SITI Promotes Hong Kong's Digital Innovations at APEC Digital Weeks in Chengdu

SITI attends APEC Digital Weeks high-level events in Chengdu

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, continued his visit to Chengdu, today (July 24) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital Weeks high-level events.

Professor Sun attended the High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower the APEC Community this morning. In his speech, Professor Sun said Hong Kong is actively harnessing digital and AI advancements to enhance governance and public well-being. In the public sector, the Smart Government Innovation Lab, alongside the AI Solution Catalogue and AI Toolbox, is accelerating innovation and technology (I&T) adoption across operations to facilitate customer service, data analysis and document drafting. To extend these benefits to the community, the "iAM Smart" platform consolidates over 1 400 online services into a single portal, offering citizens unmatched convenience. Meanwhile, the upcoming Digital Corporate Identity Platform - launching by year-end - will provide businesses with secure digital identities and seamless e-service access, while a new "AI Assistant" will deliver instant, personalised support and funding recommendations to accelerate digital transformation, especially for small and medium enterprises.

Speaking on "Asia-Pacific Pathway to AI Development for Good and for All" at the APEC High-level Forum on AI, Professor Sun highlighted that Hong Kong is steadfastly building a sustainable and future-ready AI ecosystem to ensure progress serves the public good, underpinned by a massive expansion of our computing infrastructure - scaling to over 180 000 PFLOPS around 2030 - and robust research and development platforms bridging academia and industry through initiatives like the new Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute. Hong Kong is actively pressing ahead cross-industry integration through the "AI+" strategy while embedding clear and trusted guardrails via the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework and ongoing legal reviews to ensure fairness, diversity and inclusion. The "AI for All" Inclusive Programme is equipping the general community to acquire AI skills, in order tonavigate and benefit from the AI era.

Professor Sun also visited Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and met with the Secretary of the Party Leading Group and Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province, Mr Lu Songming. Professor Sun was briefed on the latest progress of technological innovation and industrial innovation of the province. Both sides exchanged views on the deepening of collaboration and exchanges in relevant areas between Sichuan and Hong Kong.

Afterwards, Professor Sun called on the Deputy Secretary of the Chengdu Municipal Committee and the Mayor of the Chengdu Municipal People's Government, Mr Chen Shuping, to learn about the Chengdu's development in I&T, industry and transformation of R&D outcomes. Professor Sun also provided an account of the latest developments of I&T in Hong Kong. Both sides explored ways to strengthen the I&T collaboration platforms and complement each other's strengths.

In addition, Professor Sun met with representatives of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sichuan, and encouraged Hong Kong businesses to serve as a bridge to actively foster closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Sichuan in areas of I&T and new industrialisation.

Professor Sun will continue his visit to Chengdu tomorrow (July 25).

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (seventh right), met with representatives of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Sichuan, in Chengdu today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (third left), called on the Deputy Secretary of the Chengdu Municipal Committee and the Mayor of the Chengdu Municipal People's Government, Mr Chen Shuping (third right), in Chengdu today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (left), met with the Secretary of the Party Leading Group and the Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province, Mr Lu Songming (right), in Chengdu today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, delivers a keynote speech on the "Asia-Pacific Pathway to AI Development for Good and for All" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation High-Level Forum on AI in Chengdu today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, speaks at the High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu, today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, speaks at the High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Community, in Chengdu, today (July 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Woman arrested on suspicion of illegal sale and possession of topical product with undeclared controlled drug ingredients

The Department of Health (DH) today (July 31) carried out an enforcement operation with the Police against the suspected illegal sale of a topical product containing undeclared controlled medicines (see photo) at a beauty parlour in Causeway Bay. During the operation, a 40-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of the illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poisons and an unregistered pharmaceutical product.

Acting on a complaint, the DH earlier purchased a sample of the product labelled "Dermasa" from a beauty parlour on Hysan Avenue in Causeway Bay for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the product sample contained prilocaine, as well as lignocaine and tetracaine, which are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The product is also suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.

The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the product concerned to stop using it immediately, and reminded the public not to buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. The DH will continue to investigate the incident and take appropriate follow-up actions.

Lignocaine, tetracaine and prilocaine are local anaesthetics which are used topically to relieve pain. Common side effects are hypersensitivity reactions.

Topical products containing the combination of lignocaine, tetracaine and prilocaine are prescription medicines and should be used under a doctor's directions and be supplied on the premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (i.e. a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription.

According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty on conviction of each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

The DH reminded members of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.

People who have purchased the product concerned should stop using it immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or if they are feeling unwell after use. They may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 4105, 41/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.

Source: AI-found images

Woman arrested on suspicion of illegal sale and possession of topical product with undeclared controlled drug ingredients Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images