The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) Volunteer Team and the Digital Policy Office Volunteer Team today (May 17) visited an elderly activity centre in To Kwa Wan, and assisted the elderly to learn how to use smartphones and mobile applications. They also had fun from gerontechnology through interactive activities and integration of technology into daily lives.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung; and the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, joined the civil service volunteers to participate in volunteer service under the "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lok Man Alice Kwok Integrated Service Centre. With the help of the volunteers, the elderly learned how to use the "iAM Smart" mobile app to access useful information such as weather conditions, the use of Scameter, and the waiting time at accident and emergency departments, etc.

     Apart from answering their questions on the use of smartphones, the civil service volunteers also let the elderly experience the benefits of digital technology through various games, including doing physical exercises by making use of an AI application developed by the centre for people with knee problems in the community, which allows users to adjust the exercise intensity and movement according to their own physical conditions. In addition, the elderly also participated in games for sensory integration training and cognitive training to help enhance their responsive abilities.

     At present, more than 70 civil service volunteer teams have been set up across different government bureaux and departments, providing more diversified types and forms of services ranging from life planning and mentoring services for youth, interest classes, first aid seminars, residential care home visits and home visits to cleaning and maintenance services. In 2024, the volunteer teams organised or participated in around 2 040 volunteer activities, while the attendance of participating volunteers and hours of volunteer service were about 23 500 and over 111 700 respectively, representing an increase of more than 400 volunteer activities and 22 400 hours of service, or 25 per cent for both figures when compared to those of 2023.

     Mrs Yeung encouraged civil servants to make use of their knowledge and skills, as well as their rich life experience, to contribute to the community in their spare time, and to demonstrate the civil servants' care for the society and dedication to serving the community. 

     A fresh round of the Civil Service Volunteer Commendation Scheme has commenced to commend departmental volunteer teams and individual volunteers with high accumulated service hours, as well as individual volunteers who demonstrated outstanding leadership in organising volunteer services. In addition, among the numerous volunteer services or activities organised by departmental volunteer teams, the CSB will select volunteer service projects that are the most distinctive and best showcase civil servants' active collaboration with the community, as well as their effective use of innovative technologies and their own expertise for awarding the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award. The list of award winners is expected to be announced in the third quarter of this year.

          

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Family Education and Legacy Forum 2025 today (May 17):

Yanice (Chair of the Family Education and Legacy Forum 2025, Ms Yanice Mak), Enoch (Vice President of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Hong Kong Association, Professor Enoch Young), Joseph (the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you all at the Family Education and Legacy Forum 2025.
      
     Today, we bring together family business leaders, academics and thought leaders to explore a topic that is both timely and timeless: sustainable family wealth succession. It is a subject that goes well beyond financial continuity. It encompasses values, responsibility and intergenerational purpose.
      
     Let me begin by extending a very warm welcome to Dr Josh Baron from Harvard Business School. Your presence here adds intellectual strength to the dialogue. And if I may take the opportunity of this occasion, held at a time when the world is facing protectionism and unilateralism unseen for decades, to highlight a few Chinese values that I believe are highly relevant when navigating the uncertainties of our time, that is our emphasis on harmony, consensus building, shared progress and common prosperity.
      
     Coming back to the Forum today. The lineup of speakers is indeed impressive. I am sure their insights will be enlightening and inspiring, providing useful advice for family businesses and their owners in a world that is undergoing rapid transformation.
      
     Allow me to share a few personal reflections as morsel to your ensuing discussions. As some of you may know, before entering public service in 2012, I worked in the private sector and had the privilege of attending Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Programme. These reflections come from my years of knowledge of and experience in both the public and private sectors.
      
     The first point is about financial sustainability.
      
     Family businesses often start with great success by their founders. Yet it is indeed not uncommon for second or third-generation owners to have vastly different ideas or aspirations than those of their parents. While pursuing one’s dreams and being open to new opportunities, one must manage their risk exposure, in particular liquidity and leverage level.
      
     The second point is about recognising the mega trends and the associated opportunities and risks. In my view, a few forces will define the coming decade. 
      
     First, geopolitics. We must recognise that strategic competition among major powers will likely persist. The days of seamless globalisation are giving way to geo-economic fragmentation, marked by tariffs, technology barriers and polarisation of international politics. 
      
     Going forward, three regional blocs may emerge: first, the Asia-Pacific; second, India, the Middle East and Europe; and third, the Americas. Within a region, there will be more collaboration and partnership; but between regions, competition will be more intense.  For family business owners, this means recalibrating strategies, managing risks across jurisdictions, and identifying new regional opportunities.
      
     Second, artificial intelligence (AI). AI is already transforming the way we work and do business. The "AI+ era" is unstoppable. AI is deeply integrated across sectors, from manufacturing, logistics and city management to hospitality, games and household appliances. 
      
     To embrace it is not only about resources and investments, but more importantly, a shift in mindset. 
      
     Third, green transformation. Around the world – with only a few exceptions – green is high on the agenda of consumers, investors and governments.
      
     Family businesses will need to respond to higher demands on sustainability. But more than that, I believe family capital can and should play a catalytic role in this transformation, by scaling up green solutions and supporting systemic change.
      
     The third point is about creating a legacy. Knowing many family business leaders in person, I understand you do care about the collective good of our community and the world. But my point is not exactly philanthropy, but the well-being of the people, which must be embedded as a core value of businesses.
      
     Consider the stories of the Six Little Dragons of Hangzhou like DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics. While people often focus on their technological prowess, I believe the success of these companies is also driven by the aspiration, deep in their hearts, that innovation should be affordable, accessible and inclusive. 
      
     There are similar examples here in Hong Kong. For instance, a surgical robot company born out of the Chinese University of Hong Kong is producing affordable surgical robots for broad applications in Hong Kong, the Mainland and beyond, benefiting thousands of patients with limited means. On the other hand, several fintech firms are exporting innovative financial solutions to Southeast Asia, making credit and financial services more accessible to underserved communities. The founders of these companies, whom I know personally, share the same vision of inclusiveness. 
      
     These examples remind us that legacy is not only about what we build, but also who we build it for.
      
     Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot better conclude by making one final point: the most valuable inheritance we can pass on is not wealth, but wisdom. Let us not forget the importance of providing the best education for our next generation, an education that nurtures compassion, resilience, cross-cultural understanding and a strong sense of global citizenship. One that equips our children not only with knowledge, but with the moral compass and courage to face uncertainty, uphold values and lead with purpose.
      
     My sincere thanks to the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and the Harvard Business School Association of Hong Kong for convening this meaningful exchange. I look with anticipation to the wisdom and impactful initiatives that will emerge from today’s dialogue. I wish you all the best of health and business in the time ahead. Thank you very much.

     Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (May 17) that Fashion Momentum Group (FMG), a Chinese fast-fashion retailer, has established its regional headquarters and first outlet of URBAN REVIVO in Hong Kong as part of its global strategy to oversee the Group's corporate treasury function, retail business and global markets expansion.
      
     The Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr Arnold Lau, said, "Hong Kong as an international business hub and financial centre has solidified its reputation as a leading global hub for supply chain management. Brands like URBAN REVIVO can leverage Hong Kong's strategic location and extensive international resources to expand their international retail networks efficiently. We wish URBAN REVIVO every success in Hong Kong and beyond."
      
     The Chief Executive Officer of International Business at URBAN REVIVO, Ms Vivian Chen, said that the Group started to work with InvestHK on the launch since last year, and was introduced to various international brands and merchandisers, giving them the confidence to establish a presence in the city.
      
     "Hong Kong opens us to a diverse customer profile with an open and friendly business environment featuring zero tariffs and effective infrastructure. The city serves as a bridge between the Mainland and the global market. It's an ideal place for our global expansion," she said, adding "Hong Kong, as a key hub for international fashion exchanges with a vibrant professional services sector, enables for us the further internationalisation of our global operations. We are looking forward to accelerating our growth into both developed and high-potential markets."
      
     Founded in 2006, FMG offers a diverse range of fashion via various brands. Catering to fashion-conscious consumers worldwide, URBAN REVIVO has become a go-to destination for trendsetters, delivering fresh and exciting collections each season. With design centres in London and Guangzhou, the Group combines a unique brand identity with global fashion expertise to consistently captivate its audience.
      
     For more information about URBAN REVIVO, please visit: urbanrevivo.com.
      
     To obtain a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326111303.

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 17) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.
     
     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;
• Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     
     â€‹The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if you need to stay outdoors for a prolonged period, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• Seek shade;
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes; and
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

    
     â€‹If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
     
     â€‹The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.