Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" thematic event series
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (April 5) officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" thematic event series. The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. To commemorate and celebrate this remarkable milestone, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) will organise and provide a series of thematic activities for young people.
Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Mak said that six decades ago, Dongjiang water was first diverted through mountains and valleys into the Hong Kong waterways, resolving the prolonged water scarcity that had plagued the city. Subsequently, the country expanded and upgraded the water supply system three times. Today, Dongjiang water accounts for over 70 per cent of Hong Kong's freshwater supply. Every drop of water carries the profound sentiments of a national commitment spanning over half a century. Through the various activities organised under the theme of "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong", the HYAB aims to enhance young people's understanding of the history of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and the significant role that Dongjiang water has played in Hong Kong, enabling the youth to appreciate the substantial support rendered by the country to Hong Kong and strengthening their awareness on cherishing water resources.
The Youth Link will organise the "Exchange Tour to Guangdong Province for the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" (the Exchange Tour) on April 12 and 13 as the debut thematic activity. Around 80 Youth Link members will visit national major water conservancy projects and cultural and historical sites in Guangdong Province. Taking this opportunity, the HYAB will also arrange for the Youth Link members to meet and exchange with local youth and Hong Kong youth residing in the area.
Besides, the HYAB, in collaboration with the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation, will lead 500 young people to visit and explore the source of the Dongjiang River at Sanbai Mountain and its surrounding regions in June this year. The HYAB will also collaborate with different youth organisations and provide funding support under the "HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland 2025-26" for around 30 exchange projects under the theme of "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong". The visits will cover water conservancy projects and historical and cultural sites in the Sanbai Mountain in Jiangxi Province, as well as in Dongguan, Huizhou, Heyuan in Guangdong Province, enabling the young people to learn more about the history, management and protection of the Dongjiang water engineering project, as well as the culture and history along the areas.
Miss Mak encouraged young people to seize these valuable opportunities and actively participate in relevant activities to learn more about the story of Dongjiang water and pass on the spirit of gratitude. Miss Mak expressed her hope to work with young people together in future in cherishing this precious resources which has not come easily, and create for a better tomorrow.
Other officiating guests included the Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC), Mr Kenneth Leung; the Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan; member of the YDC Mr John Li; and the Chairman of Dynamic Youth of Huizhou, also the collaborative partner of the Exchange Tour, Mr George Lau.Members of the YDC also attended the event.
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" thematic event series Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Home and Youth Affairs Bureau launches "60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong" thematic event series Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening remarks by SITI at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting
Following are the opening remarks (English translation) by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 11):
Chairman, Members,
Technological and industrial innovations are the fundamental pathways for developing new quality productive forces. This year's Budget continues to place focus on accelerating Hong Kong's high-quality development through the promotion of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) development and announced various new initiatives to lead Hong Kong steadily towards our vision of becoming an international I&T centre. I will give an overview of the relevant key measures along three directions.
(1) To enhance the I&T ecosystem and promote "new industrialisation" in Hong Kong and to enlarge the I&T talent pool to create strong impetus for growth
Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the core of accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, and we are endeavouring to develop AI as a core industry. The Budget has set aside $1 billion for the establishment of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, which will spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative research & development (R&D) and industrial applications of AI. Furthermore, Cyberport's Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC) has commenced operation, and with the support of the Government's Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme, several R&D projects related to large language models, large models in new materials and synthetic biology that utilise the AISC's computing power have already started.
On promoting the development of I&T industries, we launched the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme and enhanced the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme last year. Also, the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund is under preparation, and we plan to seek funding approval from the Legislative Council in the middle of this year. Furthermore, we will launch the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme this year to provide funding of up to $250,000 each on a 1(Government) : 2(Company) matching basis to enterprises operating production lines in Hong Kong to support their formulation of smart production strategies and introduction of advanced technologies into existing production lines. We are also preparing for the launch of the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme to further strengthen the support to start-ups.
To promote R&D, we are taking forward the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster, which will focus on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy and sustainable development, and have established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre under the InnoHK Research Clusters, with the aim of developing a robot which will contribute to the Chang'E-8 mission. The Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute is preparing the set-up of two pilot lines at the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long this year, striving to put them into operation next year to support product development and trial production. Furthermore, we have invited institutions to submit proposals for the Subsidy Programme for the Setup of Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s), and will also seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in the middle of this year for the implementation of the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme.
As for I&T land, the Government is taking forward the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park) at full steam. The Hong Kong Park is developed in two phases from west to east. With the first three buildings in Phase 1 approaching completion, the Park will officially enter into its operational phase later this year. The construction of the other five buildings is in full swing and is expected to be completed progressively from 2027 onwards. As for the remaining sites of Phase 1, we will identify suitable land parcels for invitation of private development proposals this year, with a view to taking forward the development of the Park with enhanced speed and quantity through collaboration between the Government and the market. In addition, $3.7 billion has been earmarked in the Budget to expedite the completion of infrastructure and public facilities of Phase 1 of the Park. At the same time, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to work with relevant Mainland authorities to explore the implementation of innovative policy measures, with a view to promoting the convenient cross-boundary flow of innovation elements.
The San Tin Technopole of the Northern Metropolis will serve as a strategic key for the I&T industry planning and the base for developing new quality productive forces of Hong Kong in the future. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation is conducting a master planning study for the first batch of 20-hectare land. The study is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year. The Government commenced the re-zoning procedures for a 10-hectare site at Sandy Ridge for use as data centres and related facilities in end-2024, and is actively making preparations for land disposal to fulfil the needs of the industry for digital infrastructure.
(2) To promote digital economy development and develop Hong Kong into a smart city
The Government is committed to providing more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology. The "iAM Smart" has over 3.3 million registered users and over 1 100 online services and e-forms provided by the Government and public and private organisations. We are driving the comprehensive upgrade of "iAM Smart" to realise "single portal for online government services" by the end of this year. Meanwhile, The "Digital Corporate Identity" Platform will be rolled out progressively from end-2026, with a view to facilitating digital transformation of corporations and enhancing government departments’ efficiency in processing corporate online applications.
In addition, the Digital Policy Office will continue to co-ordinate all bureaux and departments to use the HKPilot developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center on a trial basis, and gradually increase the number of participants in the pilot programme. This will help reduce the manpower required of government personnel to handle general document processing tasks, allowing manpower to be deployed to other areas of need.
(3) To proactively integrate into the overall development of the country and consolidate our role as a bridge connecting the Mainland and the world
Hong Kong will continue to deepen I&T co-operation with the Mainland for better integrating into overall national development. Regarding cross-boundary data flow, the "Standard Contract for the Cross-boundary Flow of Personal Information Within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Mainland, Hong Kong)" facilitation measure has been extended to all industries, promoting the safe and orderly cross-boundary flow of personal information within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In addition, Cyberport has been actively collaborating with the Qianhai Management Authority to facilitate the landing of start-up enterprises at respective parks, and the World Intellectual Property Organization Global Innovation Index 2025 Science and Technology Cluster Launch will be held in Hong Kong later this year.
Conclusion
With our country's staunch support, Hong Kong has been making steady progress towards our vision of developing into an international I&T centre. The Government will continue to deploy resources and join hands with stakeholders to promote the development of a vibrant I&T ecosystem. I would like to express my gratitude to all Members again for their support of I&T development all along. I appeal for the continual support of Members and the public for the work of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau. Thank you, Chairman.
