Month: June 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Innovation & Technology Commission today announced the second batch of 25 projects to be given funding via the Research, Academic & Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme.

These projects were recommended by the scheme’s steering committee. The total funding awarded amounts to over $1 billion.

The projects cover health and medical sciences, new materials and new energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, electrical and electronic engineering, advanced manufacturing, Chinese medicine, and computer science/information technology.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong welcomed the second batch of projects to be supported by the scheme.

He said: “The successful approval of the second batch of projects marks the Government’s continued commitment to promote commercialisation of local research and development outcomes through the RAISe+ Scheme.

“The scheme fosters effective collaboration among the Government, industry, academia and research sectors, injecting new momentum into local innovation and technology development, which in turn expedites the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre.”

The commission, aiming to nurture more I&T projects and startups with potential, will continue to work closely with universities and industry for the projects’ smooth implementation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Department of Health (DH) today (June 17) appealed to the public not to buy or use four types of topical products as they were found to contain undeclared controlled drug ingredients. These products include:
 

Product name	Part 1 poisons found
1. Zangyao xuanduwang	Clobetasol propionate, ketoconazole and miconazole
2. King poison to itch Antibacterial cream	Clobetasol propionate, ketoconazole and miconazole
3. HE SHENG MEI LANG DU WANG	Clobetasol propionate, ketoconazole and miconazole
4. ZHONG HUA ZHEN JUN WANG Antibacterial cream	Clobetasol propionate and miconazole

 
Acting upon intelligence, the DH has collected samples of the above-mentioned products from a retail stall in Tuen Mun for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the above products contained undeclared controlled drug ingredients, which are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138). These products are also suspected to be unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH, in collaboration with the Police, took enforcement action at the premises today. During the operation, a 51-year-old woman was arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH’s investigation is still ongoing.
 
Clobetasol propionate is a steroid substance for treating inflammation. Inappropriate application of steroids could cause skin problems and systemic side effects such as moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis. Products containing clobetasol propionate are prescription medicines that should be used under a doctor’s directions and be supplied in the premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (i.e. a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor’s prescription. Ketoconazole and miconazole are used for the treatment of fungal infections with side effects including local irritation and sensitivity reactions. Topical products containing ketoconazole and miconazole should be supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
 
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
 
The DH strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of “HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
 
People who have purchased the products concerned should stop using them immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or if they feel unwell after use. They may submit the products to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1804-06, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2025 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Hong Kong’s global competitiveness rises by two places further to third globally, after improving by two places to fifth last year. This marks Hong Kong’s return to the global top three for the first time since 2019. 
 
     WCY 2025 shows that Hong Kong’s competitiveness improves significantly, with a total score of 99.2 out of 100 and an increase of 7.7 points, representing the largest increase among the global top 10 economies.
 
     Among the four competitiveness factors in WCY 2025, Hong Kong rises to second globally in “Government efficiency” and “Business efficiency”. Its respective rankings in “Economic performance” and “Infrastructure” also improve to sixth and seventh globally. As regards the competitiveness sub-factors, Hong Kong tops the rankings in “Tax policy” and “Business legislation”, and ranks second globally in “International investment”, “Education” and “Finance”, and third globally in “International trade” and “Management practices”. 
 
     A Government spokesperson said today (June 17), “Having taken into account a host of factors including objective data and business opinions, the IMD’s WCY 2025 has reaffirmed Hong Kong as one of the most competitive economies in the world with a continuous rise in ranking. Hong Kong’s scores in overall terms and in many areas have improved in WCY 2025, showing that the HKSAR Government’s policy directions are on the right course and that various policies have yielded results. In particular, ‘Government efficiency’ is ranked second globally, which reflects the inherent excellence and competence of civil servants, and also validates that the change in government culture led by the Chief Executive to drive result-oriented policies has borne fruit. With the efforts of civil servants and the leadership of the governing team, the Government can efficiently deliver results that benefit our people and bring them better livelihoods. In addition, our ranking in ‘Business efficiency’ also comes second globally, reflecting business leaders’ positive views on Hong Kong’s competitiveness, as well as Hong Kong’s strengths including the rule of law, independent exercise of judicial power, a simple tax system with low tax rates, an efficient and transparent market, a robust financial system, a facilitating business environment aligned with international best practices, and free flow of capital, information, goods and talent, which are affirmed by the business community.”
 
     The spokesperson stated, “Hong Kong’s economic growth this year is forecast to be 2 per cent to 3 per cent. Against this backdrop, the number of companies registered in Hong Kong reached a new high. Hong Kong is in a period of economic restructuring. Some industries are performing very well, while others, such as the retail and catering industries, are facing challenges. The Government has announced a series of measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises, assisting them in upgrading and transforming, enhancing their brands, and exploring new markets.
 
     “In the face of a complicated global economic and political landscape, Hong Kong will understand changes accurately, respond to changes scientifically, and embrace changes proactively. We will continue to actively integrate into the overall national development and align with national development strategies to consolidate our functional role as a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder’, while continuously strengthening our governance systems and governance efficacy. We will strengthen international exchanges and co-operation, expand and deepen regional trade, and explore new markets, with a view to building a vibrant economy, striving for development, and improving people’s livelihoods on all fronts. With the staunch support of the country, Hong Kong is poised to achieve higher-quality and more sustainable development.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will hold the “Encountering Chinese Culture” Carnival on June 22 (Sunday) at Sha Tin Town Hall and New Town Plaza. Through stage performances rich in Chinese cultural characteristics, “Vibrant ICH” performances, booth activities and more, the Carnival will bring fine traditional Chinese culture and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items into the community for public enjoyment and raise people’s awareness of and interest in Chinese culture as well as ICH. Members of the public are invited to join for free. “Vibrant ICH” performances and booth activities are also programmes of Hong Kong ICH Month 2025. 

     The Carnival will kick off with a fire dragon dance by the Pok Fu Lam Village Fire Dragon Association at 2pm at the Entrance Arena at L1, Phase 1 of New Town Plaza, followed by a number of performances by outstanding arts groups and ICH practitioners from the Mainland and Hong Kong. Audience members can preview highlighted excerpts from some of this year’s CCF programmes, including the Museum Series: “The Sounds from Cultural Relics”, the “Ancient Styles ‧ Modern Chants” Classical Literature × Contemporary Dance and the “Taisheng and Huayin Lao Qiang: Big Uncle, Second Uncle are All His Uncles” Concert with collaboration from the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Transport Department (TD) today (June 17) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on July 6 (Sunday) at Meeting Room S221, L2, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

“A total of 200 traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be put up for public auction in the morning session, and 144 personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be put up for auction in the afternoon session. The list of marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html
For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices (for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed). Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance caseload rose by 11 cases to 195,436 in May from April, the Social Welfare Department announced today.

          

Low-earnings cases fell by 0.9% month on month to 1,331 cases. Single parent cases dropped 0.3% to 18,882 cases.

 

Permanent disability cases declined by 0.1% to 16,597 cases.

         

Meanwhile, unemployment cases registered an increase of 0.4% to 16,157 and ill-health cases rose 0.3% to 27,775 cases. Old age cases remained steady at 110,773.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

For the three months from March to May, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5%, a rise of 0.1 percentage points compared to the figures for February to April, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The underemployment rate also rose, from 1.3% to 1.4%, during the same period.

Total employment fell by around 12,400 to 3,664,700, while the labour force dropped by around 6,000 to 3,800,500.

The number of unemployed people increased by around 6,400 to 135,800. Meanwhile, the number of underemployed people rose by around 6,000 to 53,600.

Looking ahead, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the pace of job creation will continue to be affected by the evolution of different industries against the backdrop of an uncertain external environment and the changing consumption patterns of both locals and visitors.

The entry of fresh graduates and school leavers onto the labour market in the coming few months may further impact the overall employment situation, he added.

He stressed, however, that he was delighted to see the economy steadily expanding, with real GDP forecast to grow by 2% to 3% this year. He also highlighted the injection of new impetus from local and non-local operators, with numbers of registered local and foreign companies reaching new heights in recent months.

The labour chief said these positive developments should render support to the labour market and sustain the momentum of Hong Kong’s economic development.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at a special session of “The Great Unity – Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” Exhibition today (June 17):

The Honourable Commissioner Cui Jianchun (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Mr Gary Chan (Legislative Council Member), Ms Starry Lee (Legislative Council Member), Mr Holden Chow (Legislative Council Member), Acting Secretary Lau (Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau), Director Chan (Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan), consuls-general, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,