SLW Attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing

SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Nanjing today (September 21), during which he delivered speeches at the meeting.

The HRDMM has adopted the theme "Modernizing Human Resources Development for A Stronger Asia-Pacific Community", which echoes the theme of this year's APEC China "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together". Addressing the morning session, themed "Promoting High-quality and Full Employment and Employment-Friendly Economic Development", Mr Sun stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) is paying close attention to the employment situation of young people amidst the wave of AI. The Government is planning a multipronged strategy and formulating appropriate measures to assist more young people in securing on-the-job training opportunities and work experience. He mentioned that the 30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme announced by the Chief Executive in the 2026 Policy Address, aims at encouraging employers to provide more opportunities suitable for young people entering the workforce and to facilitate young people's access to employment information and support services.

Speaking during the first session of the afternoon meeting, themed "Investing in People and Enhancing Vocational Skills Training", Mr Sun said to address the challenges of an ageing population and AI transformation in Hong Kong society, the HKSARG will continue to invest resources in education and skills upgrading. One of the measures is the upgrading of the Employees Retraining Board to the Upskill Hong Kong, which comprises plans to launch in the first half of 2027 an 18-month AI upskilling campaign, including a free online training course for all with a focus on the workplace application of AI.

The HKSARG will continue to promote lifelong learning and skills enhancement for all, providing various types of skill-based training courses, including AI applications, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the local workforce and support Hong Kong's economic development.

The theme of the second session was "Strengthening and Optimising Social Security Systems for Efficiency, Adaptability and Accountability". Mr Sun briefed the participants regarding the social security system for the elderly introduced by the HKSARG. He mentioned that the Government encouraged active ageing and lifelong education, thereby providing opportunities for the elderly by engaging them in the community. The Government's view is that by shifting from welfare to empowerment, Hong Kong could seek to turn the challenge of longevity into shared opportunities.

Following the meeting, Mr Sun met with the Director-General of Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Jiangsu Province, Mr Zhu Congming, in the evening to exchange views on promoting talent exchanges and co-operation in human resources services between the two places. The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan, also joined the visit.

Upon his arrival in Nanjing on the evening of September 19, Mr Sun attended the opening ceremony of the International (Jiangsu) Conference on the Development of Human Resources Services yesterday morning (September 20). In his address at the ceremony, he said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan elevates AI to a strategic level, clearly calling for the comprehensive implementation of the "AI+" initiative to empower all industries in every aspect through AI. The HKSARG has just unveiled Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, formally designating AI as a core strategic industry for driving Hong Kong's transformation, aligning with the national development strategy and establishing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. The HKSARG will enrich the Talent List to include more talent categories relating to AI applications, with a view to specifically attracting high-calibre AI technology and industry professionals from both home and abroad.

In the afternoon, Mr Sun also attended a talent entrepreneurship seminar organised by the HKTE in Nanjing, where he met and exchanged views with representatives of local enterprises and individuals interested in moving to Hong Kong. In his speech, Mr Sun highlighted the latest results of Hong Kong's various talent admission schemes and encouraged entrepreneurs in Nanjing and other Mainland cities to make good use of Hong Kong's strengths as an international platform for finance, professional services, and innovation and technology to bring innovative ideas, competitive industries and mature business models to Hong Kong and share the opportunities arising from the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Sun will travel to Shanghai tomorrow (September 22) to continue his visit.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, paid a duty visit to Nanjing from September 19 to 21. Photo shows Mr Sun speaking at the opening ceremony of the International (Jiangsu) Conference on the Development of Human Resources Services yesterday (September 20). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, paid a duty visit to Nanjing from September 19 to 21. Photo shows Mr Sun (second row, seventh right) and the Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan (second row, eighth right), with other visiting guests at HKTE's booth at the International (Jiangsu) Conference on the Development of Human Resources Services yesterday (September 20). ‎ Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Nanjing today (September 21). Photo shows Mr Sun (right) and the Minister of Labour of Thailand, Mr Julapun Amornvivat (left), before the APEC HRDMM today. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Nanjing today (September 21). Photo shows Mr Sun (left) in a conversation with the Minister of Home Affairs of Brunei, Mr Ahmaddin Abdul Rahman (right), before the APEC HRDMM today. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing today (September 21). Photo shows Mr Sun speaking at a plenary session themed "Promoting High-quality and Full Employment and Employment-Friendly Economic Development" this morning. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing today (September 21). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, today (September 22) officiated at the launch ceremony of the first Mainland study tour of the subject of Citizenship and Social Development in Beijing.

Dr Choi noted that Beijing, as the country's centre for politics, culture, international exchanges, and technological innovation, enables students to deeply experience the capital's rich cultural atmosphere and the advanced pace of the nation's innovative development. Launching the trip in Beijing is an important milestone for Mainland exchange study tours under the Citizenship and Social Development subject.

She encouraged students to cherish this rare learning opportunity, actively communicate with local youths and experts, deeply appreciate the profound heritage of excellent traditional Chinese culture, and bear in mind the history of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. She urged them to build a more solid cultural confidence and national identity, while cultivating a broad vision with the country at heart, and to reflect how to integrate personal aspirations with the overall development of the country.

The launch ceremony was held at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the first Patriotic Education Base for Hong Kong and Macao Youth. Before the ceremony, students from Queen's College, who participated in the Beijing study tour, joined students from their sister school, Beijing 101 High School, in raising the national flag at the museum.

Following the launch ceremony, Dr Choi and the students visited the museum, Wanping City, and the Lugou Bridge. She said that the first Patriotic Education Base for Hong Kong and Macao Youth is located in Wanping City by the Lugou Bridge, which marks the historical starting point of the Chinese nation's full-scale War of Resistance against Japan. It allows Hong Kong youth to understand the country starting from its historical roots, which carries a unique symbolic significance.

The study tour group also visited Meituan today. The visit allowed the students to experience firsthand the nation's outstanding achievements in scientific and technological innovation as well as industrial transformation, helping them learn about development opportunities on the Chinese Mainland and broaden their horizons for future career planning.

The fiveday itinerary in Beijing also included visits to Yuanmingyuan, the Palace Museum, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and Shougang Park. In addition, the group visited Peking University and Beijing 101 High School to experience campus life on the Chinese Mainland and engage in exchanges and interactions with local students. This had deepened friendship between young people of the two places while helping students understand the higher education environment and development opportunities on the Chinese Mainland.

Dr Choi will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (September 23) and participate in the activities of the National Day and Professional Exchange Delegation to Beijing from the Hong Kong Education Sector.

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED officiates at launch ceremony of first Mainland study tour of Citizenship and Social Development subject in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases