Hong Kong Launches Belt and Road Software Pavilion 2025, Showcasing Innovation and Technology Collaboration.

Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025(with photos/video)

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 today (August 21):

Duncan (President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Duncan Chiu), 錦輝 (Honorary President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and Member of the Legislative Council, Professor William Wong), Tony (Chair of the Organising Committee of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion 2025, Mr Tony Hau), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you all today at the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Belt and Road Software Pavilion. Let me first extend my sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council and the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry for organising this important flagship event. To all our distinguished guests who have travelled from near and far, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong.

As we speak about the Belt and Road, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the enduring spirit of the Initiative. Since it was first proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative has been guided by the core principles of connectivity, openness, mutual respect and shared prosperity. Over the years, its breadth and depth of co-operation have been continuously expanding. Beyond physical infrastructure development across continents, technological collaboration has become an increasingly vital dimension.

Recent studies show that China's technology-related investments in Belt and Road countries have grown significantly, from US$24 billion in 2023 to over US$30 billion in 2024. In just the first half of this year, such investments have already reached US$23 billion, more than doubling year on year.

We take pride in China's emergence as a global leader in innovation - particularly in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and green tech. Chinese innovators and start-ups are making their mark on the global stage by offering solutions that not only rival the best in the world, but are also open, cost-effective and inclusive. These advancements are creating real impact, improving lives, and enabling sustainable growth in Belt and Road economies.

In today's interconnected world, digital transformation is reshaping industries, governments and communities. At the same time, it has also brought about daunting challenges - from widening digital divide and rising cybersecurity risks, to increased technological fragmentation. These challenges cannot be addressed by any single economy alone. They demand open dialogue, deeper collaboration and cross-border partnerships.

That is why I am pleased to see events like today's to take place in Hong Kong. The Pavilion this year brings together over 120 innovation and technology enterprises from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and beyond. From fintech and smart healthcare, to cloud computing, 5G technology and city management, this place showcases a broad spectrum of digital solutions. It is a vivid demonstration of how we can work together to harness the power of innovation and technology to uplift communities and improve lives across regions.

 

Today's event also highlights two key value propositions of Hong Kong. First, under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong remains a free and open economy with the free flow of capital, data, talent and goods. We serve as a "super connector", a platform that welcomes and facilitates technological exchanges, collaboration and investment. For users and partners from Belt and Road countries and the Global South, Hong Kong offers access not only to world-class technologies and expertise from across the globe, but also a full range of funding support. For solution developers and tech providers, Hong Kong offers internationally acknowledged testing grounds, professional services, and seamless access to global markets and capital.

Second, Hong Kong - together with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - is fast emerging as the world's leading centre for I&T. I am confident that many of our homegrown innovations, which are showcased here today, will attract international interest. Indeed, many of our start-ups have already found success in overseas markets. Over the past few years, we have launched a comprehensive strategy to accelerate I&T development in four key areas: AI, biotech, fintech, and new energy and new materials. We have made substantial investments to build a vibrant eco-system. From supporting basic translational research and commercialisation, to incubating start-ups and attracting enterprises and talent, we are scaling up Hong Kong's tech ecosystem from upstream to downstream.

In terms of digital policy, over the past two years, we have put in place an action plan, covering such areas as digital infrastructure and governance, digital transformation, cross-boundary flows of data and talent development. Our vision is to unlock the full value of data, and enhance economic inclusiveness through digitalisation. In particular, Hong Kong's unique position as a convergence point for both Mainland and international data gives us a distinct advantage in developing data-driven industries such as AI and biotech.

As of last year, Hong Kong was home to around 4 700 start-ups, representing a 40 per cent increase since 2020. Notably, about 30 per cent of these start-ups were founded by entrepreneurs from outside Hong Kong, reflecting our city's global connectivity and appeal. Our tech ecosystem is open and welcoming, and we look forward to more talent from around the world to join us and thrive together.

Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot better conclude by reiterating the spirit of openness, mutual respect, collaboration and shared progress that lies at the heart of the Belt and Road Initiative. This is what this event echoes. I am confident that the event today will once again be a dynamic platform for experience sharing, knowledge exchanges and partnership-building. I wish you all a fruitful, rewarding and inspiring event, and the best of health and business for the time to come.

Thank you.

Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Opening Ceremony of Belt and Road Software Pavilion (Hong Kong) 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

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.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases