Month: May 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today visited the Census & Statistics Department (C&SD) to exchange views with staff representatives and learn more about how it applies artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in statistical work to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.

Accompanied by Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung met Commissioner for Census & Statistics Leo Yu and directorate staff for an update on the department’s latest developments and key initiatives.

Starting from the 2026 Population Census, the C&SD will make more extensive and systematic use of the administrative data collected from various departments, including immigration records, public housing rentals and welfare payments to reduce the cost of data collection.

It is estimated that the total cost incurred for the 2026 and 2031 population censuses will be reduced by about 40%, saving around $680 million.

Mrs Yeung was then briefed on the department’s data science development strategy, which involves exploring and applying cutting-edge technologies such as image recognition, web scraping and computer vision technology for intelligent data collection and processing.

Staff also introduced to her two sets of in-house developed AI models, one of which can accurately validate the classification and the unit value of commodities on import/export declarations within a short period of time, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of the data validation process.

The other set of AI models is applied to the Electronic System for Cargo Manifests to assist in matching the corresponding import/export declarations and cargo manifests.

The use of the two sets of AI models has reduced the department’s required manpower by nearly half. Some of the saved resources will be reallocated to further drive the development of data science and the statistical areas involving big data, with a view to enabling the department to provide higher-quality statistical services to the community.

Mrs Yeung said: “As the expectations and demands of the community on the Government and the civil service have continuously grown, the workload of the Government has been increasing while all departments have to reduce expenditure and streamline manpower at the same time.

“Innovative thinking and flexibility are key to keeping up with the complicated and ever-changing environment.”

On the premise of maintaining efficient public services, Mrs Yeung requested the government departments to make good plans and review the necessity of all their posts, leverage technology, and optimise manpower arrangements through reorganisation and reprioritisation of work.

The civil service chief encouraged the C&SD to continue applying innovative technology to further enhance the timeliness and accuracy of official statistics while streamlining the workflow to meet the demand for statistical information from the Government, the industrial and business sectors and the public.

Concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met staff representatives from various grades to exchange views on matters of concern.

With the 2025 Voter Registration Campaign under way, she reminded colleagues to actively register as electors and cast their votes in the 2025 Legislative Council General Election at the end of this year. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme has been extended to include 12 additional medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), bringing the number of pilot medical institutions under the scheme to 19 and covering all the nine Mainland cities in the GBA, the Government announced today.

Together with the two existing service points operated by the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, a total of 21 service points in the bay area will be allowed to use Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs), benefitting more than 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong seniors.

The newly-added 12 medical institutions are Tier III Class A hospitals, providing integrated healthcare services, including dental.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the service points of the pilot scheme are meticulously planned to extend to GBA cities not yet covered in the scheme, namely Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing as well as to set up additional service points in the GBA cities that are already covered.

The extension also includes Chinese medicine hospitals for the first time to provide eligible seniors with additional choices in healthcare services, he added.

The service scope eligible for claims for the EHCVs at medical institutions under the pilot scheme will be largely the same. The arrangements for shared use of EHCVs between spouses and the EHCV Pilot Reward Scheme are also applicable.

Eligible people have to register with the eHealth system. The “Cross-boundary Health Record” and “Personal Folder” functions of the eHealth mobile application will also be applicable to the medical institutions under the scheme to offer convenience for Hong Kong citizens to self-carry their electronic health records for cross-boundary uses.

Call 2838 2311 for enquiries on the EHVS. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) today released for public consultation until May 31, its recommendations on the boundaries of geographical constituencies (GCs) for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, EAC Chairman David Lok said the 2025 LegCo General Election will be held on December 7, adding that the Legislative Council Ordinance stipulates there are 10 GCs in Hong Kong with two members to be returned for each GC.

The recommendations were drawn up in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Legislative Council Ordinance and the amended Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance as well as the EAC’s working principles.

“Using the boundaries of the existing 10 GCs as the basis and taking into account the projected population in the respective GCs, the commission endeavoured to adopt the existing GC boundaries as far as possible,” Mr Lok said.

According to the Planning Department’s projection, the total population of Hong Kong as at mid-2025 will be 7,559,800. The average population to each GC seat is therefore 377,990, which is the “population quota”.

The Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance provides that the population in each GC shall not fall short of 85% or exceed 115% of “the resulting number” of the GC concerned. “The resulting number” is obtained by multiplying the “population quota” with the number of seats in that GC.

“Based on the latest population projection as at mid-2025, the population for the existing LegCo GCs are all within the statutory permissible range. Therefore, in principle, it is not necessary for the EAC to adjust the existing boundaries of GCs,” Mr Lok noted.

He added that according to the EAC’s past experience in delineation exercises, members of the public have prevalently advocated to maintain the GC boundaries status quo as far as possible.

Noting the ongoing development and construction works in the Loop, the EAC proposed to include it in the only contiguous GC, ie New Territories North in the delineation exercise to tie in with the Loop’s development, while the boundaries of the remaining nine GCs would remain unchanged.

Written representations on the recommendations can emailed to the EAC Secretariat, faxed to 2511 1682 or posted to 8/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan.

A forum will be held at 7pm on May 19 at the Multi-purpose Hall, 3/F, City Gallery, 3 Edinburgh Place, Central for the public to express their views.

Call 2891 1001 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Inland Revenue Department today sent out about 2.66 million tax returns for individuals for the year of assessment 2024-25.

 

Taxpayers should file their tax returns by June 2. For sole proprietors, a three-month period is allowed and the filing deadline is August 2. Those filing through eTAX will be granted a one-month extension.

 

At a press conference this afternoon, Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan said that salaries tax, tax under personal assessment and profits tax for 2024-25 will be reduced by 100%, subject to a ceiling of $1,500 per case.

 

From the year of assessment 2024-25, a two-tiered standard rates regime for salaries tax and tax under personal assessment has been implemented.

 

When calculating the amount of salaries tax or tax under personal assessment at standard rates, the first $5 million of net income is subject to the standard rate of 15%, and the portion exceeding $5 million is subject to the standard rate of 16%.

 

Also, there has been an increase in the deduction ceilings for home loan interest or domestic rent from $100,000 to $120,000 for taxpayers who were residing with their newborn children born on or after October 25, 2023.

 

Furthermore, a new deduction for expenses on assisted reproductive services has been introduced, subject to a ceiling of $100,000.

 

On the enhancement measures for the deduction of expenses under profits tax, there have been tax deductions for expenses incurred for reinstating the condition of leased premises to their original condition, and the time limit for claiming annual allowances in respect of industrial/commercial buildings or structures has been removed.

 

Mr Chan added that in July, the department will launch three interconnected portals, namely Individual Tax Portal, Business Tax Portal and Tax Representative Portal, under eTAX to facilitate taxpayers and enhance the efficiency, reliability and accuracy of return filing.

 

On revenue collection, the department collected $374.5 billion for 2024-25, an increase of 10% from the previous year.

 

The revenue collection for 2025-26 is estimated at $401.4 billion, representing a 7% year-on-year increase.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will depart for Milan, Italy, on Sunday to attend the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Sharing Experience, Building Tomorrow”, focusing on development issues and challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, such as climate change, digital transformation, and promoting mutually beneficial co-operation and inclusive economic growth. Mr Chan will deliver remarks at the Governor’s Plenary.

He will also meet the bank’s President Masato Kanda as well as financial officials from other countries and regions attending the meeting.

Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on May 7, arriving on the morning of May 8. During his absence, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will be Acting Secretary.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong’s economy in the first quarter increased 3.1% year-on-year, picking up from the 2.5% growth in the preceding quarter.

The Census & Statistics Department announced the figures today as it released its advance estimates on gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter.

According to the estimates, private consumption expenditure decreased 1.2% in real terms in the first quarter.

Government consumption expenditure grew 1.2% year-on-year.

Gross domestic fixed capital formation rose 2.8% year-on-year.

Over the same period, total goods exports grew 8.7%, much faster than the increase of 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Imports of goods grew by 7.4%, higher than the increase of 0.4% in the preceding quarter.

Compared with a year earlier, exports of services rose 6.6% in the first quarter, while imports of services went up 6.2%.

Commenting on the figures, the Government said the Hong Kong economy expanded solidly in the first quarter.

During the year, total exports of goods posted accelerated growth amid sustained external demand. Exports of services continued to expand, supported by the increase in visitor arrivals and other cross-boundary economic activities. Overall investment expenditure grew in tandem with the economic expansion.

However, it noted that private consumption expenditure registered a small decline, reflecting the lingering impact of changes in residents’ consumption patterns.

Looking ahead, as global trade tensions escalated abruptly in early April due to the significant increases in import tariffs imposed by the US, the downside risks surrounding the global economy have heightened visibly.

The extremely high levels of trade policy uncertainty will dampen international trade flows and investment sentiment, which in turn overshadow the near-term outlook for the Hong Kong economy.

Nonetheless, the sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy, together with the Government’s various measures to promote economic growth and expand into more diversified markets, will lend support to various economic activities in Hong Kong, it added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of total retail sales in March, provisionally estimated at $30.1 billion, was down 3.5% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

 

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales for the month was 4.8% lower year-on-year.

 

Of the total retail sales value in March, online sales accounted for 8.1%. Provisionally estimated at $2.4 billion, the value of online retail sales decreased 0.5% compared with a year earlier.
 

The value of sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased 3.9% in March compared with a year earlier.
 

There were also declines in the value of sales of wearing apparel (-10.8%); commodities in department stores (-5%); motor vehicles and parts (-46.4%); fuels (-3.9%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-7.7%); Chinese drugs and herbs (-1.0%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (-0.9%); furniture and fixtures (-17.3%); and optical shops (-2.7%).

 

By contrast, the value of sales of other consumer goods not elsewhere classified increased by 0.6% for the period. Also up were sales of commodities in supermarkets (+5.2%); medicines and cosmetics (+1.2%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (+7.8%); and electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (+6.7%).

 

The Government said the sustained steady growth of the Mainland economy, the Government’s proactive efforts to boost the consumption market through the promotion of tourism and mega events, as well as the increase in employment earnings will continue to support the retail sector.

 

However, it said the increased level of uncertainty in the global economic outlook and the ongoing impact of the change in consumption patterns will pose challenges to the sector. 

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced an event ‘Ageing with Dignity – Initiatives for the Welfare of Senior Citizens’, at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre today (Rashtrapati Bhawan Press Release: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2126092). The event organised by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment witnessed the launch of the senior citizens welfare portal, the virtual inauguration of senior citizens homes, the distribution of Aids and Assistive devices and the signing of an MoU between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Brahmakumaris organization. It brought together senior citizens, social organisations, school children, and spiritual leaders to reaffirm India’s traditional ethos of respecting and honouring the elderly.

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, stated that policies are rooted in the values of respect and empathy for the elderly. The launch of the Senior Citizen Welfare Portal and the inauguration of senior citizen homes reflect the government’s strong commitment to inclusive development and active ageing. The event aimed at fostering an inclusive society for the senior citizens. It acknowledged the contribution of senior citizens, need for creating an inclusive environment, wisdom and experience bringing together diverse voices and spiritual leaders for the intergenerational bonding and welfare of our senior citizens. Other dignitaries gracing the event included Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Ramdas Athawale and Shri B.L. Verma.

 

 

The day began with an inspiring interaction between the President and ‘Unsung Heroes’, who have made selfless contributions to the nation across diverse fields—education, social reform, sports, arts and literature, history and community service. Some of the unsung heroes included the Padma Awardees. Their life stories and commitment to service inspired all present and underscored the quiet strength of India’s elderly population.

 

 

A pledge was administered involving students, officials from Department, President Secretariat and other invitees symbolising intergenerational bonding and solidarity and the nation’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of senior citizens. The pledge serves as a reminder of the values of empathy, respect, and responsibility towards the elderly.

 

 

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Senior Citizen Welfare Portal by the President of India. The portal is envisioned as a comprehensive digital platform aimed at empowering elderly citizens through seamless access to government schemes, healthcare benefits, welfare services, and updates on relevant events. By bridging the information gap and promoting digital inclusion, it will enable senior citizens to lead more informed, independent, and fulfilling lives.

 

 

Further strengthening the support ecosystem for the elderly, the President also virtually inaugurated five new Senior Citizen Homes located in Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Wokha (Nagaland), Vellore (Tamil Nadu), Anakapalli (Andhra Pradesh), and Nainital (Uttarakhand). These facilities, supported under the Ministry’s programme aligned with the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, are designed to provide safe, nurturing, and dignified living environments for indigent senior citizens across the country.

 

Adding to the significance of the occasion, an MoU with the Brahma Kumaris was signed, reaffirming a collective commitment to inter-generational bonding, overall wellbeing and creating an inclusive society for the senior citizens. With decades of experience in fostering emotional balance and inner peace, the Brahma Kumaris will promote and conduct programmes on mental health, mindfulness, and spiritual enrichment for younger and older generations.

 

Another major highlight was the distribution of Aids and Assistive Devices under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY). The President handed over assistive items to eligible senior citizens, reaffirming the government’s resolve to address the health and mobility needs of the elderly. The event also highlighted the significance of preserving traditional knowledge, intergenerational values, and cultural continuity. Speakers emphasized that ‘active ageing’ is not just about physical well-being but also about emotional engagement, community participation, and mental enrichment.

 

 

 

The event served as a platform to highlight the Government of India’s continued commitment to the welfare and empowerment of senior citizens. Through focused policy interventions, digital initiatives, and community-based support, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reiterates its dedication to ensuring that senior citizens across the country lead lives marked by dignity, security, and active participation in society.

 

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(Release ID: 2126125) Visitor Counter : 94

Source: Government of India

PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES AN EVENT ‘AGEING WITH DIGNITY’ INITIATIVES FOR WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

ELDER PEOPLE ARE A LINK TO THE PAST AND ALSO GUIDES TO THE FUTURE, WE SHOULD VALUE THEIR GUIDANCE AND ENJOY THEIR VALUABLE COMPANY: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU

Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 2:02PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced an event ‘Ageing with Dignity’ – initiatives for the welfare of senior citizens at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre today (May 2, 2025). The event organised by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment witnessed the launch of the senior citizens welfare portal, the virtual inauguration of senior citizens homes, the distribution of Aids and Assistive devices and the signing of an MoU between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Brahmakumaris organization.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that respecting parents and elders is part of our culture. It is, generally seen in families that children are very comfortable with their grandparents. Elders act as an emotional pillar for the family. Elders too remain physically and emotionally healthy when they see their family flourishing.

The President said that in today’s competitive and quick-paced life, the support, inspiration and guidance of senior citizens is extremely important for our younger generation. Wealth of experiences and knowledge, which senior citizens have, can help the younger generation to face complex challenges. She said that old age is also a stage to spiritually empower oneself, analyze one’s life and actions, and live a meaningful life. Spiritually empowered senior citizens can lead the country and society towards greater prosperity and progress.

The President said that elder people are a link to the past and also guides to the future. It is our collective responsibility as a nation to ensure that our seniors live their old age with dignity and activeness. She was happy to note that the Government is empowering senior citizens through various initiatives so that they can actively participate in all aspects of life. She urged all citizens to commit themselves to the happiness and well-being of the elderly, value their guidance and enjoy their valuable company.

Please click here to see the President’s Speech- 

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(Release ID: 2126092) Visitor Counter : 28

Source: Government of India

India Showcases Creative and Technological Might at WAVES 2025

Discussions at WAVES on AI, Social Media and Advertising reflect India’s expanding footprint in the Digital Media sector

Posted On: 01 MAY 2025 9:24PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 1 May 2025

The inaugural session of WAVES 2025 was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who officially opened the summit at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. In his keynote address, PM Modi emphasized India’s rich storytelling heritage and its potential to become a global hub for content creation. He highlighted the convergence of content, creativity, and culture as the pillars of the ‘Orange Economy,’ urging creators worldwide to “Create in India, Create for the World.” The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Indian cinema legends by releasing commemorative postage stamps. He called upon global creators to explore India’s diverse narratives, stating that every street, mountain, and river in India carries a story waiting to be told. The session was attended by dignitaries from over 100 countries, industry leaders, and renowned artists, marking a significant step in India’s journey to becoming a creative superpower.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2125725

AI and Creativity: Adobe and NVIDIA Chart the Future

Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe, highlighted India’s emergence as a global hub of creativity powered by digital tools and generative AI. With over 100 million content creators and 500 million OTT consumers, Narayen described India as “the world’s next creative superpower.” He showcased Adobe’s Firefly AI models and stressed ethical AI, content authenticity, and creator attribution as vital for sustainable growth.

In a fireside chat, Richard Kerris and Vishal Dhupar of NVIDIA explored how AI is revolutionizing the creative pipeline—allowing content to be generated, localized, and personalized at scale. “India has long exported talent. Now it can export culture,” Kerris declared, emphasizing AI’s ability to amplify regional voices and transform India into a storytelling giant.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2125947

YouTube to offer more support to boost the Creator Economy

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced a ₹850 crore investment to accelerate India’s creator economy, citing over 15,000 Indian channels with more than 1 million subscribers. Joined by global creators Mark Rober and Gautami Kawale (Slayy Point), Mohan underlined YouTube’s role in taking Indian stories global. “India isn’t just leading in music and film—it’s now a Creator Nation,” he said. Kawale shared how regional Indian content, when rooted in culture, has universal appeal, while Rober spoke about the power of STEM content crossing borders through AI-enabled dubbing and localization.

WPP and the Advertising Renaissance

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, described the advertising industry’s $1 trillion global footprint and its shift towards AI-led storytelling. He unveiled WPP’s open video production platform and shared a campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan to demonstrate hyper-personalized content creation using motion AI. “AI is not replacing creativity—it is expanding it,” Read said, outlining the role of MSMEs and digital tools in democratizing access to quality advertising.

 

Global Collaboration: UK-India Cultural Pact

In a keynote that blended diplomacy and personal heritage, Lisa Nandy, UK Secretary of State for DCMS, emphasized the cultural bridge between India and the UK. She announced a Bilateral Cultural Federation Agreement to strengthen ties across cinema, museums, and performing arts. “From Manchester to Mumbai, we must empower the next generation of storytellers,” she urged, citing the legacy of figures like Sophia Duleep Singh and modern UK-Indian creatives.

Panel Highlights: AI, Culture, and Influence; Two panel discussions deepened the discourse:

“India M&E @100: The Future of Media and Entertainment” featured leaders from Eros Now, Jetsynthesys, and GroupM. They emphasized that India is in the fourth wave of disruption, where AI-led IP creation and Gen Z consumption patterns are reshaping the industry.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2125886

“The Business of Influence”, moderated by YouTube’s Gautam Anand, showcased creators like Chef Ranveer Brar, ChessTalk’s Jeetendra Advani, and Japanese YouTuber Mayo Murasaki. From chess to agriculture, they demonstrated how digital platforms are taking Indian knowledge global while preserving cultural authenticity.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2125889

 

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TEAM PIB WAVES 2025: Rajith/LekshmiPriya/CShekhar|137

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