Latest news with #PaulChan
RTHK
4 days ago
- Business
- RTHK
Education key to innovation and talent development: FS
Education key to innovation and talent development: FS Paul Chan said he invited more than a dozen elementary school students to explore a newly launched "Hong Kong Tech Showcase" pop-up zone during this year's boaul Chan said he invited more thaok fair. Photo courtesy of Information Services Department Financial Secretary Paul Chan said technological innovation and youth talent development are intrinsically linked, with education playing a key role in the relationship. Writing in his weekly blog, Chan said he invited more than a dozen elementary school students to explore a newly launched "Hong Kong Tech Showcase" pop-up zone at the ongoing book fair. The exhibition features cutting-edge innovations across education, health, sports and food sectors. The finance chief said the goal was to ignite students' curiosity by giving them firsthand experience with technology development and application, potentially opening doors to deeper scientific and technological learning. "In this era of rapid technological changes, talent must possess keen intuition and curiosity, the ability to quickly understand new things and a strong commitment to continuous learning and research," he said. "More importantly, they must have the courage to try, the willingness to innovate and the resilience to face failure." Chan also said that he recently spoke with a group of young people at Science Park, where representatives from startups highlighted several factors that attract them to pursue innovation and technology in Hong Kong. These include the city's investment in technological development, support for startups, and a diverse and inclusive environment that attracts global talent and strong connections to the Greater Bay Area market and production base. "This year, the internship programme at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks received a record of more than 5,000 applications. Ultimately, only 450 people were accepted. Among them, two-thirds of the interns come from the top 50 universities in the world, including leading institutions in Europe and the United States, while nearly 30 percent are international students," he said. "This clearly reflects the international attractiveness of Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem." The finance chief added that the expanding tech sector will provide Hong Kong's youth with diverse, high-quality career pathways, empowering them to realise their ambitions and achieve their dreams.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
‘SCMP report' claiming Hongkongers ‘will receive income from taxes' is fake
With the rise of social media and generative AI, how much of what we see online is true? This is the first of a new series, SCMP Fact-Check, in which the Post investigates claims circulating online and debunks viral misinformation impacting the daily lives of Hongkongers An online platform claiming that Hongkongers 'will start receiving income from taxes' is falsely attributing the statement to the city's finance chief. A link forwarded to the South China Morning Post said in part: 'The Minister of Finance highlighted that everyone is entitled to payments of up to 27500 HKD per month.' The website appeared to imitate the stylings of a Post article and was presented as an interview with Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po. A screenshot of the article crossed through by the Post. Photo: Handout/SCMP composite However, the contents of the website were debunked by Chan's office. In a reply to the Post, a spokesman said the 'report' was fake and it had reported the incident to police.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Drink in Focus: Ritual Fizz at the St Regis Bar Hong Kong
In May, the St Regis Bar Hong Kong launched Tickets to Ride on Trains & Trams, an ambitious new menu centred around a board game that involves taking the train or tram (on the board) to 16 different numbered stations, each corresponding to a drink. Theming is front and centre – guests are encouraged to play the game as a means to decide which drink to have. Both the game and the cocktail menu follow what is now a recurring throughline for St Regis' menus: drawing inspiration from historical locations in Hong Kong and New York, where the St Regis Hotel was first opened. What sets this current menu apart is the sheer selection of excellent drinks – 16 different signature concoctions, all balanced and executed wonderfully. St Regis Bar Hong Kong's new Tickets to Ride on Trains & Trams menu involves 16 drinks, each corresponding to a 'station' on a board game. Photo: Nicolas Wong Sixteen Photography No drink on this menu represents the high level of execution more than the Ritual Fizz, which is inspired by Little Italy, a historic neighbourhood in Manhattan known for its concentration of Italian immigrant residents. Paul Chan, bar manager for the St Regis Bar Hong Kong, breaks the drink down for us. It combines London Dry gin (or vodka, on occasion), Italian citron and bergamot liqueurs, fresh lemon, cream, egg white, sugar and a splash of soda water. 'It's bright, fresh and creamy all at once,' Chan describes. 'You get this refreshing citrus kick from the Italian citron and bergamot, balanced by the botanicals of gin and a silky, almost dessert-like finish from the cream and egg white. There's a playful effervescence from the soda, and I think the drink really dances between being uplifting and indulgent.' Those in the know recognise this ingredient and flavour profile as similar to the immensely difficult and visually stunning Ramos Gin Fizz, introduced by Charles 'Carl' Ramos in New Orleans in 1888. Apocryphally, Ramos and his team shook the drink for a total of 12 to 15 minutes along something of a cocktail assembly line. (Cocktails are normally shaken for around 20 to 30 seconds.) Ritual Fizz from St Regis Bar Hong Kong's new menu Tickets to Ride on Trains & Trams. Photo: Handout Modern methods are much less dramatic, but the drink still requires intricate preparation – dry shaking ingredients, then slowly pouring 2/3 of the mixture with soda before allowing it to settle in a fridge. If your physics and chemistry were correct, pouring the remaining ingredients should help the iconic foam head rise 'like a souffle', according to Difford's Guide.
RTHK
13-07-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Paul Chan points to more S Korean investments in HK
Paul Chan points to more S Korean investments in HK The financial secretary says regional cooperation is becoming more important. Image courtesy of Paul Chan's blog Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Sunday said the financial sector in South Korea is interested to invest in Hong Kong and the mainland. In his weekly blog, Chan recalled his three-day visit to Seoul last week where he met with representatives from various sectors including finance, trade, and innovation and technology. Chan said he spoke to them about the SAR's latest development and opportunities, as well as the One Country, Two Systems policy and the city's other advantages, such as its internationalisation and free market. He pointed out that some South Korean businesses may not have a full understanding of the SAR's current situation because they have reduced the number of visits to Hong Kong in the past few years because of the pandemic and geopolitical issues. But Chan also said the strong performance of Hong Kong's stock market and its vibrant initial public offering market have drawn the attention of South Korea's finance sector. He added that South Korean businesses have a positive outlook towards the technological development and commercial potential of Greater China. 'In view of the current international situation, regional cooperation is becoming more important,' Chan said. 'Making new friends, exploring new markets, attracting new capital and seeking mutual beneficial development can improve both parties' economic resilience and competitiveness."
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Geopolitics spur Hong Kong's renewed focus on South Korean trade collaboration
Hong Kong's finance chief has launched a strategic offensive to forge closer business ties with South Korea, with investors showing interest in the city's latest cryptocurrency policy and its role as a superconnector to international markets amid geopolitical tensions. Concluding a three-day visit to Seoul on Thursday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po proposed a direct cross-listing of exchange-traded funds and highlighted the city's use of exclusive, high-risk financial products as a new tool to secure Korean capital, according to his weekly blog on Sunday. 'Overall, in recent years, due to the impact of the pandemic and geopolitical factors, they have come to Hong Kong less frequently, which has resulted in certain discrepancy in their understanding of the situation in Hong Kong,' Chan wrote. He addressed concerns about regional geopolitics by positioning Hong Kong as a stable bridge for Korean enterprises to access opportunities within the Greater Bay Area, leveraging the city's world-class research capabilities and deep financial markets. Throughout his meetings with senior officials, including the chairman of South Korea's Financial Services Commission and the governor of the Bank of Korea, Chan emphasised Hong Kong's enduring role as a 'superconnector' and 'super value-adder'. Chan detailed his discussions with Seoul's financial leaders, where he also sought to reassure them of Hong Kong's stability and unique advantages under the 'one country, two systems' framework. A key area of discussion was Hong Kong's regulatory framework for virtual assets. Chan noted that Korean regulators and industry players were closely observing Hong Kong's coming stablecoin legislation, leading to in-depth exchanges on regulatory experiences and the future application of stablecoins.
