​The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, concluded his visit to Nanjing and Shanghai today (September 23).

     Mr Sun departed Nanjing for Shanghai yesterday morning (September 22). Accompanied by the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai, Ms Veronica Wong, Mr Sun first met with Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce Mr Chen Hao to learn more about the work of the commission.

     Mr Sun and other delegates then visited an industrial park for gerontech in Shanghai to gain a deep understanding of the current development and practical application of local gerontechnology. The industrial park has attracted over 80 enterprises specialising in fields such as smart rehabilitation, elderly-friendly home modifications and telemedicine services. Mr Sun visited an exhibition area of the park to explore the latest professional care equipment, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of how the local community leverages technology to promote smart elderly care, so as to draw on these insights on how to enhance Hong Kong's elderly services, and introduce suitable household gerontechnology equipment to elderly singletons of advanced years and all-elderly households. Among the array of newly launched products, a nano bath capsule utilising nanotechnology enables elderly individuals to bath while remaining in bed, thereby enhancing both safety and dignity.

     In the evening, Mr Sun attended the welcome reception and opening ceremony of the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 held at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center to cheer on delegates from Hong Kong, China. Centred around the theme "Shaping a Skills-Driven Future", this year's competition features a total of 64 items spanning six major sectors - transportation and logistics, construction and building technology, manufacturing and engineering technology, information and communication technology, creative arts and fashion, and social and personal services. Hong Kong, China has deployed its largest-ever delegation to the competition, with over 40 skilled elites participating in 37 events to compete and exchange skills with contestants from around the world.

     Before returning to Hong Kong today, Mr Sun called on Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology Mr Jiang Ge to exchange views on the application of gerontechnology. Mr Sun mentioned that with a view to addressing the challenges posed by the ageing population, Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan underscores the importance of enhancing elderly care service capacity, strengthening and scaling up the silver industry, and promoting cross-boundary elderly care. Both sides also look forward to more co-operation and exchanges in elderly care services and gerontechnology in the future.

     Mr Sun and the delegation returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

Ends/Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:16

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