Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), InnoCarnival 2025 (IC 2025) will be held from October 18 to 26 at the Hong Kong Science Park with the theme “I&T Unlocks Your Dream”. The event is receiving support from about 50 programme partners, including local universities, research and development (R&D) centres, government departments and other organisations. Through an array of interesting activities, it aims to promote the innovation and technology (I&T) culture in the community.

Speaking at the media preview for IC 2025 today (September 29), the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, stated, “‘I&T Unlocks Your Dream’ is not only this year’s Carnival theme but also our vision for Hong Kong’s I&T future.” He remarked that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster topped the latest Global Innovation Index released by the World Intellectual Property Organization for the first time. This achievement is the result of countless researchers courageously pursuing their dreams through continuous innovation. He expressed hope that through the Carnival, more young people will experience the power of I&T, unleash their own potential within this world-leading innovation cluster, and realise their dreams.    
 
The media preview exhibited the R&D projects of several participating teams. Project team representatives presented their inspirational ideas, R&D processes, features and functions, and project applications. These projects include “Tongue HealthChecker”, developed by Hong Kong Baptist University, which combines artificial intelligence with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostics by allowing users to upload a photo of their tongue coating to a mobile app, where the system remotely analyses the image to assess their health condition and provide dietary therapy suggestions. This aids in early prevention and can assist TCM practitioners with their diagnosis. “Wireless System-on-Chip for High-Speed Data Transmission for Capsule Endoscopy”, developed by the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), enhances diagnostic accuracy through high-speed, high-definition imaging, reducing the potential risk of cross-infection and eliminating the need for anaesthesia.
 
In addition, representatives from Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College introduced “IntelliLight”. Through AI visual-recognition technology, the device flashes a warning when traffic anomalies are detected. Lampposts closer to the accident flash at increased frequencies, while those farther away flash at reduced frequencies, enhancing real-time accident alerts and road safety.

Exhibition booths will be set up at the Hong Kong Science Park to showcase local I&T achievements, some of them with interactive games. Moreover, a diverse line-up of about 150 workshops and 15 webinars across various subjects, including artificial intelligence and ecological environment, will be available during the Carnival.
 
Furthermore, the second City I&T Grand Challenge: The Showcase will also be staged during IC 2025. Prototypes of the winning solutions will be showcased to the public for trials through real-life scenarios. The second City I&T Grand Challenge was launched under the theme “Hong Kong’s Got I&T” to promote an I&T culture and enhance the application of I&T in the community. It invited submissions from different sectors of the community to develop I&T solutions focusing on two subjects, namely “I&T for Nature (Yama)” (improving the operation and management of country parks and campsites, and enhancing hikers’ experiences in nature) and “I&T for Community (Community Wellness)” (enhancing support for carers). Twenty winners from the University/Tertiary Institute and Open Groups received support from the ITC. Upon training and refinement of I&T solutions for over half a year, teams have transformed ideas from the competition into prototypes for trials at designated venues, including government departments and social communities. 
 
All IC 2025 activities are free of charge. Some of the activities require preregistration. Details are available on the thematic webpage (innocarnival.hk). Members of the public are most welcome to join.
 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The National Day Fireworks Display will light up the sky over Victoria Harbour at 8pm on October 1 (Wednesday) to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

     More than 30 000 firing shells will be discharged in an approximately 23-minute extravaganza. The event is co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and is sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

     The theme for this year’s fireworks display is “Victoria Harbour Fireworks Shine Across the Motherland”. The display will be divided into eight scenes, each with its own characteristics. Highlights include the first scene, “Fireworks Bloom to Celebrate National Day”, which will open the show with images of peony, golden chrysanthemum and silver glittering spherical fireworks. Accompanied by passionate music, the scene expresses the fighting spirit and rejuvenating strength of the Chinese. The fourth scene, “Always Lovable Giant Pandas”, features multiple giant panda face patterns blooming in the sky, paired with green salute fireworks that symbolise bamboo forests. This highlights the concept of the panda economy, bringing a message of hope to Hong Kong. The fifth scene, “Inherited Affection for Family and Motherland”, features a grand display of colourful salute fireworks and heart-shaped fireworks, symbolising the deep affection of the Chinese people for their motherland. In addition, there are several segments of the fireworks display themed respectively around the globally popular animated film “Nezha”, the Dongjiang water supply, the Shenzhou-20 space mission, and the 15th National Games. The fireworks display will reach its climax in the grand finale, “Forging Ahead on the Road to Rejuvenation”, with flourishes of golden, silver and red fireworks streaking across the Victoria Harbour night sky. This finale expresses best wishes for the prosperity and strength of the great motherland and for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.

     The display can be viewed from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour, including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and the Hung Hom Bypass.

     To enhance their fireworks experience, viewers are invited to tune into Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.

     To facilitate the Police’s implementation of special crowd management measures at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade area for the National Day fireworks display on October 1, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum will close earlier at 5pm on that day. 

     Citizens are urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration to others to make the event a safe one.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on October 6 (Monday) this year. While the full moon will occur on the day following the Mid-Autumn Festival (October 7), weather permitting, a bright and round moon can still be observable at night during the Mid-Autumn Festival period.
 
To facilitate moon watching by the public, the times of moonrise, transit, moonset and full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival period are listed in the table. At transit, the moon passes the local meridian, reaching its highest elevation for the night due south.
 

October 5 (Sunday) – the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival
Moonrise	4.50pm
Transit (elevation 64 degrees)	10.54pm
Moonset	5.03am (next morning)
October 6 (Monday) – Mid-Autumn Festival
Moonrise	5.27pm
Transit (elevation 72 degrees)	11.43pm
Moonset	6.05am (next morning)
October 7 (Tuesday) – the day following the Mid-Autumn Festival
Full moon (the moon is below the horizon of Hong Kong at this moment)	11.48am
Moonrise	6.06pm
Transit (elevation 79 degrees)	0.34am (next morning)
Moonset	7.10am (next morning)

Please refer to the 9-day Weather Forecast issued by the Hong Kong Observatory and the Weather Information for Astronomical Observation webpage for the latest weather conditions and the astronomical observing conditions during the Mid-Autumn Festival period to plan moon-watching activities.
 
Note: At full moon, the moon is completely illuminated as seen from the Earth, with the moon and the sun located on the opposite sides of the Earth.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 2025-26 round of the Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education is open for applications from now to October 28, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau announced today.

Launched by the bureau and the Family Council last year, the scheme subsidises non-profit-making community family education projects. By doing so it aims to raise public awareness of family education and its importance, promote family values, and enhance social harmony and the well-being of families.

Applications are invited from interested eligible bodies and non-governmental organisations.

The scheme covers various themes, including education for new parents, parent-child education, maintenance of family relationships, strengthening of family cohesion and solidarity, inheritance of good family values and traditional virtues, and other marriage-related subjects, in order to meet the needs of different families.

Applicants may also apply for funding to organise suitable projects with other family-related themes, having regard to specific community needs or concerns.

Proposed projects may feature more than one theme provided that the themes are family-related.

The funding cap for 12-month and 18-month projects is $800,000 and $1,200,000 respectively.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) today announced Felix Chan as its new Director, with effect from Thursday.

Congratulating Mr Chan, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun stressed that talent is Hong Kong’s prime resource, adding that he looked to Mr Chan to lead HKTE in proactively recruiting, attracting and retaining talent, thereby supporting the city’s development as an international hub for high-calibre talent.

In his new role, Mr Chan will lead HKTE on visits to Mainland cities, including Beijing, and to overseas countries including the UK and Switzerland, with a view to strengthening global promotion and talent attraction efforts.

HKTE will engage with local partners, renowned universities, chambers of commerce and trade associations. It will also match Hong Kong enterprises with local talent and work with them to promote Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities.

Mr Chan possesses rich experience in business management and in promoting Hong Kong. He was General Manager of Business Development at the Tourism Board from 2020 to 2025. He has also held various management positions at the Trade Development Council and multinational corporations.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

On 28 September, Taiwan’s Teachers’ Day, Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs Wu were delighted to join Sydney OCAC Council Member Shirley Chen at the 2025 Teachers’ Day Celebration, to thank and celebrate our dedicated Mandarin teachers.
On behalf of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, ROC (Taiwan), DG Wu presented certificates of recognition to long-serving teachers, praising their commitment to preserving Mandarin and culture overseas, as well as their contribution to Australia’s multicultural landscape.
TECO Sydney extends heartfelt appreciation to all teachers on this special day — thank you for your dedication and care.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Double Tenth Basketball Championship lit up the Ryde Community Sports Centre on 27 September, with 100 players from 18 teams joining the fourth key event in Taiwan’s National Day celebrations.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu joined Ryde City Council Mayor Trenton Brown, Councillors Keanu Arya and Justin Li, MP Jordan Lane, NSW Shadow Assistant Minister for Multiculturalism, Willoughby City Councillor Michelle Chuang, Ku-ring-gai Councillor Barbara Ward, and friends to cheer on the teams.
DG Wu thanked the Double Tenth Celebration Committee, the City of Ryde, and Distinguished Citizens Society International for making the event possible, and highlighted the spirit of perseverance, teamwork, and unity should be upheld by everyone.
Mayor Brown spoke about plans to expand indoor facilities, while MP Lane announced funding for an automated system to adjust the hoops—making future games even more fun, especially for the kids.
After intense showdowns, champions and runners-up were crowned. DG Wu and Mayor Brown presented trophies, praising the MVPs for not only their skills but also their resilience and team spirit.