In an article on Chinese investors eyeing Africa's tiny island of Mauritius as it goes green and tries to sweeten trade deals, Prof. Naubahar SHARIF, Acting Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), was quoted as saying that overseas energy investments by private Chinese companies fit into that belt and road push, which has shifted from Chinese state-backed megaprojects, such as ports, to smaller and more profitable projects, including green energy.

Prof. Naubahar SHARIF, Acting Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN, Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) and other guests attended a symposium on international humanitarianism and sustainable development at HKUST.

The University Leadership Forum, organized by the UGC, featured guest speakers such as Court Chairman Dr. Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing and Prof. Anthony CHEUNG, Adjunct Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), as well as various higher education representatives. They shared insights on institutional governance and thoughts on the future development of higher education in HK during the forum. Secretary for Education Dr. CHOI Yuk-Lin delivered a keynote speech and urged all council chairpersons and members to enhance institutional governance from three perspectives: the governance system, capability, and efficacy.

The University Leadership Forum, organized by the UGC, will feature former Council Chairman Dr. Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing and Prof. Anthony CHEUNG, Adjunct Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), as guest speakers along with various higher education representatives, who will engage in discussions on university governance during the forum. The event will also include keynote speeches by Secretary for Education Dr. Christine CHOI Yuk-Lin, while RGC Chairman Prof. Wong Yuk-Shan will deliver a speech on the university research funding mechanism

In an article on the Covid-19 pandemic denting HK’s record for longevity, Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN, Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), was quoted as saying that it’s not the case that in 2022 people’s lives got shorter, it’s just the case that there were more deaths, primarily at older ages, which is going to skew the life expectancy.

In an article by Prof. Erwin HUANG, Adjunct Professor of the Division of Integrative System and Design (ISD), he commented on the ethical dilemmas over AI romantic relationships.

Prof. Chi Ming SHUN, Adjunct Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), said HKUST is developing a climate adaptation and resilience plan with a focus on tropical and urban environments at the 17th Asian Financial Forum (AFF). He added that the data from insurers and other organizations can be used to quantify climate risks and develop new insurance products related to extreme weather events.

Prof. Alexis LAU, Head and Chair Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), co-writing an article with HKU and PolyU professors, expressed concerns regarding the Hong Kong government’s decision to further delay the citywide waste-charging scheme and urge the government to move forward decisively with the waste-charging scheme.

At an international symposium on child-bearing held in Japan, Prof. Stuart GIETEL-BASTEN, Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), said economic assistance provided by governments to households has not been as effective as expected in reversing the shrinking of child populations, adding that countries will be able to "see a way out of" their declining child populations if they start to regard the challenge not as "a problem to be solved" but as "an opportunity" to change gender roles, work culture, and other social aspects.

In a column article by Prof. Donald LOW, Professor of Practice in Public Policy of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), he discussed how the Government should boost the economy by keeping an open mind about the goods and services tax and considering linking HKD to a basket of currencies instead of just the greenback.