Month: August 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 Hong Kong Information Technology and Cybersecurity Special Training Course and events related to the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge (HSODC) 2025 during his visit to Hangzhou and Shanghai from August 24 to 28.
 
     During the first stop in Hangzhou, Mr Wong visited Zhejiang University on August 24 and 25 to attend the 2025 Hong Kong Information Technology and Cybersecurity Special Training Course. Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr Wong said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is fully committed to aligning with the nation’s technological innovation and development strategy, and safeguarding cybersecurity is of paramount importance in the pursuit of promoting high-quality development in innovation and technology (I&T) for the nation and Hong Kong.” He encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, fostering knowledge sharing and mutual learning to strengthen Hong Kong’s cybersecurity and digital ecosystem, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of the nation’s digital economy.
 
     The training course attracted 30 industry representatives from Hong Kong, representing government departments, public organisations and key infrastructure operators across sectors such as public services, banking, financial services, energy, communications, and transport, etc. During the seven-day training course, participants will engage in classroom learning, pay visits to prominent innovative technology enterprises in Hangzhou, and attend related seminars and discussions.
 
     Mr Wong then proceeded to visit Shanghai to show his support for the Hong Kong teams competing in the HSODC 2025 and serve as one of the judges for the Grand Award. Jointly steered by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) of the HKSAR Government and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, the HSODC 2025 marks the third consecutive year of collaboration between the two cities. With the theme “Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities”, the HSODC 2025 encourages contestants to harness the extensive open data resources available in the two cities to create innovative projects and develop frontier applications that emphasise four key areas, namely smart mobility, smart living, smart environment, and smart economy, thereby jointly driving deeper integration and fostering synergy in the digital economies of the two cities.
 
     The Final Judging and the Awards Presentation Ceremony were held in Shanghai yesterday (August 26) and today (August 27) respectively. The Hong Kong delegation, comprising 13 teams from various enterprises and institutions, performed outstandingly in the competition, with Territory North Group winning the Grand Award and Best Smart Environment Award with their solution “Hong Kong Environmental Database”, while Metro Maestro claimed the Best Smart Mobility Award with their solution “Passenger Route Choice Simulation”. Some of the contesting entries will be nominated to compete for the national 2025 “Data Element x” competition jointly organised by the National Data Administration and relevant departments, further showcasing Hong Kong’s I&T strengths.
 
     Mr Wong remarked, “In response to the national strategy of unleashing the multiplier effect of data elements, the governments of Hong Kong and Shanghai have jointly organised this competition again this year to deepen collaboration in digital technology, thus driving high-quality economic and social development in both cities. In April this year, the DPO and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Hong Kong on Digital Economy Co-operation (the MOU) to further deepen I&T co-operation and promote the joint development of the digital economy in both cities, thereby opening up deeper and broader collaboration prospects for the I&T industries between the two places.” He also extended his heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams and encouraged all participants to continue striving for breakthroughs and progress in innovation and data application for making greater contributions to the country and society.
 
     In addition, Mr Wong called on the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data today and cochaired a mid-term review meeting following the signing of the MOU, with the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Dr Shao Jun. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on deepening collaboration on areas of the digital economy, digital transformation and data element development between the two places, which included the promotion of mutual authentication of corporation identities, the promotion of connections of the governments’ platforms and the support for the innovative application of open data. Mr Wong expressed his gratitude to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data for its prompt efforts in compiling a list of practical and feasible co-operation work items with Hong Kong that were in line with the I&T developments in both cities after the signing of the MOU. This will help enhance the joint development of I&T and the digital economy between Shanghai and Hong Kong, thereby achieving mutual benefits.
 
Tomorrow (August 28), Mr Wong will call on the Shanghai Municipal Cyberspace Administration to share the implementation experiences and latest developments of the facilitation measures on the Standard Contract for the Cross-boundary Flow of Personal Information within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Mainland, Hong Kong), and visit the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Shanghai Center, as well as the Shanghai Innovation Institute and the MetaX Artificial Intelligence Data Centre to learn about the latest developments in the local AI technologies and industry. Mr Wong will conclude his visit and return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting (EMM) held in Busan, Korea, today (August 27). Under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” for APEC this year, the meeting will focus discussions on topics under three priorities: “Connect, Innovate, Prosper”.
 
     Speaking at the opening session, Mr Tse said, “Under the ‘one country, two-systems’ principle, Hong Kong, China remains to be the freest economy of the world and the world’s third most competitive international financial centre, and operates under the common law system. We will continue to serve as a platform and hub to connect the world to develop new energy solutions to diversify power resources to support the development of energy-hungry artificial intelligence and related industries. At the same time, we should not forget innovation to improve energy efficiency to make new technological developments sustainable.”
 
     APEC economies consume approximately 60 per cent of the world’s energy. Mr Tse pointed out that with the concerted efforts of different sectors of the community, as of 2022, the aggregate energy intensity in Hong Kong, China has decreased by over 30 per cent, using 2005 as the base year. While the electricity consumption in the past 20 years has increased by 15 per cent, the emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates due to power generation have been reduced by 98 per cent, 77 per cent and 86 per cent respectively. After Hong Kong reached its carbon peak in 2014, the carbon emissions have been reduced by about a quarter compared to the peak.
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government endeavours to cut the city’s carbon emissions by half before 2035 compared to the 2005 level, and achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The HKSAR Government has set the target to phase out coal for daily electricity generation by 2035, and increase the share of zero carbon energy in the fuel mix for electricity generation to about 60 to 70 per cent by 2035.
 
     Mr Tse also shared that the HKSAR Government has been embracing AI to improve grid management and strengthen the resilience of power supply system. On green finance, the total green and sustainable debt issued in Hong Kong in 2024 exceeded US$84 billion, ranking first in the Asian market for seven consecutive years. Furthermore, Hong Kong holds green mega events from time to time, such as the Hong Kong Green Week and Eco Expo Asia, to strengthen liaison and co-operation between different sectors.
 
     Mr Tse will join discussion sessions tomorrow (August 28) and have bilateral meetings with representatives from other APEC member economies.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Committee on Education, Technology & Talents, led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, today convened its inaugural engagement session with its newly established Panel of Advisors.

 

The panel is a high-level exchange platform comprising members from various sectors, including community leaders and professionals. Its two-year term started on August 25.

 

At today’s session, the panel engaged in in-depth discussions on the objective of establishing Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent.

 

It affirmed the effectiveness of the current-term Government’s talent attraction measures, adding that in view of external challenges the city can position the “eight centres” concept more precisely, while refining the measures enacted to further enhance effectiveness and the diversity of the talent pool.

 

It said the Government should also enhance training and its use of local talent to strengthen support for the future development of Hong Kong.

 

Moreover, the Panel of Advisors agreed to intensify efforts to attract teaching and research talent in order to establish the city as an international education hub, and to leverage the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone to provide more development opportunities for promising technology start-ups and talent.

 

The session also reviewed the latest situation regarding Hong Kong’s overall population and labour force, and the progress being made in talent attraction and retention.

 

In the face of an ageing population and pressure on the labour supply, the panel said it supported the Government’s introduction of timely and appropriate measures in response to these challenges.

 

Mr Chan expressed gratitude for the members’ acceptance of their appointments, and said he looked forward to working closely with them to pool wisdom and ideas with a view to promoting the integrated development of education, technology and talent.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The National Museum of Taiwan Literature is teaming up with the prestigious British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT) to bring you A Symphony of Island and Literature: 2025 Workshop for Translating Taiwan Literature.
Calling all emerging and passionate translators — from Taiwan and across the globe! This is your moment to immerse yourself in Taiwan’s vibrant literary world, sharpen your translation craft under expert guidance, and connect with an inspiring community of international literary professionals.

Organizer: National Museum of Taiwan Literature
Partner: British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT)
Date and Venue: November 9-14, 2025 (6 days total):

November 9-11: Tainan
November 12-14: Taitung
Applications are now open (till September 8th 00:00) — and spaces are limited!
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by — ACT NOW! Click the link below to submit your application for the workshop: https://reurl.cc/jrWm0n
The result of application will be announced via email by September 30th.
For details regarding this workshop, please see the following attachments: Guidelines, Application Form, Personal Information Form. For more information please visit NMTL website: https://reurl.cc/3MMGa9

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hongkong Post announced today (August 27) that, as advised by the postal administration of the Philippines, mail delivery services to Metro Manila, the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Batangas, Aurora, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate and Northern Samar are suspended due to severe weather.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government today (August 27) welcomes the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC)’s appointment of Dr Christopher To Wing as a non-official Director of its Board for a term of two years from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027.
 
     A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) said, “Dr To is a veteran legal professional with extensive experience in mediation and arbitration. We welcome Dr To as a member of the FDRC Board and express our heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing Director, Mr Richard Leung Wai-keung, for his contributions to the FDRC over the past six years.”
 
     The FDRC administers, in an independent and impartial manner, a financial dispute resolution scheme to provide an alternative avenue that is independent and affordable for resolving monetary disputes between financial institutions and their customers primarily by way of “Mediation First, Arbitration Next”. The FDRC is governed by a Board of Directors, comprising a non-official Chairman, four non-official members, one representative each from the FSTB, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the FDRC.