Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
As the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 will remain in force until at least 9am tomorrow (September 20), classes of AM and whole-day kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability will be suspended tomorrow. The schooling arrangement for classes of PM kindergartens will be announced tomorrow.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
2025 China Cybersecurity Week Hong Kong Sub-forum explores Hong Kong’s cybersecurity trends
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, officiated at the forum. Delivering the welcoming remarks, Professor Sun said that the country attaches great importance to cybersecurity and digital economy development. As a leading global international financial, trade and information hub, Hong Kong has been keeping abreast of the national development and strategic deployment, and is committed to promoting the innovations and applications of cybersecurity technologies, striving to strengthen the digital protection capabilities of critical infrastructure. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is gradually building an open, diverse and innovative cybersecurity ecosystem, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s high-quality development. He said that the HKSAR Government will continue to closely monitor and draw reference from the latest developments of technology applications, data protection and cybersecurity from the country and different places in the world to optimise the cybersecurity ecosystem and promote digital transformation. Hong Kong will also leverage its unique advantages of having connections to both the Mainland and the world, play the roles of “super connector” and “super value-adder”, and actively integrate into the national and GBA innovation and technology (I&T) development. The city will collaborate with the Mainland and international partners to foster more innovative co-operation and contribute to the I&T development and digital construction of the country and Hong Kong.
The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, delivered a keynote speech on the key strategies and measures of the HKSAR Government to ensure the security of local cyber ecosystem. He stressed that “security is the prerequisite for development, and development is the cornerstone of security”. Only by ensuring secure digitalisation can the development of the digital economy and smart city be accelerated. Mr Wong stated that several major events will take place in Hong Kong in the second half of this year, including the 15th National Games, and the eighth-term Legislative Council general election, etc. The DPO will focus on strengthening cybersecurity protection for major events, reinforcing protective measures for digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity monitoring, threat intelligence sharing and analysis, and conducting regular cybersecurity attack and defence drills to comprehensively improve the threat detection, defence and response capabilities of relevant systems and teams. These efforts aim to ensure the safe and stable operation of Hong Kong’s digital infrastructure and government information systems during these major events.
The 2025 China Cybersecurity Week Hong Kong Sub-forum aims to echo the China Cybersecurity Week. The DPO has joined forces with industry stakeholders and organised the 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign with the theme “Let’s Secure as we Digitalise”. The Campaign includes a series of local activities, such as the Hong Kong Sub-forum, the Cybersecurity Summit, and cybersecurity instant messaging apps sticker design contest to promote technical professional exchanges and raise cybersecurity awareness across all sectors of society.
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Opening remarks by SITI at Coding4Integrity Asian Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon Grand Finale (English only)
Thank you, Mr Woo (Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Mr Danny Woo) – and thank you to everyone here today.
It is inspiring to see so many young minds come together to tackle the challenge of corruption through innovation and technology (I&T).
Integrity is shaped by ethics, policy and education, but today you show that integrity is also manifested through creativity and hands-on experience.
This Hackathon demonstrates how youth can spark fresh ideas and bring real solutions. We are not just talking about integrity as a value; we are giving it flesh and blood by coding and applications.
Hong Kong continues to thrive on innovation and cross-border partnerships as an international I&T centre. Today’s Hackathon shows exactly how innovation can drive progress in society and promote integrity across regions through collaboration.
Speaking of progress and our strides to become an international I&T centre, I am delighted to share that the World Intellectual Property Organization has recently ranked the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster first among the world’s top 100 innovation clusters in its 2025 Global Innovation Index. This accolade is an affirmation of the vibrant I&T ecosystem we are building together in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area).
Like integrity, innovation meets no boundaries. Two days ago, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in his 2025 Policy Address outlined a series of forward-looking initiatives to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence in Hong Kong and push our boundaries for I&T.
AI is the key driving force of a new round of scientific and technological revolution, as well as industrial transformation. The widespread application of AI can create greater value for our society. To capitalise on the potential of AI, the Government will set up an AI Efficacy Enhancement Team and put in place an AI toolbox to foster more extensive adoption of AI technology in public administration and delivery of public services.
This Hackathon shows the diverse possibilities and immense power of AI applications in every facet of daily life. As you innovate, never forget a key component – integrity, which is the bedrock of trust and confidence in our systems and society.
Before I close, let me extend my heartfelt thanks to ICAC, UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), and IAACA (International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities) for co-organising this meaningful event. Best of luck to all the teams. I look forward to seeing your ideas grow and make a lasting impact. Thank you.
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin), together with a delegation from Hong Kong in the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, participated in the SlovakiaTech Forum held in Košice, Slovakia, on September 17 (Košice time) to promote Hong Kong’s I&T strengths.
The Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, joined a panel discussion at SlovakiaTech Forum, showcasing the achievements of Hong Kong in innovation capabilities, which were made possible through co-operation between the public and the private sectors. Moderated by the Honorary Consulate of Slovakia in Hong Kong, Mr Willy Lin, the panel also featured the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia, Mr Peter Kmec, as well as representatives from the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation.
During the discussion, Mr Wong emphasized the critical role of collaboration among the government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors in driving I&T development. “Hong Kong is the only city in the world housing five of the world’s top 100 universities. We have leveraged our strong academic capabilities and efficient market to implement industry-oriented and business-friendly measures that promote I&T development. We are committed to fostering international co-operation to bring new impetus to our I&T ecosystem and further advance related industries.”
On the same day, Mr Wong delivered a presentation at the Hong Kong Innovation Forum held at the Technical University of Košice. Other Hong Kong delegates also shared insights with participants from Slovak enterprises, start-ups, tertiary institutions, and research institutes into developing I&T ecosystems, and highlighted key initiatives supporting entrepreneurs and talents in transforming innovative ideas into successful businesses.
During the visit, HKETO Berlin and the delegation also engaged in meetings with government officials and research institutes in Bratislava and Košice on September 16 to 18. These discussions aimed to strengthen and explore further I&T collaboration opportunities between the two places.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Slovakia as well as Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the SCCA & Clifford Chance Joint Seminar of the China Arbitration Week 2025 today (September 19):
Dr Walid Abanumay (Chairman of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)), Consul General Mazin Alhimali (Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong), Mr Thomas Walsh (Partner of Clifford Chance), my dear friends from the SCCA, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
A very good morning to everyone joining us here today. I wish to start by thanking the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration and Clifford Chance for inviting me to this Joint Seminar.
The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong has grown significantly in recent years. On the legal front, in April last year, on behalf of the Department of Justice of Hong Kong, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of Saudi Arabia. In May last year, I led a delegation, comprising representatives from legal and related sectors, to visit Riyadh. More specifically, on May 20, 2024, the Hong Kong delegation led by me visited the SCCA and held a meeting with its Board of Directors. I am very pleased that I had the chance to hold another very constructive meeting with SCCA representatives yesterday in my office.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leading jurisdiction in the Middle East for international arbitration. Driven by its Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda, Saudi Arabia has undertaken significant legal and institutional reforms aimed at fostering an arbitration-friendly environment with global best practices. Established in 2014, the SCCA has become Saudi Arabia’s premier arbitral institution. The 2023 SCCA Arbitration Rules, broadly modelled on the UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) Arbitration Rules, came into effect on May 1, 2023. I note with great interest that, very recently, the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) passed a resolution to strengthen the country’s arbitration and ADR framework, which includes conducting a review of the Arbitration Law 2012 and its Implementing Regulations.
In these circumstances, today’s seminar is most timely and meaningful to enable the legal professionals and other interested parties in Hong Kong to learn about Saudi Arabia’s evolving arbitration landscape.
It is indeed not only desirable but also essential for Hong Kong people to have a better understanding of Saudi Arabia’s arbitration landscape. While Saudi Arabia is destined to become a major international arbitration centre in MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Hong Kong is an international arbitration centre in the Asia-Pacific region. I am sure that there is huge potential and enormous opportunities for the arbitration communities in these two jurisdictions to develop better synergy, which will result in a win-win situation.
To enhance mutual understanding and lay the foundation for future collaborations, I would like to say a few words about the present arbitration landscape in Hong Kong.
There is no doubt that Hong Kong is already one of the leading international arbitration centres in the world. In the 2025 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London, Hong Kong is the most preferred seat of arbitration in the Asia-Pacific Region, and the second most preferred seat of arbitration worldwide. In addition, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) Rules are the most preferred set of arbitration rules in the Asia-Pacific Region, and the second most preferred worldwide.
Hong Kong’s success so far is attributed to many factors. The crucial starting point is that, under the fundamental principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in the People’s Republic of China. It is also the only bilingual common law jurisdiction in the world using both English and Chinese. The Judiciary enjoys the independent power of adjudication including that of final adjudication. Most important for the present purpose, our courts responsible for supervising arbitrations and enforcing arbitral awards adopt a very pro-arbitration attitude.
Our Arbitration Ordinance is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, which is familiar to the international business community. We constantly review and amend our laws to keep them in line with the latest international practice. In 2017, we clarified that disputes over intellectual property rights are arbitrable. In 2019, we introduced third-party funding. In 2022, we further introduced outcome-related fee structures for arbitration.
The New York Convention is applicable to Hong Kong. Therefore, international arbitral awards made in over 170 state parties to the Convention, including Saudi Arabia, can be conveniently recognised and enforced in Hong Kong; and vice versa. What is most unique about Hong Kong is that its arbitration service is particularly useful and attractive to people who have business and investment interests in the Chinese Mainland. As a result of a number of mutual legal assistance arrangements entered into between Hong Kong and the Mainland, a Hong Kong arbitral award may be enforced in the Mainland courts pursuant to a regime modelled on the New York Convention. Moreover, Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction outside the Mainland where, as a seat of arbitration, parties to arbitral proceedings administered by the designated arbitral institutions would be able to apply to the Mainland courts for interim measures including the preservation of property, evidence and conduct. Since February this year, the Chinese Mainland introduced a new policy under which Hong Kong enterprises in certain cities in Guangdong Province in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) may choose Hong Kong as the seat of arbitration, which was previously not permissible under the law of People’s Republic of China.
Another important advantage enjoyed by Hong Kong is that we have an abundant supply of legal talent who are both competent and experienced in handling international arbitrations. According to the latest statistics as of mid-September 2025, we had over 11 800 practising solicitors and over 1700 barristers (including 109 Senior Counsel). There are 926 law firms; and they have altogether 280 overseas offices including eight in Saudi Arabia. Clifford Chance is, of course, one of the law firms having an office there. I am sure there will be more in future.
We adopt an open policy insofar as international arbitration is concerned. Apart from the HKIAC, we have many other arbitral institutions such as the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, South China International Arbitration Center, and Asian African Legal Consultative Organization Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre. Legal professionals coming from overseas jurisdictions are welcome to Hong Kong to act as arbitrators or counsel for the parties in international arbitrations conducted here since there is no nationality requirement. And to facilitate international talent in participating in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong, with effect from March 1, 2025, the Government has implemented a regularised Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong under which individuals are allowed to participate in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong as visitors without the need to obtain an employment visa if they are in possession of a letter of proof issued by a designated arbitral and dispute resolution institution or venue provider. The scheme covers (i) arbitrators; (ii) expert and factual witnesses; (iii) counsel in the arbitration; (iv) parties to the arbitration; and (v) other persons directly related to or involved in the arbitration such as tribunal secretaries and tribunal-appointed experts.
We will spare no effort in improving Hong Kong’s arbitration landscape. In the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address announced just two days ago, it is stated that the Government will step up promotion of Hong Kong’s arbitration services, while studying the need to amend the Arbitration Ordinance. It will also promote a panel of GBA arbitrators and a platform for GBA commercial mediation and arbitration to lower enterprises’ costs of cross-boundary dispute resolution.
In my view, there are many ways for future collaborations between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong in international arbitration. As mentioned, Saudi Arabia practitioners are welcome to take part in arbitrations in Hong Kong; on the other hand, I hope that more Hong Kong legal practitioners could join the SCCA Arbitrator Roster. Second, members of the arbitration community in both jurisdictions may take part more actively and frequently in relevant legal events in each other’s jurisdiction: for example, the 2025 Hong Kong Arbitration Week will be held between October 19 and 24, 2025, and the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 organised by my department will be held between December 1 and 5, 2025. Third, the arbitral institutions in our respective jurisdictions may strengthen their relationship by entering into co-operation agreements as they see fit. Fourth, more capacity-building programmes may be organised to share experiences and enhance mutual understanding. The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy under my department established in November last year may assist in this respect.
While I have naturally focused on legal co-operation in particular in the area of international arbitration, Hong Kong has much more to offer to our friends from Saudi Arabia. There are direct flights between Riyadh and Hong Kong since October 2024. In the Global Muslim Travel Index 2025, in the category of “Muslim-friendly Destinations (non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)”, Hong Kong has risen from fourth place last year to third place this year and has also been named the “Most Promising Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year”. In the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address I mentioned a moment ago, it is stated that the Government will further promote Muslim tourism and encourage the travel industry to provide more Muslim-friendly facilities and food options.
My dear friends from Saudi Arabia, I sincerely hope that you will come to Hong Kong more often for whatever purposes in future and that you will have a very pleasant stay in Hong Kong on this occasion. On this note, I wish you all a very constructive and enjoyable seminar this morning. Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 gazetted today For combating illicit cigarettes, the C&ED will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach and take stringent enforcement actions on all fronts to combat the sale of illicit cigarettes. The C&ED is making preparations at full steam for the implementation of the duty stamp system, which enables frontline officers, the industry, as well as the general public to more effectively distinguish between duty-paid and duty-not-paid cigarettes and combats “cheap-whites” on the market. A pilot scheme, expected to be rolled out in early October, will enable the C&ED to inspect the entire process from the production of cigarettes, their storage in bonded warehouses to their rollout on the market after duty payment. The first phase of the duty stamp system will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2026, with full implementation targeted for the second quarter of 2027.
The C&ED has strengthened publicity for arriving passengers at sea, land and air control points. These measures include displaying new large-sized posters and presenting information on monthly statistics on the number of cases involving seizure of excessive tobacco and relevant penalties, aiming to remind passengers of the duty-free concession limit on cigarettes that they can bring into Hong Kong and the new penalties for offences related to illicit cigarettes. In addition, the C&ED, together with District Council members, has recently conducted inter-departmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities across various districts in Hong Kong, and will conduct publicity on television, radio, newspapers, and social media to raise citizens’ law-abiding awareness.Issued at HKT 10:35
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema” returns to Montreal to showcase creativity of Hong Kong cinema Issued at HKT 9:56
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Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, has commissioned the Center for Measurement Standards of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (CMS/ITRI) to establish the National Measurement Laboratory (NML), responsible for developing and maintaining Taiwan’s highest-level measurement standards. Under the guidance of BSMI, NML has actively engaged in international metrology affairs and, in response to rapid technological advances and global supply chain restructuring, has been expanding cross-border cooperation.
On September 11, CMS/ITRI and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), United Kingdom, formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at ITRI’s Hsinchu headquarters. The agreement establishes a solid foundation for long-term collaboration on the development of measurement technologies and industrial applications in frontier areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials.
The MoA was signed by Dr. Yu-Ping Lan, Executive Director of CMS/ITRI, and Mr. Gareth Edwards, Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Strategy at NPL. The signing was witnessed by Mr. June-Chieh Lai, Deputy General of BSMI; Dr. Edwin Liu, President of ITRI; and Dr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser to the UK government, marking a new milestone in Taiwan-UK science and technology cooperation.
BSMI noted that both NML and NPL serve as the core national institutions in their respective metrology systems and have long collaborated in measurement standards and international comparisons to promote global measurement consistency. The MoA will further strengthen their partnership in metrology technologies, with future cooperation to include international symposia, technical exchanges, expert visits, joint training, and standards development. These efforts will accelerate innovation in measurement science and help Taiwan’s industries gain greater advantages in the global market.
BSMI emphasized that this collaboration not only deepens Taiwan-UK scientific research exchanges but also combines CMS/ITRI’s expertise in precision measurement with NPL’s world-class technological capabilities. Together, both sides will advance cross-border technical cooperation and standards development, helping industries open new markets and applications. With complementary strengths in semiconductors, AI, ICT, advanced materials, and process metrology, the partnership will accelerate the development and application of critical technologies, injecting new momentum into industrial innovation.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
As the Hong Kong Observatory will issue the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 between 9am and 11am today (September 19), classes of kindergartens, schools for children with physical disability and schools for children with intellectual disability are suspended today.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), Mr Peter Yan, led a delegation to Switzerland from September 13 to 17 to gain an in-depth understanding of the country’s cutting-edge innovations in the life and health technology sector, and actively engaged with relevant institutions and enterprises to strengthen ties and explore potential collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and Switzerland.
During the visit, Mr Yan held substantive discussions with representatives from leading enterprises and industry groups in the life and health technology sector to gain insights into the latest innovations and developments. Mr Yan also participated in a local roundtable meeting, where he highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic role as a gateway for overseas pharmaceutical and medical device companies seeking to enter the rapidly expanding Chinese Mainland market.
In addition, Mr Yan visited a number of pharmaceutical enterprises specialising in the treatment of critical conditions such as heart disease and cancer, as well as institution engaged in tumour vaccine research and biopharmaceutical firm offering innovative solutions to address major medical needs. Mr Yan briefed the enterprises representatives on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government policy support and strategic direction in the life and health technology sector. Many of the enterprises expressed interest in exploring research initiatives and collaboration opportunities in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and looked forward to establishing closer ties with Hong Kong in the future.
Mr Yan concluded his visit to Switzerland and returned to Hong Kong on September 17. Following his departure, the OASES delegation continued visit to Germany and Luxembourg to promote Hong Kong’s strengths in life and health technology as well as fintech, while actively exploring opportunities for further exchange and collaboration with local stakeholders.
Between September 18 and 20, the OASES delegation visited enterprises in life and health technology and fintech sectors in Germany and Luxembourg. During the visits, the delegation briefed enterprises’ representatives on Hong Kong’s latest developments and shared the comprehensive support services offered by OASES to strategic enterprises. The meetings also served to explore collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and the two countries, with a view to encouraging enterprises to establish regional headquarters, research and development centres, and expand their business presence in Hong Kong.
The visit by the OASES delegation to Europe aligned with the key priorities set out in “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address”, including the proactive expansion of Hong Kong’s international collaboration network, the attraction of strategically important enterprises to establish a presence in the city, and the promotion of innovation in life and health technology as well as fintech. By strengthening ties with institutions and enterprises in Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg, the OASES team is further advancing Hong Kong’s development as a world-class innovation and technology hub, while reinforcing the city’s competitive edge in high value-added industries on the global stage.