Professor Sun Dong Visits Beijing to Boost Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Development

2025-08-19 20:30 Last Updated At：21:13

SITI visits Beijing

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, today (August 19), called on the central ministries in Beijing and visited innovation and technology (I&T) related enterprises there.

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SITI visits Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SITI visits Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Professor Sun called on the Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, and briefed him on the latest development of Hong Kong’s I&T and new industrialisation, as well as the progress of key areas of work and future work plans under the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) which include accelerating the development of the Hetao Hong Kong Park, enhancing Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem, promoting new industrialisation, fostering development of technology industries. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the HKMAO of the State Council for its care and support to Hong Kong's I&T development.

Professor Sun also visited the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and met with the Chairman of the SASAC, Mr Zhang Yuzhuo, and Vice Chairman of the SASAC, Mr Li Zhen, as well as the key officials of its various departments. Professor Sun introduced Hong Kong's I&T overall development plan and the latest progress of the setting up of the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund (ITIF) by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. Both sides had an in-depth discussion on matters including stepping up efforts in the participation of state-owned enterprises in developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, leveraging Hong Kong’s international advantages and attracting talents to support the building of an international hub for high-calibre talents.

Professor Sun also held a meeting with the key officials of the Department of Foreign Capital and Overseas Investment of the National Development and Reform Commission to exchange views on how Mainland institutions can participate in the ITIF.

Professor Sun, then visited the Tsinghua Unigroup. He toured the group's exhibition centre and received a briefing on its achievements in relevant semiconductor chip technology and industry development. He also held discussions with the group's management to understand the full industry chain layout of this smart technology industry group in semiconductor chips, information and communication technologies, finance, education, cloud services and digital solutions. Professor Sun also met with the management of an enterprise focusing on technologies including electron-beam inspection to understand the latest technological developments in semiconductor testing equipment and its future industry plan.

Yesterday (August 18), Professor Sun, visited the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and held a working meeting with Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Mr Xiong Jijunand relevant key officials of the Technology Department, International Department and Electronics Department. They discussed the latest progress in implementing various initiatives since the signing of the Co-operation Agreement on the Development of New Quality Productive Forces and the Promotion of New Industrialisation between the HKSAR Government and the MIIT in September last year, as well as the development of the manufacturing innovation centre. Professor Sun expressed gratitude to the MIIT for its strong support to the HKSAR Government in promoting new quality productive forces and the development of new industrialisation.

In addition, Professor Sun also visited the State Development and Investment Group Co., Ltd and met with the Group's Party Secretary and Chairman, Mr Fu Gangfeng. Professor Sun learnt about the Group's achievements in promoting technology innovation, leading the upgrade of the industry, and serving national strategies as a state-owned capital investment company, as well as the Group's experience in managing various funds, including national-level government investment funds.

The Commissioner for Industry (Innovation and Technology), Dr Ge Ming, also joined the visit.

Professor Sun will visit China Chengtong Holdings Group Limited, and then meet with representatives from several Zhongguancun technology enterprises in Zhongguancun tomorrow (Aug 20).

Professor Sun will conclude his visit tomorrow afternoon and return to Hong Kong.

Six illegal workers and an employer arrested in Hong Kong's anti-illegal worker operation Contribute.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

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, the 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.

Professor Sun Dong Visits Beijing to Boost Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Development

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