TPB Delegation Explores Urban Planning Innovations in Hangzhou and Shanghai

Town Planning Board visits Hangzhou and Shanghai

​The Town Planning Board (TPB) delegation visited Hangzhou and Shanghai from June 1 to 4 to better understand the prevailing urban planning and development of these cities. The delegation was led by the Chairperson of the TPB, i.e. the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), with representatives from the Planning Department and 19 members of the TPB.

During the first stop in Hangzhou, the delegation visited the Hangzhou City Planning Exhibition Hall and was briefed by representatives of the Hangzhou Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources on Hangzhou's history, overall planning and future development direction, particularly Hangzhou's emphasis on the digital economy, private enterprises and the talent attraction approach of its development strategy.

To gain insights into successful experiences in urban-rural integration, the delegation visited Xiaogucheng Village in Jingshan Town, where the delegation learned the pivotal role of enterprises in rural revitalisation. By creating distinctive village houses and streetscapes, promoting an agricultural and tea culture, and converting some village homes into home-stay lodgings linked with surrounding attractions, the Village has been transformed into a new agri-cultural tourism destination. The delegation also visited the Xixi National Wetland Park, the first national wetland park in China, where the members observed its ecological protection projects, which presented a sustainable development model worthy of reference for Hong Kong.

The delegation then visited the Hangzhou Future Sci-Tech City Urban Exhibition Center to learn about Hangzhou's advancements in areas of smart city technologies; AI, including developments and achievements; and applications of innovation and technology (I&T) enterprises such as Hangzhou's "Six Little Dragons". The delegation then visited the headquarters of Alibaba Group, where representatives of Alibaba introduced developments in fintech, cloud computing and smart logistics, as well as their synergies and global impacts on the digital economy and technology.

The delegation then proceeded to visit Shanghai. Representatives of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources introduced to the delegation the history, current status and future prospects of Shanghai's urban planning, particularly Shanghai's development strategy to solidify its status as a leading financial and commercial hub, while also shifting focus to develop its I&T and manufacturing/industrial sector in recent years. The delegation visited the century-old Zhang Yuan to learn more about its revitalisation through acquisition and preservation of structures without demolition, and relocation of occupants by the local government, with a view to effectively preserve the traditional cultural landscape of Shanghai.

The delegation also visited the GrandneoBay Sci-tech Innovation Park of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) where members learned how the research and development (R&D) platform facilitating the integration of industry, academia and research, as well as the local Government's leading role in initiating innovation from 0 to 1, passing on to enterprises to drive scalability from 1 to 100. The key focus is to leverage the SJTU's applied R&D achievements and combine the effort of the Government and the support of enterprises to provide capital assistance for the SJTU's research talent to launch start-ups, transforming scientific achievements into marketable products and driving industrialisation. Finally, the delegation visited the assembly manufacturing centre of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to learn about COMAC's outstanding achievements and contributions in the manufacturing of large civil aircraft and the advancement of the aviation industry, particularly the advanced automated manufacturing processes and comprehensive monitoring systems, which impressed the delegation.

This visit provided the delegation with an in-depth understanding of the latest urban planning and developments in Hangzhou and Shanghai, and facilitated valuable exchanges of experiences and views with relevant planning units and group organisations. The insights gained will serve as a valuable reference for future considerations on the development of the Northern Metropolis, innovative industries, wetland conservation, and urban-rural integration, etc.

Town Planning Board visits Hangzhou and Shanghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Town Planning Board visits Hangzhou and Shanghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Town Planning Board visits Hangzhou and Shanghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Town Planning Board visits Hangzhou and Shanghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Town Planning Board visits Hangzhou and Shanghai 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