Exploring beijing with siti: a journey through china's capital
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, today (May 9) paid a visit to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in Beijing.
In the morning, he called on the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, to brief him on the latest situation of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) and development of new industries, as well as the progress of key areas of work under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), which include enhancing Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, promoting "new industrialisation", fostering the development of technology industries, developing digital economy, and attracting strategic I&T enterprises and talent. Director Xia highly commended the performance of the ITIB and fully recognised the work of the bureau.
Director Xia said that the current-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has placed the promotion of I&T development at the forefront of its administration, while continuously enhancing the I&T ecosystem and actively attracting I&T enterprises and talent, noting that the efforts have achieved positive results that deserve full recognition. The Central Government will, as always, fully and faithfully uphold the principle of "one country, two systems", and fully support Hong Kong in consolidating its unique position and advantages and accelerating the development of an international I&T centre.
Professor Sun expressed his gratitude for Director Xia's encouragement. The country staunchly supports the development of Hong Kong as an international I&T hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will live up to the mission that the country has entrusted to it, support the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and continue to strengthen I&T co-operation with different Mainland provinces and cities, thereby complementing each other's strengths. Hong Kong will better integrate itself into national development and contribute to the country's grand vision of realising self-reliance and self-improvement and building a strong nation in science and technology.
Professor Sun visited the MOST in the afternoon for a work meeting with Vice Minister of Science and Technology Mr Chen Jiachang and relevant responsible officials. Professor Sun expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and the MOST for their staunch support for Hong Kong's I&T development over the years, with the introduction of numerous important technology measures benefitting Hong Kong, including the expansion of national science and technology programmes open to Hong Kong and promoting the cross-boundary flow of key elements of scientific research. Both sides exchanged views in the meeting on advancing the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and explored the implementation of dedicated cross-boundary measures to promote the flow of I&T elements, such as people, materials and data, thereby allowing Hong Kong to further contribute to the science and technology development of the country. They also discussed the restructuring of the State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong and the arrangements for the 18th meeting of the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee.
Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (May 10). Before concluding his visit to Beijing, Professor Sun will meet with the leadership of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality.
SITI visits Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI visits Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI visits Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Exploring the latest job market trends: unemployment and underemployment stats from february to april 2024
According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for February - April 2024) released today (May 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.0% in February - April 2024, same as that in January - March 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1% in the two periods.
Comparing February - April 2024 with January - March 2024, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
Total employment increased by around 5700 from 3688400 in January - March 2024 to 3694100 in February - April 2024. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 7700 from 3800100 to 3807800.
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 2000 from 111700 in January - March 2024 to 113700 in February - April 2024.The number of underemployed persons in February - April 2024 was 40500, about the same as that in January - March 2024 (40000).
Commentary
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed at a low level of 3.0% in February - April 2024, same as January - March 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1%. The labour force increased further by 7 700 to 3 807 800, and the total employment bounced back by 5 700 to 3 694 100. The number of unemployed persons increased slightly by 2 000 to 113 700.”
The unemployment rates of various sectors remained low in general in February - April 2024, mostly showing only small changes compared with the preceding three-month period.
Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "Continued economic growth is expected to keep the labour market tight in the near term."
In February - April 2024, the Labour Department (LD) recorded a monthly average of 75 425 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year decrease of 29.2% and a decrease of 2.7% over the average figure in January - March 2024.
On large-scale job fairs, the LD will organise the Embracing New Opportunities Job Fair at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai on May 30 and 31, 2024. About 60 employers will participate, offering a large number of vacancies. Job-seekers may also make use of the LD's Interactive Employment Service website, for obtaining more information on available vacancies.
Further information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
The survey for February - April 2024 covered a sample of some 26000 households or 69000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of February to April 2024.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter October - December 2023 while the next issue covering the quarter January - March 2024 will be available by end May 2024. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel:28875508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-generated images
