Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“Hong Kong’s Participation in Shenzhen Reading Month” held in Shenzhen for third consecutive year
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, said under the guidance of the national strategy on developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong will continue to play an important role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. He added that with books as the media and words as the bridge, Hong Kong will drive co-ordinated development of culture, sports and tourism, give full play to our unique advantage as a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures, and promote mutual learning and people-to-people bonds.
Mr Lau also led a delegation comprising representatives from the Hong Kong publishing industry on the same day to attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Shenzhen Reading Month organised by the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, actively responding to the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-Reading Consensus” initiated by Shenzhen.
The “Hong Kong’s Participation in Shenzhen Reading Month”, presented by the CSTB, implemented by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and sponsored by CCIDA, aims to present a wide range of activities to the Shenzhen publishers and readers, with a view to enhancing reading atmosphere that enriches the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and fostering cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The “Letter by Letter, Street by Street: The Living Scripts of Hong Kong” thematic exhibition cum book fair, themed on Hong Kong’s unique city fonts, is opened to the public free of charge at the atrium of UpperHills in Shenzhen from today to November 16. “Book Fairs of Selected Hong Kong Publications”, featuring with over 20 talks, author sharing sessions and workshops, is held every weekend throughout November at various locations in Shenzhen to introduce books published in Hong Kong to book lovers and the public. The first “Symposium on Historical and Local Chronicles Research & Cultural-Tourism Integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” will be held on November 29 and 30 at the Shenzhen Library and the Mini Theatre in UpperHills respectively.
The CSTB has been participating in the Shenzhen Reading Month since 2023, with nearly 40 events held over the past two years which attracted over 300 000 participants.
Issued at HKT 21:20
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15th National Games torch relay successfully held (with photos/videos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
15th National Games torch relay successfully held (with photos/videos)Issued at HKT 17:38
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Labour Department investigates fatal work accident in Sau Mau Ping
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Labour Department investigates fatal work accident in Sau Mau Ping
The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.
Issued at HKT 17:28
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National Games torch relay held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Ahead of the official opening of the 15th National Games on November 9, a torch relay was held today in Hong Kong, with 50 torchbearers participating.
Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki officiated at a launch ceremony, passing the torch to Wong Chun-ting, the first torchbearer.
The relay started from the Central Government Offices in Tamar at 9.30am.
The route on Hong Kong Island passed through the Central & Western District Promenade, the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and Golden Bauhinia Square.
After crossing Victoria Harbour by ferry, the torch passed through the Star Ferry Bus Terminus and Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, then headed to the bus terminal at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) by open-top bus. It then passed by the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Kai Tak Sports Avenue before arriving at KTSP Central Square. The last torchbearer then lit the games cauldron.
A closing ceremony took place at KTSP Central Square, with Mr Chan again officiating.
HK’s smart development recognised
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Hong Kong has placed significant emphasis on smart transformation and development in recent years – and its efforts have not gone unrecognised. Published recently, the Polytechnic University’s 2025 Smart City Index ranked Hong Kong in eighth position among 73 global cities.
The study analyses smart city development across different cities, with reference to six key dimensions: citizens, environment, social landscape, economy, infrastructure and governance.
Top-ranking city
On governance, Hong Kong performs particularly strongly in terms of smart city policy and plans, as well as its development of e-government initiatives, ranking number one in these areas.
Additionally, in the area of data transparency, Hong Kong leads on willingness to develop open data and the diversity of its open data categories.
Polytechnic University Smart Cities Research Institute Director John Shi is responsible for the Smart City Index. Commenting on Hong Kong’s high ranking, he said: “This is truly an outstanding achievement – a reflection of Hong Kong’s position as one of the leading smart cities globally.”
According to Mr Shi, Hong Kong’s top strength is its economy: he praised the city’s robust business environment, high-tech supporting systems and overall value.
He also pointed to its good governance, highlighting the city’s advances in e-governance, data openness and initiatives such as the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure Portal, which facilitates data sharing among the public and private sectors. In addition, he said the city’s education, research and innovation sectors are vital elements that support its ongoing development as a smart city.
Enhanced efficiency
Among the various smart city measures rolled out by the Government, the one most widely accessed by residents is the one-stop personalised digital services platform “iAM Smart”.
Since its launch, over 3.8 million users have registered for iAM Smart, and an average day now involves more than 180,000 interactions with the platform.
iAM Smart accounts are currently available in two versions: iAM Smart and iAM Smart+. The latter version offers the advantage of a digital signature function. In recent months, new features have been introduced to enhance user convenience. This includes instant bill viewing and expanded support for digital documentation.
More functions
Digital Policy Office Senior Systems Manager Ray Cheung said that by downloading the latest version of the iAM Smart app, users can easily check their water bill balances issued by the Water Supplies Department, view speed post bills from Hong Kong Post and make payments using the Faster Payment System.
He stressed that iAM Smart is a key digital infrastructure component, and a key initiative for driving the full digitalisation of online government services and accelerating smart government development.
The Digital Policy Office has in fact been working closely with bureaus and departments to achieve the goal of a single portal for online government services. Moreover, it has been collaborating with the governments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen to drive the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative, so that residents can access different government services from either side of the boundary.
CS promotes LegCo election
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, together with Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak, today led community outreach efforts to promote the 2025 Legislative Council General Election at a promotional booth outside Kwai Fong MTR station.
Highlighting that the nomination period for the LegCo General Election is underway, Mr Chan urged outstanding individuals who have an affection for the country and Hong Kong, proven capabilities, a sense of responsibility and a passion to serve the public to submit their nominations before the nomination period closes on November 6.
He stressed that each vote in the upcoming LegCo election is very important, and called on all electors to fulfil their civic responsibility by casting their votes to elect legislators who are committed to the good governance, progress and prosperity of Hong Kong, so that people can live and work in contentment.
Mr Chan, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak spoke to the public and distributed promotional leaflets and souvenirs featuring “Ballot Box Family” mascots. They also reminded members of the public to reserve the necessary time to vote on December 7.
The promotional booth event was organised by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau in collaboration with a youth organisation. The Government will set up more booths in various districts to promote electoral messages, with further participation from principal officials.
CE attends APEC meeting in Korea
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Chief Executive John Lee attended the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting Retreat in Gyeongju, South Korea, today, engaging in various exchanges with regional leaders on issues including the development of artificial intelligence and demographic change.
Speaking at the morning session, Mr Lee highlighted that the Asia-Pacific region is undergoing profound changes, from digital and green transitions to sweeping demographic changes, and that it is essential to grasp the opportunities brought by these shifts in order to build future-ready economies.
Mr Lee proposed that APEC members remain steadfast in their commitment to a multilateralism that is grounded on the principles of inclusivity, equality and co-operation; leverage the innovative power of AI as a key driver of economic growth; and make good use of APEC as a platform to expand co-operation and unlock new and inclusive drivers of growth.
Participating economies jointly issued the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration, addressing the shared opportunities and challenges facing the region and expressing support for APEC as an important platform for regional economic co-operation, the strengthening of regional connectivity, and the building of resilient supply chains.
Mr Lee said he looks forward to pursuing practical co-operation with fellow member economies in these areas, and to working together to advance high-quality economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Chief Executive will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.
CS reaches out to community to promote 2025 Legislative Council General Election
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CS reaches out to community to promote 2025 Legislative Council General Election
Mr Chan said the nomination period for the LegCo General Election has started. Outstanding individuals with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, proven capabilities, a sense of responsibility and a passion to serve the public should submit nominations before the close of the nomination period on November 6. He also said that each vote in the upcoming LegCo election is very important. He called on all electors to fulfil their civic responsibility by actively casting their votes to elect legislators who represent people’s voices and are committed to the good governance, progress and prosperity of Hong Kong, where people can live and work in contentment.
Mr Chan, Mr Tsang and Miss Mak spoke to members of the public and distributed to them promotional leaflets and souvenirs of the Ballot Box Family mascots. They also took the opportunity to call on the public to reserve time for voting on the polling day on December 7.
This promotional booth event was organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau in collaboration with a youth organisation to promote the 2025 LegCo General Election. The Government will continue to set up more promotional booths in various districts to publicise electoral messages. Principal Officials will also participate in the initiative with a view to boosting the electoral atmosphere in society and raising public awareness of the election.
Issued at HKT 18:23
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CE attends APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Retreat in Korea (with photos/video)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE attends APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Retreat in Korea (with photos/video)Issued at HKT 16:45
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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $16 million (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $16 million (with photo)
Subsequently, on October 28, Hong Kong Customs intercepted a parcel from Germany declared as instrument parts sent to Hong Kong via the Mainland, and discovered a total of about 25kg of suspected ketamine in nine plastic bags.
Through an in-depth investigation, Hong Kong Customs targeted a man who was suspected of controlling the two drug parcels and arrested him in Sheung Wan yesterday (October 31).
The arrested man, aged 49, claimed to be a logistic sales. An investigation is ongoing.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:43
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