Tag Archives: China

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of BIOHK 2024 today (September 11):

Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference), Albert (Chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization and President of BIOHK2024, Professor Albert Yu), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all at BIOHK 2024. As the global biotechnology sector continues to evolve rapidly, it is crucial that we gather, exchange ideas, and collaborate to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead of us. A very warm welcome to those joining us from abroad, your participation reflects the global significance of this convention.

     Hong Kong is one of the largest fundraising hubs for the biotechnology sector. Since we last gathered, Hong Kong has continued to bolster its biotechnology ecosystem through several key initiatives. As of the end of April this year, our Innovation and Technology Fund has funded about 830 projects on the biotechnology front, including cutting-edge technologies like artificial “mini-hearts”, internally motorised minimally invasive robot surgeons, non-invasive prenatal diagnostic techniques, and more. 

     The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government has earlier earmarked HK$10 billion for promoting the development of life and health technology. Of this, HK$6 billion will be deployed to support local universities to set up life and health technology research institutes in Hong Kong to promote cross-institutional and multidisciplinary research co-operation, and help facilitate relevant R&D (research and development) activities and transformation of R&D outcomes, as well as attract global talent to Hong Kong.

     In addition, the InnoLife Healthtech Hub that we are setting up in the Loop will further provide world-class infrastructure to attract top-notch research teams and talent from around the globe for cutting-edge research in life and health disciplines. This initiative is pivotal for developing Hong Kong into an international I&T (innovation and technology) centre. Furthermore, HK$2 billion out of the HK$10 billion earmarked will be allocated to support the InnoHK research clusters to establish a presence in the Loop. An additional HK$200 million will also be provided to assist start-ups engaging in life and health technology through incubation and acceleration programmes.

     Biotechnology has always been a key pillar in Hong Kong’s I&T development. With world-class universities, advanced research facilities and a vibrant ecosystem, Hong Kong provides an integrated platform for life and health technology companies to innovate and grow from R&D to clinical trials and commercialisation.

     In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to BIOHK for bringing together the brightest minds in the field. It is through such gatherings that we continue to push the boundaries of biotechnology and explore new possibilities for the future.

     May I wish BIOHK 2024 every success and everyone a rewarding and inspiring experience throughout the event. Thank you.

  

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited relating to phishing instant messages, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the instant messages concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more

     One Bangladeshi illegal worker, holding a recognisance form, was jailed by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday (September 10).

     During an anti-illegal worker operation conducted on July 28, Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators raided an office in Mong Kok district. One Bangladeshi man, aged 51, was arrested while working as odd-job worker. Upon identity checking, he produced a recognisance form issued by the ImmD for inspection, which prohibits him from taking employment. A further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.
 
     The illegal worker was charged at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts yesterday with taking employment while being a person in respect of whom a removal order or deportation order was in force. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment.

     An ImmD spokesman warned that, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.”

     The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law and employ illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation, with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 11) tha… read more