SITI attends press conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended a press conference for the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan this morning (March 26), together with the Executive Chairman of the BFA ISTIF, Mr Leong Vai-tac, to provide more details on the Hong Kong Conference to be held in June.
The BFA initiated the ISTIF in 2019, with a mission to strengthen global science and technology governance, promote international science and technology innovation and co-operation, lead the direction in rule making of emerging technologies, and contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since then, three editions have been held and the ISTIF has become a premier platform for exchanges, dialogues, and co-operation in the field of science and technology innovation.
The BFA and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will jointly host the ISTIF 2025 Hong Kong Conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 6 and 7. Under the theme of "Transitioning Towards the Future: Powered by Science and Technology Innovation", the Conference is expected to attract around 800 participants from the Mainland and overseas, including top-notch experts, scholars, government and business leaders to exchange views on the latest trends in global innovation and technology (I&T) development, the development and emerging opportunities in frontier technological fields, and to inject new impetus into the I&T development of the country and the world at large.
Mr Leong said that the Conference will highlight the unique characteristics of the BFA, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hong Kong, promote the transformation of research and development outcomes, foster pragmatic collaboration, and serve as an international platform bridging government, business, academic and research sectors, jointly contributing to Asia's development and addressing global challenges through international exchanges and collaboration in the I&T field.
Professor Sun said that it is a great honour for the HKSAR Government to cohost the Hong Kong Conference with the BFA in Hong Kong. He said, "Hosting the Hong Kong Conference by the HKSAR Government does not only continue the ISTIF's tradition of staging the event in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA cities, but also reaffirms Hong Kong's advantages as a highly internationalised city and its pivotal role of bridging the country and the world as a dual platform.
"Through the Hong Kong Conference, we endeavor to deepen regional and international I&T co-operation, further elevate Hong Kong's profile in the international I&T arena, and accelerate the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. Hong Kong will fully leverage its strengths as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', harnessing its advantages to create a high-quality international science and technology mega event."
The Conference will comprise the opening ceremony, a Hong Kong forum, sub-forums, panel discussions and round tables, with internationally renowned speakers who will share their insights on a wide range of topics, including global science and technology governance, sustainable development, innovation clusters, life sciences, future mobility, AI, quantum technology, financial innovation and youth leadership, contributing to the enhancement of international co-operation and global governance in science, technology and innovation.
Professor Sun concluded his visit and returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
SITI attends press conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SITI attends press conference of International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum of Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference in Hainan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
10 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Contribute", joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" and "Windsand", and a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department codenamed "Flabbergast" from December 24, 2025, to yesterday (January 1). A total of 10 suspected illegal workers were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including renovation flats, exhibition venues and retail stores etc. Ten suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and four women, aged 23 to 64. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
10 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
