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RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Officials apologise over school places SMS error

The Education Bureau apologised on Tuesday for mistakenly sending text messages to parents who applied for a school place for their children through this year's primary one central allocation. The bureau said the mistake was down to a system error, meaning results of the allocation were sent a day earlier than scheduled. It called on parents to disregard the messages, adding that it has promptly fixed the problem. A total of 16,345 children took part in this year's primary one central allocation. Their parents will be informed of the results on June 3 and 4. According to the bureau, more than 14,000 children were given one of their top three choices of school, with an overall satisfaction rate of 93.6 percent. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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HK delegation finds 'tremendous' Kazakh opportunities

A delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee has wrapped up a productive meeting in Kazakhstan, with business leaders describing the talks as "a very good start" and flagging strong mutual interest in investment and cooperation. The delegation participated in the Roundtable Forum on Economic Development, Trade and Investment Opportunities on Monday morning. Jeffrey Lam, chairman of the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park's board of directors, said the delegation met with numerous companies and representatives from Kazakhstan who showed keen interest in investing in Hong Kong — while also seeking to attract Hong Kong firms to invest in their markets. "We felt the opportunity invested here is tremendous," he said. Lam, who is also an executive councillor, added the delegation is looking forward to hosting Kazakh counterparts in Hong Kong, potentially helping them set up factories, family offices or regional headquarters that could serve as a platform to expand into the mainland and other Asian countries. He said discussions from the forum covered a wide range of sectors, from industries to gold trading. Lam confirmed he would be signing several memoranda of understanding (MOUs), including a joint cooperation agreement with the largest business chamber in Kazakhstan and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Another MOU in the technology sector, he said, is also planned. “The MOU will breed a lot of cooperation in areas of manpower exchange, information exchange, so on and so forth,” he said. “Business chambers, they are very important to trading.” Meanwhile, Frederick Ma, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, described the presentations from Kazakh partners as "very interesting," spanning logistics, hotel operations and other industries. "There are lots of opportunities for Kazakhstan and Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland to cooperate," Ma said. "This is an excellent opportunity for us to get to know each other much better." Ma revealed that Kazakh partners are already planning a conference and roundtable in Hong Kong in mid-June, adding the delegation looks forward to a closer relationship between the two sides. He praised the chief executive's decision to lead such a large group to Central Asia, calling it "wonderful" as it allows businesspeople from Hong Kong and the mainland to mingle with their Kazakh counterparts. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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High value placed on Central Asia trip: CE

Chief Executive John Lee began his first day of activities in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on Monday. In the morning, a group photo was taken of the delegation, which was described as the largest of its kind in the current term of the SAR government. The photo included Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung, Financial Services Secretary Christopher Hui, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau and around 70 business representatives from Hong Kong and the mainland. Speaking to the delegation, Lee said Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan authorities attach great importance to the visit. Lee said he would meet senior officials of the two countries. He stressed the importance of teamwork and urged delegation members to stay energetic and keep their spirits high to deliver good results on the trip. In a social media post, Lee also said the 70-strong delegation brings together industry elites from various sectors in Hong Kong and the mainland. “We will jointly explore the vast potential of Central Asia, gain in-depth insights into this vibrant emerging market, exchange ideas through cross-sectoral interactions, and achieve win-win outcomes through complementary strengths,” he said. Lee added that the visit would boost long-term economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong, the mainland and Central Asia. Lee will stay in Kazakhstan until Wednesday before heading to Uzbekistan. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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King Li appointed as dean of HK's third medical school

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has appointed renowned physician-scientist Professor King Li as the founding dean of its school of medicine, with his tenure beginning on Monday. HKUST said the appointment follows a rigorous global search that involved reviewing over 100 candidates across North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The university said Li was selected for his exceptional track record in academic leadership, medical education, biomedical innovation, as well as his experience in founding a new medical school. Li previously served as the founding dean of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2016 to 2021, an institution widely regarded as a pioneer in engineering-based medical education. During his time there, he developed a technology-oriented curriculum and led the college’s early graduating cohorts achieve a 100 percent pass rate in licensing examinations. Li also received the Gold Medal of the Association of University Radiologists and holds 20 issued patents across the United States, Australia and Europe. Born and raised in Hong Kong before emigrating to Toronto as a teenager, Li said he is deeply honoured to return and contribute to a place where his roots lie. “In the beginning, I have never thought about coming back to Hong Kong,” he said. “But when President Ip approached me and presented me with something that I cannot refuse – the ability to contribute to a very, very important task that can influence not just locally, but potentially the entire country and the world, is something I can't really turn down.” He also pointed to the critical urgency of reforming Hong Kong's healthcare delivery through technology to cope with a rapidly ageing demographic. “It's something that is urgent and it's something I have done before. I see that the opportunity here is actually larger because we have an entire country that has already decided to head in this direction. We are actually working together, not against the entire country,” he said. When asked about how familiar he is with the SAR healthcare landscape, Li noted that he had maintained close ties with the local medical community throughout his time in the US, stressing that he will also be supported by a highly capable team on the ground. The President of HKUST, Professor Nancy Ip, said the university is honoured to welcome Li, saying his leadership will be central to building a globally competitive and locally relevant medical school. She added that the institution looks forward to working alongside the city’s other two medical schools. “As Dean Li mentioned earlier, we already have two outstanding medical schools in Hong Kong and our new medical school will work with them collaboratively” she said. “Together, all three medical schools will elevate the standing of the medical schools in Hong Kong in the international community.” HKUST plans to commence its four-year graduate-entry medicine and surgery programme in the 2028-29 academic year. Edited by Aaron Tam

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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CE arrives in Kazakhstan to begin Central Asia visit

Chief Executive John Lee and his business and trade delegation on Sunday arrived in the Kazakh capital, Astana, kicking off a visit to Central Asia aimed at boosting bilateral ties. Lee was greeted at the airport by Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of National Economy Assan Darbayev and Minister Counsellor of China's Embassy in Kazakhstan Cheng Kefan. The delegation, described as the largest of its kind in the current term of the SAR government, includes more than 40 representatives from Hong Kong’s business and professional sectors, along with about 30 executives from mainland enterprises. Lee said on social media that the trip marks the second time that Hong Kong and mainland representatives have joined forces to “go global” together, covering the broadest range of industries to date. “Hong Kong and Central Asia enjoy vast scope for collaboration,” he said. During the visit, Hong Kong is set to sign multiple memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Central Asian nations and seal numerous cooperation projects among public and private institutions and enterprises from Hong Kong and the mainland, and the two host countries. Lee expressed confidence that the mission will strengthen cross-sector exchanges, create new trade corridors and unlock emerging market opportunities between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region. The group will spend three days in Kazakhstan before heading to Uzbekistan on Wednesday. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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HK eyes logistics, finance role in Central Asia

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) is urging local businesses to seize the abundant opportunities in Central Asia, as Chief Executive John Lee set off to the landlocked region on Sunday with dozens of high-level business representatives. The delegation will first visit Kazakhstan before heading south to Uzbekistan. In an interview with RTHK ahead of the trip, Bruce Pang, TDC's Director of Research, said that the resource-rich region opens up new supply chain corridors for Hong Kong, while the city can offer its expertise in logistics, finance and technology. "Most of the Central Asian countries are looking to upgrade their logistics systems, facilities and capacity," Pang said, noting that Hong Kong companies possess the "know-hows, knowledge and talent pools" in this field. The SAR's capital markets are equally attractive to Central Asian nations — Pang noticed companies are utilising various facilities to raise funds in Hong Kong, including IPOs and the issuance of dim sum bonds. He highlighted a recent dual listing of a mining firm in Hong Kong and Astana stock exchanges, while there are reports that Kazakhstan's state railway operator is eyeing a debut in the SAR. On research and development, Pang believed Central Asia's ambitious plans for digitalisation and artificial intelligence align with Hong Kong's strengths. "Hong Kong will be one of the hubs for research and development powerhouses," he said, adding that the city's talent pools can help the region meet its technology and ESG standards. He also believed Central Asia can help Hong Kong better position itself in the changing global trade landscape. "In the past several years ... more companies are using Central Asia as a gateway," Pang explained, noting the region is becoming a critical transit hub for goods moving between the East and West. The SAR duty visit signalled a strategic pivot, he said, while the TDC encouraged the local business community to view Central Asia not just as a source of commodities, but as a frontier market for high-value services. Edited by Raymond Yeung

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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2nd ICH month builds on last year's success

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law on Saturday said the government will continue to collaborate with the community as a way to protect and inherit the city's intangible cultural heritage. Officiating the second Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Month opening ceremony, Law said the nation's 15th five-year plan has called for vigorous cultural development, enhancing protection and inheritance of ICH, as well as strengthening the reach and influence of Chinese culture towards the world. As such, she said, the ICH Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has responded to the call, and an ICH month has been organised every June since last year - aligning with the nation's China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on the second Saturday of June. Law also said the event will build on last year's success in attracting over 160,000 participants, to allow both residents and tourists to enjoy Hong Kong's rich and diverse culture, and promote the deep integration of culture and tourism. This year's event will offer over 50 performances, 80 promotional booths, as well as 40 site visits that feature more than 100 intangible cultural heritage items, she said. "A total of nine themed tours covering eight selected districts will be offered, such as exploring the art of Guqin in Sham Shui Po, and learning about the craftmanship behind Chiu Chow food making. Participants will have the opportunity to hear the stories and experiences directly from local artisans," Law said. To enrich the tourism experience, the minister said the administration has partnered with the Tourism Board and the airport, launching highlight tours and live demonstrations of Hong Kong-style milk tea making, respectively. The Space Museum will also present a horse-themed light and sound show on its exterior walls every evening from June 11 to 24, marking the Year of the Horse. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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CE to lead group on Central Asia visit from May 31

Chief Executive John Lee is set to lead a government delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from May 31, as part of efforts to deepen trade with Central Asia and explore new opportunities. The delegation, the largest of its kind in the current term of government, will include more than 40 local business and professional representatives, as well as representatives from 30 mainland enterprises. They come from various industries and sectors, spanning business, finance, legal services, construction and engineering, logistics, innovation and technology (I&T), manufacturing and the automotive industry. In a statement on Friday, Lee said Central Asia enjoys "rapid economic development, abundant natural resources, and immense market potential", and Hong Kong aims to strengthen cooperation with the region in areas including finance, trade, infrastructure, I&T and green development. "The delegation will further harness Hong Kong's unique advantages under the 'one country, two systems' principle in connecting the mainland and the world, support mainland enterprises in going global, and capitalise on complementary strengths," the statement read. Various officials are also joining the trip, including Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau, Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Lilian Cheong. The group will first visit Kazakhstan, before going to Uzbekistan for three days from June 3. Lee will meet senior government officials from the two countries to enhance high-level communication, and will lead the delegation on visits to firms and facilities to explore collaboration opportunities. The CE noted that while Kazakhstan accounts for over 60 percent of the regional economy and is the SAR's largest trading partner in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is the most populous country in the region and is also a key partner of Hong Kong. During Lee's absence, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will be acting chief executive. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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HK industries ride on Central Asia trip to forge ties

Two industrial trade bodies that will be travelling to Central Asia as part of a delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee say they see similarities between the region's rapid development and China's opening up four decades ago. Anthony Lam, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), described Central Asia as a developing frontier booming with opportunities. He said Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two largest economies in the region, are both paring down their reliance on natural resources and turning to digital industries, light manufacturing and green technology. "Hong Kong is poised to supply them with these opportunities and technology," Lam said. "They consider themselves developing [countries]. As what we did when China just opened 40 years ago, Hong Kong participated a lot and benefited a lot from the opening of the Chinese economy." Lam identified several areas where Hong Kong's expertise could prove useful in Central Asia. These include medical-related investments and supplies which could serve the region's population of over 80 million people. On the other hand, Lam was keen to explore collaboration with Uzbekistan's fur and leather industry. "They eat a lot of meat, so they've got a lot of leather. Leather then relates to furniture and the shoe industry," he explained, suggesting potential supply chain extensions from Central Asia to Hong Kong. Wingco Lo, president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA), was optimistic about meeting the trip's objectives, one of which is to identify business opportunities in innovation, technology, manufacturing, green development and trade. But he also struck a pragmatic tone, pointing to various challenges awaiting Hong Kong businesses. "Their languages — they use Russian and local dialects. We have to adapt to cultural differences, especially those that are Islamic countries," he said. Financial infrastructure presents another obstacle. "The financial infrastructure may not be that mature," Lo said. "Different financial services and exchange currency rates may be very fluctuating." Logistics, too, remain a work in progress. "The logistics infrastructure is now building up. We hope after they build this up, it will be better for us to set up manufacturing there," he said. On the other hand, Lo pointed to demographic advantages, including low labour costs and a young population. "They have enough manpower with young generations, which will help our manufacturers to settle there." Both Lo and Lam view Lee's upcoming visit to Central Asia as a critical step in establishing sustained ties with the region. "Hong Kong is being a super connector — to the outside, to China, and also to Central Asia. This is a great opportunity for Hong Kong companies to participate in the development and growth of Central Asian countries," Lam said. Edited by Raymond Yeung

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Banking sector looks to fund Central Asia's boom

Bank of China (Hong Kong) said on Thursday the local banking industry is ready to act as a major financial services provider for Central Asia's booming economy. A senior executive from the lender representing the Hong Kong Association of Banks will join Chief Executive John Lee's delegation when he visits Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan next week. BOCHK deputy chief executive Stephen Chan, who's acting chairman of the Association of Banks, said the economies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have exponential growth potential and are willing to seek external cooperation. Chan pointed out that both countries are advancing large-scale infrastructure projects in the areas of transportation and energy. As an international financial centre, the SAR can serve their long-term funding needs, he said. "Construction for highways and airports can span 20 to 30 years," he said. "The SAR's financial institutions can also provide various financing solutions, such as by arranging syndicate loans or issuing offshore bonds, to support the implementation of these projects." Chan noted that the SAR – being the world’s largest offshore renminbi hub – can also facilitate the use of yuan in cross-border trades and investment in Central Asia. “These services include the provision of offshore renminbi cash management and settlement service, as well as trade finance services and supply chain finance," he said. "It is fair to say that the demand spans all dimensions, from capital accounts to current accounts." Chan added that during the visit, the Association of Banks would seek to engage in exchanges with local government departments, financial institutions and businesses to gain a deeper understanding of the latest government policies and market demand there. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Pay rises of up to 4.12pc in frame for civil servants

A private pay trend survey that the government references in deciding civil service pay rises points the way to increases of up to 4.12 percent. The findings – drawn up from the pay trend survey of about 155,000 workers from 104 private companies – suggested pay rises of 4.12 percent for seniors, 2.64 percent for middle-ranking staff and 1.17 percent for juniors. In announcing the survey results on Thursday, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung stressed that the figures are only one of the six major factors that would be taken into account when the Executive Council makes the final pay decision for more than 170,000 civil servants in the city. The other factors are the state of the economy, cost-of-living changes, staff pay claims, civil service morale and the government's fiscal position. “As in past years, after having the net pay trend indicators, we will do an analysis of the other five factors that the Executive Council has to take into account, and then we will present our analysis to the Executive Council to enable the council to make an informed and a balanced and most appropriate decision,” Yeung said. “As for social sentiment, I think public reaction, public acceptance of the proposed policy decision is a factor that the Executive Council will take into consideration in making every decision, not only this one. So this is a given.” Yeung went on to say that she will meet civil service representatives next week to gauge their views. She also announced that a revised appraisal system would be implemented starting October 1 to better evaluate the performance of civil servants. Yeung said around five to 10 percent of staff would be deemed underperformers and not be granted a salary increment. “We have considered similar practices in other jurisdictions as well as considered the actual situation in government departments in coming up [with] this decision and coming up to deciding on this percentage." The move will allow department heads to establish effective management teams, Yeung added. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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'Hidden disengagement raises student dropout risk'

An NGO on Thursday called on schools to be more proactive when it comes to lowering the risk of secondary school dropouts. Researchers from the Hong Kong Christian Service polled nearly 2,000 secondary school students between February and March this year and found that one in 12 students were at risk of what they described as hidden disengagement – when pupils attend school but display withdrawn or passive behaviour. The NGO's service head of children and youth service, Susanne Choi, said students with hidden disengagement are more likely to drop out. "Dropping out is a gradual process that unfolds over time," she told RTHK. "Hidden disengagement often serves as a crucial yet easily overlooked warning sign before [a] student completely detaches from school." Choi said there are a few behavioural indicators that can be easily seen among students with hidden disengagement at school. "They may spend recess or lunch time alone in school, [be] tardy, absent, or leave early... and also have zero extracurricular participation in school. "These elements reflect a student's sense of belonging, school involvement and overall psychological safety," she added. The survey also revealed that hidden disengagement stems from a mix of factors. "In our findings, bullying in school, students with special educational needs and emotional distress are the major factors leading to hidden disengagement of students," Choi said. She added that schools should do more to identify these traits earlier and proactively approach these students. "If the hidden disengaged behaviour has not been addressed earlier, the students may be losing their connection to school, motivation to learn and peer support, gradually distancing themselves from the campus environment," she said. Choi suggested that schools should enhance one-on-one peer support, organise social group workshops and offer individual counselling for students with hidden disengagement. Edited by Aaron Tam

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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Construction site halts work after fatal accident

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) on Thursday demanded a contractor of a construction site in Sham Shui Po suspend lifting operation and carry out safety checks after a worker died during a sewage system upgrade. The worker was injured during a lifting operation at the construction site on Yen Chow Street at about 8.30am on Wednesday. He was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment and was certified dead at about 11.30pm. The contractor was also instructed to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The department said it will render full assistance to relevant departments in their investigations. The director of the Drainage Services, Ringo Mok, expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and requested the contractor to provide them with appropriate assistance. Edited by Azam Khan

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타임라인 키워드

Officials apologise over school places SMS error

HK delegation finds 'tremendous' Kazakh opportunities

High value placed on Central Asia trip: CE

King Li appointed as dean of HK's third medical school

CE arrives in Kazakhstan to begin Central Asia visit

HK eyes logistics, finance role in Central Asia

2nd ICH month builds on last year's success

CE to lead group on Central Asia visit from May 31

HK industries ride on Central Asia trip to forge ties

Banking sector looks to fund Central Asia's boom

Pay rises of up to 4.12pc in frame for civil servants

'Hidden disengagement raises student dropout risk'

Construction site halts work after fatal accident