the thematic webpage, www.youthfest.hk/en/summit/.

      

     To celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and welcome the upcoming 50th anniversary of Ocean Park Hong Kong, the Auxiliary Medical Service Volunteer Team (AMSVT) today (November 7) organised the “AMS Volunteer Team × Heartwarming Tour for the Elderly at Ocean Park”. The event brought together 50 elderly and 50 volunteers for a visit to Ocean Park, with a view to bringing care and warmth to the elderly through interaction and companionship. 
      
     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, remarked that the AMSVT has long been an important force in serving the community. She noted that its members devoted their spare time to participating in a wide range of community services. She thanked the AMS Cadet Corps members and volunteers for accompanying the elderly on a one-to-one basis throughout the visit to Ocean Park, fully demonstrating the AMSVT’s spirit of caring for the community and mutual support.
      
     Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the AMSVT and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Ocean Park Corporation (OPC), Mr Simon Wong; the Acting Chief Staff Officer of AMS, Mr Chan Wai-kuen; the Chief Executive of OPC, Mr Ivan Wong; and the Service Director of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Ms Poline Chan.
      
     With the assistance of AMSVT members, members of the Auxiliary Medical Service Cadet Corps (AMSCC) and students of Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), participants were guided by park staff to visit the “Giant Panda Adventure”, where they took part in a panda-themed experience programme and observed giant pandas at close range. They also visited other attractions in the park and enjoyed a memorable day together.
      
     This year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, while next year marks the 50th anniversary of Ocean Park. On this meaningful occasion, the AMSVT hoped that the event would enable the elderly to revisit a place filled with fond memories and share their life stories and experiences with AMSVT members, AMSCC members and HKMU students, thereby fostering inter-generational exchange. The event also seeks to raise public awareness of the needs of the elderly and promote a caring and inclusive society.

        

     ​The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today (November 7) hosted the third edition of the Youth Development Summit · Hong Kong. Under the theme “Pioneering New Horizons, Venturing into the Future”, the Summit gathered officials responsible for youth policies from various regions, alongside experts and leaders of different sectors as guest speakers. The Summit attracted over 3 300 young people registered to participate, including over 700 of them from the Chinese Mainland and 35 overseas countries such as the United States, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Nigeria and Rwanda, enabling them to exchange views and engage in mutual learning on issues of concern to young people.
      
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said in his opening remarks that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will actively take forward youth development initiatives under the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan), enhance youth development opportunities, and nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and empowered with a global perspective as well as an ambitious and positive mindset. The HKSAR Government will continue to expand young people’s international exposure through exchanges, internships and learning experiences, and work with schools and different sectors of the community to cultivate an environment where young people can unleash their potential and shine on the global stage.
      
     At the session on “Shaping the Future with Youth” held this morning, key officials responsible for youth development policies from various regions were invited to share their latest policies and initiatives in engaging young people, nurturing talent, and encouraging social participation, as well as to explore how international collaboration and exchange could create a broader platform for the younger generation, inspiring youths to contribute to national and global development. Keynote speakers were the President of the All-China Youth Federation, Mr Xu Xiao; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; Vice Minister of Education and Sports of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mr Kingmano Phommahaxay; the Chairman of the Youth and Family Affairs Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Kairat Kambaro; the Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the People’s Republic of China, Lt Gen (Rtd) Karenzi Karake Emmanuel; and the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, Mr Li Junhua.
      
     Miss Mak delivered a keynote speech at the Summit and shared the vision of the HKSAR under Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan in enhancing youth development opportunities, and supporting young people in pursuing their dreams. She highlighted key Government measures and initiatives on youth development which foster a conducive environment for local young people to thrive, and to unleash their full potential.
      
     Miss Mak said the Government would continue to develop the Youth Development Summit as a flagship brand, convening young minds from around the world for exchange year after year. She encouraged young people to step into the new horizons and become the backbone of our long-term economic and social development, and the driving force that will shape our future.
      
     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, officiated at the Summit and delivered opening remarks. He also hosted a welcome dinner yesterday for officials, guests, and speakers from the Chinese Mainland and overseas visiting Hong Kong for the Summit.
      
     For the live stream of the three thematic sessions in the afternoon, please visit the thematic webpage, www.youthfest.hk/en/summit/.

      

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, at the Youth Development Summit Hong Kong today (November 7):

Mr Kingmano Phommahaxay (Vice Minister of Education and Sports of Lao People’s Democratic Republic), Mr Kairat Kambarov (the Chairman of the Youth and Family Affairs Committee, Ministry of Culture and Information, the Republic of Kazakhstan), Lieutenant General (Rtd) Karenzi Karake Emmanuel (the Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the People’s Republic of China), Dato’ Rahimi Ismail (the Secretary General of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malaysia), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 
      
     Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Hong Kong, and to this third edition of the Youth Development Summit. Some of you have travelled from a neighbouring city; others have crossed oceans to be here. Today’s event is an ideal platform for you to foster friendships and exchange ideas on the boundless possibilities of tomorrow. Thousands of bright minds in one room: if energy could be harvested, we could power the entire city today.
      
     The theme of our Summit this year is “Pioneering New Horizons, Venturing into the Future.” This is not just a slogan; it is a shared vision: to push past limits and to take a bold step forward, every single day.
      
     Earlier this morning, you heard the Chief Executive and the Chief Secretary highlighting Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan. This blueprint is deeply exciting because it puts youth development at the very heart of our city’s future.
      
     The Five-Year Plan sets out two core directions for driving youth development: first, enhancing youth development opportunities, and second, supporting young people in pursuing their dreams. Simply put, we strive to foster a conducive environment where young people can thrive, we provide broader platforms for young people to nurture diverse talents, and to unleash their full potential.
      
     To bring these strategic directions to life, we are rolling out a series of robust new initiatives. Hong Kong enjoys a unique advantage: we are backed by our country and are closely connected to the world. Think of us as a “super connector” between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, and we are here to help young people to unlock this potential and seize the immense opportunities.
      
     Central to our mission is to launch a number of targeted programmes. For future financiers, a new thematic finance internship programme in the Mainland will place young people inside large financial institution to experience the rapid development of the Mainland market first-hand. For those whose ambitions are quite literally sky-high, we are launching thematic aerospace training activities to build your knowledge. For the scientists among you, we are increasing the number of thematic internship places relating to high-end scientific research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, putting our youth right at the frontier of top-notch innovation. And, to make sure you are ready for the jobs of tomorrow, we are rolling out new AI experiential activities to deepen your understanding of artificial intelligence applications and the wider tech industry.
      
     But our vision does not stop at our national borders. We want you to go global. I am proud to announce that we are launching the International Young Talent Exchange Base this year, linking three of our core youth facilities, through which we will gather global youth talent and host dynamic activities that spark cross-cultural exchange. In fact, some of our international delegates are hosted at the Youth Post Hostel, a dynamic place capturing the energy and beauty of Victoria Harbour.
      
     Looking ahead, we will establish regular exchange platforms with various international organisations. Not only are we looking to bring large-scale international conferences here to Hong Kong and the Mainland, we are also identifying unique opportunities for our youth to broaden their international horizons. To name a few, we are launching a new HYAB (Home and Youth Affairs Bureau) – United Nations Youth Leaders Internship Programme, offering one-year placements in various United Nations agencies. This time, we are expanding the eligibility to include working youth, because the pursuit of dreams should not stop at graduation. We are also collaborating with the International Organization for Mediation for creating opportunities for our youth to participate in related affairs.
      
     And of course, we will continue to develop this very Youth Development Summit as our flagship brand, convening brilliant young minds from around the world year after year. We hope this platform continues to spark meaningful dialogues and foster cross-cultural exchanges among the global youth community.
      
     As we spearhead several new youth development initiatives, we remain equally committed to our ongoing efforts. Since the release of the Youth Development Blueprint in 2022, we have put forward more than 340 measures. This is a living, breathing framework that is responsive to our youth’s changing needs.
      
     As reflected in the theme of this Summit, we recognise the transformative power of pushing one’s limits by stepping out of the comfort zone. That is why we continue to champion our extensive suite of exchange and internship programmes, which benefited around 40 000 young people in the past year alone. Whether you are interested in youth exchange or youth internship; whether you are looking to explore Mainland opportunities or go global, there is always a door waiting to be opened at any stage of your life journey, tailored to your unique interest and aspiration.
      
     Hong Kong sits at the heart of the world’s number one innovation cluster, and ranks among the global top performers for creative outputs. It remains our top priority for young people to get the help to turn their creative ideas into economic momentum. We have partnered with Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks to connect young people with hands-on local start-up internship opportunities, fostering the next generation of innovation and technology leaders. Next year, we are expanding the programme by adding new positions at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Lok Ma Chau Loop and boosting total places from 200 to 300, supported by robust salary subsidies.
      
     In recent years, the entrepreneurial atmosphere has also been booming across different cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) including Hong Kong. Thousands of Hong Kong young entrepreneurs have already settled in the Mainland cities of the GBA to harness its vast market potential and robust supply chain networks to accelerate their businesses. For the innovators and trailblazers among you out there, do explore our various funding schemes for youth entrepreneurship programmes, and let your venture be the next success we celebrate!
      
     Amidst all the support measures, active youth engagement has always been the core of our youth development strategies. In just three years, our Youth Link network has grown into a community of over 40 000 members. Through this platform, our members have engaged directly with senior government officials through regular Youth Dialogue sessions. This year, our members experienced Hong Kong’s historic moments firsthand rather than on the evening news. Some members had the invaluable opportunity to join the Hong Kong SAR delegation to witness the monumental launch of Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission, celebrating Hong Kong’s first-ever astronaut; while others volunteered at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Finance Ministers’ Meeting, greeting the delegations led by top regional financial leaders. 
      
     For those who prefer opportunities delivered straight to their pocket, our one-stop mobile app, HKYouth+, makes it easy to explore activities and programmes tailored to your interests. Registered members also enjoy exclusive perks – movie ticket discounts and even buy-one-get-one-free coffee. I am assured by my younger colleagues that free coffee is the universal language of youth, so do download it!
      
     Our young friends, you are venturing into a fast-changing world with more challenges-and yet more extraordinary frontiers than ever before. Rather than simply adapting to this changing world, you possess the power to actively shape its future. As you step into these new horizons, remember: Hong Kong continues to be the strongest launchpad for your global ambitions. We are fully committed to clearing the hurdles in your path, supporting your journey across education, employment, entrepreneurship, and home ownership, and providing you with the global platforms on which to thrive.
      
     Our ultimate vision remains steadfast: to nurture a new generation of young people with a global perspective, an ambitious drive, and a positive mindset. You are the backbone of our long-term economic and social development, and the driving force that will shape our future.
      
     So, make the most of today. Engage deeply in the thematic sessions this afternoon, speak up, share your unique perspectives, and talk to the strangers sitting next to you, because today’s stranger may well be tomorrow’s co-founder, collaborator, or a lifelong friend.
      
     I wish you all a highly fruitful Summit, and to our guests from abroad, a spectacular and memorable stay in Hong Kong. Do try the food and come back often. Thank you very much. read more