Speech by SITI at Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2025
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2025 today (September 10):
Honourable Vice-Chairman C Y Leung (Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), Professor Albert Yu (Chairman of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organization (HKBIO) and President of BIOHK2025), Professor CM Lo (Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau), Professor Herman Hu (Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Professor Hu Shao-ming), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is a true pleasure to see you all again at BIOHK2025. Time flies. This marks the fourth edition of this annual flagship biotechnology convention in Hong Kong. Following the success of past years, I am delighted to witness the continued growth of this event in its scale, diversity and global significance, mirroring the dynamism of Hong Kong's ever-growing innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem.
Let me begin with some exciting updates of Hong Kong's I&T developments. With strong support from our motherland, the Plaque Presentation Ceremony for 15 State Key Laboratories (SKLs) in Hong Kong was held last month, recognising our city's world-class capabilities and outstanding achievements in scientific research. Among all, six of the SKLs focus on life and health technologies, covering various aspects such as digestive disease, emerging infectious diseases, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. These SKLs serve as engines of discovery and magnets for talent, translating R&D (research and development) into real-world applications that benefit society.
Another milestone worth celebrating is the recent announcement by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally in its Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025. This is truly a remarkable achievement. The top ranking is not only a recognition of the strong innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), but also a powerful endorsement of the GBA as a fertile ground for I&T investment and entrepreneurship, including biotechnology and other frontier technologies.
For the first time, WIPO has included venture capital investment as a new metric in its GII ranking, highlighting the importance of transforming scientific research into economic value. It also reflects a broader global trend and standard: innovation must be scalable, sustainable and investable. It also affirms that Hong Kong's efforts in fostering effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors are on the right track.
As you may be aware, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has identified life and health technology as a strategic industry, and we are committed to develop Hong Kong into a global leader in this field. Every step requires strategic investment and long-term vision, and Hong Kong is rising to seize these opportunities. I am confident that our world-class R&D infrastructure such as the InnoHK research clusters and the future Life and Health Technology Research Institute, coupled with proactive funding schemes like the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme and the upcoming Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, will empower Hong Kong to navigate its I&T journey with strength and resilience.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is open for innovation. As we gather here at BIOHK2025, we reaffirm our shared commitment to shaping the future of biotechnology. The opportunities ahead are vast, and the momentum is real. Let us seize the moment together for a healthier and smarter future, starting right here in Hong Kong.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the HKBIO and the relevant stakeholders, including our industry leaders and experts, for their continued efforts and significant contributions to promote the development of biotechnology in Hong Kong. May I wish the BIOHK2025 a resounding success. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
Speech by SITI at Opening Ceremony of BIOHK2025 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
