SITI Advocates for AI and Digital Empowerment at APEC Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu

SITI attends APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting (DMM) and other Digital Weeks high-level events in Chengdu today (July 23). Under this year's theme "Digital and AI Technologies for Empowerment of the Asia-Pacific Community", Professor Sun called for APEC's concerted efforts to advance digital and AI technologies and their sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific community, and build a human-centric and inclusive digital society.

In his speech at the thematic session "Enhancing Digital and AI Technologies for Development", Professor Sun said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has identified AI as a core industry and is advancing the "AI+" initiative to support the high-quality development for both the nation and Hong Kong. Hong Kong has developed an innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem anchored by three major I&T parks and five key research and development (R&D) institutions. Through the InnoHK research clusters, Hong Kong stands ready to work with global partners to build a global innovation powerhouse. Hong Kong has also put in place substantial policy and financial support measures, including three $10 billion funding schemes and the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme, to accelerate R&D commercialisation and new industrialisation, and while enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to upgrade and transform.

Professor Sun also highlighted that Hong Kong is promoting AI empowerment across sectors. The HKSAR Government has established the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy and the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team, to steer AI-driven industrial transformation and co-ordinate intergovernmental efforts in AI adoption respectively.

Speaking at another thematic session, "Supporting Digital Inclusion and Digital Skills Improvement", Professor Sun introduced thecomprehensive range of digital inclusion measures of Hong Kong, including outreach, mobile service stations, and a web portal, to equip citizens with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world. The HKSAR Government provides technical support and basic digital training for the elderly and other people in need, as well as free advanced courses.

Professor Sun also shared that the HKSAR Government further promotes the widespread adoption of AI through the "AI for All" initiative, aiming to foster the broad application of AI. The initiative will engage public organisations to organise a wide array of courses, competitions and activities including those for vulnerable groups, thereby inspiring greater interest in I&T across society. Hong Kong is also strengthening the Government's digital capability and nurturing responsible digital citizens of tomorrow.

In the joint ministerial statement adopted by the APEC DMM, representatives of the member economies acknowledged the positive progress made by member economies in expanding the digital economy, fostering connectivity and digital transformation, and encouraged the further exploration of ways to leverage digital technologies and AI to empower the community.

During the ministerial meeting, Professor Sun also met with the Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy of Google, Mr Wilson White, to discuss the development trend of AI in Hong Kong.

Professor Sun visited the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China National Science Park (Tianfu Park) and met with the President, Professor Hu Jun. Professor Sun briefed Professor Hu on the development of the Northern Metropolis and the Northern Metropolis University Town Area, and learned about the university's initiatives in nurturing I&T talent and promoting R&D transformation.

Upon his arrival in Chengdu yesterday afternoon (July 22), Professor Sun immediately met with representatives of Adaspace Technology Co Ltd, to learn about the company's work and developments in AI satellite and aerospace technology. The company's business model spans satellite design, production, management and application, and satellite-based solutions. Through the application of AI and commercial aerospace technologies, the company offers scenario-specific solutions across sectors such as space intelligence and computing services, digital city applications and urban governance.

Professor Sun then visited the Service Platform for the Digital Economy of the Chengdu High-Tech Zone to learn about the Zone's industrial layout and innovation ecosystem in frontier fields. The Service Platform showcases the achievements of the Zone's high-quality digital economy development, and provides services for digital economy enterprises, including policy information, resource matching, and exchanges and co-operation.

Professor Sun will continue his visit to Chengdu tomorrow (July 24).

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second right), visited the Service Platform for the Digital Economy of the Chengdu High-Tech Zone on July 22, to learn about the Zone's industrial layout and innovation ecosystem in frontier fields. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (fifth left), met with representatives of Adaspace Technology Co Ltd in Chengdu on July 22 to learn about the company's work and developments in AI satellite and aerospace technology. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (second left), visited the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China National Science Park (Tianfu Park) and met with the President, Professor Hu Jun (third left), in Chengdu today (July 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (right), met with the Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy of Google, Mr Wilson White (left), in Chengdu today (July 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting (DMM) in Chengdu today (July 23). Photo shows Professor Sun speaking at "Session 1: Enhancing Digital and AI Technologies for Development" of the APEC DMM. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (front row, second left), attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu today (July 23). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers and employees should make work arrangements in times of rainstorm warnings

The Labour Department (LD) today (July 27) reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for employees during and after rainstorm warnings and extreme conditions as early as possible. These arrangements not only can ensure the safety of employees and smooth operation of organisations, but also are conducive to maintaining good labour relations.

Formulate work arrangements

Employers should make prior work arrangements and contingency measures which are reasonable and practical. In drawing up and implementing the relevant arrangements, employers should give prime consideration to employees' safety and the feasibility of employees travelling to and from their workplaces, etc. To avoid unnecessary disputes between employers and employees, employers should ensure that all employees are informed of and agree to the relevant work arrangements in advance. The work arrangements should cover the following areas:

* arrangements in respect of reporting for duty;

* arrangements in respect of early release from work;

* arrangements in respect of work resumption (e.g. the number of hours within which employees should resume duty after the relevant warning signal is cancelled or when extreme conditions come to an end, and when safety and traffic conditions allow);

* arrangements in respect of remote work (if applicable);

*arrangements regarding wages and allowances (e.g. calculation of wages and allowances in respect of reporting for duty); and

* arrangements for staff required to report for duty in times of adverse weather or extreme conditions.

"Employers should conduct an early and realistic assessment of whether there is any need for staff to report for duty at workplaces when rainstorm warning or extreme conditions are in force. In making the assessment, employers should take into account the safety of employees, the business nature, operational needs and urgency of service of their organisations, with due regard to the manpower requirements, staffing establishment and circumstances of individual employees, and keep the number of staff required to report for duty at workplaces to the minimum as far as possible," a spokesman for the LD said.

Work arrangements in times of adverse weather and extreme conditions

If a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued within working hours, employees working indoors should continue to work as usual unless it is dangerous to do so. Supervisors of employees working outdoors or in exposed areas should suspend outdoor duties as soon as practicable. They should arrange for their employees to take shelter temporarily and resume duty only when weather conditions permit. If the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is still in force at the end of working hours, employees should stay in a safe place until the heavy rain has passed. Employers should also make available to employees a suitable area in the workplace as temporary shelter from wind and rain.

If the Government makes an extreme conditions announcement, except for those required to report for duty at workplaces according to prior agreements made with employers, employees should stay where they are or in safe places, instead of heading for work. Employees already on duty at workplaces could continue to work as usual in a safe manner. If the workplaces are in danger, employers should arrange to release staff from work early where practicable and safe to do so or arrange for them to take temporary shelter in a safe place. If working time ends while extreme conditions are still in force, employers can release employees from workplaces in a safe manner or provide a suitable area as temporary shelter for those still at workplaces.

If it is necessary for employees to report for duty at workplaces under adverse weather or extreme conditions, employers should discuss and agree with them in advance the duty arrangements and contingency measures. If public transport is suspended or only maintains a limited service when the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or extreme conditions are in force, employers should provide safe transport services for employees travelling to and from workplaces, or grant them an additional travelling allowance.

The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Employees' Compensation Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance.

Comply with requirements of legislation

"Tropical cyclones and rainstorms are natural calamities. If employees are not required to report for duty, or are released from workplaces early, or are unable to report for duty at workplaces or resume work on time, etc due to adverse weather, extreme conditions or other environmental factors beyond their control, employers should not deduct their wages, good attendance bonus, or allowances, nor require employees to compensate subsequently for the loss of working hours in response to the aforementioned situations, or reduce employees' entitlements to annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from the issuance of adverse weather warnings or the extreme conditions announcement," the spokesman said.

Employers have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance. If employees are required to work in times of tropical cyclone warnings, rainstorm warnings or extreme conditions, employers should ensure that the risks at work are reduced as far as reasonably practicable. Moreover, under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for injuries or deaths incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or extreme conditions are in force.

The LD's latest revised "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" sets out the relevant guidelines in a reader-friendly and concise manner, reiterating the three major principles for formulating work arrangements under adverse weather and extreme conditions, including formulating work arrangements in advance, giving prime consideration to employees' safety, and complying with requirements of labour legislation, and incorporating corporate examples for reference. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

Source: AI-found images