The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, arrived in Munich to start the final day of his visit to Germany on June 8 (Munich time), concluding the six-day visit to Europe.

     In the afternoon, Mr Sun attended a pitch event co-organised by the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) and a local youth entrepreneurship organisation, where he officiated at the prize presentation ceremony.

     In delivering his remarks, Mr Sun praised the candidates for their business proposals ingeniously integrating with Hong Kong's strengths and targeting the Asian markets. He highlighted that technology as well as talent are key engines driving the economy and society towards high-quality development. As Asia's world city, Hong Kong is proactively attracting international high-calibre talent to tie in with the development under the strategic positioning of the "eight centres", so as to inject new impetus into its high-quality development.

     Last November, the HKTE visited Germany and established a partnership network with a student association from the Technische Universität München and a local youth entrepreneurship organisation. Thereafter, the HKTE collaborated with the organisation to launch the pitch event targeting students from eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and young entrepreneurs, inviting talent in Germany with entrepreneurial ambitions and intentions to develop in Asia.

     Nearly 580 proposals for the pitch event were received across various fields, including artificial intelligence, deep tech, climate and sustainability, as well as health and biotechnology. After two rounds of shortlisting, 25 candidates competed in the finals. The judging panel of the finals included representatives from the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and start-up organisations, as well as an innovation and technology (I&T) expert and an angel investor from Hong Kong. Twelve winners were selected and will be arranged to tour Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in September to explore the region's I&T ecosystem, industry support and entrepreneurial opportunities.

     The HKTE delegation's visit to Europe also encompasses Switzerland and France. In Switzerland, the delegation exchanged with representatives from three of the world's top 100 universities, namely the Université de Genève, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and EHL Hospitality Business School, and invited two representatives from the hospitality sector in Hong Kong to share insights on the city's tourism development and opportunities. In France, the HKTE co-hosts an event with the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) to proactively recruit talent in the finance and commerce sectors to pursue development in Hong Kong.

     During his stay in Germany, Mr Sun also had lunch with the Junior Chamber International Germany and a group of foreign students in Germany. He learned about their lives, introduced the latest development in Hong Kong, and invited them to consider pursuing their development in the city.

     Mr Sun will return to Hong Kong in the evening.

    

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

     Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Police Force, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and Cyberbay, a local crowdsourced cybersecurity company, the BugHunting Campaign 2025 is officially open for registration for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) starting today (June 9).
 
     Launched in 2023, the BugHunting Campaign aims to assist resource-limited SMEs in enhancing their cybersecurity protection and strengthen Hong Kong’s overall cybersecurity. The campaign this year will run from July to August.
 
     As artificial intelligence (AI) technology rapidly integrates into various business operations, enterprises enjoying greater efficiency also face growing cybersecurity threats. The BugHunting Campaign 2025 will recruit cybersecurity professionals to conduct free vulnerability assessments for local SMEs, by utilising AI-powered technology and a bounty-based vulnerability detection model. Additionally, security audits will also be conducted on their AI applications to prevent data breaches and provide comprehensive defences against emerging cyber threats.
 
     The crowdsourced vulnerability detection platform CyberBay employs a secure identity and credential verification system that aligns with banking standards. All participating cybersecurity professionals must pass technical assessments and background checks to ensure their expertise and integrity. Certified cybersecurity professionals, known as "bounty hunters", will provide safe and high-quality vulnerability detection services to local enterprises.
 
     The campaign has received an overwhelming response over the past two years, with over 210 SMEs participating. This year, additional resources will be allocated to provide participating enterprises with detailed inspection reports and complimentary one-on-one professional consultation services to address their vulnerabilities more effectively. Enterprises that demonstrate a solid cybersecurity foundation or successfully remediate vulnerabilities within a specified timeframe will be honored with an official BugHunting 2025 digital badge, recognising their commitment to cybersecurity excellence. Furthermore, cybersecurity awareness training will be offered to employees of participating enterprises to enhance their skills and vigilance in preventing data breaches.
 
    Further details of the campaign and registration arrangements are available on the relevant websites (cyberdefender.hk/en-us/bughunting_campaign_2025/) and (cyberbay.tech/events/protectHK2025).

  

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) proudly supported the 46th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on June 8 (Boston time), where more than 2 000 paddlers from 72 teams raced on the Charles River in a vibrant celebration of sport and culture.
      
     The Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted the festival's special significance in her opening remarks.
      
     "As the first North American dragon boat festival established in 1979, this event holds a unique place in sharing Hong Kong's cultural heritage. The teamwork and energy we see on the water mirror the dynamism that defines Hong Kong itself," she said.
      
     Ms Ho emphasised how the festival strengthens ties between Hong Kong and Boston across multiple sectors including business, innovation, and technology.
      
     "As we forge ahead in enhancing our economy and global competitiveness, Hong Kong – anchored on the core principles of openness, global connectivity and value creation – welcomes business and talents from Boston and around the world," she said.
      
     Apart from the exciting actions on water, the festival grounds buzzed with activities like cultural performances, craft demonstrations, and Asian culinary offerings. The New York ETO's promotional booth attracted significant interest, distributing souvenirs to participants and an estimated 60 000 spectators throughout the day.

          

     The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker are to make their Hong Kong debut in July as part of the "Great Music 2025", presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). This unique ensemble is as renowned for their versatility as for their musical mastery. In this concert, they will perform a diverse repertoire ranging from classical music, tango music, jazz and spirituals to French chansons and film scores. Showcasing an incredible sense of musical unity, the concert promises an acoustic feast that interweaves classical and crossover music.

     In 1972, a radio production of Julius Klengel's "Hymnus" for 12 cellos with members of the Berliner Philharmoniker's cello section provided the impetus for the founding of a soloist ensemble of this calibre. The upcoming concert will open with this seminal piece, followed by the ensemble's first commissioned work, Boris Blacher's "Blues, Espagnola, Rumba Philharmonica". The programme also includes Fauré's "Pavane, Op. 50", Jean Françaix's "Aubade – Presto" and Stephan Koncz's "Swing on DvoÅ™ák".

     The ensemble will also present an array of arranged works, featuring beloved French chansons "Pigalle" and "Sous le ciel de Paris", two spirituals "Nobody Knows" and "Let My People Go", as well as Piazzolla's tango work "Engeltrilogie". The 12 Cellists will also perform film scores from the movie "Titanic"; "Clap Yo' Hands" that featured in the film "Funny Face"; and the jazz classic "Caravan" that has been used in numerous films, showcasing the cello's astonishing versatility across genres.

     The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker, appearing as an independent ensemble, is described as "an orchestra within an orchestra". They captivate audiences of all ages with their alternation of seriousness and humour, depth and lightness. They frequently perform in Berlin and around the world, and embark on large-scale tours. The 12 Cellists have accompanied the German president as cultural ambassadors of Berlin. Their albums regularly make the classical music charts and were recognised with the ECHO Klassik Awards in 2001, 2005 and 2017.

     "Concert by The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker" will be staged at 8pm on July 9 (Wednesday) at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $350, $550, $750, $950 and $1,150 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Package discounts will be available for purchasing tickets for the "Concert by The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker" and "Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev" (to be held on June 17). For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1837.html.

     A pre-concert talk entitled "When Cellists Come Together" (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on July 9 at Level 4 Foyer Reception Area, Auditoria Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speaker will be music practitioner Jimmy Shiu. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The "Great Music 2025", presented by the LCSD, returns this year with star-studded performances running from June to November. Renowned musicians and ensembles from all over the world will come to Hong Kong to perform an array of programmes, showcasing the city as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1840.html.