Secretary for Education Visits Shanghai for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, Praising Hong Kong's Talent and VPET Development

SED begins visit programme in Shanghai

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, began her visit to Shanghai today (September 26), and attended the 48th WorldSkills Competition.

In the afternoon, Dr Choi visited the competition venue in the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) to watch the competitions, and learn about the performance of Hong Kong, China contestants across various skill categories. She also met with the delegation to listen to their sharing on their experiences in the competition.

She noted that Hong Kong has fielded its largest-ever delegation in this year's competition, with 41 contestants participating in 37 skill competitions, spanning fields such as construction, engineering, information technology, design, services, and catering, fully demonstrating the diverse skills of Hong Kong's younger generation. She commended the contestants for their efforts in preparing for the competition and encouraged them to transform the experience of this international event into a foundation for their future development.

To support the Hong Kong, China delegation in achieving further success at the WorldSkills Competition, the Education Bureau (EDB) has allocated additional resources to the Vocational Training Council to strengthen preparations. These include broadening the scope of selection, arranging training and competitions outside Hong Kong, inviting past medalists to share their experiences, and enhancing publicity and promotion. In addition to helping contestants achieve great success at international competitions, these measures, through various initiatives such as selection, training, experience sharing, and media coverage, also raise public awareness of the professional level and career prospects of skilled talent. This, in return, elevates the social status and international recognition of vocational and professional education and training (VPET), encouraging more young people to consider pursuing a career path in skilled industries.

Dr Choi subsequently visited the WorldSkills Expo, where she was briefed on the development of VPET and the outcomes of skills training. She also met with the Chief Executive Officer of WorldSkills International, Mr David Hoey, to exchange views on international trends in skills development and participation of the Hong Kong, China delegation in the WorldSkills Competition.

Dr Choi said that the Government has been promoting VPET at different levels as a pathway parallel to conventional academic education through the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development under a multipronged approach. The EDB works with the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences to enhance the social status and international recognition of VPET, and, aligning with Hong Kong's overall development direction, cultivate more applied talent capable of meeting industry needs.

She added that the WorldSkills Competition provides an internationally recognised platform for contestants to showcase their solid professional skills and excellent adaptability on the international stage. The EDB will continue to encourage VPET students to participate in events such as the WorldSkills Competition to broaden their horizons and enhance their professional skills and knowledge of industries.

The WorldSkills Competition, held biennially by WorldSkills International, is the world's largest skills competition and is hailed as the "Skills Olympics." This edition of competition took place in Shanghai from September 22 to 27, marking the first time China hosted this mega event. The competition has attracted approximately 1 400 contestants from nearly 70 countries and regions to participate.

Dr Choi will continue her visit programme in Shanghai tomorrow (September 27).

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi (right) with the Chief Executive Officer of WorldSkills International, Mr David Hoey (left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, met with members of the Hong Kong, China delegation at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai today (September 26) and listened to the delegation members' sharing on their experiences in the competition. Photo shows Dr Choi (second row, third right) with the delegation members' attending sharing session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, met with members of the Hong Kong, China delegation at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi (third right) listening to the delegation members' sharing on their experiences in the competition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited the WorldSkills Expo in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi (third right) being briefed on the development of vocational and professional education and training and the outcomes of skills training. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited the WorldSkills Expo in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi (left) being briefed on the development of vocational and professional education and training and the outcomes of skills training. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited the WorldSkills Expo in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi (second right) being briefed on the development of vocational and professional education and training and the outcomes of skills training. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited the WorldSkills Expo in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi (second left) being briefed on the development of vocational and professional education and training and the outcomes of skills training. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (third right), attends the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi watching a competition of Hong Kong, China contestants with other guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (third right), attends the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai today (September 26). Photo shows Dr Choi appreciating the work by a Hong Kong, China contestant in the field of bakery with other guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (centre), attends the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai today (September 26) to cheer on the Hong Kong, China delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police National Security Department conducts arrest operation

Police noticed that on the evening of August 31, some people were standing outside MTR Prince Edward Station holding bouquets and shouting seditious slogans. The persons concerned were suspected of spreading false information and attacking the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government with lies, as well as smearing the Police Force, with the intention of inciting hatred against the HKSAR Government and law enforcement agencies.

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force (NSD) attaches great importance to the incident, and swiftly took enforcement actions in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on September 3 and arrested two local men and one local woman, aged between 33 and 79, for the offence of "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention" under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The three arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigations.

After follow-up investigations, the NSD took further enforcement actions in Kowloon and the New Territories on September 27 and 28, and arrested a local man and two local women, aged between 46 and 65, for the same offence. The three arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigations.

The NSD yesterday (September 30) further arrested a 37-year-old local man and a 58-year-old local woman for the same offence in Kowloon and the New Territories. Prior to the operation, Police obtained court search warrants to search the residences of the arrested persons and seize relevant exhibits. The two arrestees are being detained for further enquiries, while the Police arrest operation is still ongoing.

Police stressed that the so-called "831 incident" has been proven without factual basis. It is a lie manipulated by persons with ulterior motives to spread lies, attack the HKSAR Government and smear the Police Force, attempting to achieve their political objectives by endangering public peace. The acts concerned are suspected of breaching "doing an act that has a seditious intention with a seditious intention", which is a serious crime. Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction.

Police will continue to ensure that laws are observed and strictly enforced to bring offenders to account, so as to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security.

Source: AI-found images