Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The International Institute for Management Development today published its World Talent Ranking 2025, with Hong Kong’s ranking leaping markedly to fourth globally from ninth last year, marking the highest-ever ranking and ranking first in Asia.

 

For the second consecutive year, Hong Kong improved across all three ranked talent competitiveness factors. Its ranking rose by eight places to 20th in “appeal”, and by one place for both “readiness” and “investment and development” to third and 12th respectively.

 

Among the indicators, Hong Kong continued to top the ranking in the percentage of graduates in sciences. The city rose to third in the availability of finance skills, and ranked fifth in the remuneration of management as well as effectiveness of management education.

 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government pointed out that Hong Kong ranking first in Asia is clear evidence that its policies and measures in education, innovation and technology, and talent admission have found the right direction and are getting results.

 

Given that the talent attraction measures are effective, the Hong Kong SAR Government emphasised that it will continue to target the manpower demand of Hong Kong’s strategic positioning of “eight centres” and refine the measures in a timely manner, enhance training of relevant local talent, and at the same time further enhance the diversity of the talent pool and effectiveness of the talent attraction measures to strengthen the talent support for Hong Kong’s future development.

 

As of the end of August, more than 520,000 applications had been received under various talent admission schemes, with more than 350,000 applications approved. Additionally, more than 230,000 people of talent arrived in Hong Kong through various talent admission schemes over the same period.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 9) said that the new vehicle registration and licensing regime will take effect on December 22 to strengthen regulations on prolonged unlicensed vehicles. Under the new regime, unlicensed vehicles will remain registered under the name of owners, who will continue to be held responsible for their vehicles. A new offence will also be introduced to heighten deterrence against improper abandoning of vehicles for addressing the problem at the source.

     A spokesman for the TD said, “Starting from December 22, we will issue a notice to registered owners of vehicles unlicensed for two years or more. Vehicle owners must, within three months of the date of notice, renew the licence, or cancel the registration of such vehicles with the TD after scrapping them or permanently shipping them out of Hong Kong. They should handle their vehicles properly and in a timely manner to avoid contravening the law.”

     Failing to take action upon expiry of the three-month notice period will constitute an offence. The maximum penalty for the first conviction will be a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months. For each subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty will be a $25,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment. Unless the fine is paid, the TD may, subject to the court’s order, (1) refuse to issue or renew the driving licence of a convicted vehicle owner; (2) take no action on any application for transfer of ownership of the subject vehicle; and (3) refuse to issue a vehicle licence to the subject vehicle or any other vehicles under the convicted owner’s name.

     Individual vehicle owners who have a genuine difficulty in taking the required actions within the three-month notice period or have reasonable grounds for not licensing their vehicles may apply for an exemption from the TD. In general, exemptions may be granted under the following three scenarios: (1) vehicles pending spare parts for maintenance and examination before licence renewal; (2) vehicles manufactured for 30 years or more, properly stored as a private collection and not used on roads; or (3) vehicles properly stored by a car dealer and consigned for sale. Vehicle owners may provide other reasonable grounds for the TD’s consideration of granting an exemption based on individual cases. The eligibility criteria and guidelines for exemption will be announced later.

     The spokesman reminded vehicle owners that, even when a vehicle remains unlicensed or is granted an exemption, it will remain registered under their name and they have to continue to bear all legal liabilities associated with it. Since December 2024 the TD has started issuing SMS messages or emails to registered owners whose vehicle licences will expire in one month, have just expired or have expired for two years via the e-contact means they provided in their licensing applications, to remind them that they must renew their vehicle licence or properly handle their vehicles in time.

     The TD has also stepped up publicity and public education to remind vehicle owners to take action early for vehicles unlicensed for two years or more. Vehicle owners may make use of the e-Licensing Portal to check the vehicle licence expiry date, handle licensing matters and take proper action on their unlicensed vehicles. Members of the public may refer to the TD’s website for details, or call the hotline at 2804 2600 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the 2nd GTI Forum on Digital Intelligence · Hong Kong today (September 9):

尊敬的李主任 (CPC Committee Member and Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Mr Li Zhen)、Chairman Gao (Chairman of GTI, Mr Gao Tongqing), Chairman Ehrlich (Chairman of GTI, Mr Craig Ehrlich), Mr Li (Executive Vice President of China Mobile, Mr Li Huidi), Professor Chao (Vice President (Research and Innovation) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Christopher Chao), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,    
     Thanks to GTI, who have chosen Hong Kong to host the forum for two consecutive years. This reflects not only GTI’s recognition of Hong Kong’s crucial role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, but also the confidence that you have placed in Hong Kong as a promising, global hub of I&T. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) published the World Talent Ranking 2025 today (September 9). Hong Kong’s ranking leapt markedly to fourth globally from ninth last year, marking the highest-ever ranking and ranking first in Asia.

     For the second consecutive year, Hong Kong improved across all three ranked talent competitiveness factors. Hong Kong’s ranking rose by eight places to 20th in “Appeal”, and by one place for both “Readiness” and “Investment and Development” to third and 12th respectively. Among the indicators, Hong Kong continued to top the ranking in the percentage of graduates in sciences. The city rose to third in the availability of finance skills, and ranked fifth in the remuneration of management as well as effectiveness of management education.

A Government spokesman said, “Hong Kong ranking first in Asia in the IMD’s World Talent Ranking is clear evidence that the policies and measures of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in education, innovation and technology (I&T), and talent admission have found the right direction and are getting results. Hong Kong’s post-secondary education is highly internationalised and diversified. The city boasts five of the world’s top 100 universities with outstanding research talent, making it an international hub for exchanges and collaboration among high-calibre talent. The Government strives to establish the “Study in Hong Kong” brand and stays committed to investing in education. Its unwavering support for institutions’ continuous innovation and optimisation helps give full play to the strengths of first-class universities, and ties in with the institutions’ capacity expansion and quality enhancement. The Government has also introduced a series of specific policies and measures such as scholarship programmes to attract quality talent from around the world and nurture local talent, with a view to consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub, and aligning with the national strategy of becoming a leading country in education.”

The HKSAR Government fully understands the vital role of talent in technology and other developments, and announced in the 2024 Policy Address the establishment of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, to co-ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talent, and to formulate policies to attract and cultivate talent, foster the development of technologies, as well as to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent. In The World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 top 100 innovation clusters published on September 1, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster came first globally for the first time, which reflects the high international recognition of the I&T capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, reflecting that it is an ideal place for global I&T talent from around the world to develop and grow their careers.

The spokesman said, “The talent attraction measures of the current-term Government are effective. We will continue to target the manpower demand of Hong Kong’s strategic positioning of “eight centres” and refine the measures in a timely manner, enhance training of relevant local talent, and at the same time further enhance the diversity of the talent pool and effectiveness of the talent attraction measures to strengthen the talent support for the future development of Hong Kong. As at end-August this year, over 520 000 applications were received under various talent admission schemes, with over 350 000 applications approved. Over 230 000 people of talent arrived in Hong Kong through various talent admission schemes over the same period. We welcome the continued arrival of outside quality talent and their family members to boost Hong Kong’s labour force, effectively enhance our population structure, replenish the manpower shortfall and inject continuous impetus to Hong Kong’s economic growth.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the concert of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) at the Grafenegg Festival in Austria on September 5 (Grafenegg time).

To promote Hong Kong’s unique and vibrant arts and culture, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau provided funding support to sponsor the HK Phil’s European tour, helping to present one of Asia’s foremost and talented classical orchestras to audiences there.

     Following their earlier performances in the Netherlands and Italy, the festival marked the grand finale of the HK Phil’s European tour. Under the baton of the HK Phil’s former Music Director Jaap van Zweden, the HK Phil delivered a captivating concert alongside Austrian classical pianist Rudolf Buchbinder.

     As part of promoting Hong Kong music talent, HKETO Berlin also supported Hong Kong pianist Rachel Cheung’s performance at the 41st Chopin Festival in Gaming, Austria, held in August. The festival brought together acclaimed soloists and ensembles from around the world. Cheung captivated the Austrian audience with an expressive performance of the works of Chopin and Schumann during two concerts.

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 Austria as well as Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Public hospitals and outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA) will start providing seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible persons starting from September 25 (Thursday) to dovetail with the Government Vaccination Programme 2025/26.

     Under the Government Vaccination Programme this year, the HA will mainly provide seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible patients who have follow-up appointments at HA clinics or are admitted to public hospitals, including:
 

• Persons aged 6 months to under 18 years, and those 50 years or above; 
• Pregnant women; 
• Eligible persons with intellectual or physical disabilities; 
• Persons aged 18 to 49 years with chronic medical problems; and
• Long-stay in-patients.

     The list of public hospitals and outpatient clinics providing vaccinations is set out in the Annex.

     Eligible patients may receive vaccinations at their scheduled follow-up appointments at clinics. Patients with distant follow-up appointment dates may visit or contact the respective clinics for necessary arrangements.

     The HA spokesperson appealed to members of the public to receive vaccinations early. “The risk of influenza transmission increases in winter. Vaccinations can enhance immunity against influenza and greatly reduce the risk of serious illness or death from infection. The protection will last for at least six months, protecting members of the public during the winter influenza season. Since it takes about two to four weeks to develop protection after inoculation, the public is urged to receive flu jabs early.”

     Individuals aged 18 or above should register with eHealth before receiving vaccinations.

     In addition, poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in the pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant government departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccinations in selected General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) starting from October 16 (Thursday).

     Members of the public can enquire about details of this year’s seasonal influenza vaccination programme at the respective specialist outpatient clinics or GOPCs they attend or make enquiries on the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced today that the 2025-26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes will commence on September 25.

New initiatives will also be introduced to enable public access to seasonal influenza vaccines, including expanding the eligible group and enhancing the SIV School Outreach Programme.

Announcing the SIV programmes’ launch this afternoon, CHP Controller Edwin Tsui said that under various vaccination plans under implementation, approximately 2.09 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccines were administered, a 10% increase compared to the 2023-24 influenza season and setting a new historical high.

To further increase SIV coverage, all individuals aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions are eligible for free or subsidised influenza vaccinations this year, regardless of financial status, he added.

As for further enhancing the School Outreach Programme, Dr Tsui noted that secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and child care centres may adopt the “hybrid mode”, under which they can choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and the live attenuated influenza vaccine for the same or different outreach vaccination activities.

Approximately 2,300 schools have joined the outreach programme, representing a participation rate of 99%. To safeguard students’ health, the CHP will publish a list of schools not participating in the programme on its official website so that parents can arrange for their children in those schools to receive vaccinations from family doctors.

Another initiative covers the provision of the recombinant influenza vaccine for seniors living in institutions. Through the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme, all residents of residential care homes for the elderly and residents aged 65 or above in residential care homes for persons with disabilities can receive the vaccine.

Additionally, the Department of Health has assisted in the procurement of an additional 100,000 doses of injectable inactivated influenza vaccines for Specified Vaccination Subsidy Scheme Family Doctors this year so as to ensure eligible high-risk groups can receive SIV via this scheme.

To assist people in managing their personal health records and healthcare services more effectively, eligible individuals aged 18 or above must register for eHealth starting this year to receive subsidised or free seasonal influenza vaccines.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited pianist Aristo Sham and violinist Angela Chan to participate in this year’s “Hong Kong Artists” Series. The two young Hong Kong musicians, both recent champions of prestigious international competitions, will join forces for the first time for a duo recital of piano and violin at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on November 3 (Monday). This performance offers audience members a precious opportunity to witness the musicians’ remarkable artistry, further deepening the public’s appreciation of talented local artists. 

     Sham and Chan will open the recital with Beethoven’s “Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2”. In the solo segment that follows, Chan will interpret Ysaÿe’s “Sonata for Solo Violin in G, Op. 27, No. 5”, while Sham will present Mendelssohn’s “Fantasie in F-sharp minor, Op. 28, ‘Scottish Sonata'”. The duo will then reunite on stage for Boulanger’s “Nocturne”, and conclude the evening with Brahms’s “Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108”. 

     Sham has become the first Hong Kong pianist to win the gold medal and the audience award at the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition this year. He received his master’s degree in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, and has collaborated with orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under Edo de Waart, the English Chamber Orchestra under the late Sir Raymond Leppard, as well as Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne and the Minnesota Orchestra, building a profile in Asia, Europe and the United States (US). His 2025-2026 season as the Cliburn winner includes a major tour of Asia through South Korea and China, and giving recitals in the US. 

     Chan won first prize, and the prize for the best interpretation of the commissioned work, at the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition 2024 in Hanover, Germany, becoming the first winner from Hong Kong in the event’s history. She previously won first prize and the best interpretation of concerto prize at the 2017 International Louis Spohr Competition. Chan has collaborated with numerous orchestras such as the NDR Radiophilharmonie, the Staatskapelle Weimar Orchestra of Germany, the China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Symphonia, and was selected as a soloist to a tour the US with the Curtis Chamber Orchestra. She earned her master’s degree at the New England Conservatory of Music, and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at the Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. 

     The “Hong Kong Artists” Series: Duo Recital by Aristo Sham (Piano) and Angela Chan (Violin) will be staged at 8pm on November 3 (Monday) at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200, $280, $360, $440 and $520 will be available from September 12 (Friday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The “Hong Kong Artists” Series 2025 to be held in November and December also includes the Vocal Recital by Viola Cheung on November 13 and the Guzheng Recital by Grammy Yeung on December 1. For telephone bookings and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1912.html.

     The “Hong Kong Artists” Series of the LCSD aims to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talent. In addition to individual performances, it also encourages cross-genre works to highlight their unique styles. This year’s series introduces 12 distinguished musicians in seven stunning programmes, featuring violin, piano, cello, guzheng and vocal arts. Among them, a cross-genre performance of music and painting was staged to showcase Hong Kong’s unique cultural character, embracing diversity and innovation. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1823.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region