Secretary for Education Discusses Hong Kong-Mainland Education Cooperation During Shanghai Visit

SED concludes visit to Shanghai

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, continued her visit programme to Shanghai this morning (September 28) by meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Working Committee of Education and Health, Ms Jiang Fan, to exchange views on various education issues.

Dr Choi introduced the latest developments of the Northern Metropolis University Town in Hong Kong during the meeting, pointing out that the university town is an important platform for Hong Kong to align with the country's 15th Five-Year Plan and integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, as well as a key initiative to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international education hub. She welcomed prestigious universities from home and abroad to actively consider expanding development opportunities in the university town, jointly promote the synergistic development of industry, academia, and research, and achieve complementary advantages for mutual benefits and win-win results.

Both sides also engaged in exchanges during the meeting on strengthening co-operation in vocational skills development. Dr Choi said she expected Shanghai's institutions to continue to strengthen co-operation with Hong Kong's universities of applied sciences. She noted that this would not only provide broader learning and practical opportunities for students from both places, but also help promote long-term exchanges in the vocational and professional education and training sector between Shanghai and Hong Kong, nurturing more high-calibre applied talent for the country.

Last night (September 27), Dr Choi attended the closing ceremony of the 48th WorldSkills Competition. This year, the Hong Kong, China delegation won a total of one silver medal and 14 medals for excellence, breaking the record for the number of awards in this event.

The Hong Kong, China delegation, comprising 41 skilled participants from various local institutions, participated in 37 skills competitions in the event this year. Among them, Mr Tang Kwong-tai won a silver medal in rail vehicle technology.

The delegation won medals for excellence in 14 competition trades areas, namely Autonomous Mobile Robotics, Concrete Construction Work, Cyber Security, Hairdressing, ICT Network Infrastructure, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Mechatronics, Mobile Applications Development, Painting and Decorating, Pâtisserie and Confectionery, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Visual Merchandising, Web Technologies, and Welding.

After the closing ceremony, Dr Choi attended the prize presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong, China delegation and exchanged views with the contestants. She was pleased to see the Hong Kong team maintain its outstanding standards and achieve breakthroughs in several competition trades. She also praised Hong Kong, China contestants for giving their all on the international stage, showcasing the talent and vigour of Hong Kong's youth, and helping further promote vocational education and enhance its recognition in society.

She said that pursuing vocational education not only helps students master practical skills, understand industry operations, and develop communication and teamwork abilities, but also provides them with a deeper understanding of their professions through extracurricular exchange activities and internships, laying a more solid foundation for future careers in the industry.

Dr Choi will conclude her visit to Shanghai and return to Hong Kong today.

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (right), visited the National Anthem Gallery in Shanghai yesterday (September 27) to learn more about its experience in promoting national anthem education. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (second right), visited the Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence In Shanghai with students participating in the first class of a 2026 study programme for Hong Kong and Macao university students yesterday (September 27). The programme, started by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government in 2021, aims to enhance the understanding of Hong Kong and Macao students on the development and historic culture of the country, as well as enrich their living experience in Shanghai. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (back row, centre), poses with the award winners at the prize presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai last night (September 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, speaks at the prize presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai last night (September 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

In the 48th WorldSkills Competition, Hong Kong, China contestant Mr Tang Kwong-tai (left) won a silver medal in rail vehicle technology. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the closing ceremony of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai last night (September 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (second right) met with the Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Working Committee of Education and Health, Ms Jiang Fan (second left), today (September 28) to exchange views on various education issues. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA)'s spokesperson announced today (September 28) that Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) is scheduled to commence services in phases starting from October 5. The clinical services of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) will be gradually transferred to KTH. As the largest public hospital in Hong Kong and the flagship hospital of the Kowloon Central Cluster (KCC), KTH assumes the role of the public healthcare hub in Kowloon. The hospital will leverage its strengths to enhance collaboration with other hospitals within the KCC, while supporting other hospitals in the region to further improve the quality of public healthcare services.

With a total gross floor area of approximately 500 000 square metres and 2 400 beds to be provided, KTH comprises five towers: the Acute Block (Tower 1), the Administration Block (Tower 2), the Education & Training Block (Tower 3), the Specialist Out-patient Block (Tower 4), and the Oncology Block (Tower 5). KTH will serve a population of 1.8 million across Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong districts.

KTH will commence services in two phases as planned. The Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block and the Oncology Block are scheduled to commence services in the first phase. The Family Medicine Integrated Centre located on the first floor of the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block will commence services on October 5, providing around 250 family medicine clinic quotas per day during the initial stage of the hospital's opening. Patients with episodic illnesses can make appointments via the "Book Family Medicine Clinic" function on the HA's mobile application "HA Go", or the telephone appointment system starting from the morning of October 4.

The first phase of services in KTH will commence progressively. The specialist out-patient services of the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Neurosurgery and Clinical Oncology of QEH will be transferred to the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block in batches starting from late October. In addition, allied health services, examinations by the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, the Department of Pathology,the Department of Pharmacy, day services for Clinical Oncology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as the Patient Resource Centre will also roll out gradually in October.

The Cluster Chief Executive of KCC and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung, said, "The Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block of KTH features Hong Kong's largest pharmacy, which is the first pharmacy equipped with an Integrated Automated Dispensing System with daily maximum capacity of 3 200 prescriptions. The Oncology Block is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including the public healthcare system's first cyclotron and Gamma Knife, aiming at enhancing patient experience. In addition, the Clinical Oncology Centre and the Neuroscience Centre, together with the adjacent Hong Kong Children's Hospital, will provide comprehensive and high-quality tertiary referral services to the Kowloon area."

KTH has formulated a comprehensive service relocation arrangement strategy for the second phase. Taking into account the overall works progress and gaining experience from the first phase, the hospital will take forward the service arrangements for the next phase in a progressive manner. Major clinical services, including in-patient, surgical, and Accident and Emergency services, will commence in 2028. Clinical services of the remaining specialties, including Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics, will also be relocated to KTH accordingly upon the commencement of in-patient services in the second phase.

Dr Cheung said, "KTH is a crucial part of the overall healthcare landscape in Kowloon. KTH will collaborate with other hospitals in the region and provide emergency and pathology support to the adjacent Hong Kong Children's Hospital. In addition, the Accident and Emergency Department of KTH is three times the size of that in QEH. Upon commissioning, it will work closely with the redeveloped Kwong Wah Hospital to further optimise the overall acute hospital network in Kowloon, achieving a more even distribution of public healthcare resources and enhancing service efficiency.

To help patients familiarise themselves with the new hospital environment, service ambassadors will be deployed at the lobbies of Towers 4 and 5 and on various clinical floors during the initial phase of commissioning. They will provide on-site support and handle patient enquiries concerning appointments, transport, and the locations of facilities.

In January this year, KTH established a dedicated team to follow up patient appointments. Staff members will call all patients who have scheduled appointments in KTH to ensure they are informed of the latest consultation arrangements. In addition, the hospital will send reminders to patients via mail, SMS messages and the mobile application "HA Go". For any enquiries regarding the services of KTH, patients may call the KTH Hotline at 3506 5188 (the hotline operates from 10am to 7pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) or visit the hospital website at www3.ha.org.hk/kth.

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Kai Tak Hospital to commence services in phases starting from October 5 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases