The Education Bureau held the National Geography Fun Fair today (February 15). The Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, officiated at the opening ceremony and presented awards to schools and students who actively participated in the Geography Online Game Platform for Understanding Our Motherland developed by the Education Bureau.
 
     The fun fair was co-organised by the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Geographical Association, and supported by the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong, the Department of Geography of the University of Hong Kong, the Department of Geography and Resource Management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Department of Geography of the Hong Kong Baptist University.
 
     The fun fair, held at Lok Fu Place, aims to enhance students' and the public's understanding of national geography, as well as the developments and achievements of the country through display boards and booth games, thereby heightening the sense of national identity and national pride.
 
     Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fun fair, Dr Sze pointed out that national geography education is an important element of national education. The study of national geography can help students understand the various geographical situations currently faced by the country and the world, the uniqueness of different regions in the country, and the interrelationships between the country and other nations. It can also assist students to extend their concern for geographical situations from a local and national scale to a global scale, enabling them to become responsible citizens with a global perspective. The opening ceremony also showcased the Education Bureau's continued support and promotion of national geography education.
 
     There were eight booth games and display boards in the fun fair to let students and the public understand the country's administrative divisions, natural environment, the relationship between climate and daily life, exotic animals, tourist attractions, historical sites, energy and sustainable development, etc. The participants were engaged and excited. They said they felt that it was easier to learn about national geography through interaction and games, and that their impressions were more profound.
 
     The Education Bureau will continue to develop learning and teaching resources and organise teacher training and student activities to enhance students' understanding of the country, thereby fostering their sense of belonging, national identification and responsibility towards it.

    

     The Government announced today (February 15) the reappointment of 10 incumbent non-official members, as well as the appointment of Dr Rocky Cheng as a new member, to the Advisory Committee on Attracting Strategic Enterprises (Advisory Committee). Their appointments will take effect on February 15 for a term of two years.

     The Advisory Committee is chaired by the Financial Secretary. Its members comprise representatives from the business sector and community leaders, as well as relevant government officials. The Advisory Committee will provide advice on the overall strategy of attracting strategic enterprises. Non-official members are appointed by the Financial Secretary.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “Attracting strategic enterprises from around the globe is especially important in accelerating the development of the innovation and technology industries in Hong Kong, including artificial intelligence and data science, life and health technology, advanced manufacturing and new energy technology and financial technology, thereby creating strong impetus for Hong Kong’s economy. With the valuable advice and recommendations provided by members of the Advisory Committee, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has achieved substantive results throughout the past period. I look forward to continuing to work closely with members of the Committee to ensure that our efforts on attracting strategic enterprises would be more effective."
 
     The membership list of the Advisory Committee is as follows:

Chairman
————–
Financial Secretary

Official Members
————–
Deputy Financial Secretary
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Director-General of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises
Government Economist
 
Non-official Members
————–
Dr Sunny Chai
Dr Rocky Cheng
Mr Duncan Chiu
Mr Victor Chu
Dr Victor Fung
Dr Peter Lam
Ms Nisa Leung
Mr David Liao
Dr Weijian Shan
Professor Harry Shum
Mr Sun Yu

Secretary
————–
Executive Director of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (February 15) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (February 15). They are, on Hong Kong Island, End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation; in Kowloon, Hong Kong & Macau Lutheran Church Social Service Limited; and in the New Territories, Pentecostal Church of Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people to distinguish among the three flag-selling activities.    

     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on February 15 is as follows:
 

 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permits have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/ngo/controlofc/flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association (HKCEA) collaborated a spring reception today (February 14) receiving over 1 000 guests in recognition of Mainland enterprises' lasting commitment and contributions to the city, while celebrating the Chinese New Year.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG), Mr Zheng Yanxiong; the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau; and the Chairman of the HKCEA, Mr Wang Haimin, attended the event.

     Addressing the guests, Mr Lee thanked the HKCEA for consistently uniting Mainland enterprises to contribute to Hong Kong's economy, and serving the society in various fields. In the new year, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to embrace change and strive for innovation, fostering Hong Kong's stable development with positive momentum, while also driving the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis for economic growth.

     Mr Zheng said 2025 marks the closing year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and is a pivotal year for Hong Kong to accelerate its transition from governance to prosperity. The HKCEA, as an important platform for uniting Mainland enterprises in Hong Kong, will leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the Central Government and being closely connected to the world, to drive the prosperity and stability for Hong Kong.

     Mr Wang stated that over the past year, the country's economy has continued to recover, and Hong Kong has made significant progress in governance and development, further strengthening its status as an international financial center. The HKCEA will actively support Hong Kong and strengthen trade co-operation between the two regions. It will take concrete actions to boost the "mega event economy" while supporting grassroots citizens and youth to grow.

     The annual spring reception marks an important occasion for InvestHK and the HKCEA. The number of Mainland enterprise in Hong Kong has been on the rise. In 2024, InvestHK assisted 273 Mainland enterprises setting up or expanding in the city, which represents the largest source market in the department's portfolio.