Month: June 2025

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market 2025 in FranceIssued at HKT 16:40

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market 2025 in France and joined forces with the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA) to set up the Hong Kong Pavilion themed “AI-assisted Animation Production” and organised a series of activities, with the aim of increasing overseas exposure of Hong Kong original animation works and creative teams, enhancing their reach in market development, and enabling them to explore collaboration opportunities.

As the international animation film festival with a rich history and the largest scale of its kind, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival commands high respect from the global animation industry. Its film market, the Annecy International Animation Film Market, is a prominent annual business-oriented exhibition that takes place from June 10 to 13 (Annecy time). In the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion held on June 10, the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mrs Lowell Cho, expressed hope that through a series of activities during this promotion, the CCIDA and the industry join hands to promote Hong Kong animation works to the animation industry professionals and audiences from all over the world, hence enabling the original animation by Hong Kong to shine bright on the international stage and to strive for opportunities to strengthen ties with global industry counterparts. She also warmly congratulated the film “Another World”, funded by the Film Development Fund (FDF) and produced by an animation creative team from Hong Kong, for being selected for the non-competitive section of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 and that it will be screened at the “Midnight Specials” session on the evening of June 13 (Annecy time). “Another World” brings international recognition, which serves as a significant booster for the Hong Kong animation industry, showcasing the global appreciation for Hong Kong animation.

The Hong Kong animation film “Another World” is directed by Tommy Ng, and produced and scripted by Polly Yeung. The production team attended the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in person to engage with audiences and industry counterparts. In 2019, the team participated in the sixth Animation Support Program, a project funded by the CCIDA through the CreateSmart Initiative (CSI), and was granted a subsidy to initiate the production of the short version of “Another World”, which won the Gold Award under the Small Animation Enterprises (Advanced Production) category. Subsequently, the team, with its proposal to develop “Another World” into a feature-length animation film, successfully applied for the Film Production Financing Scheme under the FDF and was granted the subsidy to bring the debut animation feature film directed by Ng into fruition, paving the way for the film’s global premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Yeung was also invited by the Hong Kong Film Development Council to participate in the 81st Venice International Film Festival in Italy and the 78th Cannes Film Festival in France to seek production investment, attend various producer matching activities, and exchange ideas with filmmakers from all over the world, increasing publicity for “Another World” and opening doors for overseas distribution of the film project.

During the exhibition period, a series of networking and exchange activities were launched at the Hong Kong Pavilion, and six short original animated works created with AI assistance were also showcased, demonstrating to the international market the creativity and unique charisma of Hong Kong productions. The Hong Kong Partner Pitches was held on June 11, where the six Hong Kong companies selected under the 2nd Future Animation – AI-assisted Animation Production Support Scheme organised by the HKDEA and sponsored by the CCIDA, namely 924 Studio Limited, Astro Heart Limited, Free-D Workshop, ManyMany Creations Ltd, Morph Workshop and Stepc, conducted exchanges with elite animation companies from all over the world. They took the opportunity to broaden their horizons, enhance their promotion to overseas practitioners and investors, and pursue more collaboration possibilities.

The Animation Support Program, a government-funded project under the CSI, is now in its 12th edition. It focuses on supporting local start-ups and small animation companies and cultivating local animation talent. Over the years, it has assisted more than 250 local animation companies and enabled them to produce more than 270 original animation works. As a scheme under the FDF with the longest history and well-received by the film industry, the Film Production Financing Scheme aims to provide government financing for film productions with small-to-medium production budgets. As of the end of May 2025, approved films have received more than 150 local and international film awards.

SITI to visit France and NetherlandsIssued at HKT 15:00

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, will depart for a visit to France and the Netherlands this evening (June 12) to strengthen Hong Kong’s ties and co-operation in innovation and technology (I&T) with France and the Netherlands.

Professor Sun will attend Viva Technology 2025 (VivaTech) in Paris, France, and deliver a keynote speech on “From Hong Kong to the World: Embarking on the New Journey of Innovation” at a seminar and networking reception organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. VivaTech, being held from June 11 to 14, is Europe’s annual start-up and technology event that brings together start-ups, tech leaders, corporates and investors to drive I&T and business collaboration.

During the visit, Professor Sun will also meet with leaders of the local I&T sector as well as technology enterprises and tour the I&T and advanced manufacturing enterprises there.

Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong on June 18. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.

Tenders invited for tenancy of fee-paying public car parks at Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control PointIssued at HKT 12:35

The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting tenders for a three-year tenancy of fee-paying public car parks on a portion of the Mezzanine Floor of the Passenger Terminal Building and underneath the viaduct connected to the Passenger Terminal Building of the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point, New Territories, Hong Kong.

The premises should only be used for the operation of fee-paying public car parks for the parking of private cars, motorcycles and van-type light goods vehicles.

The tender notice was uploaded today (June 12) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the GPA, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

Interested tenderers who wish to conduct a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6915/3842 6917 by June 19.

Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box placed at the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on July 4. Late tenders will not be accepted.

“Innovative Music-making Journey to China: MO x e-Orch” concert to showcase musical achievementsIssued at HKT 12:00

The public concert of the Innovative Music Making: MO x e-Orch music training programme during the 2024/25 academic year will be held at 7.30pm on July 12 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre, under the title “Innovative Music-making Journey to China: MO x e-Orch”, to showcase the students’ achievements. The programme is organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, in collaboration with the Education University of Hong Kong. Four digital music orchestras (e-Orchs) formed by about 80 students participating in the training programme from the Buddhist Chan Wing Kan Memorial School, Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School, Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) Primary School and St. Rose of Lima’s School will showcase their original collaborative multimedia works at the concert. They will also collaborate with the string and Chinese music ensembles of the Music Office to perform original and arranged works. Musicians from the eOrch@EdUHK Contemporary Music and Digital Instrument Lab will also be invited to present their original works combining music and technology. Various awards and certificates of attendance will also be presented to participating students at the concert as encouragement. Apart from original works of the students, the concert also presents world premieres of local composers Wat Nga-man’s “Lion Dance” and Lau Hiu-lam’s “The Guardians of The Underground Empire”, which are commissioned by the Music Office with 12/06/2025, 11:31 “Innovative Music-making Journey to China: MO x e-Orch” concert to showcase musical achievements https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202506/12/P2025061100295p.htm 1/2 sponsorship from the CASH (Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong) Music Fund. Rearrangements of Ren Guang’s “Colourful Clouds Chasing the Moon” and the traditional Chinese music “Evening Song of the Fishermen” by Lau and Wat respectively, will also be performed in the concert. To promote the integration of music and technology on school campuses, the Music Office launched the first Innovative Music Making: MO x e-Orch music training programme in 2022 for students of participating primary and secondary schools to form eOrchs and learn musical knowledge and music creation with the use of tablets. Tickets priced at $70 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2158 6467 or 3842 7776 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/schoo lprogrammes/arttech/24art/2025imm.html. The concert is one of the programmes of the Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk. Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2025 Issued at HKT 12:00

Aristo Sham’s Van Cliburn Piano Competition victory celebrated in New York

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Ms Maisie Ho, attended the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition press conference in New York City on June 11 (New York time), where she congratulated Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham on his momentous win at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Aristo Sham, whose remarkable artistry and technical brilliance captivated audiences and judges alike, made history as the first-ever Hong Kong pianist to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, one of the world’s most esteemed classical music competitions, which concluded on June 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. Remarking on Aristo Sham’s extraordinary achievement, Ms Ho said, “Aristo’s win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is not only a personal triumph but also a source of immense pride for Hong Kong, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s reputation as a nurturing home for extraordinary musical talent. This historic milestone also highlights Hong Kong’s vibrant cultural legacy on the global stage and underpins Hong Kong’s positioning as an East-MeetsWest cultural hub.” Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2025

Issued at HKT 11:54

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Hong Kong Housing Authority approves estimated public rental housing allocation for 2025-26 
     The Subsidised Housing Committee of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (June 12) approved the estimated public rental housing (PRH) allocation for 2025-26 and noted the actual allocation in 2024-25.
 
     “For the year 2024-25, the actual allocation was 29 114 flats (i.e. the number of flats taken up by applicants before the end of 2024-25),” a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     “For 2025-26, we estimated that a total of about 29 700 PRH flats, comprising about 8 800 new flats and about 20 900 recovered flats, will be available for allocation to various categories of applicants. Most of the flats (i.e. 23 350 flats (78.6 per cent)) will be allocated to PRH applicants. The annual allocation quota for non-elderly one-person applicants under the Quota and Points System (QPS) is set at 10 per cent of the total number of flats to be allocated to PRH applicants with an upper limit of 2 200 flats, and therefore the allocation quota for QPS applicants in 2025-26 is 2 200 flats,” the spokesman said.
 
     As regards allocation for other categories of applicants, the HA will reserve 1 200 flats for rehousing residents affected by clearance projects planned by various departments and statutory bodies, and residents affected by other Government’s squatter clearances, emergency clearances, unauthorised rooftop structure clearances and so forth; among which 300 flats will be set aside for rehousing residents affected by the Urban Renewal Authority’s redevelopment projects scheduled for 2025-26.
 
     To tie in with the clearance programme of Wah Fu (I) Estate and Choi Hung Estate announced in March and December 2024 respectively, the HA will reserve 100 flats under the category of the HA’s Estate Clearance and Major Repairs for early thinning out exercise.
 
     In addition, 350 flats will be reserved for allocation under the category of Compassionate Rehousing (CR). This figure is not an upper limit and the HA will follow the established policy to handle all the demands for CR as recommended by the Social Welfare Department. Any unused quota under the category of CR will be allocated to PRH applicants.
 
     Under the category of Transfers, 3 700 flats will be used for various transfer purposes in 2025-26, among which 1 100 flats will be used for the transfer of under-occupation households so that more large flats can be recovered for easing the pressing demand of applicants with four or more household members. Moreover, the HA will reserve a quota of around 1 000 for the Transfer Scheme for Improving the Living Environment in 2025-26. The remaining 1 600 flats will be flexibly deployed for other transfer purposes including Special Transfer, the Harmonious Families Transfer Scheme, transfers under the Full Rent Exemption Scheme for Elderly Households and Management Transfer.
 
For the category of Junior Civil Servants, the HA will reserve 1 000 flats under the Civil Service Public Housing Quota Scheme in 2025-26.
 
     “The HA will make projections of the supply of PRH flats that can be allocated in the coming year and how such flats may be allocated to the various categories of demands. We will closely monitor any changes in the circumstances and will maintain flexibility in the allocation of PRH flats to optimise the use of resources,” the spokesman added.
 
     Please refer to the attached table on the breakdown of estimated allocations for various categories in 2025-26.
Issued at HKT 16:30

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HA approves implementation arrangements for Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme Flats 2024 
     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) Subsidised Housing Committee today (June 12) approved the average selling prices and sales arrangements for the sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2024 (GSH 2024).

     “The HA is going to launch GSH 2024 in the third quarter of 2025 offering a total of 2 576 flats from the new GSH development, Wang Chi Court in Kowloon Bay (See Annex 1). With an aim to increase applicants’ chances of success, GSH 2024 will implement the enhancement measure of allocating an extra ballot number to applicants who had failed to purchase a flat in GSH 2022 and GSH 2023,” a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     “Affected tenants of the HA’s announced Public Rental Housing (PRH) clearance projects (i.e. Pik Hoi House, Kam Pik House and Tan Fung House of Choi Hung Estate; and Wah On House and Wah Lok House of Wah Fu Estate) who would like to purchase subsidised sale flats (SSF) in lieu of PRH will be accorded priority in flat selection over other applicants under GSH 2024. On the other hand, a quota of 1 050 GSH flats will be set for families applying under the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members and Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme (Priority Newborns Scheme) for GSH 2024. Family applicants with babies born on or after October 25, 2023, will be eligible for the Priority Newborns Scheme if their children are aged 3 or below on the closing day of the application of GSH 2024. Separately, a quota of 250 GSH flats will be set for one-person applicants,” the spokesman said (see Annex 2).
 
     Details of the implementation arrangements for GSH 2024 are as follows: 
     The new GSH development Wang Chi Court provides flats with saleable areas ranging from about 17.9 square metres to about 43.3 sq m (about 193 square feet to about 466 sq ft). Large flats, with saleable areas ranging from about 41.8 sq m to about 43.3 sq m (about 450 sq ft to about 466 sq ft), which are more popular among applicants, will account for more than a quarter of the total number of flats (See Annex 1).
 
Pricing 
“Based on the average flat selling price at about $2.47 million (saleable area of about 34 sq m or about 366 sq ft), the mortgage payment is about $10,500 per month, assuming that he/she takes out a mortgage at 95 per cent of the flat price for a term of 30 years at an interest rate of 3.5 per cent. For one to two-person flats, the average selling price is about $1.28 million and the mortgage payment is about $5,500 per month,” the spokesman said.Issued at HKT 16:30

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Provisional statistics on index of industrial production and producer price index for manufacturing and waste management sectors for first quarter of 2025 
     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.
 
     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the first quarter of 2025 with that a year earlier, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+2.9%), the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+2.4%), and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+0.8%). On the other hand, a decrease in output volume was recorded in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (-0.3%).
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole decreased by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.
 
     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.
 
     Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded mainly in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+9.7%), the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+3.5%), and the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+0.9%). On the other hand, a decrease in producer price was recorded in the textiles and wearing apparel industry (-0.5%).
 
     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping.
 
     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors for the first quarter of 2025 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_8000.html 
     Users can browse and download the reports “Quarterly Index of Industrial Production for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 1st Quarter 2025” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070002&scode=310 
     For enquiries about indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors, please contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30