Heads of national statistical offices, statisticians and other experts from across the region are meeting this week at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to discuss establishing sound data governance mechanisms that respond to a new data-driven era.
UN Regional Forum on Statistics Explores Data Governance Issues

Mainland Chinese businesses increase digitalisation despite tech gap

Eighty per cent of Mainland Chinese respondents reported that their company has a digital transformation strategy. Ninety-six per cent expect their businesses will take action to improve digitalisation in the next 12 months, which includes expecting their organisation to start or continue implementing of a digital transformation strategy (41 per cent).
CPA Australia, one of the world’s largest professional accounting organisations, surveyed 820 accounting and financial professionals in seven Asia-Pacific markets, including 186 respondents from Mainland China.
Tony Chan FCPA (Aust.), Deputy President of CPA Australia’s South China Committee, said businesses are accelerating digitalisation and taking practical steps to drive their competitiveness in the technology landscape.
“The survey results reflect the high-quality growth of the digital economy in Mainland China with many businesses keen on exploring innovative solutions to fuel data-driven growth.”
“Mainland Chinese businesses are stepping into a new milestone of digital transformation by translating vision into action. I believe businesses will further improve their operational efficiency and profitability by integrating more technologies into all organisational functions in the future.”
When asked what technologies respondents expect their organisation to use more in the next 12 months, data analytics and visualisation software (39 per cent) was the highest ranked. This is the second consecutive year this technology has topped the list. Business intelligence software (34 per cent) and cybersecurity software (29 per cent) were also top priorities.
“Data is the foundation of the digital economy. It’s positive to see so many companies enthusiastic about using and analysing data to gain valuable insights and assist in decision-making. Cybersecurity is also on their radar, as many are taking measures to protect their data assets,” Chan said.
However, the survey found a technology adoption gap among Mainland Chinese companies of different sizes. Over 30 per cent of respondents from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not have a digital transformation strategy, compared to only 11 per cent of respondents from larger companies. Fourteen per cent of surveyed respondents working in SMEs said their company will not increase the use of any technologies in the next 12 months compared to only four per cent of respondents from large companies.
“There is a digital chasm between large companies and SMEs,” said Collin Jin FCPA (Aust.), Member of CPA Australia’s East and Central China Committee.
“SMEs are the backbone of the Chinese economy and supporting them to adopt the right technologies and turn investments into return is critical. We appreciate government’s policy support such as R&D tax incentives and VAT credit refund programs for SMEs which may encourage them to continue their investment in digitalisation. We recommend SMEs consider looking at low-hanging technologies in the market, such as intelligent automation and SaaS applications,” Jin said.
As China’s digital economy matures, enterprises are facing new challenges. The survey shows that complex legacy systems (37 per cent), financial costs and low return on investment (34 per cent) and poor data quality (31 per cent) are the key barriers to technology adoption in Mainland China.
“The percentage of Mainland Chinese respondents identifying complex legacy system and poor data quality as key barriers to technology adoption is noticeably higher than the survey average. This implies that while many businesses have started their journey of digitalisation, older systems may be a hindrance to the collection of quality data and to the adoption of advanced technologies,” Jin said.
“To address these challenges companies should regularly review their IT infrastructure and systems to ensure they meet internal and external requirements. When updating systems or software, it’s better to select appropriate technologies to align with the company’s long-term goals.”
“To improve data quality, we recommend companies establish an effective data governance mechanism and framework. Companies need to ensure they can accumulate and collect relevant data across different departments in an efficient and collaborative manner while meeting compliance requirements. This means companies need to put in place comprehensive and practical data policies and procedures for employees.”
Download CPA Australia’s Business Technology Report 2022 (English only)
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About CPA Australia
CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 170,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 22,200 members in Greater China. We have offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au
Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited, to introduce Hoi Tung Trading Company Limited as major shareholder
China Merchants Hoi Tung Trading is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Group Limited and is a comprehensive trading company covering food, transportation, and commodity, with subsidiaries in 10 cities in China and 7 branches overseas.
Hashtag: #BestMart360
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited
Best Mart 360 Holdings Limited operates chain retail stores under the brand “Best Mart 360˚”, offering wide selection of imported and pre-packaged leisure foods and other grocery products principally from overseas. It is the Group’s business objective to offer “Best Quality” and “Best Price” products to customers through continuous efforts on global procurement with a mission to provide comfortable shopping environment and pleasurable shopping experience to customers. As at 31 March 2022, the Group operated a total of 138 chain retail stores, spanning strategic locations with heavy pedestrian flow in Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen. Among the chain retail stores, the global gourmet brand “FoodVille” launched in September 2021 is also included, targeting the medium-to-high-end-market.
Thai Motorists Face Fines, Jail for Splashing Pedestrians
The Thai government warns motorists that splashing water from a puddle or pothole onto pedestrians while driving may result in jail time.
Tropical Storm MA-ON to Hit Laos This Week
Tropical Storm MA-ON is expected to hit Laos this week, bringing more rain to the country.
Lions & Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Charity Foundation Awarded with the “HKSAR 25th Anniversary Enterprise Outstanding Contribution Awards” for serving the Hong Kong elderly for 15 Years

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Metro Broadcast and Hong Kong Coalition jointly organised the “HKSAR 25th Anniversary Enterprise Outstanding Contribution Awards”, with the aim of acknowledging enterprises and organisations from different sectors which has contributed significantly to the economic growth and social good of Hong Kong over the past 25 years. The judging panel was formed by 12 renowned figures from different professions and sectors in the society.
Dr. Lam Hoi Ham, JP, Chairman of the Foundation said, “Lions Clubs International District 303 – Hong Kong and Macao, China and the School of Chinese Medicine of HKBU joined hands in 2007 to establish the Lions & HKBU Chinese Medicine Charity Foundation with the mission to enable elders aged 65 or above with financial difficulties and chronic illnesses to receive quality and professional Chinese medical service and care. We are pleased that our past efforts were recognised by the society through this award. Members of the Foundation will continue to give their best to serve elders in Hong Kong with passion and commitment.”
Quality Chinese Medicine Services for the Elderly in Hong Kong
Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Associate Vice-President (Chinese Medicine Development) and Tsang Shiu Tim Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine Clinical Studies said, “the School of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University has been providing quality Chinese medicine service to the public since 1997 through its 17 clinics across the territory. Sharing the same philosophy as Lions Clubs International District 303 in serving elderly people, we joined hands in 2007 to establish a charity foundation to provide needy elders with quality Chinese medicine service.”
Professor Bian elaborated that the “Privilege Scheme of Chinese Medicine Service for Elderly” for the underprivileged senior citizens is an important initiative of the Foundation. Each privilege card carries vouchers with a total nominal value of HKD2,000. Holders can redeem the vouchers for service including a free general consultation plus two packs of herbal medicine provided by HKBU Chinese medicine clinics. Up to now, the Foundation has issued over 4,000 “Privilege Cards” and subsidised more than 40,000 visits to the clinics.
Serve the Hong Kong Elders with a Caring Spirit
Along with the rapid development of Chinese medicine, the mode of consultation evolves with time. Mr. Tse Yim Pui, Paulman, Board Director and the Chairman of the 15th Anniversary Organising Committee of the Foundation said, “over the past 15 years, the Foundation has continued to innovate its service in order to cope with the changing medical needs of elderly people. We have been working closely with our community partners to launch a variety of Chinese medicine services for the benefits of elders.”
With a view to promoting healthy living and diets, the Foundation collaborated with a community organisation to mobilise volunteers to provide door-to-door delivery of cooked Chinese herbal medicine soup to elders.
Upon the introduction of a Chinese Medicine Diagnostic Instrument in a HKBU Chinese Medicine clinic to analyse body constitution and health condition of individuals through examining their pulse, face and tongue, the Foundation subsidised 1,000 quotas for the geriatric health assessment programme. The programme was smoothly executed through multiple non-profit-making organisations in Hong Kong. Nearly a thousand of elders were benefited by receiving professional advice from Chinese medicine practitioners on health preservation and management.
15 years of commitment to provide diversified Chinese medicine service for elders especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, the Foundation launched the distribution of Chinese Medicine influenza prescriptions to elders and needy people in different communities through HKBU Chinese Medicine clinics and a number of non-profit-making organisations, with the aim of enhancing their immunity to fight against the virus.
In mid-2021, the Foundation introduced an online consultation programme in collaboration with various community partners to provide online consultation and free medicine delivery service for their elderly centers. Elders who lived alone and in remote area (e.g. Sha Tau Kok restricted area) were also covered by the programme. Such service saved the transportation time and reduced the risk of infection as the elderly did not need to commute to the clinics in person during the pandemic. This convenient service received an overwhelming response and nearly 1,000 elders were benefitted.
Growing demand for Chinese medicine service with an aging population
With an aging population and growing number of patients with chronic disease, increasing demand for Chinese medicine service is anticipated. In the past 15 years, the Foundation has raised over HKD 10 million to support various charitable Chinese medicine service initiatives. Looking ahead, Chairman Lam said members of the Foundation will continue their effort in fund raising in order to provide more innovative and effective Chinese medicine service for the betterment of elders in Hong Kong.
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About Lions & Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Charity Foundation
Lions & Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Charitable Foundation is a non-profit-making charitable organisation recognised by the HKSAR Government. It was jointly established by Lions Clubs International District 303 – Hong Kong & Macao, China and Hong Kong Baptist University in 2007. Its mission is to serve the underprivileged elders with quality Chinese medicine and healthcare service at a low cost. For details about the Foundation and its service, please visit the website: http://cmcfoundation.hkbu.edu.hk/
About School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Baptist University is the first tertiary institution funded by the University Grants Committee to offer undergraduate programmes in Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Established in 1999, the School of Chinese Medicine offers quality teaching programmes, conducts cutting-edge academic and clinical research, and provides a comprehensive range of Chinese medical and healthcare service, striving to raise the professional and ethical standards of the Chinese medicine profession. Through the integration of teaching, research, medical service and technology, the School proactively fosters the modernisation, internationalisation and standardisation of Chinese medicine. The School now operates 17 Chinese medicine clinics, with 10 of them directly under the School and 7 jointly operated with Hospital Authority and other non-profit-making organisations. Located throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, the clinics are committed to serving the community and benefiting more people. For more information about the School, please visit the website: http://scm.hkbu.edu.hk/
Thai PM Prayut Ordered to Suspend Duties Pending Review of Term
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ordered Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to temporarily cease his official duties until the court can review the legality of his eight-year term limit.
Hong Kong Baptist University scientists develop versatile compound for treating Alzheimer’s disease

AD is the most common cause of dementia. It accounts for nearly 65% of dementia cases in elderly Hong Kong Chinese. It is pathologically characterised by the abnormal aggregation of Aβ, the hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins and neuroinflammation in the nerve cells in the brain, which cause progressive neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. Currently there is no cure for AD, and the available medicines can only relieve its symptoms. Inhibiting the abnormal aggregation of Aβ and the hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins is considered the primary and a promising therapeutic approach to treat AD.
F-SLOH as theragnostic agent for AD
In the search for novel therapeutic and diagnostic methods for AD, a research team comprising Professor Li Min, Professor of the Teaching and Research Division and Associate Dean of the School of Chinese Medicine; Professor Ricky Wong Man-shing, Professor of the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science; and Dr Iyaswamy Ashok, Research Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, demonstrated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of a compound called F-SLOH in reducing the abnormal aggregation of Aβ, the hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins and neuroinflammation in the nerves cells in the brain, thereby improving the learning and memory functions of mice with AD.
F-SLOH is a multi-functional cyanine probe synthesised by a team led by Professor Ricky Wong Man-shing for the detection of biological materials such as proteins and peptides. Its features include real-time visualisation of Aβ aggregation in brains, excellent permeability across the blood-brain barrier and low bio-toxicity. Previous studies showed that F-SLOH could inhibit the abnormal aggregation of Aβ species and provide neuroprotection against neurotoxicity induced by the abnormal aggregation of Aβ in vitro at the cellular level.
F-SLOH improves pathological features in AD mice
To determine the therapeutic efficacy of F-SLOH for AD, the researchers injected or fed F-SLOH to a group of transgenic AD mice. Histopathology and biochemical analyses showed that in mice treated with F-SLOH, Aβ oligomers (one of the Aβ species) and Aβ plaque deposits (the clumps of Aβ) were dramatically reduced in their hippocampus and their brains when compared with the AD mice in the control group who had not been fed F-SLOH.
The researchers also found that F-SLOH can reduce the levels of an amyloid precursor protein that generates Aβ and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. In an immunoblot analysis of the transgenic AD mice brian, the F-SLOH treatment group showed a significant reduction in the levels of the amyloid precursor protein and its metabolites compared to the control group.
In other experiments on the transgenic AD mice after F-SLOH treatment, the researchers separated the soluble and insoluble tau proteins in their brain tissue samples. The results showed that F-SLOH treatment significantly reduced the levels of insoluble tau protein in the brains of AD mice, which forms neurofibrillary tangles, one of the pathological features of AD.
F-SLOH improves memory and cognitive functions in AD mice
Aggregation of Aβ is closely related to the dysfunction of the links between nerve cells and memory decline. The researchers conducted two experiments to test the memory functions of AD mice. In the first experiment, mice were trained to swim in a water maze, reach a platform and remember its position. After the platform was removed, researchers observed whether the mice were able to recall and approach the original position of the platform. Compared to the control group, transgenic AD mice treated with F-SLOH spent more time swimming around the platform’s original position, showing that they can better memorise the platform’s location.
In the second experiment, mice were placed in a chamber and exposed to an audio tone followed by an instant small electric shock to their feet from the floor of the chamber. On the following day, they were put back in the chamber but without any electric shock. When the mice were exposed to the same audio tone, they “froze” their body movements due to the fear of an electric shock. The transgenic AD mice treated with F-SLOH exhibited a longer freezing time than that of the control group.
The results of the two experiments showed that AD mice treated with F-SLOH have better memories compared to the control group, suggesting that F-SLOH improved AD mice’s memory and cognitive functions.
F-SLOH shows early potential for treating AD
The researchers also revealed that F-SLOH degraded the abnormal aggregation of Aβ and reduced the levels of tau protein hyperphosphorylation, the amyloid precursor protein and its metabolites through the activation of the transcription factor EB. Transcription factor EB is the main regulator of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, a major mechanism for degrading ageing intracellular macromolecular proteins, including the intracellular metabolites such as Aβ aggregates.
Professor Li Min said: “AD patients lose their self-management abilities and require long-term care as the disease progresses. As the population is ageing in Hong Kong, the prevalence of AD is likely to increase. There is an urgent need to develop new drugs that can treat or slow down the progression of AD. The current study suggests that the compound F-SLOH has promising theragnostic potential for treating AD at an early stage.”
Professor Ricky Wong Man-shing said: “The study provides the first in vivo evidence that F-SLOH is an effective agent that can target and treat multiple neurodegenerative changes in an AD mouse model. The research findings can drive advancements in AD diagnosis and treatment in humans.”
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