The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (May 14) attended the 7th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Jeju, Korea. Under this year's theme, Bridging Educational Gaps and Promoting Sustainable Growth in the Era of Digital Transformation, Dr Choi exchanged views with education ministers of the APEC economies and introduced the advantages of Hong Kong's education system.
 
     Speaking at the thematic session AI·Digital Transformation and Personalized Education Innovation, Dr Choi said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has established the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education to gather collective wisdom and insights on promoting digital transformation of school education. Also, the Education Bureau (EDB) provides subsidies for students in need, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities in their access to e-learning. The EDB invests in e-learning platforms and has launched curricula on innovation and technology, and coding education for junior secondary and upper primary students to boost their digital literacy and skills.
 
     Moreover, the EDB endeavours to enhance teachers' competencies in using AI to assist in teaching. In addition to professional development programmes, the EDB organises Mainland study tours and a large-scale learning and teaching expo to keep teachers abreast of the latest developments in e-learning and the application of AI in teaching. The EDB has also launched the Digital Education Centre of Excellence Scheme to provide on-site support for schools to share teaching practices on e-learning.
 
     At the thematic session on Educational Cooperation and Expanding Access to Opportunities, Dr Choi said that Hong Kong is committed to developing into an international post-secondary education hub and a cradle for talent. Five publicly funded universities in Hong Kong rank among the world's top 100. All top four spots in the ranking of the world's most international universities published by the Times Higher Education in 2025 were also claimed by Hong Kong publicly funded universities.
 
     The HKSAR Government has doubled the enrolment ceiling for non-local students at publicly funded universities from 20 per cent to 40 per cent. It has also established a scholarship fund to subsidise students from Belt and Road countries or regions to study in Hong Kong, and support local students to participate in global learning activities.
 
     Speaking at the thematic session Strengthening Quality Education and Sustainable Economic Growth, Dr Choi said that Hong Kong's education system provides all students with high-quality education, thereby fostering social mobility. The EDB encourages schools to adopt the Whole School Approach in supporting students with special educational needs, and provides schools with additional resources, professional support and teacher training to promote an inclusive learning environment.
 
     At the closing of the 7th AEMM, the participating ministers issued a joint declaration. The meeting recognised the importance of education in addressing global challenges such as bridging digital divides. They also emphasised the need to enhance digital and AI competencies of educators, and called for collaborative efforts to promote appropriate integration of AI in education.
 
     Yesterday (May 13), Dr Choi met the Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Korea, Dr Lee Ju-ho, and education ministers of other APEC economies to engage in exchanges on education policies. She also delivered a speech at the APEC Global Education Reform Conference to share Hong Kong's practical experience in information technology education and development as an international post-secondary education hub. On the same day, she met the Vice Minister of Education of Korea, Dr Oh Seok-hwan, to exchange views on strengthening education collaboration between Korea and Hong Kong.
 
    Dr Choi will continue her visit to Korea tomorrow (May 15).

              

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 13) detected a case involving a local jewellery company that conducted multiple transactions of precious products, with each transaction valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. A director of the company was arrested.

     The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones in Hong Kong and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     Hong Kong Customs reminds all dealers that the transitional period for registration under the Regime has ended. Any dealers in precious metals and stones must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

     For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Hong Kong Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

     Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender for 5-year HKD institutional Government Bonds (issue number 05GB3005002) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (May 14).
      
     A total of HK$3.0 billion 5-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$9.2845 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 3.09. The average price accepted is 101.07, implying an annualised yield of 2.488 per cent.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
 
     Tender results of 5-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender for 1-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes (issue number 01GH2605001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (May 14).
      
     A total of HK$1.5 billion 1-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes were offered today. A total of HK$4.979 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of notes applied for to notes issued, is 3.32. The highest spread accepted is 0.21 per cent.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
 
     Tender results of 1-year HONIA-indexed Floating Rate Notes:
 

* Calculated as the amount of notes applied for over the amount of notes issued.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of 15-year HKD institutional Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing Government Bond (issue number 15GB3912001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (May 14).
      
     A total of HK$0.5 billion 15-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$2.575 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 5.15. The average price accepted is 104.16, implying an annualised yield of 3.414 per cent.

HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
 
     Tender results of 15-year HKD HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
 

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.