Preparatory work for World Intellectual Property Organization Technology and Innovation Support Centre in Hong Kong commences
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), along with 50 other service institutions on the Mainland, has been designated jointlyby the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as part of the new batch of organisations for establishing Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs) and will commence preparatory work that will span a period of one year.
Upon completion of the establishment period, the CNIPA and WIPO will conduct an evaluation and authorise the HKPC to officially operate the TISC in Hong Kong after confirming that the required conditions are met.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, "We welcome the designation of the HKPC as an organisation for establishing the TISC by the CNIPA and WIPO. The Government will support the HKPC in taking forward the preparatory work, striving for the commencement of operations at the centre next year at the earliest to provide assistance and services to the trade, with a view to further promoting Hong Kong's development as a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre and an international innovation and technology centre."
Under a dedicated programme of the WIPO Development Agenda, TISCs are established to support researchers and innovators at different stages of the innovation cycle by providing them with consultation services on a wide range of information in areas including patent utilisation, search analysis, technology transfer, IP management and commercialisation, thereby helping them make use of the IP system (especially by means of patents) to protect their inventions and guiding them in bringing technology to market.
More than 100 TISCs have been established on the Mainland under the dedicated programme. The Government has responded positively by participating in the programme and has set aside funding to support the HKPC to establish and operate the TISC in Hong Kong in the first three years as announced in the 2024-25 Budget, enabling Hong Kong to better integrate into national development.
The TISC in Hong Kong will focus on providing local start-ups and small and medium enterprises with high-quality IP (especially patents) information and services to assist them in exploring their innovation potential and creating, protecting, managing and commercialising their IPs, with a view to protecting research and development outcomes and promoting IP trading.
Special traffic and transport arrangements for New Year's Eve
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 30) reminded the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented on New Year's Eve (December 31) to facilitate the related holiday celebration activities.
Road closures
Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases from 2pm that day in the vicinity of Central. The public light bus stands, taxi stands and roadside parking spaces on the corresponding road sections will be suspended. Depending on the actual situation, the Police may extend the closure area in the vicinity of Central in phases.
The TD urged members of the public to heed ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures which may be implemented by the Police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area at short notice, including road closures, traffic diversions, alterations or suspension of public transport services and their relevant stops, to maintain public order and safety.
Public transport service arrangements
(i) In connection with the actual road closure arrangement, the bus and green minibus (GMB) routes operating in the affected areas will be subject to temporary diversions, suspension of services or adjustments of associated stops;
(ii) The following MTR service enhancements will be implemented on that day:
The train frequencies of MTR lines (except Airport Express) will be enhanced in phases from 3pm onwards on December 31, and the services in other periods will be strengthened subject to passenger demand;
Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, Tseung Kwan O Line (sections from North Point to Po Lam and from Tiu Keng Leng to LOHAS Park), South Island Line, Tung Chung Line, East Rail Line (section from Admiralty to Sheung Shui), Tuen Ma Line, and Light Rail route nos. 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will provide overnight services;
The last train to Lo Wu will depart from Admiralty at 0.56am on New Year's Day while the last train to Admiralty will depart from Lo Wu at 2.30am; and
The operating hours of the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and MTR Bus route nos. 506, K51 and K54A will be extended.
(iii) Eleven special bus services (including KMB route nos. N43, N64P, N71, N243, N272 and N276; Citybus route nos. NB3, R11 and R22; New Lantao Bus (NLB) route no. NB2; and Cross Harbour route no. 976S) will be operated in the small hours on New Year's Day. The service level and operating hours of various bus routes (including 18 KMB routes, two NLB routes and three Cross Harbour routes) will be strengthened or extended respectively;
(iv) The operating hours of eight GMB routes in Kowloon and the New Territories will be extended; and
(v) Cross-boundary coach operators will provide service via Shenzhen Bay Port during the small hours on New Year's Day. The Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang short-haul cross-boundary coach service will also be strengthened subject to passenger demand. The en-route stop of the short-haul cross-boundary coach service from Jordan to Huanggang Port (northbound) at China Ferry Terminal Bus Terminus will extend service hours on New Year's Eve till 2.30am the following day.
Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System Services
The operating hours of the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System on New Year's Eve will be extended to 3am on the following day.
Due to road closures, the TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Central will become significantly congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to these areas affected by the road closures. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on site.
Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures when necessary. Subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas, the Police may adjust the traffic arrangements. The public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the TD mobile application "HKeMobility".
Details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements will be uploaded to the TD website (www.td.gov.hk) and mobile application "HKeMobility". Members of the public may may also refer to the passenger notices displayed by the relevant public transport operators.
Source: AI-found images
