Hong Kong and CAST Sign Agreement to Boost International Talent and Science Cooperation

HKSAR Government and CAST sign co-operation framework agreement

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Mr Wan Gang, witnessed today (December 3) the signing of the Co-operation Framework Agreement on Supporting Hong Kong in Becoming an International Hub for High-calibre Talents and Jointly Serving High-level Self-reliance in Science and Technology between CAST and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, and the Director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Exchange Office of CAST, Ms Luo Hui, represented the HKSAR Government and CAST respectively to sign the Agreement. The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, were also present at the signing ceremony.

Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to CAST for its efforts in promoting people-to-people exchanges in science and technology between the Mainland and Hong Kong over the years. He said, "The Agreement signed today helps strengthen the co-operation between the two places in various areas, such as strengthening exchanges between scientific research and academic organisations, nurturing scientific and technological talent, promoting popular science, and facilitating technological integration and development in the Greater Bay Area."

He added that the HKSAR Government would continue to play well Hong Kong's important role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", and deepen co-operation with CAST with a view to building Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, thereby serving the country's realisation of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.

Mr Lee, accompanied by Professor Sun, met with Mr Wan before the ceremony. Professor Sun also met with Mr Wan and representatives of CAST this afternoon to exchange views on the latest developments and opportunities for I&T co-operation between the two places.

In addition, Mr Wan and the CAST delegation visited the Hong Kong Science Park this morning to understand its work in promoting I&T development in Hong Kong. The delegation then visited two InnoHK laboratories in the park, and was briefed by representatives of the laboratories on their research and development work.

HKSAR Government and CAST sign co-operation framework agreement Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government and CAST sign co-operation framework agreement Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government and CAST sign co-operation framework agreement Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government reminds Hong Kong residents to attend to personal safety when travelling to Korea

In view of the emergency martial law declared in Korea, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (December 4) reminds Hong Kong residents who are already there or intend to visit Korea to attend to personal safety. The Immigration Department (ImmD) has contacted 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 (OCMFA), the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (Embassy), the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) and the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) to understand the situation. The ImmD has not received any request for assistance from Hong Kong residents so far.

A Government spokesman said, "Residents who intend to visit Korea or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid large gatherings of people and pay attention to local announcements on the latest situation."

The Security Bureau (SB), in view of the emergency martial law declared, has already updated the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) webpage for Korea and will continue to closely monitor the situation there. Any update will be issued through the media, the SB mobile app and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota).

The ImmD will continue to maintain close contact with the OCMFA, the Embassy, the TIA and the TIC to monitor the development.

Hong Kong residents in Korea who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD mobile application, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit the Online Assistance Request Form, contact the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Korea at consular protection hotline: (82) 27550572, contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Busan at consular protection hotline: (82) 1085198748, contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Gwangju at consular protection hotline: (82) 623618880 or contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Jeju at consular protection hotline: (82) 647228802.

Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.