Tag Archives: China

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of Collect Hong Kong Art Fair 2025 today (March 21):
 
Mr Peter Lau (Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Arts Centre), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     In fact, this is the third event of this afternoon that I attended. And just now I was in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, at the opening of the Art Museum’s expansion. The second art event also related to our tertiary institution. It is actually a great pleasure to join you all today at the opening of Collect Hong Kong Art Fair 2025. This remarkable biennial event celebrates the immense talent of our local artists and brings together art lovers from all around the world. As we can see, Collect Hong Kong is not just an art fair – it is a platform that nurtures creativity, fosters connections, and enriches our city’s vibrant cultural landscape. Seeing and hearing is believing. It’s really vibrant.

     With the clear support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Hong Kong Government strives to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Blessed with a unique background as a cultural melting pot of East and West, extensive international connections, as well as large-scale arts and cultural facilities developed one after another, Hong Kong has made remarkable achievements in the development of the art trading market. In 2023, the total trade value of works of art, collectors’ pieces and antiques exceeded HK$100 billion, making Hong Kong one of the world’s top three art trading centres. This reaffirms Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for arts and culture.

     Collect Hong Kong 2025 plays a vital role in showcasing the depth and diversity of our artistic community. This year, the event coincides with globally renowned fairs such as Art Basel and Art Central, which further adds colour to the fantastic art month – Hong Kong Super March, and will definitely present an immersive art experience to visitors from all around the world.

     But, as Peter said, unlike the two fairs I mentioned just now, you would have noticed that Collect Hong Kong is mainly showcasing the works of our home grown local artists. I very much appreciate Collect Hong Kong’s dedication to provide a platform to showcase our home-grown talents to the community and the rest of the world. This event brings together an impressive range of creative minds, from emerging talents taking their first steps into the art world, to established artists whose works have already made a significant impact. I encourage everyone here today to explore the incredible works on display, engage with the artists, and if possible, support them by acquiring their art. Every piece tells a unique story, and every purchase is an investment in the future of our creative community.

     I would like to commend the Hong Kong Arts Centre for making this event happen, and particularly for opening the event with free admission. This effort ensures that art is for everyone – students, families, and those who may be experiencing an art fair for the very first time. By making art more accessible, we cultivate a deeper appreciation and understanding of creativity in our society.
      
     I would also like to thank all supporting and collaborating institutions including our colleges, tertiary institutions and all the art schools, and everyone who has contributed to the Hong Kong art scene. I wish Collect Hong Kong 2025 a resounding success, and everyone of you here a memorable and enriching experience. Thank you. read more

     The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, concluded his visit to Beijing today (March 21).
      
     Mr Tse met with representatives from the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) in the morning and discussed issues including green development, ocean governance and biodiversity. He pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has rich marine natural assets and biodiversity, and will further co-operate with cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the future to strengthen environmental protection and ecological conservation, jointly building a beautiful bay area. He also invited the CBCGDF to participate further in Hong Kong’s conservation work and environmental education, working together to promote green and sustainable development.
      
     Mr Tse visited the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in the afternoon and met with the Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mr Zhang Xingwang. Mr Tse introduced various measures under the HKSAR Government’s Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, which aims to promote modernisation and intensification of agriculture and the fisheries, and to gradually upgrade and transform the industry to provide the people of Hong Kong with more fresh, high-quality and safe local agricultural and fisheries products, and to enhance food safety in Hong Kong.
      
     Both sides also exchanged views on leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, to develop the potential of an international food hub and expand the access of the Mainland’s high-quality agricultural and fisheries products to the global market.
      
     During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on the latest developments in restocking, and the technical and practical experiences of multi-storey livestock farms. Mr Tse pointed out that Hong Kong is a highly developed city with precious land resources, and the development of agriculture and fisheries is facing many challenges. As the country has a strong foundation in the development, research and application of agro-technology, both sides agreed to establish a mechanism to strengthen co-operation, technological exchanges and talent training.
      
     Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong this evening.

      

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 21) attended the ceremony to celebrate the topping out of the wet-laboratory enabled Buildings 8 and 9 and the full development of Building 11 for talent accommodation in the Phase 1 development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Hetao Co-operation Zone). The Hetao Co-operation Zone is one of the four major co-operation platforms among the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It enjoys unique advantages of “one country, two systems”, “one river, two banks” and “one zone, two parks”, with an aim to develop into a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub which connects the Mainland and the rest of the world, making it a crucial source of new quality productive forces for the country.
      
     Speaking at the topping out ceremony, Mr Lee remarked that, “The Hong Kong Park is a ‘super platform’ for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to serve as a ‘super connector’ and a “super value-adder”. We will make good use of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city and an international hub for high-calibre talent with a view to building the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a bridgehead for I&T, and a showcase and incubator for high-end achievements for the country.
      
     “The HKSAR Government will remove barriers and break through the development limitations with a reform mind-set for the development of the Hong Kong Park. We will also actively explore policy innovation, in particular for supporting policies relating to the free flow of personnel, materials, capital and data, so as to facilitate wider harmonisation of rules and mechanisms between the two places with the spirit of innovation and reform.”
      
     The Hong Kong Park, with about 87 hectares, will be developed in two phases from west to east. The country attaches great importance to the development of the Hetao Co-operation Zone. The HKSAR Government has long been actively taking forward the construction of the Hong Kong Park. Last year, the HKSAR Government has established the Steering Committee on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop, chaired by the Chief Executive, to steer and co-ordinate the work of relevant bureaux and departments in developing the Hong Kong Park. The Steering Committee conducted the second meeting yesterday. The Chief Executive has instructed bureaux and departments to expedite the imminent commissioning of the buildings and the future development of the Hong Kong Park with a spirit of innovation and creation to accelerate the work and enhance efficiency.
      
     The HKSAR Government has also promulgated the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in November last year. It sets out the key development directions, strategies and targets of the Hong Kong Park, thereby leading the development of the Park through top-level design. The Development Outline also specifies the major tasks of the construction and promotes high-quality I&T development among the GBA through fostering collaborative efforts with the Shenzhen Park.
      
     With the completion of the first two wet-laboratory enabled buildings and a talent accommodation building, the Hong Kong Park will officially enter into its operational phase when the first batch of tenants from life and health technology, artificial intelligence, data science and other pillar industries move in starting from the second half of this year. The HKSAR Government is expediting the remaining development of Hong Kong Park. The construction of another five buildings is in full swing.  Furthermore, as announced in the 2025-26 Budget last month, the Government has earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities of the Phase 1 development of the Park. The detailed planning of the Phase 2 development of the Park will be completed within this year.
      
     To support the construction of the Hong Kong Park, following the release of about five hectares of land for Batch 1 development last year, the Government will soon transfer the community isolation facilities at the remaining 14 hectares of land for Batch 1 development to other locations and will complete the site formation works this year in order to release the relevant land parcels to the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITPL). The HSITPL will identify suitable land parcels for the invitation of private development proposals this year with a view to expediting the development by leveraging market forces.
      
     The Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Chairman of the HSITPL, Mr Eddie Mak; and the Board of Directors of the HSITPL jointly officiated the topping out ceremony.
      
     After the ceremony, Mr Lee visited Building 11 (talent accommodation) of the Hong Kong Park to learn about its facilities, environment, ancillary features, as well as exchanging views with representatives of the I&T enterprises which will settle in the Park.

        

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation to combat illegal workers providing agent services for submitting applications for driving licences in Hong Kong on March 19. One illegal worker, who was a Mainland visitor, and one suspected Hong Kong resident employer were arrested.
 
     Immigration officers found that social media platforms have been utilised by someone to advertise agent services for submitting applications for driving licences. After intelligence analysis, ImmD officers found that the service provider arranged for Mainland visitors to submit applications on behalf of customers at the Transport Department. Officers identified the target person and initiated an operation immediately. The person was arrested while providing agent services. The arrested person was a Mainland female, aged 61, who was permitted to stay in Hong Kong on visitor status. Under caution, she admitted that she came to Hong Kong to submit applications for others and would receive a monetary reward of HK$100 for each application. A female Hong Kong resident, aged 33, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and was also arrested.
 
     The illegal worker arrested was charged at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (March 21) with breaching her condition of stay in Hong Kong. She pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 54 days’ imprisonment. The investigation into the suspected employer is ongoing.
 
     “The ImmD will continue to strengthen enforcement actions against illegal employment and seek various means to publicise the serious consequences of employing illegal workers in order to raise public awareness of the issue. The ImmD will conduct target-oriented cyber patrols and take prompt enforcement actions if any person is found organising, arranging or instigating others to commit serious crimes such as employing illegal workers,” an ImmD spokesman said.
 
     The spokesman warned, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him/her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.
     
     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 by employing 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.

  

     The Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) will launch three new “Oi! Spotlight” exhibitions from tomorrow (March 22), featuring artists Toyofuku Ryo, Phoebe Hui and Adrian Wong, which will turn Oi! Glassie and the Oi! Warehouses into unique art spaces. The exhibitions are part of an annual flagship project.
 
     Renowned Japanese contemporary artist Toyofuku will hold his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong. “The Golden Realm by Toyofuku Ryo” exhibition presents two large-scale installations at the two-storey Oi! Glassie. Surrounding the “Golden Tearoom” is a floor covered with white gravel, which is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese karesansui (dry garden) and forms a tranquil space. Aglow with golden brilliance, the interior of the tea room is decorated with 213 paintings created by the artist, including a tram, a fire dragon, a seafood stall, a cucumber growing in Oi! and the artist’s favorite Hong Kong delicacies barbecued pork, pineapple bun and roast goose, depicting motifs that he has encountered in Hong Kong. The “Golden Playroom” invites visitors to immerse themselves in the artist’s created space, interact and engage with others through electronic and board games. Unified by the overarching theme of the Golden Realm, the two installations, which represent tranquility and interaction, offer visitors an immersive experience in a space infused with Japenese aesthetics and cross-regional cultural elements to contemplate everyday life from a distinctive perspective
 
     Hong Kong artist Hui, dedicated to cross-media creation and research, transforms the Oi! Warehouse into a whimsical environment with a series of interactive installations blending art and technology at the “The Garden of Resemblances” exhibition. Drawing inspiration from the 16th century Western medical concept of the Doctrine of Signatures, Hui closely observes the similarities between human and plant forms, and combines organic elements with artificial mechanisms to create a nebulous state between reality and illusion. Playful artworks such as a ginseng that breathes, an onion with an eye, and a pomegranate with teeth, blur the boundaries between nature, technology, and imagination. Some of the interactive installations were inspired by plants at Oi!, such as the idea of the artwork “Pomegranate Myth is a Romantic Lie”, which comes from the pomegranate flowers planted at Oi! garden. The green grass in the artwork “I Miss Him” echoes with the Oi! Lawn, as the artist also expresses her longing for her deceased relative.
 
     Artist Wong, who is active on the international contemporary art scene, will launch his “With Love from Hong Kong” exhibition. Drawing inspiration from classic soap opera narratives, he has created two short videos of his grandmother’s experience immigrating from Hong Kong to Chicago in the 1980’s, combining it with dramatic scenes such as the Chinese fable of “hopping zombies” in a whimsical retelling. He also restages sets in the Oi! Warehouse, taking audiences on a journey through time and space back to the households and on-street cooked food stalls of the past. Wong has also developed a third video, weaving in distinctive community elements of Oi!. Collaborating with the community, Wong and audience members will co-create a “soap opera” that explores themes of love, cities and human connection.
 
     Admission is free for all three exhibitions. “The Golden Realm by Toyofuku Ryo” will run from March 22 to August 17, while “The Garden of Resemblances” and “With Love from Hong Kong” will run from March 22 to August 31. The exhibitions are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and organised by Oi!. For programme details, please visit the website www.apo.hk/en/web/apo/oi_projects_and_programmes.html or call 2512 3000 for enquiries.