Remarks by SITI at media session
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at a media session with the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Dr Gerd Müller, after attending the InnoEX 2026 Opening Ceremony cum Luncheon today (April 14):
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry: Now let me say a few words in English before I pass the time to Dr Müller. I am very pleased to be here today, together with Dr Gerd Müller, the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). We are honoured to have Dr Müller leading a delegation to join us at the fourth InnoEX Opening Ceremony, and also visiting the exhibition this afternoon. This year, InnoEX has attracted over 550 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions as well as 17 provinces and cities from the Chinese Mainland. Highlights this year include the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion staged by the DPO (Digital Policy Office) showcasing more than 100 innovative solutions, as well as the RoboPark featuring over 100 robots from around 50 technology companies from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
Later today, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and UNIDO will sign the Joint Statement on Collaboration to Advance Industrial Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation, establishing a co-operative platform to explore opportunities for dialogue, information sharing and exchange of best practices to advance industrial innovation, technology transfer and capacity development. The Joint Statement reaffirms Hong Kong's competitive advantages in digital transformation and artificial intelligence innovation in industry and manufacturing, while also reflecting our shared goals of promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. This marks the first time the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government signed a joint statement with the UNIDO. It also affirms Hong Kong's continuous efforts in promoting global innovation and technology development. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Müller who kindly agrees to join me in answering your questions. Now I would like to open the floor for questions and pass the time to Dr Müller.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms
As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.
A spokesman for the LD said today (October 4) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.
Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:
(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;
(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;
(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;
(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and
(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.
In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.
The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).
Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.
Source: AI-found images
