Latest news with #OverviewPolicy
RTHK
3 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
New scheme to accelerate bedding in of tech start-ups
New scheme to accelerate bedding in of tech start-ups Sun Dong said the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme aims to attract renowned domestic and international start-up service providers to establish a strong base in Hong Kong. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said a new accelerator initiative is intended to help start-ups grow by providing funding and support, thereby promoting the development of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme, Sun said the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme aims to attract renowned domestic and international start-up service providers to establish a strong base in Hong Kong. "Many companies entering Hong Kong face an unfamiliar operating environment and high costs," he said. "The accelerator platform provides services and shares resources to reduce their costs in Hong Kong while offering more support. "We think this is a great model that is worth exploring and hope to implement this plan quickly." Sun also said the government is committed to attracting global talent by creating a conducive environment for innovation and technology with a focus on research and development (R&D). "Last year, our statistics showed that the number of people of talent engaged in scientific research in Hong Kong had reached 55,000," he said. "According to the blueprint, we will reach 100,000 in the future. "I believe that as more science and technology enterprises establish themselves in Hong Kong and large companies set up R&D centres here, our demand for talent will significantly grow." Sun said Huawei's R&D centre in Hong Kong has grown from about 300 to 400 employees two or three years ago to nearly 700 last year and that it had a target of reaching 1,000 this year and expanding to several thousand in the coming years. Likewise, he said battery giant CATL received official approval for its R&D centre at Science Park last year. "There are many other large companies," Sun said. "I believe that with the completion of these R&D centres, the demand for talents will increase, and the entire Hong Kong ecosystem will get better and better. "As long as there is an opportunity, I believe that people of talent will come."
RTHK
11-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
'HK in talks with mainland to expand data exchanges'
'HK in talks with mainland to expand data exchanges' Sun Dong said the government is committed to developing the SAR into a global data hub. Photo: RTHK Hong Kong is in talks with mainland authorities to push data exchanges and mutual recognition as the SAR aims to develop into a global data hub, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said. Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme, Sun said data plays a crucial role in promoting the development of both artificial intelligence and the digital economy. "We are committed to building Hong Kong as an international data hub," Sun said. "We need to maintain an accommodative and free business environment so that overseas data will continue to enter the city in confidence. On the other hand, we also hope mainland data, especially sensitive data, could cross the border to Hong Kong." With the mainland's support, personal data from the Greater Bay Area can already come to the city, Sun said. He said Hong Kong is now in talks with the mainland for a new policy, allowing cross-boundary data flow from other parts of the mainland, such as Shanghai. Hong Kong and the mainland are also working on mutual recognition of data, he added. Sun also said the government aims to boost artificial intelligence development in Hong Kong. To achieve this goal, the government has proposed establishing a data centre at Sandy Ridge in North District which is expected to boost the city's computing power, he said.
RTHK
28-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved'
'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved' Tse Chin-wan said there's been unprecedented changes in behaviour towards recycling, despite the shelving of the waste charging scheme last year. Photo: RTHK Environment chief Tse Chin-wan on Wednesday said the public have become more aware of the importance of recycling since the shelving of a planned "pay-as-you-throw" system last year. On RTHK's Overview Policy programme, the minister said while many people agreed the policy should not be introduced at that time, the "controversy and discussions" did lead to big changes in behaviour. "We see that our recyclables in our community recycling network doubled within a short period of time, and the food waste collected even jumped eight-fold," he said. "We also see that this trend is still continuing." Tse added that the amount of waste dumped in landfills has dropped 7.5 percent since John Lee became chief executive. The secretary also said there has been rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong, with the current 110,000 cars almost eight times the amount five years ago. He said around four in five new cars purchased in Hong Kong are now electric.
RTHK
14-05-2025
- Health
- RTHK
'More HK seniors choosing to retire on the mainland'
'More HK seniors choosing to retire on the mainland' Chris Sun, left, says there are currently 15 care homes in the GBA under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong. Photo: RTHK Hong Kong's welfare chief on Wednesday said more seniors are choosing to spend their retirement in the Greater Bay Area thanks to continuing improvements to a scheme that subsidises elderly welfare recipients living in Guangdong care homes. Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun noted there are currently 15 care homes in the GBA under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong (GDRCS). He noted these facilities provide elderly support, enhanced living spaces and a close proximity to Hong Kong. Sun also said the combination of the mainland's lower medical costs and enhancements to the GDRCS scheme makes retiring in the GBA more financially viable. "We have a plan launching around the middle of the year. For the elderly who joined our GDRCS Scheme, after purchasing medical insurance, the portion they would normally pay out-of-pocket will be covered by the government. For instance, we can cover up to HK$10,000 per year for outpatient care, and up to HK$30,000 per year for hospitalisation if needed," he said. "Since medical costs on the mainland are relatively low, HK$10,000 should suffice for monthly doctor visits and medications for conditions like hypertension, diabetes and lung-related problems. For the HK$30,000 hospitalisation coverage – even in worst-case scenarios, say a fall resulting in a broken bone followed by a stroke requiring an extended hospital stay – this amount should still be sufficient." Sun reported that more than 300 people participated in the scheme as of the end of last year, a notable increase from just over 100 when he took office in mid 2022.
RTHK
30-04-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Local students 'needn't fret over admission chances'
Local students 'needn't fret over admission chances' Christine Choi says there are more school places than the number of school-age students. Photo: RTHK The education chief assured locals they need not worry about their chances of being admitted to schools and universities despite the government's concerted efforts to attract students from overseas. Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme aired on Wednesday, Christine Choi said that even though society requires people with different applied skills, student enrolment numbers have been falling short of retirees every year. Therefore, she said, there is a need to lure in youngsters from outside the SAR into those professions or fields covered by Hong Kong's various talent schemes. But she emphasised that due to a drop in the student population, there are more school places than the number of school-age students. Choi pointed out that due to the latest technological developments and changes in the mode of economic development, vocational education is becoming more important and there is an urgent need to nurture talent with applied skills. Due to geopolitical tensions as well as technological competition, she said, the world is focused on attracting top talent, and Hong Kong needs to build a talent hub. Choi noted that universities in Hong Kong are very international and diversified and have high scientific research standards. As many of the courses are ranked in the top 50 globally and a lot of the world's top professors are in the SAR, Choi believes these twin strengths can help attract overseas students to pursue studies here. She also said that as the SAR is inclined towards interdisciplinary education – for instance, engineering programmes may now incorporate artificial intelligence elements – the planned Northern Metropolis University Town will emphasise inter-institutional and disciplinary cooperation.
