Government Reappoints ACGE Chairman and Members, Adds Three New Appointees for Gifted Education Advisory Committee

Chairman and members of Advisory Committee on Gifted Education appointed

The Government today (March 31) announced the reappointment of the incumbent Chairman and seven members, as well as the appointment of three new members including two new members recruited under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) to the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education (ACGE) for a two-year term effective from April 1, 2025.

The incumbent Chairman reappointed is Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung and the seven incumbent members reappointed are Professor Eric Chan Sze-yuen, Ms Joanne Chong Sze-pui, Ms Dung Yi-ping, Mr Lau Kwong-yip, Mr Rex Sham Pui-sum, Professor Tse Chi-kong and Ms Ayse Wong Oi-sze. The three newly appointed members are Dr Kong Novia Mozart, Mr Edwin Lau Wah-shun and Mr Charles Wong Shun-kit.

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, "With the reappointment and new appointment of members to the ACGE, I am confident that the Gifted Education Fund (GE Fund) will continue to achieve outstanding results in promoting gifted education in Hong Kong, and enable more gifted students to unleash their potential, enriching the talent pool and enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong."

Dr Choi also expressed her gratitude to the three outgoing members, Mr Brian Cheng Ho-wai, Professor Chui Yat-hung and Dr Ada Li Yuen-yung, for their valuable contributions to and support for the ACGE over the years.

The GE Fund was established in 2016 to support the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education in optimising services, providing diversified student activities for gifted students, and arranging them to participate in more training, activities and competitions at the Hong Kong, cross-territory, national and international levels, thereby broadening their horizons and giving them more opportunities to showcase their talents. The GE Fund also supports different organisations to provide Off-school Advanced Learning Programmes for exceptionally gifted students to acquire high-quality and challenging learning experiences in a wider range of areas and even cross-disciplinary fields, and develop their multifaceted potential.

The ACGE advises the Secretary for Education on the overall policy and strategic development of gifted education in Hong Kong, new measures and initiatives for promoting gifted education, and the use and management of the GE Fund.

The membership list of the ACGE with effect from April 1, 2025, is as follows:

Chairman

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Dr Eugene Chan Kin-keung

Non-official members

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Professor Eric Chan Sze-yuen

Ms Joanne Chong Sze-pui

Ms Dung Yi-ping

Dr Kong Novia Mozart #

Mr Lau Kwong-yip

Mr Edwin Lau Wah-shun *

Mr Rex Sham Pui-sum

Professor Tse Chi-kong

Ms Ayse Wong Oi-sze

Mr Charles Wong Shun-kit #

* new member

# new members recruited under the MSSY

Ex-officio members

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Permanent Secretary for Education

Deputy Secretary for Education (5)

Chairman, Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

Chairperson, Committee on Gifted Education of the Curriculum Development Council

HKSAR Government expresses strong disapproval of US's imposition of so-called reciprocal tariff on products of Hong Kong

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (April 3) expressed strong disapproval of and discontent with the United States (US)'s imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariff as well as its elimination of the duty-free de minimis treatment for and imposition of duty on covered goods from Hong Kong with effect from May 2.

A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, "The US's measures are bullying and unreasonable, and grossly inconsistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, willfully undermining the multilateral trading system which is the cornerstone for international trade. Once again, the HKSAR Government firmly requests the US to withdraw its so-called reciprocal tariff measures."

The spokesman said that Hong Kong, being a free port, supports and upholds free trade all along. Hong Kong has never imposed any tariffs on imported goods including those from the US. The US's imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariff is illogical. As a separate customs territory under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong has put in place an effective system for import and export, including the origin certification system, trade declaration and manifest requirements, and has taken robust enforcement actions on this basis. The US's allegation about the imposition of the so-called reciprocal tariff on Hong Kong products due to the risk of transshipment and evasion is ungrounded, fully showing that it is a bullying act for suppressing its competitors.

"In 2023, the US was the third largest trading partner of Hong Kong, with the total merchandise trade value amounting to US$60.3 billion. During the past 10 years, the US has realised a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong, the largest among its global trading partners. The US's measures are mere unilateral protectionism that harm the interests of all," the spokesman added.

As for the duty-free de minimis treatment for postal items despatched from Hong Kong to the US, the US has been repeatedly changing its policies unilaterally. Hongkong Post has requested the postal administration of the US to promptly clarify the matter and should not cause inconvenience to the public. From now until May 2, Hongkong Post will temporarily maintain postal services to the US but will not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the US authorities.

In sum, the HKSAR Government will continue to closely monitor and assess any unilateral measures of the US that are inconsistent with fair trade and take actions to defend Hong Kong's legitimate interests, including filing of a complaint in accordance with the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.