HKETO Jakarta celebrates Year of Snake in Kuala Lumpur
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) hosted a Chinese New Year dinner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (February 20) to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Some 400 guests from the local government, business, academic, cultural and media sectors attended the event.
In her welcome speech, the Director-General of the HKETO Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, said that Hong Kong and Malaysia share robust and mutually beneficial commercial ties, with both places being a top-10 trading partner of the other. Bilateral trade in goods amounted to US$27 billion last year, marking a significant year-on-year growth of 13 per cent.
"We congratulate Malaysia on assuming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. Hong Kong echoes the themes of Malaysia's chairmanship, and will support relevant projects that would drive ASEAN's inclusivity and sustainability. With the adoption of the Procedures for Accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement in September 2024, we will also continue to maintain close liaison with ASEAN countries including Malaysia to foster favourable conditions for Hong Kong's early accession to the RCEP."
Miss Cheng added that following the Chief Executive's visit in July 2023 and the visits by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal and the President of the Legislative Council last year, Hong Kong and Malaysia have forged frequent and comprehensive high-level connections. The Secretary for Justice also led a delegation to promote Hong Kong's legal services in Malaysia in September 2024, witnessing the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between arbitration and dispute resolution bodies of both places. She invited Malaysian enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's advantages as a high value-added supply chain service centre, including the city’s top-notch professional services and well-established financial infrastructures, to deepen and expand their international business.
"On people-to-people ties, the performances by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Dance Company, Asian Youth Orchestra and other groups in Malaysia last year were well received by the local audience, showcasing our rich culture and outstanding arts talent. Looking ahead, we will bring our cultural exchanges with Malaysia to new heights in accordance with the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development promulgated in November 2024."
Dignitaries attending the dinner included the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr Liew Chin Tong; the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Ouyang Yujing; the Director of Malaysia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Hoh Jee Eng; the President of the Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association, Dato' Dixon Chew, and senior representatives from other major local business chambers.
The HKETO Jakarta will host its Chinese New Year celebration in Penang, Malaysia, next Tuesday (February 25).
HKETO Jakarta celebrates Year of Snake in Kuala Lumpur Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Jakarta celebrates Year of Snake in Kuala Lumpur Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Jakarta celebrates Year of Snake in Kuala Lumpur Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Panel of Advisors to Committee on Education, Technology and Talents convenes third engagement session
The Committee on Education, Technology and Talents (CETT), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, held the third engagement session with the Panel of Advisors to the CETT today (June 12) to gather views from the Panel of Advisors on the formulation of Hong Kong's first five-year plan.
This year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Government will proactively align with the vast opportunities brought by the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and draw up Hong Kong's first five-year plan at full speed. At the engagement session, the Panel of Advisors pointed out that a forward-looking and strategic medium-to-long-term plan could further strengthen policy synergy, driving the integration of education, technology, and talent, and facilitating Hong Kong's better integration into and service of the overall national development.
During the engagement session, the Panelof Advisorsput forward various suggestions regarding the development of innovation and technology (I&T), education and talent in the five-year plan. The Panel of Advisors supported the Government in accelerating the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the San Tin Technopole. The Panel of Advisors also recommended attracting more quality technology enterprises from the Chinese Mainland and overseas to establish a presence in the parks. This would create a cluster effect, conducive to building a comprehensive I&T industry chain for providing development opportunities for incoming and local I&T talent.
The Panel of Advisors fully recognised that the current-term Government has achieved significant success in its talent initiatives. It supported the Government's continued efforts to expand Hong Kong's talent pool through local training and recruiting global elites, while seizing the opportunities brought about by technological advancements at the same time, strengthening the professional development of teachers, enhancing the effectiveness of nurturing local talent to inject new impetus into Hong Kong's high-quality development continually. Participants of the meeting also attached great importance to nurturing diversified talent to meet the needs of Hong Kong's economic and I&T development, and exchanged views on the development strategies for Vocational and Professional Education and Training, as well as that for skills training. The Panel of Advisors also explored the development of local industries, education, and the labour market in response to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence technology.
Mr Chan expressed gratitude for the valuable suggestions raised during the engagement session, which would provide an important reference for the Government in formulating the five-year plan more comprehensively. Mr Chan also briefed the Panel of Advisors on the insights gained by the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town during its earlier visits to the Mainland, Korea, Germany and Switzerland to study local higher education and I&T infrastructure. CETT will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with the Panelof Advisors to formulate strategies for developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre and international hub for high-calibre talent.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Jeff Sze; Permanent Secretaries or representatives of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Education Bureau and Labour and Welfare Bureau attended the engagement session today.
Panel of Advisors to Committee on Education, Technology and Talents convenes third engagement session Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Panel of Advisors to Committee on Education, Technology and Talents convenes third engagement session Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
