French Science Festival Launches 'Intelligences - Different by Nature' Exhibition in Hong Kong Tomorrow

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species

The annual French scientific culture event, the French Science Festival, will commence tomorrow (October 3). To align with the theme of this year, "Intelligence(s)", the Science Promotion Unit of the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) is collaborating with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau to launch the "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition, which will run until October 29. The exhibition will guide visitors through the vast spectrum of intelligence, beginning with the simplest life forms. It will explore how single-celled organisms adapt and navigate, how plants sense and respond to the environment, and will feature the co-ordination and collective intelligence of insects and the complex behaviours of animals. It also delves into the uniqueness of humanity and the development of AI.

Addressing the opening ceremony today (October 2), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, said that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau have a long-standing partnership dedicated to fostering cultural exchanges through major programmes. The French Science Festival, held annually in Hong Kong since 2021, is just one example of these collaborations. This year's French Science Festival offers a timely and inspiring opportunity to reflect on the evolving concept of intelligence and explore different forms of intelligence.

Officiating guests today included the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe, and the Museum Director of the HKScM, Mr Patrick Lau.

In addition, the exhibition showcases precious animal specimens, such as the Arctic fox, Japanese pipistrelle, golden lion tamarin, bigfin reef squid, as well as intricate insect and bird nests from the Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum. Visitors can closely admire the diverse strategies animals use to survive and their marvellous skills in building elaborate homes. For example, the common tailorbird is known for its unique nest-stitching ability, using its beak as a needle to stitch leaves together with spider silk to create a secure cup-shaped nest for raising its young. Meanwhile, Asian weaver ants use silk produced by their larvae as "glue" to bind leaves and construct nests. They rely on chemical and tactile signals to communicate and co-ordinate their complex nest-building activities.

The exhibition also features videos on a termite nest, and a clever horse named Hans, offering further insights into animal intelligence. As well, visitors can assemble a brain puzzle to understand the functions of different areas of the brain. The reading corner in the exhibition gallery offers a selection of books from the Hong Kong Public Libraries, covering topics ranging from animal behaviour and survival wisdom to robotics and AI. Through these resources, members of the public can delve into the fascinating nature and diversity of intelligence.

The HKScM will roll out a series of free programmes. An inaugural conference, Intelligence of the Living - Animal Behaviour will be held on October 3. Associate Professor of the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Hong Kong Professor Benoit Guénard, and Chair Professor of Department of Neuroscience of the City University of Hong Kong Professor Yung Wing-ho, will explore intelligence in different life forms from a cross-disciplinary perspective. On October 8, Associate Professor of the Department of Linguistics of the University of Hong Kong Professor Christophe Coupé will explore emerging forms of intelligence within biological and social systems in both humans and animals, and share the latest developments and research in this field at the Language & Intelligence seminar. In addition, on October 12, the HKScM will screen a documentary, "Our Intelligence Unveiled", which investigates the nature of intelligence and the factors that influence it from multiple perspectives.

The exhibition and programmes are jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, and are jointly organised by the Science Promotion Unit of the HKScM and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the website at www.spu.hk/en/cards/french-science-festival-2025/.

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Science Museum's "Intelligences - Different by Nature" exhibition to showcase vast spectrum of intelligence across species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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