The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, began his visit to Hangzhou this afternoon (August 12) to foster exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang, and between Hong Kong and Hangzhou, in va… read more
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (August 12) began a visit to Shanghai, together with the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Education delegation comprising 14 LegCo Members, to learn about the innovation and technology (I&T) development of local higher education institutions and special education there.
They visited the Grand neoBay Sci-tech Innovation Park of Shanghai Jiao Tong University to learn about result transformation projects of higher education institutions and the experience of teachers and students of such institutions in starting up businesses. They also toured the Student Innovation Center of the University to understand how it nurtures students’ capabilities to put their innovative and business ideas into practice, and ignites students’ potential to innovate and start a business through teaching, I&T competitions and institution-industry collaboration, among others.
Subsequently, they visited the Minhang Special School for Mentally Retarded Children to learn about its self-developed special education lesson plans, activities and research. The School offers nine years of free education and has extended this to pre-primary education and vocational education in recent years, providing comprehensive education for intellectually and physically disabled students.
Dr Choi and the delegation also met representatives of East China Normal University, Ms Mei Bing, to exchange views on patriotic education and digital transformation in education in primary and secondary schools. Dr Choi said that the Education Bureau (EDB) has been adopting a multipronged and co-ordinated approach to support and encourage primary and secondary schools to deliver national education and national security education. The EDB will continue to work proactively in alignment with the national requirements on patriotic education, promote patriotic values, and strengthen students’ identification with the country and Chinese culture.
She said that, in line with the national strategy on digital education, the EDB has been striving to promote digital transformation in education by enhancing the information technology environment in primary and secondary schools to facilitate learning and teaching effectiveness. In addition, higher education institutions in Shanghai and Hong Kong have been conducting professional exchanges through different means. Co-operation covers talent cultivation, student admissions and employment, and scientific research. She said that she looked forward to the higher education institutions in both places continuing to further promote scientific research co-operation and student exchanges.
Dr Choi and the delegation will continue their visit to Shanghai tomorrow (August 13).
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (August 12) laid charges against two Mainlanders suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages on a Mainland vessel in waters off Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po.
A Mainland vessel suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages in the said waters yesterday (August 11) was intercepted at around 5.30pm the same day for investigation. Some fishing gear on board was seized by the AFCD.
After the investigation, charges were laid against the two men who were suspected to have violated the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171). They will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (August 13).
Only vessels registered under the Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters. Regardless of the type of fishing gear used, a non-local fishing vessel is not allowed to carry out fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The AFCD spokesman stressed, “The Government is committed to combatting illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action.”
In view of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that recently occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, and that the Japanese authorities have issued a megaquake advisory for parts of Japan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (August 12) reminded Hong Kong residents who are already there or intend to visit Japan to exercise caution.
A Government spokesman said, “Given it is now the peak travel season during the summer holiday and that Japan is a popular travel destination for Hong Kong residents, in light of the megaquake advisory for parts of Japan issued by the local authorities, the Government reminds Hong Kong residents who intend to visit the country or are already there to exercise caution, attend to personal safety and monitor the announcements by the Japanese authorities.”
The Security Bureau, in view of the megaquake advisory for parts of Japan issued by the Japanese authorities, has already updated the Outbound Travel Alerts (OTA) webpage regarding supplementary information for Japan and will continue to closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media, the Bureau’s Mobile App and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota).
Hong Kong residents in Japan who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the Immigration Department Mobile Application, send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit the Online Assistance Request Form or contact the Chinese Embassy in Japan at the consular protection hotline: +81-3-6450-2195.
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Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the Immigration Department (ImmD) to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 12) following up on a cluster of Candida auris carrier cases announced earlier involving a residential care home for the elderly (RCH… read more