Hong Kong Launches First Smart Catering Robot for Automated Meal Services

InvestHK and FEHD collaborate to support Mainland enterprise in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (March 15) announced that the department has collaborated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to facilitate China Resources Enterprise Property Investment Company Limited (CREP) in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot. The robotic system provides instantly prepared hot meals around the clock, with fully automated operations that handle ordering, reheating and meal dispensing, applying AI technology to local food and beverage retail scenarios.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "InvestHK has always maintained close communication and collaboration with government bureaux and departments to continuously enhance Hong Kong's business environment. The latest Budget emphasises on promoting the industrialisation of AI and encouraging its wider adoption. We are very pleased to see these technologies being adopted in the catering industry, opening up new directions for smart retail. This project also fully demonstrates the result of cross-departmental collaboration in facilitating the successful implementation of innovative technologies while ensuring compliance with local regulations and food safety requirements. I look forward to seeing more companies leverage Hong Kong's business advantages to further expand its presence in the city and across the Asia-Pacific region."

The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Donald Ng, said, "The FEHD has always encouraged and facilitated innovation in the catering industry to bring more diverse dining experiences to the public, while safeguarding food safety and public hygiene. For this project, the FEHD maintained close communication with the relevant companies, providing guidance on legal requirements and hygiene standards to facilitate their acquisition of the necessary food business licences. I am pleased to see the smooth implementation of this project and look forward to more technological applications in the catering industry in the future to continuously elevate service standards."

Deputy General Manager of CREP Mr Zhang Linjun said, "CREP is committed to building a one-stop overseas expansion service platform to help Mainland brands establish a presence in Hong Kong and explore business opportunities. Leveraging our two decades of resources and experiences in Hong Kong's commercial market, we have assisted Mainland companies in establishing their technological and business operations in Hong Kong. We have also developed a deep partnership with InvestHK to promote the application of innovative technologies in the catering sector, while tackling daily challenges in the industry. This initiative will offer Hong Kong residents more diverse dining options in various scenarios, including remote areas, busy districts and late-night hours. Going forward, we will further expand the scope of co-operation to help the smart catering business form a scaled operational network."

Named the "Hey Food Smart Catering Robot", the initiative is officially launched in Hong Kong by CREP, integrating innovative technological solutions from the Mainland with local business expertise. Founded in 2000, CREP currently owns a portfolio of commercial properties in core business districts and community neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. The company has continuously optimised its property portfolio and has actively explored investment and operational opportunities in retail real estate. In recent years, by building a one-stop overseas expansion service platform, CREP has assisted Mainland enterprise brands and products in going global, while providing higher quality services and products for Hong Kong.

For more information about the smart catering robot, please visit CREP at: www.crep.com.hk.

Invest Hong Kong today (March 15) announced that the department has collaborated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to facilitate China Resources Enterprise Property Investment Company Limited in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot. Photo shows one of the food items offered by the smart catering robot. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong today (March 15) announced that the department has collaborated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to facilitate China Resources Enterprise Property Investment Company Limited in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot. Photo shows the smart catering robot. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (March 15) announced that the department has collaborated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) to facilitate China Resources Enterprise Property Investment Company Limited (CREP) in launching Hong Kong's first smart catering robot. Photo shows the Head of Consumer and Hospitality of InvestHK, Ms Sindy Wong (first right); the Senior Superintendent (Licensing) of the FEHD, Mr Hui Kar Nung (second left); the Deputy General Manager of CREP, Mr Zhang Linjun (second right); the Chief Executive Officer of Shanghai Xixiang AI Kitchen Robotics Ltd, Ms Liu Yunxi (middle); and the Senior Vice President, Consumer and Hospitality of InvestHK, Mr Raymond Hou (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns foreign media organisation for misleading international society and whitewashing Lai Chee-ying's offenses

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

A spokesman for the Legislative Council ("LegCo") today (May 1) strongly condemned the release of a so-called press freedom index by a foreign media organisation and presentation of a so-called award to the national security offender Lai Chee-ying to sugarcoat his criminal acts, and smear the press freedom and rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"). LegCo strongly condemns and firmly opposes all untrue comments that defame the human rights and rule of law in the HKSAR.

LegCo's spokesman stressed, "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Hong Kong National Security Law ("HKNSL") and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ("SNSO") clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Facts speak louder than the words. Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, Hong Kong society as a whole has thrived and returned to rationality and safety."

LegCo's spokesman emphasised, "Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and the evidence is irrefutable. During the trial, a vast amount of evidence testified that for years, under the guise of journalism, democracy, and freedom, Lai Chee-ying utilised media platforms as political tools to incite hatred and commit acts that harmed both the country and Hong Kong. This included using media platforms to call for foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The court conducted a rigorous, fair, just and open trial lasting 156 days. The reasons for the verdict, spanning 855 pages, have been fully disclosed for public inspection; they set out in detail the judges' rigorous analysis of legal principles and evidence, and clearly explain the reasons for finding Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies guilty. The judgment also pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction is well-reasoned and sound, fully demonstrating that the court makes rulings strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference."

LegCo's spokesman said, "As emphasised by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,Mr Xia Baolong,in his speech on this year's National Security Education Day, Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, profoundly demonstrates that there is no development without security, and without security, everything is out of the question. Only by holding the bottom line of security can we achieve development and win the future."

LegCo's spokesman reiterated, "LegCo will continue to firmly fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, support the SAR Government's administration in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. LegCo urges the international community to recognise the facts and immediately stop making any groundless, fact-distorting, misleading and malicious attacks against Hong Kong."

Source: AI-found images