Society
2024 Policy Address: Hong Kong adds 13 universities to Top Talent Scheme to attract more high-calibre talents
- 2024-10-16
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: LIU Yutong、MAO AnqiEdited by: Yuqi CHU
- 2024-10-16
The Hong Kong government will expand its Top Talent Scheme adding 13 more mainland Chinese and overseas universities to its eligibility list, to help build Hong Kong as an international talent hub. The list of universities will expand to 198, while extending the validity period of the first visa of high-income talents from two years to three years, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in the policy address on Wednesday. “Hong Kong must build a quality talent pool for development in the face of a projected shortage of 180,000 workers across different sectors in the next five years,” Lee said in the policy address. “This policy will help Hong Kong attract a more talented young labour force, ” said Terence Chong Tai-leung, the Executive Director of the Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance. “But some universities that are excellent in a certain professional field on the mainland are not on the list,” Chong said. “The government can continue to expand the list to these universities to bring new vitality to some of Hong Kong’s ageing industries, such as nursing and construction,” he added. Wendy Hong Wen, 49, a Legislative Council member, said the government should attract people from the perspective of companies that need workers with special talents rather than graduates of a particular university. “Hong Kong lacks medical, architectural and technological talents, but it is very difficult to match the imported talents with the scarce jobs,” she said. The Top Talent Pass Scheme first launched in 2022, attracting people with incomes higher than HK$2.5 million or degrees from the world’s top 100 universities to apply for residency without employment. More than 380,000 applications have been received under the scheme so far, and around 160,000 have arrived in Hong Kong with their families, Lee said. Thea Tong, …
Policy Address 2024: Hong Kong strengthens support for carers and the elderly
- 2024-10-16
- Society
- By: Chun Hei LUK、Chun Lim LEUNGEdited by: Yau To LUM
- 2024-10-16
Carers and elderly in Hong Kong across 18 districts will be able to receive support services from government “care teams” starting next year. This year’s pilot scheme in two districts “achieved good results” in identifying and reaching out to households in need and providing support to the elderly and carers who called a designated hotline, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in today’s policy address. “In the past six months, the care teams visited 4,700 families and referred about 900 cases to social welfare organizations for follow-up,” Lee said. Huang Zhi-qiang, 59, with his wife Chen Mei-ling, 63, take care of his father, Huang Jiong Hui, 81, who suffers from Alzheimer's. Huang said his family has benefited from the scheme. "As an older couple, we've found that the service from the care team has been incredibly helpful and sustaining for us," Huang said, adding that the care team came to the hospital where his father is. "Expanding resources for home-based elderly caretakers is essential; many families like ours rely on this assistance from the government and care team to maintain the quality of life for our loved ones," Chen said. Li Lee, captain of the Fortress Hill District Service and Care Team, said that the government should consider increasing the number of care team members ahead of launching the scheme next year. His team currently has 11 members, according to the Home Affairs Department. "We tend to visit elderly caretakers every one to two months and provide services like house repair, cleaning as well as escort service,” Li said. District councilors organize the care teams of health professionals and public volunteers.. The government will also explore the setting up of an inter-disciplinary and inter-organisation database that could provide early intervention and support for high-risk cases. Tsui Hiu-kit, captain of the …
Hong Kong Policy Address 2024: government to fuel fencing fad after Paris Olympics
- 2024-10-16
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG Haicen、WANG LudanEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-10-16
Hong Kong will build a sports arena with fencing training and competition facilities after two Hong Kong fencing athletes won in the Paris Olympics, said John Lee Ka-chiu in his third policy address. Hong Kong's Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai each won gold medals in the men's foil and women's epee events in Paris, sparking an increase in Hongkongers taking local fencing classes. This is part of the government’s broader plan to increase Hong Kong’s international competitiveness. “We will make full use of the Kai Tak Sports Park and other existing venues to host large-scale international competitions so that Hong Kong teams can compete on home soil, building their own audience,” said Lee. “These will be conducive to the long-term development of the sports industry.” Hong Kong is set to host the World Foil Championships in 2026 and co-host the 15th National Games with Guangdong and Macou, during which Hong Kong will be responsible for organising eight events, including fencing. "After the Paris Olympics, the number of people inquiring about fencing increased by approximately 50% to 80%. In the past, most were children below secondary school age, but now there is a noticeable rise in interest from university students and adults as well," said Rever You, Administrative Director of the Hong Kong Fencing School, where this year's Olympic fencing champion Cheung spent six years learning the basics of fencing. There are 46 fencing training institutions in Hong Kong, including the Asian Fencing Academy, Hong Kong Fencing School, and Fencing Formula, that offer a range of fencing courses, according to the Hong Kong Fencing Association. "After seeing Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung win championships this year, my child has raised a strong interest in fencing," said Liu, who preferred not to disclose his full name. You said that after …
Ocean Park's panda twins may meet the public around the Lunar New Year
- 2024-10-15
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CAO JiawenEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-10-15
A pair of twin pandas born at Ocean Park on Aug.15 are thriving well, according to park officials at a news conference on Monday. The female now weighs 2.7 kg and her brother weighs about 2.5 kg. “When the panda twins are 6 months old, around the Lunar New Year, they will have the opportunity to meet the public,” said Ocean Park. Howard Chuk, head of the park's Zoological Operations and Conservation, said the panda twins opened their eyes earlier this month, and are now making powerful sounds. “At this time, the baby panda's hearing is also developing rapidly, so we try to let Ying Ying ( the mother) participate in caring for the cubs,” he said,“ but due to the large weight difference between Ying Ying and her children, we usually use a golf club to separate them, and when necessary, we will use a club to remove the twins.” In 2007, female panda Ying Ying and male panda Le Le settled in Hong Kong's Ocean Park. According to Ocean Park, Ying Ying gave birth to a pair of twins on 15 August 2024 when she was 19, the first pair of pandas born in Hong Kong. Ying Ying is the oldest panda on record to give birth for the first time. Mandy Yan, senior supervisor of Zoological Operations, said it’s difficult to tell the twins apart. “But if you look closely, you will find the female with messy hair on the head and the male with rounder dark circles under his eyes,” she said, “and the male's voice is more powerful.” Elke Wu, assistant curator of Zoological Operations, said the mother, Ying Ying is about 80 percent recovered from giving birth. “Ying Ying is a picky eater. Our team prepared electrolyte water for her, and hopes she can …
Innovation Unveiled: Highlights from Hong Kong Electronic Fair Autumn Edition
- 2024-10-13
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Cheuk Chi Maggie YEUNG、MAO AnqiEdited by: Ka Man Wong
- 2024-10-13
The Hong Kong Electronics Fair Autumn Edition has brought together vendors and buyers focusing on cutting-edge products, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the first day on Oct. 13. Over 3,200 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions showcase their brands, highlighting products and technology solutions for smart mobility, the silver economy, digital entertainment and more. This year’s 44th edition of the fair is focusing on the World’s Leading Electronics Marketplaces, with a digital entertainment zone for VR and AR featured products. Lina Li, 25, an officer of a New-Design company committed to digital healthcare, said their bestseller, the Hallux Valgus Corrector, a device used to treat joint protrusion at the base of the big toe, has successfully applied for a global patent. “It is designed in three kinds of angle fixation and stepwise osteopathic correction, and updates the bandage adjustable for men and women,” she said. Li added that the newly developed abdominal massager has been improved by the latest research and development. “We take inspiration from ancient Chinese massage, and use natural Sibin red bian stone for the contact end, making it more comfortable and effective in physiotherapy,” she said. “We have brought the bestsellers in the United States and Europe to this exhibition,” said Elise Zhang, 35, the promoter of Renpho, a company that provides a growing ecosystem of smart lifestyle products. Although their target customers are mainly in the United States and Europe, they are still looking for opportunities in Hong Kong. Zhang was satisfied with the flow of people at the fair. “We have previously set up booths in Germany and the United States But the customer base in Hong Kong is somewhat different,” Zhang said. “Customers in Hong Kong usually look for an original equipment manufacturer, while overseas, we have met …
A day of daydreaming: Doing nothing becomes everything
- 2024-10-12
- Society
- By: Wing Chi HO、ALISHIBA MATLOOBEdited by: Sze Kei WONG
- 2024-10-12
More than 70 people competed to be the best daydreamer at The International Space-out Competition at PMQ on Oct 5. Organized by the Korean Cultural Center in collaboration with Woopsyang Company, participants were invited to stay calm and composed for 90 minutes, to embrace the essence of mindfulness.
Preston pride parade calls for ban on conversion therapy
- 2024-10-11
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: AO Wei Ying Vinci、AU YEUNG JimEdited by: Jemima Badajos
- 2024-10-11
Preston held its second pride parade on Saturday to call for the immediate and complete ban of conversion therapy in the United Kingdom, amid repeated commitments by the British government to do so. The city in North West England hosted its 11th annual pride event since 2012, but the parade across the city centre only started last year. Conversion therapy, or conversion practices, is defined by the UK Parliament as activities with the predetermined purpose and intent of changing a person’s sexual orientation, or changing a person to and from being transgender. According to LGBT rights organisation Stonewall Scotland, conversion therapy often include pseudo-scientific practices such as being asked to ingest “purifying substances”, being prayed over, exorcisms, and other forms of counselling session associated with threats to convince or even coerce an individual to change their sexual identity. “Conversion therapy is a barbaric practice, and every effort should be made to stamp out such a thing,” said Dean Toppings, a student nurse from University of Central Lancashire A government national LGBTQ survey conducted in 2018 found that out of the 108,100 respondents, 7% of all respondents had been offered or underwent conversion therapy. Within transgender respondents, 13% of them have been offered or undergone such practices. In the King’s Speech to the UK Parliament in July, the new British government under the Labour party has renewed its commitment to introducing a draft Conversion Practices Bill that will be brought forward to outlaw conversion therapy nationally. The Labour Party’s manifesto described conversion therapy as abusive. “Here is no other word for it – so Labour will finally deliver a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices,” it read. Many hope that the transgender community will be included in the eventual bill. “Trans rights are human rights, and we must continue to fight …
Hong Kong Kickboxing Championship 2024 takes centre stage at Kowloon City Plaza
- 2024-10-11
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG Shuyi、Lok Tung LAUEdited by: Tsz Yau CHAN
- 2024-10-11
Spectators gathered at Kowloon City Plaza for the 2024 Annual Kickboxing Championship on the 29th of September. Organized by the Hong Kong Kickboxing Association, the competition serves as a platform for the association to select the most promising fighters to represent Hong Kong in various international events, making it a highly anticipated occasion.
Exhibition on Hong Kong’s textile industry promotes inclusion through sign language tours
- 2024-10-10
- Society
- By: CHAN Wing Yiu、Cheuk Chi Maggie YEUNGEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG
- 2024-10-10
An exhibition tour on Hong Kong’s industrial past is being led by deaf and hearing guides to promote inclusion at the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) in Tsuen Wan starting last month. The half-hour tour at the centre at The Mills explains how textiles were made including the cotton-spinning process using traditional spinning instruments and the experiences of deaf textile workers in the past in sign language and Cantonese. “Various art groups hold several activities for the blind, but there are fewer options available for the deaf community in Hong Kong,” said Law Pik-yu, 32, the deputy curator of CHAT. She hopes the tour will promote collaboration and understanding between the deaf and hearing. There were 47,900 deaf people in Hong Kong in 2021, according to the Census and Statistics Department. However, there are less than 60 sign language interpreters, according to the Hong Kong Council Service. “Sometimes we may overlook the deaf when there is a large group of people, so during the tour, I remind participants to pay attention to the sign language used by the deaf tour guide,” said Mak Siu-fun, 51, the hearing tour guide. Mak learned sign language to communicate with her deaf daughter. During the tour, she said she tried to use it less frequently to give the deaf more chances to express themselves. During the tour, hearing participants were invited to practice sign language with docents and guess the meaning. “Deaf and hearing individuals were able to communicate during the tour, something that typically doesn’t happen in my everyday life,” said Cheung Man-ying, 32, a deaf docent. Some participants changed their perceptions of deaf people after joining the tour. “At first, I was concerned about whether deaf people would be able to express themselves clearly,” said Fung Shuk-ching, 35, a tourist …
Art engraved on the skin is undergoing technological and cultural innovation
- 2024-10-08
- Society
- By: WANG Jing、CAO JiawenEdited by: KONG Tsz Yuen
- 2024-10-08
Meow Meow, 30, a tattooist who is talented in new-school style from Hangzhou, guided her tattoo pen across the back of a customer and half an hour later, a multicolored dragon was etched into the skin. She is among over 120 artists at the Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2024. “In the past, I learned the art on a traditional machine,” she said, “nowadays I use a tattoo motor machine which gives more control over the movement of a pen to accomplish a design.” The 8th edition of the exhibition returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai from October 4 to October 6. Different tattoo artists have made changes and innovations in tattoo styles or tattoo tools. Hana Wong, 39, a Hong Kong and Japan-based artist, began to tattoo in 2012. She combined Japanese kamon elements with different patterns to create original works with a Japanese-style petal pattern. “All our tattoo designs are original, and we're still innovating,” she said. Feng Shan, 38, a tattooist from Sichuan, combined traditional Chinese and Western realism in her work. “I like the smudge technique of ink painting. I learned sculpture in university, so I made some changes based on the realistic Western style I learned,” Shan said. The exhibition organizer, Gabe Shum, said this event will allow tattoo artists and enthusiasts to connect, converse, and exchange ideas. “Next, I would like to continue to add more tattoos about Hong Kong culture so that people from other countries can recognize and understand Hong Kong culture,” Shum said. Tan Beibei, 34, from Zhuhai was getting her first tattoo on her 20th birthday. “Tattoo is a way to remember something or to express the religion, so I got my father's birthday and death anniversary tattooed on my wrist,” Tan said. Wu …