Immigration Department repatriates 113 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin
The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation codenamed "Shield" for seven consecutive days from January 12 to yesterday (January 18). A total of 113 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants who were illegal immigrants and overstayers were repatriated to their places of origin. The persons removed comprised 68 men and 45 women, who mainly originated from Vietnam, Indonesia and India. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.
Depending on circumstances and needs, the ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process and will actively maintain close liaison with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments to repatriate unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through all appropriate measures.
Immigration Department repatriates 113 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Immigration Department repatriates 113 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants to their places of origin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception on March 12 (Philadelphia time) in Philadelphia, one of the most significant life science clusters in the United States, to promote Hong Kong's expanding role as a global hub for health and life sciences innovation and to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Over 130 business leaders, investors, and innovators from across Greater Philadelphia gathered to learn more about Hong Kong's role as an international life and health science hub.
As part of the Economic and Trade Express initiative, the business forum was co-organised by the New York ETO, Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), strengthening efforts in trade and investment promotion, and reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".
In her welcome remarks, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong's remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong's life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multipronged approach.
She elaborated on Hong Kong's integrated development plan, including reforming the evaluation regime for drugs and medical devices, promoting the use of real-world data to facilitate clinical research, setting up dedicated institutes and academies for research and clinical trials at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in the Northern Metropolis, as well as dedicated efforts in attracting strategic enterprises, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a leading health and innovation node.
Ms Ho added that Hong Kong's well-established financial ecosystem continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this growth. "Hong Kong ranks as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, supporting a diverse range of innovative companies," she said.
The business forum featured two keynote presentations connecting life sciences and health innovation between Philadelphia and Hong Kong. In her keynote presentation, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie, highlighted Hong Kong as a launchpad for life sciences, showcasing its well- developed research and development infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and strategic gateway to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia-Pacific markets. Meanwhile, the Director (New York & Midwest) of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie, shared the range of support the HKTDC provides to Philadelphia companies, including matchmaking services for companies, and encouraged delegation participation in the upcoming Asia Summit on Global Health.
The presentations were then followed by a panel discussion moderated by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole, featuring the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Liu Shuang; the Head of Global Business Development of the Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson; and the Director, Deal Advisory, US-China Corridor of KPMG, Mr Jon Hung. The speakers discussed collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia.
On the same evening, Ms Ho hosted a spring reception for guests from the city's political, business, financial, and academic communities.
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
