Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKSTP, InvestHK and HKTDC to support Hong Kong delegation at BIO 2026 under Economic and Trade Express platform This year, the HKSTP is leading the largest-ever Hong Kong delegation of life and health technology innovators to BIO 2026 in San Diego from June 22 to 25 (San Diego time). Joining forces with five Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) top 100 universities – the University of Hong Kong (11th), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (18th), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (33rd), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (50th), and City University of Hong Kong (52nd) – the HKSTP has doubled its exhibition footprint from last year to showcase breakthrough innovations from 41 tech firms, institutes, and university spin-offs. At the Hong Kong Pavilion, AI-enabled biotech, therapeutics, diagnostics, and pharma innovation are highlighted, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as the premier gateway to global biotech success.
Together with local partner Biocom, the largest life science membership association rooted in California; the World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD); the HKSTP; the HKTDC; and InvestHK, HKETO San Francisco organised the “Bio Nexus HK: From Showcase to Partnership” event under ETE on June 21 (San Diego time) to welcome the Hong Kong delegation and create networking and business matching opportunities. A dynamic fireside chat featuring representatives from the organisations was held, followed by a networking dinner. The event attracted a full house of over 100 guests, including decision-makers, investors, and founders.
The above-mentioned Hong Kong organisations also arranged two “Global Mixer” events at the Hong Kong Pavilion at BIO 2026 on June 22 and 23 respectively. Over 150 participants attended the one-minute pitch sessions presented by over 40 exhibitors from Hong Kong.
Furthermore, the Hong Kong delegation was invited to join the Invest in San Diego Breakfast hosted by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the WTCSD on June 22. The event helped Hong Kong companies strengthen international business connections and explore how to utilise San Diego’s global competitiveness in the life sciences ecosystem to look for business opportunities.
Companies in the delegation took the opportunity to expand their network and made important milestones during their presence at BIO 2026. For instance, Zhaoke Ophthalmology, a Hong Kong-listed company advancing ophthalmic therapies across six major eye diseases, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Laboratório Teuto Brasileiro S.A., a Brazilian pharmaceutical company, to explore the Latin American market.
The President Emeritus of Biocom, Mr Joe Panetta, said, “I learned much about the potential opportunities for the Hong Kong and San Diego life science clusters to work together during my government-hosted visit there in late 2024. The synergies that can exist between the two are remarkable, from Hong Kong’s financial markets to the solid protection of intellectual property. Hong Kong’ great research universities and incubators are creating a group of early-stage life science companies that can benefit from having a US base in San Diego. Biocom is poised to provide those companies with policy support, connections to licensing and capital partners, many networking events and access to discounted group purchasing contracts to support company operations. I look forward to continuing to build our relationship across California.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Terry Wong, said, “BIO 2026 is a premier platform to showcase Hong Kong’s groundbreaking innovation, deepen partnerships, and open new pathways into global healthcare markets. As a ‘super-connector’, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to bridge global innovators with opportunities across Asia and beyond. With strong R&D (research and development) capabilities backed by world-class universities – five ranked among the QS top 100, including two with medical schools now ranked in the global top 20 – Hong Kong’s biotech and medical research excellence is increasingly recognised worldwide. As the ecosystem orchestrator, the HKSTP brings together talent, capital, research institutions, clinical partners, and industry leaders to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. We will continue to empower life and health technology ventures, translating breakthroughs into life-changing solutions that benefit communities around the world.”
The Head of Innovation & Technology and Life & Health Sciences of InvestHK, Mr Andy Wong, said, “Building on our participation in prior years, InvestHK is joining BIO 2026 to deepen engagement with the US biotech sector and strengthen cross-border connections. We are here to show that Hong Kong is a launchpad for growth – backed by government support programmes that help the US and overseas companies navigate the market, access funding, and scale with confidence.”
The Director of the WTCSD, Mr Lucas Coleman, said, “Hong Kong’s life sciences ecosystem is producing world-class innovation in therapeutics, diagnostics, and health technologies. For companies looking to establish a US presence, San Diego offers something few markets can match: a globally recognised life sciences cluster combined with a collaborative business community that helps innovators scale. With access to leading research institutions, experienced talent, strategic partners, and investment capital, San Diego is a natural landing point for Hong Kong companies seeking to accelerate growth, expand their US footprint, and bring transformative technologies to patients around the world.”
The Director, New York of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie, said, “The HKTDC is deeply committed to propelling Hong Kong’s biotech innovators onto the global stage. Through our network of 51 offices globally, we deliver critical market intelligence and high-value industry introductions to foster growth and collaboration opportunities. By leveraging our flagship local platforms, such as the Asia Summit on Global Health and the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, and facilitating a strong turnout at major international expos, like the US’ BIO and MEDICA in Germany, we actively bridge the gap between Hong Kong’s innovative technologies and international investors. Our mission is to help Hong Kong companies transform global connections into tangible commercial opportunities.”
The Director of the HKETO San Francisco, Mr D. C. Cheung, concluded, By collaborating with both local and international partners to promote Hong Kong companies at a global convention under ETE, our office took the great opportunity to update the interlocutors on Hong Kong’s latest achievements. Notably, all five universities in the Hong Kong delegation are ranked among the global top 100 in the latest 2027 QS rankings. This underscores Hong Kong’s status as an international post-secondary education hub that nurtures and attracts top-notch talent, which is an essential driver for the development of biotechnology in the city.” Issued at HKT 8:36
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June
District
District With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April every year. The indexes are higher from May to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in June increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further, but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years.
The FEHD has also carried out a series of actions, including: During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at a construction site, a park, four public housing estates, four private housing estates and two private premises in Southern District, Kwun Tong District, Sham Shui Po District, North District, Sai Kung District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has issued 12 statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including: Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 18:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKMoA exhibition of Chinese painting and calligraphy revisits artistic vision of classical literature In the Chinese tradition, painting and calligraphy are inextricably linked to classical literature and philosophy. Sharing a common spiritual essence, poetry and painting blend seamlessly in subject, aesthetics and form – weaving together the philosophies of life with artistic expression. The exhibition brings together outstanding works from the Ming dynasty to the 20th century, organised in four thematic chapters: “Timeless Elegance”, “The Way of the Gentleman”, “Landscape Reveries”, and “Sentimental Years”. Each chapter is given a distinctive colour scheme, complemented by landscape, light, and shadow design, creating an immersive space for savouring literature and art. Visitors are invited to journey through the brushwork, contemplate the hidden messages within, and rediscover the timeless wisdom of the ages.
The red section, “Timeless Elegance”, centres on legendary literati of passionate spirit – Su Shi, Wang Xizhi, Cao Zhi, and Qu Yuan – revisiting their classic writings that have inspired countless artists throughout history. Highlight exhibits include 20th-century masters Zhang Daqian and Xu Cao’s “Evening Cruise by the Red Cliff”, which brings to life Su Shi’s expansive and liberated spirit; Gu Yun’s “Gathering at the Orchid Pavilion” from the Qing dynasty, which recreates the scene of “floating wine cups along a winding stream” among Eastern Jin literati; various interpretations of “The Rhapsody on the Nymph of the Luo River” by calligraphers and painters across generations, continuing Cao Zhi’s aesthetic imagination; and Zhu Yunming’s running script of the nearly 2 500-character “Encountering Sorrow” from the Ming dynasty, in resonance with Qu Yuan’s spirit.
The green section, “The Way of the Gentleman”, celebrates the beauty of nature and its cultural significance, focusing on the plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, bamboo, and lotus – motifs frequently found in literati art that serve as vital symbols through which scholars express their innermost convictions. Featured works include Shen Shichong’s “Transplanting a Plum Tree” from the Ming dynasty and Zheng Xie’s “Bamboo and Rock” from the Qing dynasty.
The blue section, “Landscape Reveries”, represents the equanimity and steadfastness of the literati. Landscapes serve as vessels for a range of personal aspirations, expressing the joy of reading, the tranquility of seclusion, and the exhilaration of travelling through mountains and rivers. Highlight exhibits include Hua Yan’s “Thatched Pavilion in the Soughing Pines” from the Qing dynasty and Huang Binhong’s “Landscapes” from the 20th century.
Lastly, the brown section, “Sentimental Years”, spotlights the austere simplicity and the most intimate and moving scenes of ordinary life. Highlight exhibits include Ren Yi’s “Two Geese” from the Qing dynasty, as well as late-modern artists Wang Zhen and Cheng Zhang’s “Celebrating New Year’s Day”. This section also features an installation titled “Poetry in Motion: A Visual Experiment by Po Hung”, presenting four animations based on well-known classical poems to engage younger visitors. Additionally, a specially designed reading space further invites visitors to savour 10 classical texts and draw life inspiration from the ancient literati.
The HKMoA’s Xubaizhai collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy was donated by the late renowned collector Mr Low Chuck-tiew in 1989. It encompasses masterpieces dating from the Six Dynasties through to the 20th century, with particular richness in the major painting schools of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 24) seized about 22 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $8.4 million in Tsuen Wan. A 31-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and a detailed investigation, Customs targeted a man who was suspected of controlling a drug distribution centre in Tsuen Wan, and arrested him at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port last night. Customs officers escorted the man to a residential flat in Tsuen Wan for a search and found the batch of suspected ketamine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.
The arrestee has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 26).
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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
With support from the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Productivity Council’s (HKPC) SME ReachOut and the Trade and Industry Department are holding the “E-commerce Innovation Expo 2026 – Expanding Brand Horizons” (Expo) for two consecutive days starting today (June 25) to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing cross-border e-commerce business, keeping abreast of the latest market trends and broadening their e-commerce sales network.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said that the Government has long attached great importance to the development potential of e-commerce and is proactively driving local enterprises to seize the opportunities brought about by the digital economy by utilising e-commerce business to explore diversified markets, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness in external trade and injecting impetus into economic development. To support such development, the Government announced a series of targeted initiatives in last year’s Policy Address, including the implementation of the Creativity • E-commerce – Beyond Limits programme, with the Expo being one of the key events.
He added that amid the ever-changing global trade landscape, the Government has been fully supporting SMEs in exploring emerging markets and announced a series of measures, including injecting a total of $1.63 billion into the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund), raising the funding ceiling of “Easy BUD” under the BUD Fund by 50 per cent to $150,000 per application, providing more targeted funding support for enterprises in AI applications, and expanding the coverage to eight more economies, including emerging markets such as Kazakhstan, to assist enterprises in expediting overseas business expansion. The Government has also set up the Economic and Trade Express to proactively organise overseas business missions for local enterprises.
Mr Yau encouraged SMEs to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages as an international trade and business hub to explore overseas markets through e-commerce, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong brands and products on the global stage.
The Expo consists of five thematic zones, namely Cross-border E-commerce Experience, New Retail Tech Application, Brand x IP Value-added, Smart Operations, and E-commerce Go-Global Support. The Expo also features over 10 thematic seminars, where experts will share practical e-commerce strategies and applicable technology solutions, enabling SMEs to address various challenges of going global via cross-border e-commerce in one go.
Operated by the HKPC under the support of the Government, SME ReachOut has been in service since 2020, offering capacity-building services to SMEs and assisting them in identifying suitable government funding schemes. As at the end of May 2026, SME ReachOut has handled around 40 000 enquiries from SMEs, organised or participated in 16 exhibitions and 75 seminars/workshops, and conducted over 350 outreach activities through visiting various chambers of commerce, commercial and industrial buildings, and co-working spaces.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Auckland, New Zealand, today (June 25, Auckland time) and attended the China Business Summit co-organised by the Auckland Business Chamber and NZINC.
Before the summit, Professor Sun met with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Christopher Luxon, and briefed him on the fact that Hong Kong is striving to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre under the clear support of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Hong Kong possesses unique advantages in areas including AI, life and health technology and fintech, and there is immense room to deepen I&T collaboration with New Zealand. Professor Sun cordially invited research and development (R&D) institutions, start-ups and professional talent to settle in Hong Kong and seize the opportunities brought by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the country. Mr Luxon welcomed the Hong Kong delegation and expressed the hope that the two places can further enhance pragmatic co-operation in the I&T field.
In his keynote speech during the summit, Professor Sun outlined to the audience that Hong Kong is transforming from an international financial centre to a vibrant international I&T centre. He said that Hong Kong proactively promotes economic diversification and creates joint prosperity in the era with complex geopolitical situations.
Professor Sun highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic I&T infrastructure, including the newly opened Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone last year and the San Tin Technopole under planning. These two initiatives will form a bridge connecting global technology talent and enterprises with the GBA market of a population of 88 million and its well-developed supply chain. He also said that Hong Kong has identified AI as a core industry and is fully committed to promoting new industrialisation.
Professor Sun said that Hong Kong is a gateway to Asia’s innovation frontier. New Zealand companies can reach out to the Chinese Mainland and expand to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the broader Asia-Pacific. Hong Kong has a highly open and free economy, a robust legal framework, a simple and low tax regime, strong intellectual property protection, ease of capital raising, and world-class logistics and infrastructure and is a trusted partner, a platform and a bridge to New Zealand.
Professor Sun also met with the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Trade and Investment and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Mr Todd McClay. Professor Sun briefed him on Hong Kong’s latest I&T developments and measures to promote new industrialisation. Both sides exchanged views on I&T policies and on strengthening investment and co-operation opportunities between the two places.
Professor Sun also called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue, Dr Wang Xiaolong, and the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Christchurch, Ms He Ying, to introduce the latest progress of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in promoting I&T development, as well as Hong Kong’s proposal to align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and to elaborate on Hong Kong’s continuous efforts in actively integrating into the overall layout of the country’s new industrialisation.
Professor Sun visited Heidi Health, an Australian medical-AI company, in Melbourne, Australia, before departing for Auckland, New Zealand, on June 24. The company is dedicated to transforming clinical workflows through intelligent automation, with its core technologies focusing on using AI to generate medical notes and support diagnostic reasoning. Professor Sun encouraged the company to further expand its business operations in Hong Kong and strengthen collaboration with local universities as well as R&D institutions.
Professor Sun will continue his visit to Auckland, New Zealand, on June 26 (Auckland time).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Adjustment in ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations in July 2026
Location of Dedicated LPG Filling StationCeiling Price in July 2026 (HK$/litre)Ceiling Price in June 2026 (HK$/litre) The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 12:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Establishment of San Tin Technopole Company Limited and appointment of Board of Directors announced———– Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu———– Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (or representative) Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) (or representative) Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (or representative)———– Ms Cordelia Chung Dr Fang Zhou Mr Julian Lee Pui-hang Professor Ling Kar-kan Professor Stephanie Ma Kwai-yee Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai Issued at HKT 12:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Student Health Service (SHS) of the Department of Health (DH) will start releasing the “School Health Reports and Recommendations” (health reports) tailored to each participating school for the 2025/26 school year under the Whole School Health Programme (WSHP) tomorrow (June 26). Based on the overall health status of students in each school, the health reports provide tailored and targeted school-based health promotion measures. In addition, the DH will arrange school visits by health professionals to provide in-depth explanations of the health reports and recommendations, aiming to assist schools in continuing to implement or roll out relevant health promotion initiatives in the new school year, thereby further promoting students’ physical and mental well-being in schools.
The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced that the WSHP would be strengthened and extended to cover all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Based on the overall health status of students in each school, health reports will also be compiled for each participating school to recommend targeted school-based health promotion measures for physical activities, meals and other matters, to improve students’ physical and psychological well-being. This year marks the second time the DH has distributed the health reports.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Innovation and Technology Commission and Competition Commission collaborate to combat anti-competitive conduct A spokesman for the ITC said, “The ITC and the Secretariat rigorously review all information submitted by applicants and continuously enhance checking mechanisms to ensure that procurement is conducted on an independent, open, fair and competitive basis. The current case was identified and proactively reported by the ITC and the Secretariat, and certain disbursements were withheld after detection of irregularities. This reflects the effectiveness of the checking mechanisms and the high vigilance of ITC and HKPC colleagues handling the case. We have zero tolerance for anti‑competitive conduct involving funding schemes and will pursue any such cases to the end.”
The TVP was launched in 2016 to subsidise local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions on a matching basis, to improve productivity, upgrade or transform their business processes. The HKPC serves as the TVP’s Secretariat. As the TVP had achieved its original objectives, it had ceased to accept new applications after December 31, 2024.
The ITC will continue to process all applications of funding schemes to the highest standards and maintain a high level of vigilance. In recent years, the ITC has also strengthened the use of technology to analyse data concerning applicants and service providers, in order to identify suspected cases more precisely and refer them to law enforcement agencies for follow‑up. Issued at HKT 18:11