Month: October 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Town Planning Board today (October 17) announced amendments to the approved Shek Kong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The amendments mainly involve rezoning a site to the south of Kam Sheung Road and west of Lai Uk Tsuen from “Residential (Group D)” to “Residential (Group C)”.
 
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.

The draft Shek Kong OZP No. S/YL-SK/10, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office, (iv) the Yuen Long District Office and (v) the Pat Heung Rural Committee.
 
Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before December 17. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).

Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:

* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.

The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) as well as the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

Copies of the draft Shek Kong OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the press conference on Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 today (October 17):
 
     Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today.
 
     The StartmeupHK is an initiative which aims at helping founders of innovative and scalable start-ups from outside Hong Kong to set up or expand here. Through this initiative, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) offers information about our start-up ecosystem, connects people to the start-up community, and fosters a positive environment for start-ups to thrive.
 
     Start-ups are an important part of any economy. Behind every start-up, there must be an innovative business idea. These new ideas call for changes and refresh our economy. And Hong Kong is just the right place not only for start-ups to be created, but also for them to grow and scale. Apart from the favourable business environment in Hong Kong, the start-ups here are supported by a strong network of incubators and accelerators, a pool of experienced angels and venture capitalists, a host of government-backed programmes and a welcoming business community.
 
     Attracting and grooming start-ups are an important aspect of InvestHK’s work. And it has done a great job. The number of start-ups in Hong Kong has nearly tripled, from about 1 600 start-ups 10 years ago to around 4 700 last year. The impressive expansion is a result of the pro-startup measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government over the years.
 
     While it is common for start-ups to be set up by local people, it is worth noting that 28 per cent of the founders of our start-ups are from outside Hong Kong. This is obviously a testament to Hong Kong’s appeal as Asia Pacific’s top destination for start-up investment and a start-up talent magnet. Going forward, we will continue to focus on assisting high potential unicorns and scale-ups worldwide across various sectors to grow.
 
     This year, the StartmeupHK initiative has evolved by collaborating with Hong Kong FinTech Week, under the theme “Curating the New Fintech Era”. Building on the success in the past, the 2025 edition highlights the growing convergence of fintech with other frontier technologies – artificial intelligence (AI), greentech, healthtech, and Web3 – which are increasingly deployed as part of comprehensive tech start-up solutions. The Festival offers a unique opportunity to engage with the fintech ecosystem and reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a hub for scalable start-ups and cross-border innovation.
 
     To bring this theme to life, we will expand the main conference from eight to 11 fora, introducing new sessions like “Healthtech & Insurtech” and the “China‑Global Innovation Forum”. We will also cover wider cross-sector themes such as “Blockchain & Web3” and “Digital Finance”. These fora will address important global issues including asset tokenisation, responsible AI, and the growing convergence of healthtech and insurtech. Besides, there will be a new “TechX Forum” to explore how emerging technologies are moving from experimentation to large-scale deployment. These additions encourage earlier practical conversations between founders, regulators, and corporates, helping start-ups move faster from pilot projects to full production.
 
     InvestHK’s Global Fast Track 2025 programme has also grown to include seven verticals, adding “Innovation & Technology” to expand beyond fintech. This reflects the increasing overlap of technology across multiple industries. The year-long hybrid programme provides participants with one-on-one meetings, live pitching opportunities, mentorship, and tailored business matching with corporate clients, investors and service providers. I strongly recommend that the global start-up community joins this programme to assist your start-ups in scaling up by leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages.
 
     Looking ahead, with the StartmeupHK Festival at the heart of this partnership, we are not just celebrating success – together, we are shaping Hong Kong’s future of innovation.
 
     We look forward to welcoming the global start-up community to join us this November. Please come to Hong Kong to connect, to build and to scale. I am sure that you will always find unlimited business opportunities in our city, your ideal destination for business and investment.
 
     Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at the press conference on Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025 today (October 17):
 
Ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. It is with immense pleasure that I unveil the details of this year’s highly anticipated Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025.
 
     This year marks a historic milestone – the 10th anniversary of the event. I have been privileged to witness the tremendous growth and evolution of this event in the past years. This remarkable year is graced with new records. We are welcoming over 37 000 executives, more than 800 renowned speakers, and 700 exhibitors from over 100 economies to celebrate with us.
 
     This powerhouse event, together with the StartmeupHK Festival, will demonstrate how Hong Kong is leveraging technological convergence to elevate the economic impact of fintech and innovation on a global scale.
 
     Hong Kong’s credentials as a fintech leader are not just claims – they are hard, global facts. Consistently ranked among the world’s top three international financial centres and as a leader in Asia, Hong Kong has taken bold strides to solidify its position as a leader in fintech as well.
 
     Today, Hong Kong’s fintech hub is ranked number one globally under the latest Global Financial Centers Index. Our city is home to more than 1 100 fintech firms, and the fintech sector is projected to reach US$606 billion in total revenue by 2032, with an impressive annual growth rate of 28.5 per cent.
 
     In the first half of this year, Hong Kong was also ranked first globally in terms of the amount of funds raised through IPOs (initial public offerings), with many advanced technology companies listing on our exchange.
 
     FinTech Week this year carries the theme “Curating the New Fintech Era”. It is indeed our promise: Hong Kong will not just adapt to the future of fintech. We will lead, we will build and continue to stay at the forefront of it.
 
     None of this success happens by accident. It comes from sustained policy vision, unwavering public-private collaboration, and a commitment to balancing innovation with security. Let me highlight the milestones we have achieved over the past year.
 
     On digital assets, our Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets in Hong Kong issued in June this year sets out our vision for a trusted and innovative ecosystem that prioritises risk management and investor protection. We also implemented the Stablecoins Ordinance in August to establish a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers, on top of our existing regulatory framework for virtual asset trading platforms that commenced in June two years ago.
 
     On AI (artificial intelligence), we issued a policy statement on responsible adoption of AI in the financial market last October, and have launched two cohorts of GenA.I. Sandbox to assist banks in exploring generative AI’s capabilities in enhancing risk management, anti-fraud measures and customer experience.
 
     On e-payment, we launched Payment Connect with the People’s Bank of China in June this year to implement the linkage of the Internet Banking Payment System on the Mainland and the Faster Payment System, with a view to supporting secure, efficient and also convenient real-time cross-boundary payments.
 
     We also continue to enhance the financial infrastructure, such as the Commercial Data Interchange, and the Central Bank Digital Currency, to explore integrating fintech with the real economy.
 
     Each of these initiatives reflects the collaboration among the Government, financial regulators and industry players. We turn ideas into action, and at the same time action into global leadership.
 
     Looking ahead, we are doubling down on this momentum with a clear, forward-focused strategy. As highlighted in the latest Policy Address, we will leverage the ongoing asset reallocation wave by global investors to consolidate our status as an international financial centre. We will drive fintech development and promote green and sustainable finance to capitalise on these new growth opportunities. This is not just about maintaining our lead; it is about shaping the next chapter of global finance, where capital flows more intelligently and technology addresses real-world economic challenges.
 
     This year Hong Kong FinTech Week will serve this purpose. It will bring together global finance and tech leaders, policymakers, and investors to collaborate, and curate the new fintech era.
 
     So I invite each of you, every one of you here today to join us. Let’s explore the boundless possibilities of fintech. Let us pave the way for a connected, efficient, and sustainable global economy. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (October 17) that a total of four government sites in North District, Yuen Long and Tai Po will be let by way of short-term tenancy through tender to eligible brownfield operators affected by the land resumption and clearance exercises before or within the fourth quarter of 2028 under relevant government development projects.
 
     Brownfield operators, which were invited to participate in previous relevant tenders for a short-term tenancy two or more times after the completion of clearance exercises of relevant government development projects, will be excluded from this tender.
 
     The tender commences today and will close on November 19. Details of the four sites and the list of relevant government development projects involved are described in a Government Notice gazetted today.
 
     Under the prevailing arrangements, business operators affected by government development projects will be offered statutory compensation in accordance with the law, or ex-gratia allowances as an alternative, subject to the fulfilment of relevant eligibility criteria.
 
     A spokesperson for the LandsD said that in order to facilitate brownfield operators’ relocation of businesses or operations, and to optimise the utilisation of land resources, the department has been identifying suitable vacant sites on government land to let through tender by way of a short-term tenancy.
 
     The four sites to be let through tender are suitable for a range of uses including industrial use, open storage, godown, workshop, recovery and recycling or reprocessing business and fee-paying public carpark. 
 
     The spokesperson stressed that the LandsD will continue to identify vacant sites suitable for use by those brownfield operators required to be displaced, and these sites will be let through tender by way of a short-term tenancy.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government announced today (October 17) the reappointments of Mr Chu Kin-wing and Miss Barbara Wong as the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman respectively of the Consumer Goods Safety Appeal Board Panel, as well as the reappointments of six incumbent members and the appointments of three new members to the Panel for a term of two years with effect from October 20, 2025.

     The incumbent members who have been reappointed are Mr Chan Chi-ho, Ms Cindy Chan Chui-bik, Mr Chau Chi-chung, Ms Roberta Veronica Cheung, Mr Leung Chi-ho, and Mr Jan Noel Shih. The new members are Ms Rebecca Lee Pui-yi, Dr Mung Wai-yin and Mr Franky Wong Chun-ho.

     Established under section 14 of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, the Consumer Goods Safety Appeal Board Panel is responsible for hearing appeals against enforcement decisions or actions taken by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise under the Ordinance.

     The Panel’s membership with effect from October 20, 2025, will be as follows:

Chairman
————
Mr Chu Kin-wing

Deputy Chairman
———————
Miss Barbara Wong

Members
———–
(1) Scientists or technologists with relevant expertise in consumer goods

Mr Chan Chi-ho
Mr Leung Chi-ho
Dr Mung Wai-yin

(2) Persons from the consumer goods industry

Ms Rebecca Lee Pui-yi
Mr Jan Noel Shih
Mr Franky Wong Chun-ho

(3) General public

Ms Cindy Chan Chui-bik
Mr Chau Chi-chung
Ms Roberta Veronica Cheung

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Two women who went missing in Tsuen Wan have been located.

     Two Filipino women, Pabuaya Imee-mahilum and Tibay Aleli-perez, aged 24 and 33 respectively, went missing after they were last seen on Yeung Uk Road on October 4 afternoon. Police has respectively received the reports on October 8 and October 6.

    Two women were located at a shopping mall on Sui Wo Road, Sha Tin last night (October 16). They sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (October 17) announced the launch of a full investigation into the procedures and mechanisms currently employed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in handling dog licence applications and renewals.

The Rabies Regulations require all dogs in Hong Kong reaching the age of 5 months or above to be licensed, vaccinated against rabies and microchipped. The AFCD’s Animal Management Centres provide anti-rabies dog inoculation and licensing and microchipping services.

The Office of The Ombudsman received a public complaint that the complainant recently brought his microchipped dogs to an AFCD Animal Management Centre to apply for their first dog licences. Upon arrival, he was informed that the AFCD had introduced a new requirement whereby dog owners must provide proof of the legal origin of their dogs, such as a receipt for purchasing the dog from a pet shop or the dog’s vaccination record, in order to apply for a dog licence. Eventually, the complainant had to return home with his dogs to obtain the required proof and revisited the centre to complete the procedure. The complainant alleged that the AFCD was unable to reasonably explain the rationale for the new requirement, and there was a lack of information about the new requirement on its website. 

Mr Chan said, “Keeping pet dogs is increasingly common in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address also includes measures to promote a pet-friendly culture. Our society is gradually embracing pet inclusivity. It is crucial for the AFCD to establish reasonable procedures and requirements for dog licence applications and renewals and to provide clear information to the public so as to facilitate dog owners in licensing, vaccinating and microchipping their dogs, as well as renewing dog licences and re-vaccinating their dogs in a timely manner. These measures are essential for preventing the outbreak of rabies and effectively monitoring whether dog owners have fulfilled their responsibilities, thereby protecting the rights and welfare of dogs. In this light, I have decided to launch a full investigation into the AFCD’s mechanisms and procedures for handling dog licence applications and renewals to identify any areas for improvement. Pertinent recommendations will be made for enhancing the AFCD’s services, with a view to facilitating dog owners in taking proper care of their dogs.”

The Ombudsman welcomes views from members of the public on this topic. Written submissions should reach the Office of The Ombudsman by November 17, 2025: 

Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168–200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong  
Fax: 2882 8149 
Email: cic-afcd@ombudsman.hk

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs today (October 17) organised an exchange tour about intellectual property rights (IPR) protection to Guangzhou, leading 26 members from the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance (IPRPA) to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for the first time. The delegation visited cultural landmarks in Guangzhou and met with an intellectual property enforcement agency to deepen their understanding of the country’s efforts in protecting IPR and to foster closer collaboration between the industry and the enforcement agency, further promoting IPR protection in the GBA.
 
The delegation first visited the country’s largest cultural centre – the new Guangzhou Cultural Centre – to experience the richness of traditional Chinese culture firsthand and to learn about the efforts in protecting traditional culture and related IPR amid urban modernisation in Guangzhou.
 
Later, the delegation met with the Party Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation (GMA), Mr Zhao Junming, gaining insights into intellectual property regulatory frameworks and enforcement strategies from the authority. Both parties exchanged views on further strengthening the partnership between the industry and enforcement agencies to increase effectiveness in combating infringement activities, laying a solid foundation for mutual co-operation.
 
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the 138th China Import and Export Fair to explore the latest practices in IPR protection in international trade. The GMA also arranged a guided tour for the delegation to introduce their on-site enforcement measures against infringing products, demonstrating the country’s efforts and achievements in maintaining market order for legitimate trade.
 
Formed by Hong Kong Customs and the intellectual property industry since 2004, the IPRPA is committed to establishing an effective communication platform and forming a strategic partnership to fight against infringing activities, hence protecting the interests of copyright and trademark owners. It comprises 65 members, including copyright and trademark owners, IPR protection organisations, and legal professionals.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government declared a vacant ex officio member seat in the Islands District Council by publishing a notice in the Government Gazette today.

The ex officio member, Chow Yuk-tong, passed away on September 28. His office has become vacant pursuant to the District Councils Ordinance.