Hong Kong Delegation Explores University Development in Korea for the Planning of Northern Metropolis University Town

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to continue visit to Korea

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. The delegation conducted on-site visits to universities in Seoul and held meetings with officials, with a view to providing a solid reference for the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

In the morning, the delegation visited Kyung Hee University's Seoul Campus. Established in 1949, Kyung Hee University is a top-tier private university in Korea, renowned for its programmes in humanities, international studies, medicine, hospitality and tourism. The delegation met with the university's president Kim Jin-sang and other representatives to learn about the university's self-financing operation model and experience in achieving financial sustainability. They also visited various facilities on campus, including the start-up centre, and listened to a briefing by the centre's representatives on how it assists high value-added technology start-ups in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biomedicine to develop their businesses through different programmes.

Mr Chan expressed hope that Kyung Hee University's successful example of diversifying its operating funds can serve as a reference for self-funded higher education institutions in NMUT, and that its development model, which integrates academic research, innovative thinking, start-up incubation and industry collaboration, can also serve as a useful reference.

Afterwards, the delegation attended a luncheon to exchange views with representatives from the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, the Incheon Global Campus Foundation and several top Korean universities, on how to build a university town that deeply integrates higher education, scientific research and industry. Through this visit, they also aimed to promote exchanges and co-operation in the education field.

In the afternoon, the delegation met with the Vice Mayor for Political Affairs of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Mr Kim Byung-min, to have in-depth exchanges on government-university collaboration, attracting internationally renowned universities and talent, campus and innovation district planning, as well as future co-operation opportunities between the two places.

Mr Chan said that both Hong Kong and Seoul are committed to promoting the deep integration of education, technology, and talent development, and the potential for co-operation is immense. During their recent visits to Seoul and other Korean cities, the delegation exchanged views with representatives from various higher education institutions, research organisations and government departments on the planning and development of university towns. Their extensive experience in campus planning, industry-academia-research collaboration, talent cultivation, and multi-university shared campus models made the discussions highly insightful. He looks forward eagerly to having collaborative projects between Korea's top universities and Hong Kong's institutions in the NMUT, fostering innovative talent with an international perspective.

Subsequently, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mr Dai Bing, to brief him on the planning and development of Hong Kong's NMUT.

Mr Chan, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and other members of the delegation will proceed to Incheon tomorrow (April 24) to continue their visit.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan (left) and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (right), meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Mr Dai Bing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan (fourth left), the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (second left), and the delegation exchanging views with Vice Mayor for Political Affairs of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Mr Kim Byung-min (fifth left) on university town planning and future co-operation opportunities between the two places. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan (front row, centre), the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (front row, fourth right), and the delegation attending a networking luncheon and exchanging views with different stakeholders. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan (front row, ninth left), the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (front row, seventh left), and the delegation exchanging views with Vice Mayor for Political Affairs of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Mr Kim Byung-min (front row, 10th left) on university town planning and future co-operation opportunities between the two places. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan (second right), the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (first right), and the delegation visiting Kyung Hee University. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan delivering a speech during a networking luncheon. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 23) led the delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis to continue its visit to Korea. Photo shows Mr Chan (second right), the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (third right), and the delegation visiting Kyung Hee University and exchanging views with the university representatives. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (April 25) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 47, at Hong Kong International Airport on April 24, and seized about 21 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 21 200 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $211,000 and a duty potential of about $69,400 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases