Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (November 4) congratulated wushu athlete Poon Hao-ran on winning a gold medal in the Men’s Taijiquan combined final Taijishan event of the 4th Youth Olympic Games at Dakar, Senegal. This is the first gold medal won by the Hong Kong, China Delegation in the Youth Olympic Games this year and also the first gold medal ever won by Hong Kong, China at the Youth Olympic Games.

     Miss Law also congratulated table tennis athletes Su Tsz-tung and Li Ki-ho on winning a silver medal in Mixed Doubles event, and swimming athlete Man Wui-kiu on securing a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke.

     Miss Law said, “Poon delivered an outstanding performance throughout the competition and excelled in the final to capture Hong Kong, China’s first gold medal at this edition of the Youth Olympic Games, achieving a historic result that has made all Hong Kong citizens proud. Su and Li demonstrated remarkable determination and fought their way through the competition to claim the silver medal. Man also performed superbly to win the bronze medal. We look forward to our athletes continuing to achieve excellent results and bringing honour to Hong Kong.”

     ​The 4th Youth Olympic Games are being held from October 31 to November 13. The Hong Kong, China Delegation has sent a total of 15 athletes to compete in 12 sports. read more

     Following is a question by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung and a reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (November 4):
 
Question:

     The Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection report published by the Labour and Welfare Bureau in September this year points out that, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), the number of entry-level job vacancies in enterprises has dropped significantly from around 80 000 in 2022 to around 31 000 in 2025, representing a decrease of more than 60 per cent. In addition, the report projects a manpower shortage of about 130 000 in Hong Kong by 2028, reflecting the issues of supply-demand imbalance, as well as skill mismatch in the labour market. Regarding the reform of university programmes to meet market needs, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will, in the light of the aforesaid projection results, study reforming the existing four-year undergraduate programmes by implementing a “three-year classroom learning and one-year full-time internship” model, whereby the fourth academic year will be converted into an internship year to enable students to gain early workplace exposure and increase their work experience;

(2) whether it will review and enhance the content of undergraduate programmes, including strengthening training in the application of AI, interdisciplinary knowledge and practical problem-solving capabilities to reduce talent-skill mismatches; and

(3) among the undergraduate programmes currently offered by the University Grants Committee-funded universities, how many list internships and related assessments as graduation requirements; whether the Government will encourage universities to adopt a compulsory internship system involving corporate participation in assessment across more disciplines?

Reply:

President,

     The Government has been promoting parallel development of conventional academic education and vocational and professional education and training, providing young people with learning pathways with multiple entry and exit points and cultivating diversified talent for the society. Hong Kong has introduced the four-year undergraduate programmes since the 2012/13 academic year, to provide students with ample time and space to build a solid academic foundation while achieving more balanced development through classroom learning, project-based learning, exchanges, internships and other learning experiences, thereby promoting the education direction of whole-person development and lifelong learning, while aligning with mainstream international education systems. Universities are a vital force in the development of human civilisation. The World Class University Presidents Forum, inaugurated in Hong Kong today, is themed “Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future”. In his keynote speech, the Minister of Education emphasised that universities embody the dual values of civilisation inheritance and leading development, and always uphold cultivating values and nurturing people as their core mission. University education is not about tailor-making manpower supply for job vacancies at a particular point in time.

     Our replies to the questions raised by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung are set out below:

(1) and (3) Reform of university curricula should be based on professional judgements regarding disciplinary knowledge structures, patterns of student development, teaching resources and academic standards. It should not be driven by a single indicator of labour market supply and demand. Relying solely on labour market supply-and-demand data to request for university curriculum reform is neither consistent with educational professionalism nor helpful in addressing the various problems of the labour market.

     At present, the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities establish graduation requirements according to the academic content and professional needs of different disciplines. Many programmes have already incorporated internships into their curricula. The universities have the flexibility to determine the duration and format of internships in the light of actual circumstances. Amongst others, some programmes, such as those in education, healthcare and social work, require students to complete internships before graduation to ensure that students acquire the professional skills required by the sectors. Some professions, such as law, accountancy and engineering, also require graduates to accumulate work experience or complete traineeships after graduation before obtaining professional qualifications.

     Mandating a one-year full-time internship as a graduation requirement for disciplines such as the humanities and pure sciences that place greater emphasis on training in respect of academic depth, theoretical foundations and research methods would not only compress students’ time for classroom learning and research, but also undermine the professional space for institutions to design curricula according to the characteristics of the disciplines and the needs of students. At the same time, making internship a graduation requirement for all disciplines, with assessment led by enterprises, would face practical operation challenges in terms of the stability of internship placement supply, the consistency of assessment standards, and the suitability for non-vocationally oriented disciplines. Therefore, we support institutions in arranging internships flexibly according to the characteristics of the disciplines, and in strengthening internship elements in appropriate areas, so as to maintain the flexibility of the four-year curriculum.

     In fact, in response to society’s demand for various types of professionals, the Education Bureau has been actively promoting applied degree programmes and has promulgated the Guidelines on Developing Applied Degree Programmes, clearly setting out work-based learning as a core component of applied degree programmes. Institutions have launched a number of applied degree programmes, providing students with an alternative choice and nurturing more applied talent for society. We have always encouraged universities to deepen their collaboration with enterprises, with enterprises providing internship opportunities and participating in curriculum design and teaching, so as to cultivate more diverse talent that meets market needs.

     At present, the Government has not collected data on the number of the undergraduate programmes currently offered by the UGC-funded universities that list internships and related assessments as graduation requirements.

(2) Apart from their mission to create knowledge and promote innovative research, universities should equip the younger generation to cope with a knowledge-based, technology-driven and rapidly changing environment, as well as a broad and interdisciplinary knowledge base, and transferable skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and lifelong learning. These attributes enable young people to demonstrate resilience and navigate an uncertain future with confidence, regardless of changes in the labour market. The four-year academic structure provides the necessary time and space for students to develop a comprehensive range of capabilities that will stand the test of societal changes and enable them to continue to grow in different environments, through diverse and enriching learning experiences.

     The UGC-funded universities have been continuously reviewing and enhancing their undergraduate curricula in response to market demand and technological developments. Through the triennial Planning Exercise, the Government steers the universities towards alignment with the strategic development of the nation and Hong Kong. The Strategic Platform on Talent Development in Higher Education was also established for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 triennium to facilitate close communication among relevant bureaux/departments, universities and industries on manpower trends and needs, and encourage the universities to refine their curricula in closer alignment with policy objectives and market demand. For example, during the 2025/26 to 2027/28 triennium, the UGC-funded universities are introducing a total of 27 undergraduate programmes related to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) or the “eight centres”. Many of these programmes integrate technology with other fields, such as the humanities, finance and healthcare, with a view to strengthening training in the application of AI, interdisciplinary knowledge and problem-solving skills. The Government is commencing preparations for the 2028/29 to 2030/31 triennial Planning Exercise and will maintain close communication with the universities on talent development and manpower demand, with a view to continuously strengthening the alignment between the knowledge and skills of the younger generation and Hong Kong’s future economic and social development.

     President, the times are changing rapidly and technology is advancing by the day. In the latest QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027, five Hong Kong universities are among the top ten, with three of them entering the top five, setting a benchmark for Asian universities. The key to Hong Kong universities’ continued high standings in international university rankings lies in producing influential and high-quality research outputs. As a result, curricula could not be planned for university education solely according to market demand. Market demand is characterised as diverse, fluid and difficult to predict accurately. If universities were to reform their curricula according to the same set of manpower shortage data, it would instead create a new round of homogeneous mismatch, and even turn university education into vocational training, which is contrary to its original values. Reform of the university academic structure is a matter of great importance. University curricula should respond to societal needs, but this must be subject to professional educational deliberation and through continuous improvement and self-innovation by universities.

     Thank you, President. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department… read more

     Following is a question by the Dr Hon Stanley Ng and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (November 4):
      
Question:
 
     Some trade union organisations have long advocated the concept of living and working in the same district and have continuously put forward proposals for achieving home-job balance in the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM), so that residents can take up employment near their homes, reduce long-distance commuting and the quality of life of grassroots workers can be improved. The Government has indicated that upon full development, the NM can provide about 500 000 new jobs and 500 000 additional housing units. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
      
(1) of the specific planning, indicators and timetable the authorities have in place to ensure that the NM achieves home-job balance that is sufficient to cover the needs of grassroots workers; whether ratio targets have been set for the working population, housing supply and industrial land within the area; and how to avoid a mismatch where people “have housing but no job, or have a job but no housing”;
 
(2) of the projected distribution of the about 500 000 new jobs in the NM across different industries (including innovation and technology, modern services, advanced manufacturing, logistics, community services and construction); whether the authorities have formulated manpower supporting measures, training and skills transformation programmes that give priority to assisting residents of the NM and New Territories North, as well as grassroots workers, in taking up the relevant jobs, so as to implement the concept of living and working in the same district;
 
(3) of the services and supporting measures (including transport networks and commuting concessions, child care and elderly care services, occupational safety and health support, rest facilities for workers, rights protection services and labour consultation) the authorities have in place to assist workers taking up employment in the NM; whether the authorities will collaborate with trade union groups to set up worker service points in various sub-areas of the NM; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(4) regarding long-term arrangements, whether the authorities will consider introducing a “Special Scheme on Home-Job Balance in NM” to give grassroots public rental housing residents in other districts who take up employment in the North District priority in applying for a transfer to the NM, so as to optimize home-job balance; if so, of the specific proposal; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The Government attaches great importance to the planning of home-job balance in the Northern Metropolis (NM). The NM is not only a major source of future housing supply in Hong Kong, but also a development core for innovation and technology (I&T), higher education, modern logistics, advanced manufacturing and other strategic industries. According to the overall planning framework, the NM will provide over 500 000 new jobs and 500 000 new housing units. Through the co-ordinated planning of industry land, housing supply, transport infrastructure and community facilities, the Government is taking forward key projects such as the San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling university towns. These developments will nurture talent, drive industry development and create diversified employment opportunities, thereby progressively fostering a balanced home-job pattern. This will provide local residents with more choices to work closer to home, enhance quality of life and reduce the need for cross-district commuting.
      
     Having consulted the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Housing Bureau, the replies to various parts of the question are as follows:
      
(1) In planning and implementing new development areas (NDAs), we will make estimates of the working population, housing supply and industry floor space based on the respective industry positioning and housing provision of each NDA. However, planning is a dynamic process that should respond to changing circumstances and evolving needs. These estimates are therefore not intended to serve as rigid targets, and should be adjusted as planning progresses. It is important to maintain sufficient planning flexibility to accommodate future changes. To promote a better home-job balance in NDAs, we also adopt a multi-pronged planning approach. First, having regard to the industry positioning, development functions and anticipated employment structure of individual NDAs, the Government will suitably adjust the public-private housing mix to cater for the housing needs of the working population across different income groups and backgrounds. Take the San Tin Technopole as an example. As I&T and higher education are the development core of the NDA, it is expected to attract a large number of I&T enterprises, research institutions and related talent. The planning of residential developments in the NDA will therefore take into account the population growth and housing demand arising from the development of I&T industry and higher education, with private housing and talent accommodation forming the predominant housing provision.
 
     Secondly, the community planning of the NDAs embraces the concept of the “15-minute neighbourhood”. Appropriate provision is made for commercial facilities serving residents’ daily needs, including retail, dining and personal services, as well as community facilities for education, healthcare, social welfare, and recreation and sports. This not only enhances the convenience and quality of community living, but also creates additional local employment opportunities, thereby facilitating employment within the district. In addition, under the planning concept of urban-rural integration, the NM will capitalise on its rural and ecological resources to promote cultural tourism and the development of rural economy. These initiatives will provide local residents with more diversified employment opportunities in sectors such as cultural and creative industries, tourism, retail and catering.
      
     Furthermore, the NM will be supported by a comprehensive transport network that provides seamless connectivity between the various NDAs and other parts of Hong Kong. Major residential communities within the NDAs will be planned around transport hubs, enabling residents to conveniently access key industry and employment nodes within the district as well as other employment centres across the territory. This will allow people greater flexibility in choosing where to live and work across a wider geographical area.
      
     As the various industry areas, the university towns and community facilities in the NM are progressively developed and brought into operation, distinct industry clusters in areas such as I&T, higher education, modern logistics and professional services will gradually emerge. This will help attract enterprises and talent, create more diversified employment opportunities, and foster a more balanced home-job pattern across the NM.
      
(2) Upon full development, the NM is expected to create more than 500 000 new jobs. As this is a long-term planning estimate, and various industry projects will be implemented in phases having regard to market demand, investment pace and economic development, the Government does not have a detailed sectoral breakdown of projected new jobs across individual industries at this stage. According to the overall industry framework of the NM, the relevant jobs will span various sectors, including I&T, higher education, advanced manufacturing, modern logistics, high-end professional services, as well as retail, catering, healthcare, social welfare and other community services, providing diversified employment opportunities for individuals with different skills, qualifications and experience.
 
     To support future residents of the NM in finding jobs within their own district, the Labour Department (LD) will provide diversified employment services and implement employment programmes to assist job seekers to secure employment. Job seekers can make use of online platforms and telephone employment services provided by the LD to receive information about job vacancies available in the district and training opportunities. Furthermore, the Employees Retraining Board and the Vocational Training Council will also provide various training programmes for the local workforce to enhance their competitiveness. The relevant bureaux and departments will also formulate corresponding manpower support and training measures in response to the latest industry developments and manpower demands.
      
(3) Regarding child care services, the Government has incorporated a planning ratio of 100 subvented child care centre (CCC) places per 25 000 people into the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines in 2020. The Social Welfare Department will continue to reserve suitable premises for CCCs in NDAs in the NM. The sites selected for the 18 additional subvented standalone CCCs announced in the 2025 and 2026 Policy Addresses include locations in NDAs in the NM.
 
     Regarding elderly services, the Government has reserved sites, based on the planning standards, in NDAs in the NM for different types of elderly facilities. It is envisaged that over the next five years, four new residential care home for the elderly premises and five elderly day care premises will be available, altogether providing about 610 subsidised long-term care places. Additionally, there will also be four new elderly centres rendering support to seniors in the neighbourhood.
      
     Regarding occupational safety and health (OSH), the LD has already deployed its Mega Projects Office to oversee the OSH performance of major projects in the NM, and will continue to monitor the changes in OSH risks and needs in the NM and make corresponding arrangements.
      
     The Labour Relations Division of the LD provides the public with consultation services on labour rights and benefits, as well as conciliation services for labour disputes. The public may call the enquiry hotline or visit the LD’s website for information on labour legislation and related matters. The aforesaid services are also applicable to employees working in the NM. The LD will also continue to collaborate with trade unions to provide appropriate services for those in need.
      
     In terms of transport infrastructure, to support the development of the NM, the Government has adopted the planning strategy of “infrastructure-led” and “capacity-creating”, and is pressing ahead a series of NM-related transport infrastructure projects under the “Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal Corridors” layout, including the Kwu Tung Station, the Hung Shui Kiu Station, the Northern Link Project, the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section), the Tsing Lung Bridge at the southern end of Route 11, and the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen NDA, to further enhance the transport connectivity within and beyond the NM.
      
     To tie in with the progress of infrastructure and development projects, the Transport Department will maintain close co-ordination with departments involved in developing the NM and will make advance arrangements for public transport services and planning of related facilities (such as Public Transport Interchanges and bus stop ancillary facilities). Taking the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North NDAs as examples, two bus routes (i.e. KMB route no. 77 (Fung Wong Leng Estate – Sheung Shui (Tai Ping)) and route no. 76A (Kwu Tung North – Sheung Shui MTR Station)) commenced operation in August and October this year respectively, serving residents having moved in during the first phase of development.
      
     Apart from encouraging public transport operators to offer monthly passes and interchange concessions for relevant routes, the Government has implemented the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) since 2019 to alleviate the financial burden on commuters with relatively high public transport expenses. There are no age or income restrictions under the Scheme. Currently, the Government subsidises one-third of the actual monthly public transport expenses in excess of the monthly threshold (i.e. $500) incurred by commuters, subject to a maximum of $400 per month for each Octopus and each AlipayHK account.
      
(4) The Government does not have any plan to introduce the proposed “Special Scheme on Home-Job Balance in NM” at this juncture. Under the prevailing transfer policy of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, public rental housing (PRH) tenants who find it difficult to continue living in their existing flats due to special circumstances may apply for transfer to a flat in the same estate. The Housing Department will take into account the actual circumstances of the case and make appropriate arrangements accordingly. If the tenant considers transfer within the same estate cannot resolve their difficulties and wish to apply for transfer to another estate, they are required to submit assessments from professionals, such as social workers, medical practitioners, or physiotherapists, to support their applications. Given the large number of PRH tenants, it is difficult to accommodate transfer applications taking into account changes that may arise from time to time due to personal reasons without special needs, such as applicants’ work locations, unless there are exceptional grounds. read more

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.

     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is conducting comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.

     From noon on November 3 to noon today (November 4), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 136 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).

     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website (www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).

     From August 24, 2023, to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 272 666 samples of food imported from Japan (including 169 741 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 58 062 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more