The Government today (March 21) announced that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Jenkin Suen to succeed Ms Winnie Tam Wan-chi as the Chairperson of the Communications Authority (CA) for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2025.
 
     The Chief Executive has also reappointed the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development as the Vice-chairperson of the CA. In addition, four incumbent members, i.e. Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung, Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen, Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit and Professor Leung Siu-fai have been reappointed, while Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him and Dr Patrick Tsie Kai-yiu have been appointed as new members. The tenure of the appointments is two years with effect from April 1, 2025.
 
     Commenting on the appointments, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, "I am pleased that Mr Jenkin Suen has been appointed as the Chairperson of the CA. I believe with Mr Suen's legal background and wealth of experience in public services, he will be able to lead the CA to discharge its statutory functions as the communications and broadcasting regulator in Hong Kong, with the objectives of safeguarding the interests of the public and promoting the sustainable development of the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. I would also like to welcome Professor Anthony Fung and Dr Patrick Tsie as new members of the CA. With their extensive experience and professional knowledge in the broadcasting and telecommunications fields respectively, they will surely provide valuable insights for the work of the CA. I am also grateful that Mr Nicholas Chan, Mr Patrick Law, Mr Michael Hui and Professor Leung Siu-fai have accepted reappointment to continue to contribute to the work of the CA.
 
     "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ms Winnie Tam for her outstanding contributions during her tenure. Since taking up the chairmanship in 2018, Ms Tam has guided the CA in effectively fulfilling its regulatory functions and roles with remarkable achievements. On the broadcasting front, during her tenure, the CA has relaxed a number of requirements under the broadcasting codes of practice to keep pace with the times, thereby creating a more conducive environment for the sustainable development of the broadcasting industry. In addition, the CA has continued to handle complaints in a fair, impartial and unbiased manner to safeguard public interest. On the communications front, with the rapid advancements in communications technologies over the past few years, the CA has continued to stay ahead in formulating policies to promote communications infrastructure and technology development while maintaining fair competition in the industry, contributing to a solid foundation for Hong Kong as a regional communications hub. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the outgoing members Professor Vincent Lau Kin-nang and Mr Simon Wong Kwong-yeung for their contributions to the CA over the past six years," Mr Yau added.

     Brief profiles of the newly appointed Chairperson and non-official members are as follows:
 
Mr Jenkin Suen
——————-
     Mr Suen was appointed as Senior Counsel in 2019 and is a barrister and an arbitrator in Des Voeux Chambers. He also sits as a Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court. He is currently the Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal and the Pharmacy and Poisons Appeal Tribunal, the Deputy Chairman of the Administrative Appeals Board, and a member of the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Boards and the Air Transport Licensing Authority. He was previously the Chairman of the Appeal Tribunal Panel (Buildings).

Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him
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     Professor Fung is the Dean of Social Science and the Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is currently a co-opted member of the Broadcast Complaints Committee under the CA, as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research and the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Information Technology in Education. He has formerly served as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption as well as the Radio Television Hong Kong Board of Advisors.
 
Dr Patrick Tsie Kai-yiu
—————————-
     Dr Tsie was formerly the Senior Director of Technical Marketing at Qualcomm International, and has previously served as a member appointed on an ad personam basis of the Telecommunications Regulatory Affairs Advisory Committee of the Office of the Communications Authority.
 
     The membership of the CA from April 1, 2025, will be as follows:

Chairperson
————
Mr Jenkin Suen

Vice-chairperson
——————
Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Non-official members
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Dr Hubert Chan Chung-yee
Mr Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung
Ms Amy Fung Dun-mi
Professor Anthony Fung Ying-him
Mr Michael Hui Wah-kit
Mr Patrick Law Fu-yuen
Professor Leung Siu-fai
Dr Patrick Tsie Kai-yiu
Ms Wendy Yuen Miu-ling

Official member
——————–
Director-General of Communications

     A leading France-based professional aeronautic services company, Elior Group SA, announced today (March 21) its intention to strengthen presence in Hong Kong. It had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), as an important step in expanding its business in Asia. Witnessed by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, the MoU was signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, Mrs Vivian Cheung, and the Group Chairman and CEO of Elior Group SA, Mr Daniel Derichebourg, on February 19.
      
     As mentioned in the 2025-26 Budget delivered by the Financial Secretary, under the co-ordination of InvestHK, the AAHK had signed an MoU with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing professional services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in Hong Kong, thereby developing Hong Kong into the first aircraft parts processing and trading centre in Asia. The company is Elior Group SA, which is part of Derichebourg SA, a leading business in Europe.
      
     Elior Group SA's intention to expand its presence in Hong Kong highlights the city's dynamic business environment and immense growth potential across sectors, including its growing aviation centre of excellence.

     â€‹The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, "Under the 'one country, two systems' arrangement, Hong Kong has a high degree of internationalisation, a favourable business environment, a strategic location, a robust legal framework, and a low tax regime. The city has always been a prime location for foreign investment and international conglomerates. Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role of connecting the Mainland and the world to attract more companies from around the world to set up in the city, aiming to enhance Hong Kong's status as an international trade and investment hub."
      
     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said, "The National 14th Five-Year Plan has recognised Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub. Leveraging on Hong Kong's unique advantages under the principle of 'one country, two systems', and with our globally connected aviation network and world-class airport infrastructure, Hong Kong is capable of assuming a more important role in the area of aviation, proactively contributing to the high-quality development and high-level opening-up of our country. I am pleased to see that Elior Group SA and the AAHK are exploring the possibility of introducing aircraft parts handling and trading services in Hong Kong, thereby enriching Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub and supporting the aviation development of our country as well as the Asian region as a whole."
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "InvestHK has always been committed to attracting foreign direct investment and enabling international investors in developing their businesses in Hong Kong. We are pleased to assist Elior Group SA in setting up an Asian headquarters and expanding its presence here. The signing of this MoU is a testament to global businesses confidence in the Hong Kong market, reaffirming that Hong Kong is the ideal destination for companies to establish or expand their operations in the region."
      
     Mr Derichebourg said, "Elior Group SA operates a wide range of businesses across 11 countries, covering a variety of industries including aviation, construction and food contracting services. We are grateful for the support provided by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and InvestHK. We look forward to further developing and exploring new opportunities in Hong Kong, and from here expand across Asia."

    

     Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the International Alliance of Academicians (IAA) and the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum today (March 21):
 
Professor Nancy Ip (Chair of IAA), Professor Pierre-Louis Lions (Co-Chair of IAA), Professor George Smoot (Co-Chair of IAA), Professor Xiang Zhang (Co-Chair of IAA), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am very pleased to join you today for the inauguration ceremony of the International Alliance of Academicians and the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum.
 
     It gives me great pleasure and pride, to congratulate the Alliance on its establishment, to know that this is a Hong Kong-based international organisation, uniting more than 100 renowned academics from all over the world. And you've taken on the essential mission of enhancing global co-operation among scientists and academics, working toward the sustainable development of innovation and technology.
 
     The Alliance is a testament to the power of collective wisdom, a commitment to the open exchange of ideas, and a celebration of humanity's boundless innovation. 
 
     Hong Kong is committed to becoming an international I&T (innovation and technology) centre, as well as a global hub for high-end talent. So it is both welcome, and fitting, that Hong Kong serves as the Alliance's home.
 
     In an era endlessly defined, and redefined, by technological advancement, evolving global dynamics and unprecedented challenges, the role of scholars and scientists has never been more critical. 
 
     Knowledge knows no borders, our shared challenges require shared solutions.
 
     The Government is committed to cultivating a dynamic environment, one that champions innovation and technology, in every sector and industry, every institution and corner of our community.
 
     We will soon launch a Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme, worth 3 billion Hong Kong dollars, or nearly 400 million US dollars. It will help fund ground-breaking basic research driven by world-class researchers and academics.
 
     Given the central role that AI (artificial intelligence) will play in research and industry transformation, we will also establish the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute. It will promote upstream research and development, as well as the transformation of mid-streamand downstream AI outcomes, and explore application scenarios. 
 
     These initiatives expand our far-reaching I&T development, led by two InnoHK research clusters – one focused on healthcare technologies, the other on AI and robotics. Together, they have attracted more than 2 500 scientists and researchers, from Hong Kong and all over the world. 
 
     We are now setting up a third InnoHK research cluster. It will focus on sustainable development, energy and advanced manufacturing and materials. It's now open for admission proposals, and I welcome prominent international universities and institutions to join us on the exciting journey of innovation.
 
     With the support of our country, we are determined to draw together the diverse expertise of Hong Kong's international pool of talent, and the innovation and manufacturing prowess of the Mainland.
 
     The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, situated in the Loop – an area that straddles our boundary with Shenzhen – will create the infrastructure for our synergised development with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I am pleased to tell you all that we will be celebrating the completion of the first three buildings in the Hong Kong Park later today.
 
     With the Hong Kong Park and a wide range of I&T infrastructure as our hardware, and the "soft power" presented by your Alliance and other key players in our I&T ecosystem, Hong Kong is committed, and well-equipped, to promoting international co-operation, and the boundless opportunities it can create for us all.
 
     My congratulations, once again, on the inauguration of the International Alliance of Academicians. I know you will enjoy the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum, beginning later today.
 
     And I welcome you to make time for Hong Kong, a rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Catch one of the many exhibitions in our West Kowloon Cultural District. Next week, the world-renowned Art Basel returns to Hong Kong, showcasing over 240 galleries from some 40 countries and regions.
 
     And there will be plenty of art in rugby, on show, beginning next Friday, at Kai Tak Sports Park, the brand-new, state-of-the-art home of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. All these, during Hong Kong Super March – a month-long series of eclectic events filled with creativity, culture and excitement. Just like this forum.
 
     Enjoy your time in Hong Kong! Thank you.

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, began his visit in Beijing today (March 20).

     Mr Tse visited the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in the morning and toured facilities such as the National Crop Genebank of China, greenhouse of the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, and the scientific research greenhouse to learn about the country's latest agro-technology developments.

     In the afternoon, Mr Tse paid a courtesy call on the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) and met with the Vice Minister of the GACC, Mr Zhao Zenglian, to continue deepening exchanges on various topics such as safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong, the facilitation arrangement for exporting Hong Kong-manufactured food products to the Mainland, as well as strengthening co-operation on food trade.

     During the meeting, Mr Tse expressed gratitude to the GACC for its support in safeguarding food supply to Hong Kong and its assistance in the implementation of the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance. He said that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance, which began in May last year, has been operating smoothly and significantly shortened the time required for customs clearance of Hong Kong-manufactured food products. It was well-received by Hong Kong food manufacturing industry. Both sides expressed the hope that the facilitation arrangement for customs clearance could be applied to more food categories in the future.

     Afterwards, Mr Tse met with representatives from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China (MEE), the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and the BRI International Green Development Coalition to exchange views on topics including co-operation in ecological and environmental field and combating climate change. He pointed out that with the strong support from the MEE, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government achieved great success at the China Pavilion's Side Event of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) last year and hopes to continue telling the good stories to the world about the country and the HKSAR Government's efforts in combatting climate change through the platform provided by the COP30 this year.

     Mr Tse will continue his visit in Beijing tomorrow (March 21).

              

     The "Hong Kong Gala Screening" featuring the Hong Kong film "Last Song For You" was held in Osaka, Japan, tonight (March 20) during the 20th Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF).
      
     The gala screening, attended by some 300 film fans from Japan, was sponsored by the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo).
      
     Speaking before the screening, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office was proud to support the "Hong Kong Gala Screening" together with the film talents coming all the way from Hong Kong to participate in the OAFF this year.
      
     "Showcasing Hong Kong's cultural diversity and creative excellence is our top priority. By promoting Hong Kong films to overseas audiences, we hope to share our love for cinema and our city as a colourful and vibrant metropolis rich in arts and culture from the East and West," she said.
      
     She added that the Film Development Fund has already approved over $1.3 billion to support more than 120 film projects, involving 110 new directors and producers.
      
     Miss Au was joined by director Jill Leung of "Last Song For You", as well as other Hong Kong film talents participating in the film festival. After the screening of "Last Song For You", Leung also took part in a sharing session with the audience.