CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau convened a meeting today (January 13) to co-ordinate the preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during the eight-day Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland (January 28 to February 4). The meeting was hosted by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, with representatives from government departments including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, Hong Kong Customs, the Transport Department, and various District Offices attending. Representatives from various tourism-related organisations, including the Travel Industry Authority, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, major tourist attractions and the hotel industry also attended.
Miss Law said, "The Chinese New Year Golden Week is Hong Kong's peak season for travel. Various districts in the city will host a variety of festive events to create a rich New Year ambience for visitors. We are grateful for the Central Government in resuming and expanding the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen residents, which enables more Mainland travellers to visit Hong Kong. We estimate a notable increase in visitor arrivals during the Chinese New Year Golden Week. We encourage the trade to grasp the opportunities and be flexible in providing more high-quality and innovative experiences to visitors to attract them to stay overnight to enjoy Hong Kong's unique festive atmosphere."
Relevant parties will continue to maintain close communication before the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland to plan and take forward various preparations for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong, making timely reports on the latest situation to the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration.
CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CSTB convenes meeting to co-ordinate preparation for visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy holds first meeting
The Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy (the Committee), chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its first meeting today (June 29).
At the meeting today, members discussed the development of artificial intelligence and its deep integration with industries to empower various sectors to upgrade, transform, and achieve sustainable development. Members also exchanged views on a series of relevant issues, including research and innovation, data flow and security, computing infrastructure, application scenarios, talent cultivation, capital investment, and governance policies.
Mr Chan said, "Currently, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is accelerating, with AI playing a pivotal and leading role. AI is not only a major industry in its own right, but is also deeply empowering a myriad of industries - particularly in enhancing corporate productivity, pioneering new business models, new tracks, and new application scenarios, as well as promoting more inclusive and accessible products and services. The National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly proposes to advance the building of 'Digital China' and to deepen and expand the AI+ Initiative. A key focus of the Committee is to explore how to better align with the national development strategy; how to leverage and combine Hong Kong's strengths in research, internationalised application scenarios, capital, talent, and global connectivity to accelerate the development and application of AI; and how to enhance the competitiveness of various sectors and create new opportunities for them, while ensuring that the fruits of this development benefit all segments of society. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all members for their participation and support, and for sharing their profound insights and offering constructive advice."
The Financial Secretary announced the establishment of the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy in the 2026-27 Budget. The terms of reference of the Committee include formulating priorities and strategies for AI-driven industrial transformation, innovation and development; promoting co-ordination among the Government, industry, academia, research, investment and application sectors to drive the industrial application of AI and facilitate the intelligent development of different industries; and fostering the deep integration of AI with various industries. The membership comprises representatives from the business and professional sectors, as well as relevant policy bureaux and departments. The list is as follows:
Chairperson
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Financial Secretary
Official members
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Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Health
Secretary for Environment and Ecology
Commissioner for Digital Policy
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology)
(Representatives from other relevant bureaux and departments will be invited to attend Committee meetings as and when appropriate)
Ex-officio members
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Chairperson of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute
Chairperson of Hong Kong Life and Health Technology Research Institute Steering Committee
Chairperson of Board of Directors of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited
Chairperson of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Chairperson of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited
Chairperson of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute
Chairperson of Hong Kong Productivity Council
Chairperson of Board of Directors of Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute
Non-official members (in alphabetical order of surnames)
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Professor Au Kwok-wai Samuel
Professor Chan Kwok-leung
Professor Chiu Wai-yan Philip
Dr Chuang Tzu-hsiung Steve
Dr Kam Chak-pui Jacob
Dr Lam Tzit-yuen David
Dr Lo Kam-wing
Professor Man Kwan
Professor Shum Ho-cheung Anderson
Mrs Tse Annie Yau On-yee
Mr Wang Hua
Professor Yang Hongxia
Mr Yao Cho-fai Andrew
Professor Yu Cheung-hoi
Professor Zhang Fumin
Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases