4 March 2024
1. Holding the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) Policy Research Seminar 2024
The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) organised for the first time the PPRFS and the SPPRFS Policy Research Seminar 2024 entitled “Embracing the Future: Accelerating the Development of Digitalisation and the Greater Bay Area Development”. University academics and think-tank representatives who received funding under the schemes and completed their research projects in 2023 were invited to present their research outcomes at the seminar. Members of the CEPU Expert Group and representatives of the think- tank sector were also invited to provide feedback.
The seminar aimed to showcase how evidence-based public policy research could assist in policy formulation and facilitate policy innovation. It also enhanced communication and exchanges among stakeholders in the policy research sector, including research personnel of the academic sector and the think-tank community, members of the Assessment Panel of the Policy Research Funding Schemes, and members of the CEPU Expert Group. It also allowed new entrants of the research field to better understand the nature and requirements of the funding schemes. The research outcomes presented at the seminar will be published on the CEPU’s website.
Since its establishment in December 2022, the CEPU has put forward a number of improvements to the funding schemes, including:
(1) allowing greater involvement of bureaux in setting research themes and areas to ensure that the outcome will be useful for policy formulation. According to the relevant bureaux, the vast majority of the research projects for applications in 2023-24 were considered to be policy-relevant or very relevant;
(2) extending the funding period of the SPPRFS from three to five years to one to five years to increase the flexibility of the scheme;
(3) inviting members of the CEPU Expert Group to serve as external reviewers to assist in the assessment and provide a wider spectrum of views on the research projects for reference; and
(4) encouraging collaboration between tertiary institutions and think tanks. For example, the research team of one of the projects funded by the SPPRFS 2023-24 comprises researchers from think-tanks and tertiary institutions.
 The CEPU organised the PPRFS and SPPRFS Policy Research Seminar 2024 for the first time. Speaking at the seminar, Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, thanked the academia, the think-tank community, members of the Assessment Panel of the Policy Research Funding Schemes and members of the CEPU Expert Group for their active participation. |
 A number of university academics and think-tank representatives who completed relevant funded research projects in 2023 were invited to present their research outcomes at the seminar entitled “Embracing the Future: Accelerating the Development of Digitalisation and the Greater Bay Area Development”. |
 Three Deputy Heads of the CEPU, namely, Ms Hinny Lam (first row, first left), Dr Wang Chunxin (first row, second left) and Mr Nicholas Kwan (first row, fourth left), attended the seminar and listened to the views of various stakeholders. |
 A number of CEPU Expert Group members attended the seminar, including Mr Chang Ka-mun who expressed his views on the research outcomes presented at the seminar. |
 A number of CEPU Expert Group members attended the seminar, including Dr George Lam who provided feedback on the research outcomes presented at the seminar. |
 A number of CEPU Expert Group members attended the seminar, including Mr Peter Lai who shared his insights on the research outcomes presented at the seminar. |
2. Visiting the Airport Island
Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and his research team visited the Airport Island to study the opportunities and challenges for Hong Kong as the international aviation and cargo hub.
 A representative of the Airport Authority introduced the development and vision of the Airport Island to Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and his two deputies Ms Hinny Lam (first right) and Mr Nicholas Kwan (second right). |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and his research team observed the operation of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and his research team inspected the logistics facilities at the HKIA. |
3. Exchanging views with the China Merchants Port Group (CMPG) on the Development of Hong Kong’s Maritime Industry
Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, met with Mr Xu Song, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CMPG, and his team to exchange views on the development of Hong Kong’s maritime industry.
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, visited the CMPG to exchange views with Mr Xu Song, CEO of the CMPG. |
4. Meeting with Consul-General of France in Hong Kong and Macau
Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, met with Ms Christile Drulhe, Consul-General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, to exchange views on deepening ties between Hong Kong and France and future co-operation opportunities.
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, together with his two deputies, Ms Hinny Lam (second right) and Mr Nicholas Kwan (first right), posed for a photo with Ms Christile Drulhe, Consul-General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. |
5. Meeting with representatives of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (BritCham)
Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Ms Hinny Lam, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and their research team met with Mr Paul McComb, Executive Director of the BritCham, and his team to discuss various policy recommendations put forward by the BritCham on the economy of Hong Kong and people’s livelihood.
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Ms Hinny Lam, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and their research team met with the BritCham representatives. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and Ms Hinny Lam, Deputy Head of the CEPU, posed for a photo with Mr Paul McComb, Executive Director of the BritCham (first right), and Mr Charles Butcher, a representative of BritCham (first left). |
6. Exchange with the Government of the Yantian District of the Shenzhen Municipality
Mr Deng Feibo, District Mayor of the Government of the Yantian District of the Shenzhen Municipality, led a delegation of representatives from the Chung Ying Street Administration Bureau, the Co-operation Zone Development Centre and operation management companies to visit the CEPU and exchange views on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen development of tourism and culture in Sha Tau Kok.
 Two Deputy Heads of the CEPU, Ms Hinny Lam (fourth left) and Dr Wang Chunxin (third right), met with Mr Deng Feibo (fourth right), District Mayor of the Government of the Yantian District of the Shenzhen Municipality, and his team. |
7. Discussing the development of the logistics industry in Hong Kong with the Cainiao Smart Gateway team
Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and his research team met with Mr Yin Daxue, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cainiao Smart Gateway, and his team to discuss the development of the logistics industry in Hong Kong and the trends of cross-border trade.
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, alongside two Deputy Heads, namely Ms Hinny Lam (third right) and Mr Nicholas Kwan (second right), met with Mr Yin Daxue (third left), CEO of the Cainiao Smart Gateway, and his team. |