Speech by SITI at Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 Gala Dinner
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 Gala Dinner today (November 8):
Professor Tong (Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum, Professor Timothy Tong), Dr Lam (Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Group and Director of Lee Shau Kee Foundation, Dr Colin Lam), esteemed Shaw Laureates, distinguished guests, young scientists, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening. It is a profound honour to join you tonight at the Gala Dinner of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025.
Over the past four days, we have witnessed a remarkable convergence of minds. The Hong Kong Laureate Forum has brought together brilliant Shaw Laureates and promising young scientists to share valuable insights in science and innovation.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Council of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum, the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, and the Shaw Prize Foundation for their unwavering support and hard work. Their vision and dedication continue to inspire a global community committed to scientific research and breakthroughs. It is through gatherings like this that we plant the seeds of discovery which will shape the next generation and bring benefits to humankind.
Hong Kong is proud to host this Forum, and proud to be a place where ideas take root and innovation flourishes. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has placed innovation and technology (I&T) at the core of our development strategy. We spare no effort to build a vibrant and sustainable I&T ecosystem that supports the chain of innovation - from fundamental research to industrial application.
Just a few days ago, the International Institute for Management Development released its World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025, placing Hong Kong fourth globally. This marks a steady ascent: three places higher than last year and another three from the year before. We are also excited to have five local universities ranked among the top 10 in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) University Rankings for Asia 2026 announced in the same week. These achievements reaffirm Hong Kong as a global hub for scientific excellence and world class talent.
But we won't stop here. With the opening of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park later this year, alongside new I&T land in San Tin Technopole and Sandy Ridge situated in the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong offers not just supportive policies and infrastructure, but abundant opportunities for I&T talent and enterprises. As a "super connector" and a "super value-adder", Hong Kong is an ideal partner for global I&T collaboration and business explorations.
To our esteemed Shaw Laureates: your accomplishments are a testament to the spirit of perseverance and adventurousness. As the saying goes, "one minute on the stage takes ten years of practices off the stage (台上一分鐘，台下十年功)". Behind every breakthrough lies decades of tireless quest for knowledge, unwavering determination, and steadfast belief in the power of science. We honour not only your achievements, but also the journey that made them possible.
While the four-day programme of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum officially concludes tonight, the pursuit of scientific excellence continues. As we close this remarkable chapter, let us carry forward the spirit of the Forum to continue the dialogue, deepen the partnerships, and expand the horizons of possibility.
And finally, a warm reminder to every eligible voter in Hong Kong: please cast your vote on December 7 at the Legislative Council Election to make your voice heard!
Congratulations again on the resounding success of the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025. I wish you all a pleasant evening. Thank you.
Speech by SITI at Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2025 Gala Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
22 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" from March 27 to yesterday (April 1). During the anti-illegal worker operations, investigators raided multiple target locations including restaurants, industrial buildings and flats under renovation, etc. Twenty suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 15 men and five women, aged 25 to 57. Among them, one man and one woman were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. Two men, aged 36 and 60, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. 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 warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, 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 is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years."
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 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, emailanti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form atwww.immd.gov.hk.
22 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
