Hong Kong is implementing measures to create a circular economy, including the use of designated waste disposal bags to reduce garbage generation. Prof. Yatang LIN, Assistant Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), was quoted as saying that the government's decision to charge the public for waste disposal is a necessary and positive step in addressing waste management challenges.

Academicians including Prof. Kei May LAU, Research Professor of the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), will attend the 2024 JFS Conference and China International Compound Semiconductor Industry Expo on April 8-11.

In a TV news story on the fiscal deficits of the HK government, Prof. Donald LOW, Professor of Practice in Public Policy of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), said that debt financing may be the best short-term solution. Currently, debts account for around 4% of the city's GDP, which is lower compared to the average ratio of 50-60% observed in most developed economies.

HKUST and the Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group have launched two new greenhouse gas emissions calculation and estimation tools to help HK firms and financial institutions with their sustainability reporting. Prof. Alexis LAU, Head and Chair Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR) said HKUST has given special consideration to the needs of SMEs while designing these tools, which are practical, easy to use, and can adapt to users' specific data and operating regions. Prof. Christine LOH, Chief Development Strategist of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), said these simple and easy-to-use tools mark HK's first step in helping SMEs estimate their carbon footprint regularly.

In an article by Prof. Erwin HUANG, Adjunct Professor of the Division of Integrative System and Design (ISD), he elaborated on the use of AI to unleash infinite possibilities.

The team of researchers led by Prof. XUE Ying, Research Assistant Professor, and Prof. LAU Kei-May, Research Professor from the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), have developed a new integration technique for efficient integration of III-V compound semiconductor devices and silicon, paving the way for photonic integration at low cost, large volume, and high speed and throughput that could revolutionize data communications.

In an article by Prof. Erwin HUANG, Adjunct Professor of the Division of Integrative System and Design (ISD), he discussed inspiration cultivation.

In a column article by Prof. Yan XU, Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) , he commented on why HK should adopt “output thinking” to boost I&T development.

The second part of an article by Prof. Donald LOW, Professor of Practice in Public Policy of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), is about why HK needs to rethink its super-connector strategy. He suggested that HK government should seize the opportunity presented by the current economic malaise to engage in a far-reaching exercise on how the HK economy should be adapted or even reinvented for the future.

In a commentary on China’s chronic zero COVID trauma by Prof. Donald LOW, Professor of Practice in Public Policy of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), he commented that the adverse impacts on business and consumer sentiment, which were underestimated by analysts, have become apparent over a year after China abandoned its zero-COVID policy. The initial optimism following China's reopening in early 2023 has been replaced by deflation and a prevailing sense of pessimism, leading to a crisis of confidence in China's economic prospects.