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Financial Secretary Celebrates Young Innovators at Summer Talent Fest Closing Ceremony

HK

Financial Secretary Celebrates Young Innovators at Summer Talent Fest Closing Ceremony
HK

HK

Financial Secretary Celebrates Young Innovators at Summer Talent Fest Closing Ceremony

2024-08-15 17:48 Last Updated At:18:58

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony today (August 15):

Sunny (Chairman of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai), Albert (Chief Executive Officer of theHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong), young talent from Hong Kong and abroad,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you today at the Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony. It is particularly heartening to meet you, young future innovators.

Just now I had the opportunity to speak with a group of local and global talent who participated in the various internship programmes offered by Science Park. I am very pleased to hear that you have been enjoying your internships, which have provided you with a taste of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) landscape, valuable work experience with the startups, and inspiration for your career.

Innovation and technology is a priority policy area of this Government in promoting our economic development. With a free, open and multicultural environment, a burgeoning circle of startups, a vibrant financial ecosystem, and a deep pool of local and international talent, Hong Kong has built a flourishing I&T ecosystem with boundless opportunities for innovators. But what is perhaps most exciting about a career in this field is the difference you can make for the community, or even for humanity. There are plenty of such inspiring stories in human history.

For those of you joining this programme from the Mainland and abroad, let me emphasise that Hong Kong welcomes you. Our Government knows for a fact that talent is the cornerstone of our future. At the end of 2022, we introduced new talent admission programmes and revised existing ones. For example, the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which welcomes graduates from the global top 100 universities to explore opportunities in the city, even without a prior work offer. Response to these schemes is overwhelming. We have received over 340 000 applications, and more than 210 000 have been approved, of which 140 000 applicants have arrived in Hong Kong.

I am confident that after a brief stay here in Hong Kong, you will find this city an excellent place to live, work and raise a family. And please do share your experience here with your friends and peers back home. They will be very welcome as well.

Before I close, I wish to extend my congratulations once again to our young innovators. I eagerly look forward to seeing you again as a member of Hong Kong's I&T community in the future. I also thank the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks for organising the various internship programmes and, of course, this highly exciting Summer Talent Fest. May I wish you all the best of health, business and career in the time to come.

Thank you very much.

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025

Officiated by Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Pan Yundong and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, a reception in celebration of International Customs Day (ICD) 2025 was held by Hong Kong Customs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (January 21).

The World Customs Organization (WCO) set the theme of this year's ICD as "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity", highlighting the crucial and diverse roles of Customs in streamlining customs clearance procedures, safeguarding society safety, and fostering economic growth.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, delivered a pre-recorded speech to express his appreciation for the unwavering dedication of Hong Kong Customs in shaping Hong Kong into a world city and trade hub. He emphasised that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He expressed his confidence that Hong Kong Customs will continue to promote international co-operation and enhance Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Mainland and the world.

In his speech, Mr Chan elaborated on the diverse responsibilities of Hong Kong Customs in streamlining clearance procedures, facilitating trade and ensuring the well-being and safety of society. He also highlighted the significance of Hong Kong Customs' role as the Vice-Chairperson for the Asia/Pacific region of the WCO, underscoring Hong Kong's proactive and leading role in global customs affairs. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong Customs would continue to tell good stories of Hong Kong to a worldwide audience, and will remain committed to contributing to the overall development of the country and the Chinese modernisation process.

Hong Kong Customs became a member of the WCO in 1987, and ICD has become an annual event of Hong Kong Customs ever since. At the celebration reception, Mr Pan presented WCO Certificates of Merit to Hong Kong Customs' officers and business stakeholders in recognition of their remarkable contributions to various customs affairs pertinent to the theme of ICD.

Over 300 guests, including officials of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, representatives of various offices of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macao, Consuls-General, foreign Customs attachés, as well as private stakeholders, attended the reception.

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs celebrates International Customs Day 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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