London ETO Promotes Hong Kong's Innovation Ecosystem to Foster Global Partnerships and Talent Exchange

London ETO promotes Hong Kong's vibrant innovation ecosystem

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) cohosted a seminar titled "Bridging Innovation: Connecting Talent and Partnerships" in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on March 5 (London time), together with City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to promote Hong Kong's vibrant innovation ecosystem and explore new opportunities in talent exchange and global partnerships.

The seminar was also organised as a trade and investment promotion initiative under the new functional platform Economic and Trade Express, as announced in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address.

In her opening remarks, the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, highlighted that Hong Kong's universities provide a strong foundation for strengthening the city's global competitiveness in innovation and technology. She noted that Hong Kong's close integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area offers extensive opportunities for collaboration and market access. She encouraged academic institutions, start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors and global talent to consider Hong Kong as a base for scaling ventures, advancing careers and building global partnerships.

The seminar also featured remarks by the CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of CityUHK Academy of Innovation, Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, who shared insights into CityUHK's strategic focus on nurturing innovation talent and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.

A networking reception was held immediately after the seminar. Over 80 participants attended the event, including innovators and representatives from the business and academic sectors from the UK and Hong Kong, providing valuable opportunities for exchange, collaboration and partnership building.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and City University of Hong Kong cohosted a seminar titled "Bridging Innovation: Connecting Talent and Partnerships" in London, the United Kingdom, on March 5 (London time). Over 80 participants attended the event, including innovators and representatives from the business and academic sectors from the UK and Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) cohosted a seminar titled "Bridging Innovation: Connecting Talent and Partnerships" in London, the United Kingdom, on March 5 (London time). Photo shows (from left) Associate Director of CityUHK Academy of Innovation Professor Ron Kwok Chi-wai; the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, Professor Omar Matar; the CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of CityUHK Academy of Innovation, Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong; the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau; the CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Enterprise), Professor Johnny Ho Chung-yin; and Associate Director of CityUHK Academy of Innovation Professor Denvid Lau Tak-bun at the seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) cohosted a seminar titled "Bridging Innovation: Connecting Talent and Partnerships" in London, the United Kingdom, on March 5 (London time). Photo shows the CityUHK Associate Vice-President (Innovation) and Director of CityUHK Academy of Innovation, Professor Michael Tse Chi-kong, delivering his opening remarks. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) and City University of Hong Kong cohosted a seminar titled "Bridging Innovation: Connecting Talent and Partnerships" in London, the United Kingdom, on March 5 (London time). Photo shows the Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, delivering her opening remarks. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected infringing jewellery at fair booths

Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) conducted an enforcement operation at the JGW September (Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September) being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, seizing about 27 items of suspected infringing jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $160,000.

Customs received information alleging that infringing jewellery were displayed for sale at some booths at the JGW September which lasted for five consecutive days starting from September 16.

After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers today seized 24 items of suspected infringing jewellery from a booth. Customs officers also conducted premises search at an associated company located at Hung Hom, further seizing three items of suspected infringing jewellery.

During the operation, one man and one woman, aged between 47 and 65, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. One of them is the person-in-charge and one of them is a staff member. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs attaches great importance to combating counterfeiting and infringing activities and will deploy officers to different exhibitions to conduct inspections from time to time. Customs will contact the relevant trademark or copyright owners immediately to confirm the authenticity of the goods when suspected counterfeit or infringing goods are found. The department will also take enforcement action after investigations and with the assistance of the trademark or copyright owners.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action. Booth exhibitors are reminded to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell counterfeit and infringing goods.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale an infringing copy of a copyright work commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 for each piece of infringing goods and imprisonment for four years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected infringing jewellery at fair booths Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases