Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Ms Ada Chung Lai-ling was reappointed as the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (Privacy Commissioner) on August 15, 2025, with effect from September 4.

Ms Chung today (September 1) took an oath, which was administered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and swore that she will uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), bear allegiance to the HKSAR of the PRC and serve the HKSAR conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity.

A Government spokesperson said, “The Privacy Commissioner took the oath to uphold the Basic Law and bear allegiance to the HKSAR, thereby embodying the principle and responsibility of ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (1 September) announced the establishment of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory, which focuses on developing pipeline robotics technologies and promoting the research and development for local technologies of water mains inspection robots, named Intelligent Pipescope. These robots will be used to assess the internal conditions of pressurised water mains of the water supply network. The WSD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Shenzhen Bwell Technology Co Ltd to jointly develop the relevant technologies.
 
In his speech at the ceremony, the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, stated that the WSD has committed to collaborating with various institutions to develop and apply advanced technologies in driving the development of smart water in Hong Kong. The WSD is actively exploring innovative methods to enhance the skills and efficiency of water mains inspections. The WSD expects that, through the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory, the development of robots for operating in diverse pipeline conditions will be accelerated. This will enable highly accurate inspections, thereby reducing the risks of pipe bursts and leaks, and potentially extending to monitoring water quality.
 
The core objective of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory is to independently develop multifunctional advanced pipeline robotics technologies, including acoustic sensors, high-definition cameras, and positioning instruments. These robots will also utilise artificial intelligence to analyse relevant data in order to address the unique characteristics of Hong Kong’s water supply network, which includes variations in materials, high water pressure, and numerous bends and branches. Taking into account the rapid development and mature applications of robotics technologies on the Mainland in recent years, the WSD considered that robotics technologies that suit Hong Kong’s needs will be developed more effectively through close collaboration with a local university and a Mainland pipeline robotics developer. At the same time, the unique complexity of the water supply network in Hong Kong will serve as an ideal testing platform, facilitating the entry of Mainland pipeline robotics technologies into international markets and leveraging Hong Kong’s unique position to connect with both the Mainland and the world.
 
The WSD has consistently strived to optimise water supply services through the efficient use of resources and technologies to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s vast population. The establishment of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory represents a significant milestone in the development of smart water. It is anticipated that this initiative will promote more collaboration and application of smart detection technologies between the Mainland and Hong Kong, contributing to positioning both the nation and Hong Kong as global benchmarks in smart water. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 top 100 innovation clusters today (September 1), among which the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally.  

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said, “We warmly welcome the innovation cluster ranking published by WIPO, which reflects the high international recognition of the innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This year, the ranking newly includes the number of venture capital deals as a new metric. With Hong Kong as an international financial centre, and the Mainland and Hong Kong ranking first and second respectively in Asia’s venture capital and private equity fund management, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has excelled at channelling capital to support the translation of innovative ideas into material outcomes.

     “Fast-tracking innovation and technology (I&T) development has been a policy priority of this Government. Over the past few years, the Government has rolled out a series of policy initiatives to ensure technology, capital and talent reinforce one another, as well as expediting co-operation and collaboration with our GBA sister cities, to press ahead with the development of Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. In particular, the Government has announced three $10 billion schemes, namely the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme, the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme, and the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, alongside the Pilot I&T Accelerator Scheme. Moreover, Hong Kong has been supporting the growth of start-ups and is committed to attracting world-class leading enterprises of cutting-edge technology and talent to establish their presence in Hong Kong, in order to enrich our I&T ecosystem. As Asia’s premier international financial centre, Hong Kong has been broadening the channels of financing and listing over the past few years, catering specifically to the needs of new economy and tech companies. This facilitates more quality enterprises in raising funds and expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. We have also been nurturing ‘patient capital’ through the establishment of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to guide and leverage market capital to invest in early-stage, small high-tech enterprises on a long-term basis.

     “Going forward, Hong Kong will continue to closely collaborate with the GBA sister cities to advance regional I&T development and make greater contributions to building our country as an innovative nation as well as advancing human progress.”

The GII Cluster ranking identifies local concentrations of world-class innovation activity using three key metrics: international patent filings via WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), scientific publications, and, newly added this year, the number of venture capital deals. In previous editions of the GII Cluster ranking, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster held the second spot for five years in a row.  

For this year’s ranking, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranked first, filed 2 292 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, published 3 775 scientific articles, and had 135 venture capital deals per 1 million inhabitants over the last five years.

The launch event of the 2025 GII Ranking of World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters, organised by the country and WIPO, was hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today at the Hong Kong Science Park. At the same time in the launch event, two panel discussions joined by leading figures and representatives from Hong Kong and abroad were held, exchanging insights on the GBA’s innovation strengths and future potential, as well as the latest I&T developments in other international clusters. An exhibition featuring the I&T achievements of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou was also set up at the venue.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the 2025 Global Innovation Index Ranking of World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters Ceremonial Dinner today (September 1):

Deputy Director-General Wang (Deputy Director General of WIPO, Ms Wang Binying), æ�Žå‰¯ç‰¹æ´¾å“¡ (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Li Yongsheng), 張副局長 (Deputy Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration Mr Zhang Zhicheng), 王副局長 (Deputy Director of Bureau III of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Jie), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.  

Welcome to tonight’s ceremonial dinner. I trust you enjoyed today’s inspiring discussions and look forward now to an enjoyable evening.

My thanks, once again, to WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) for choosing Hong Kong to launch the inaugural Global Innovation Cluster Ranking. I’m grateful, too, for the support of the central ministries and authorities. 

Let me begin by saying how proud we are that Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Guangzhou together have been named the world’s most innovative cluster. This significant achievement speaks volumes about our region’s collective commitment to innovation and technology. 

In innovation today, no force is more transformative than artificial intelligence. AI is reinventing business models, redefining productivity and revolutionising how we work, communicate and live. Allow me to take this opportunity to say a few words about Hong Kong’s vision and strategy in this area. 

Fully recognising the value AI can create for our businesses and community, Hong Kong has prioritised AI as a core industry, and a key enabler in upgrading our traditional industries and sectors. 

Our AI strategy advances along five key fronts: algorithms, computing power, data, capital and talent.

Algorithms and computing power include investing in our R&D (research and development) capabilities and infrastructure. For example, in this year’s Budget, I announced the establishment of the Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, which will focus on translating AI research into real-world applications. The Institute will be launched next year.

And Cyberport, our digital hub and AI accelerator, operates a supercomputing centre, providing essential support for wider AI applications. The Government is also providing funds to local universities, research institutes and businesses to make use of this computing resource. 

Hong Kong is uniquely positioned as a convergence point for data from the Chinese Mainland and the world. And we are now facilitating cross-boundary data flows from the Mainland for R&D, coupled with robust safeguards – crucial for organisations in the biotech and medical fields. 

When it comes to capital, Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading financial centres. Besides the stock market, we provide a full spectrum of funding options that support enterprises at their various stages of growth. Hong Kong’s private equity sector, for example, manages about US$230 billion in assets, ranking No. 2 in Asia, only after the Chinese Mainland.  

Talent is the driving force of innovation. Which is why we are strengthening AI education at all levels.  We are also forging partnerships with such leading technology firms as Tencent, Alibaba, SenseTime and Lenovo, bringing their expertise directly into classrooms and the community. In addition, we support initiatives such as the Hong Kong Qingyuan Club, a joint initiative of the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence and the Hong Kong Investment Corporation to encourage young AI scientists to engage in global AI exchanges here in Hong Kong. 

Our goal is clear: to ensure we have an adequate supply of AI talent, and our next generation is AI-ready, equipped with the skills and knowledge to flourish in an AI-driven world.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong’s AI strategy reflects our broader innovation philosophy, in which talent, capital and technology reinforce one another in an open ecosystem.  

In that same spirit, I want to assure you that Hong Kong is open and welcoming. We are keen to collaborate with governments, businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world, driving innovation for the benefit of all. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I know you will enjoy this special evening and the innovative company all about you.

Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today witnessed the Government signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on co-operation with regard to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database.

The WIPO Lex-Judgments database provides free, open access to leading judicial decisions relating to intellectual property (IP) from around the world.

Under the MoU, Hong Kong will contribute leading IP judgments from the city’s Judiciary to the database, facilitating access to such judgments by the international IP community while at the same time showcasing the quality of Hong Kong’s IP-related judicial judgments.

Besides Mr Chan, WIPO Deputy Director General Wang Binying and Chief Judge of the High Court Jeremy Poon also witnessed the signing of the MoU by Director of Intellectual Property David Wong and WIPO Assistant Director General Marco Alemán.

The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced that Hong Kong would participate in the database with the support of the Central Government.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Chan said Hong Kong’s participation in the database carries special significance.

“Under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework, Hong Kong is the only territory in China practising common law, and in both Chinese and English. Its protection of IP is widely recognised.

“As a trusted venue for resolving IP disputes involving parties from both the Mainland and abroad, our judgments serve as valuable references to the international legal community.”

Mr Chan also highlighted that Hong Kong’s strengthened collaboration with WIPO would not only enhance its role in the international exchange of jurisprudence, but also strengthen its standing as a leading regional hub for IP trading and legal services.

“By enhancing the global transparency of our IP legal regime, we provide greater confidence to international businesses and rights holders to invest and pursue innovation activities here. They can count on our reliable, world-class legal infrastructure for the commercialisation and protection of their IP assets.”

In addition, Mr Chan thanked the Central People’s Government and WIPO for supporting Hong Kong’s IP initiatives over the past years, and reiterated that Hong Kong remains firmly committed to playing an active role in international IP co-operation and contributing to China’s vision of becoming a global IP powerhouse by 2035.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The value of total retail sales in July, provisionally estimated at $29.7 billion, was up 1.8% compared with the same month in 2024, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate for the month was 1% higher year on year.

Online sales accounted for 8.7% of the total retail sales figure for the month. Provisionally estimated at $2.6 billion, the value of online retail sales rose 13.2% compared with a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the value of sales of commodities in supermarkets increased by 0.2%.

There were also increases in the value of sales in the following categories: “other consumer goods not elsewhere classified” (+9.8%); jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts (+9.4%); apparel (+1.3%); medicines and cosmetics (+2.6%); commodities in department stores (+2.6%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (+20.5%); and Chinese drugs and herbs (+19.6%).

By contrast, the value of sales of food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco decreased by 3.1% for the period. Also down were sales of electrical goods and other consumer durable goods not elsewhere classified (-8.2%); motor vehicles and parts (-12.4%); fuels (-10.3%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (-7.6%); furniture and fixtures (-9.4%); and optical items (-2.4%).

The Government said retail sales continued to stabilise in July. Looking ahead, it expects that local consumption sentiment should remain steady, and its proactive efforts in promoting tourism and mega events will also benefit retail businesses.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the World Intellectual Property Organization’s naming of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster as number one in its index of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters, the Global Innovation Index 2025.

The cluster filed 2,292 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, published 3,775 scientific articles, and had 135 venture capital deals per million inhabitants over the last five years.

In a press release, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the ranking reflects high international recognition of the Greater Bay Area’s innovative capacity.

For the first time, this year’s index includes the number of venture capital deals as a new metric. The Hong Kong SAR Government highlighted that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster has excelled in channelling capital to support the translation of innovative ideas into material outcomes. It added that Hong Kong is an international financial centre, while the Mainland and Hong Kong rank first and second for venture capital and private equity fund management in Asia.

Going forward, it said, Hong Kong will continue to closely collaborate with its bay area sister cities to advance regional innovation and technology development, and make greater contributions to China’s development as an innovative nation.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin ushered in the new school year with students and teachers as she attended school-opening ceremonies at Tai Po Old Market Public School and Munsang College this morning.

Speaking at a ceremony at Tai Po Old Market Public School, Ms Choi remarked that students are living in a fast-changing world in which innovative technology is developing rapidly.

She highlighted that the Education Bureau is committed to helping students leverage technology so that learning can be more effective and fun. This includes introducing AI education into the curricula, strengthening professional training for teachers, promoting media and information literacy, and supporting schools to use innovative technologies to assist teaching.

She said she was delighted with the school having become a Digital Education Centre of Excellence this academic year, and praised it for continuously enhancing its curriculum, integrating the teaching content of humanities, science and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) subjects, and incorporating values, national identity and innovative problem-solving into its lessons.

The school is committed to creating a smart and happy campus and has established a technology park (the “60iLAB AI Innovation & Technology (I&T) Learning Laboratory”) and an “IEco” ecological park, with a view to enhancing students’ learning and their innovative thinking skills.

Ms Choi also visited the school’s I&T facilities, and heard from teachers and students about its achievements in digital education. She listened to students present I&T projects and praised the projects’ integration of innovative technology with Chinese culture.

Ms Choi said she hopes the school will make good use of the new subjects of Primary Humanities and Primary Science to strengthen students’ humanistic qualities and spirit of scientific exploration.

She then attended the “Centenary School Year Commencement Ceremony” of Munsang College.

In a speech, she observed that the bureau places great emphasis on values education as a cornerstone of whole-person development, and prioritises national identity and law-abidingness, integrating these principles into national security education.

Building on these values, Munsang College applies them through various initiatives aimed at deepening students’ understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and heritage. These include its Chinese Culture Week and student exchange activities with sister schools on the Mainland.

The education chief also commended the school for its dedication to promoting mental health on campus and its active participation in the bureau’s 4Rs (rest, relaxation, relationship and resilience) Mental Health Charter, which aims to enhance mental health awareness among students, teachers and parents.

In addition, the school encourages students to not only pursue academic excellence but also take part in diverse learning experiences and devote themselves to serving others. This ethos aligns closely with the bureau’s vision for whole-person development.

Ms Choi expressed gratitude to the teaching teams of both schools for their devotion to nurturing students.

She encouraged students to seize opportunities in the new school year, keep learning and practicing, and strive to enhance their abilities and qualities so as to contribute to the country’s future development.

Source: Government of Singapore

Singapore, 1 September 2025 – Southwest Monsoon conditions are prevailing and expected to persist over Singapore and the surrounding region in the coming fortnight with winds blowing mainly from the southeast or southwest.

2          In the first fortnight of September 2025, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the pre-dawn and morning on several days. In addition, moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon on some days. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of September 2025 is forecast to be above average over most parts of the island.

3          The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days.

4          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (15 – 31 AUGUST 2025)

5          Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the second fortnight of August 2025, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or southwest.

6          In the second fortnight of August 2025, localised short-duration thundery showers fell over parts of the island on several days. Sumatra squalls also brought thundery showers and gusty winds over Singapore in the pre-dawn and morning on a few days. On 24 August 2025, the passage of a Sumatra squall brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over Singapore in the early morning. The daily total rainfall of 104.2mm recorded at Ulu Pandan that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of August 2025.

7          The daily maximum temperatures in the second fortnight of August 2025 were between 32 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.7 degrees Celsius was recorded at Ang Mo Kio on 22 August 2025.

8          About half of Singapore recorded above average rainfall in the second fortnight of August 2025. The area around Clementi registered rainfall of 128 per cent above average, and the area around Changi registered rainfall of 40 per cent below average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for September   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.6	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.2	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.0	°C
Average rainfall:	124.9	mm
Average number of rain days:	13
Historical Extremes for September   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	33.0	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.4	°C (1930)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	440.4	mm (1988)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	22.8	mm (2019)

 

—————||————–

 

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

1 Sep 2025

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.