Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Budapest, Hungary, on September 21 (Budapest time). The visit aims to further deepen exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Hungary in innovation and technology (I&T).

In the morning, Professor Sun met with the Minister of Science and Technology of Hungary, Mr Zoltán Tanács, and the State Secretary for Science Policy and Innovation, Dr Péter Horváth, in Budapest. He reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to developing into an international I&T centre, noting that tangible progress is already underway, including efforts in industry development, start-up nurturing, commercialisation of research and development (R&D) outcomes, as well as attracting enterprises and talent. He expressed a view to deepening collaboration with Hungary in these fields.

Professor Sun proceeded to Szeged to visit the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF) in the afternoon. Accompanied by Dr Horváth, Professor Sun received a briefing from the founder of the CMF and a Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Ferenc Krausz, on H4H Program – a longitudinal health monitoring study spearheaded by the CMF to promote personalised preventive healthcare. The CMF is an interdisciplinary non-profit research institute dedicated to developing infrared electric-field molecular fingerprinting technology for the early detection of diseases. Professor Krausz also introduced the launch of a global initiative “protecting.health”, which will continue to promote scientific collaboration among the CMF, the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich and the University of Hong Kong, and will carry out research projects in Hong Kong. Professor Sun also toured the laser laboratory and biobank of the Extreme Light Infrastructure Attosecond Light Pulse Source Research Institute at the CMF.

In the evening, Professor Sun called on the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Hungary, Mr Gong Tao, and briefed him on the newly released First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030), which reaffirms Hong Kong’s strategic positioning as an international I&T centre, as well as I&T initiatives in the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address. He pointed out that under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will actively expand co-operation opportunities with international I&T partners, including Hungary, to continuously enhance its innovation capabilities and international competitiveness.

On September 22 (Budapest time), Professor Sun visited the Corvinus University of Budapest in the morning and met with the President and Rector of the University, Professor Bruno van Pottelsberghe, to learn about the latest development of the University. He is particularly interested in the University’s teaching approach in incorporating business strategy, AI, data science and digital transformation. He understood that the University and the Shenzhen Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) had jointly established a research and innovation platform “Academic & Innovation Matrix”. The University signed a co-operation agreement with the InnoHK Centre for Perceptual and Interactive Intelligence of the CUHK in March this year to launch a bilateral research project. Funded by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office, the project seeks to enhance the safety and trustworthiness of AI architecture to cope with real-world applications. 

Professor Sun also visited BrainVisionCenter to learn about its latest developments and R&D achievements, and toured its laboratory. The Center focuses on research and product development in neurophotonics and functional neuroimaging. Professor Sun welcomed the Center to further strengthen co-operation with the academic and research institutions in Hong Kong to advance translational medicine therapies.

Professor Sun concluded his visit to Budapest at noon on September 22 (Budapest time) and proceeded to Bratislava, Slovakia, in the afternoon to begin his programme.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, Dr Stephen Wong, at the Sustainable Aviation Futures China Congress today (September 22): 

Distinguished guests, fellow panellists, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is my pleasure to open day two of the Sustainable Aviation Futures China Congress.

SAF moves up the policy agenda

     By way of context, the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit, which I lead, co-ordinates the preparation of the Chief Executive’s annual Policy Address and tracks the implementation of Policy Address initiatives. So I remember sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)’s first appearance in the 2023 Policy Address rather precisely: two sentences in a sub-paragraph, mentioning an action plan from the Airport Authority Hong Kong, with the Government promising to “monitor the development trend closely for forward-looking planning”. That was where we started.

     This year, in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and in the Policy Address released last week, SAF has its own heading – a production base, a consumption ratio, a mandate study with a deadline, and a certification pathway. None of that progress was the Government’s doing alone; it was built with industry, with producers, with experts in this room.

     That this Congress has come to Hong Kong for its first China edition is itself a marker of how fast this has moved. And it makes this a good moment to look back at how we got here, before we spend the rest of today looking forward.

     I want to begin not with a policy, but with a visit.

Story – a jar of used cooking oil

     In early 2023, a few months after my unit began operating, I visited one of the top SAF suppliers at its office in Kowloon Bay. I knew very little about SAF at the time. What I remember is being shown, essentially, waste – used cooking oil from restaurant kitchens – and being told that on a lifecycle basis it could cut carbon emissions by up to around 80 per cent compared with conventional jet fuel, useable in existing aircraft.

     I left that meeting with one question, and it has organised three years of my work since: if the molecule already works, why isn’t this at scale?

     So, for three years, we followed the chain:

• we spoke with operators, management and investors; 
• we visited the production base in Zhangjiagang; traced used cooking oil upstream across Guangdong; 
• we engaged Mainland authorities across energy, commerce, and aviation; and
• we also worked with HKEX (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited)’s Core Climate, exploring the trading mechanism and price discovery.

     Where the evidence was incomplete, we commissioned further research, including support for universities to look into resilient local supply, faster fuel screening and viable GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) feedstocks.

     That is what evidence-based policy means: not simply endorsing an idea, but testing the numbers, standards and institutions on which policy research must ultimately rest.

     What emerged was not a simple answer, but a different question. The chemistry works. The challenge is aligning feedstock, standards, offtake, and capital across energy, aviation, finance, trade, and innovation. SAF may be a fuel, but scaling it means building an efficient supply chain coupled with a robust market.

     The deeper we went, the clearer the strategic significance became. For Hong Kong, SAF offers more than environmental gains or a new source of growth. It is an opportunity to build a cross-boundary industry, strengthen our international aviation hub, and contribute to the nation’s energy security, influences in cleaner fuels and green commitments. The opportunity is commercial, but its value is strategic.

National direction, international timelines

     The National 15th Five-Year Plan calls for accelerating a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, anchored on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and for low-carbon substitution in transport. Under its new industries column, it explicitly extends the green hydrogen chain to green ammonia, methanol and SAF. Meanwhile, the National 15th Five-Year Plan expressly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international aviation hub.

     We have seen this national playbook before. China built scale in wind and solar, strengthened the supply chain and helped bring down the cost of deployment. The lesson is not that green solutions scale simply because they are green. They scale when industrial capacity turns them into a compelling commercial proposition. SAF can follow the same path.

     But the window is narrowing. The International Civil Aviation Organization has set a collective aspiration to reduce international aviation emissions by 5 per cent by 2030 through SAF and other cleaner energies, on the path to net-zero international aviation by 2050. Meanwhile, the European Union and the United Kingdom have introduced mandates, while Singapore and Japan have established their own SAF targets, among other countries. Future demand is increasingly being shaped by policy rather than left to voluntary action.

     The implication for Hong Kong is clear. An airport that cannot secure a reliable SAF supply and prove its sustainability through credible certification will risk finding its routes, hub function, and competitiveness constrained. It is a question of whether Hong Kong can remain an international aviation hub as the economics and rules of global aviation change.

Three observations: demand, supply, at GBA scale

     So where has three years of work brought us? The question is no longer whether SAF works. It is whether we can align supply, standards, demand, and capital quickly enough to build a credible market. Here, I would like to offer three observations from a policy researcher’s perspective – three developments that will matter most to the operators and investors in this room.

     First, a demand signal with a number attached. Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, unveiled by the Chief Executive last Wednesday, sets an SAF consumption ratio of 1 to 3 per cent for flights departing from the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in 2030. That is not just an aspiration; it is a planning signal you can build a model against.

     More consequentially: the 2026 Policy Address commits Hong Kong to study an SAF mandate by 2028. A voluntary target attracts interest. A mandate attracts capital. That is the difference between a pipeline of pilots and a pipeline of projects.

     Second, the supply side is becoming real – and I have had the privilege of watching it take shape. Following EcoCeres’ signing of an investment letter of intent with the Dongguan Municipal Government earlier this year, plans are advancing for a new SAF production facility in Dongguan. Targeted for a 2030 start-up, the plant is expected to produce about 450 000 tonnes a year of SAF and renewable diesel at full production.

     Around that facility, what is intended to become the GBA’s first end-to-end SAF value chain is emerging: waste-based feedstock collected across the GBA; refining and production in Dongguan; and research and development and headquarter services in Hong Kong.

     Third, the larger opportunity is to build industries at GBA scale. The HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park has already shown how Hong Kong can extend its economic infrastructure into the GBA while strengthening its connections to the world. SAF gives us the opportunity to apply that model to green industry, not by duplicating every function in every GBA city, but by combining the strengths of the region into one globally competitive system. That is regional specialisation by design.

     Hong Kong brings distinctive strengths to that system: a common-law legal framework, deep financial markets, international connectivity, and credible systems for certification, carbon data and settlement. We do not need to host every production line. In a market increasingly shaped by carbon costs, value can also accrue to those who finance the product, verify its environmental integrity and connect it to global buyers. That is the position Hong Kong will seek to occupy – and one consistent with the direction of the national plan.

Conclusion – from five-year blueprint to annual delivery

     And this brings me to the larger lesson of the SAF story. Building a new industry takes longer than an annual policy cycle. Investors, producers, and airlines all need to know not only what the Government will do next year, but where Hong Kong intends to be five years from now.

     Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan gives that longer horizon practical form. It draws together the elements we have discussed today – a consumption target, an industrial direction and Hong Kong’s place in the regional value chain – and turns them into a concrete destination for 2030.

     The 2026 Policy Address creates the pathway to realise the five-year blueprint, turning that longer-term direction into mandates, institutions, projects and annual deliverables.

     Indeed, the Five-Year Plan provides forward‑looking, strategic, and directional guidance over a period long enough for investment, infrastructure and new industries to take shape.

     The Policy Address reports annually on the implementation of the Five-Year Plan and sets the Chief Executive’s policy priorities for the year having regard to actual circumstances.

     As the Policy Address itself puts it, the two are “interconnected and inextricably related”.

     SAF demonstrates what that relationship can achieve. When long-term planning and annual execution move together, a policy signal can become an investment decision; individual projects can become a value chain; and an emerging fuel can become a strategic industry.

     Three years ago, I was looking at a jar of used cooking oil and wondering whether any of this was real. Today, we know that it is. The task now is to make it investable and scalable.

     As the first speaker today, I have had the easier task: setting out the opportunity. The panels that follow will take us into the harder questions, such as:

• how policy, offtake commitments, certification and carbon-accounting rules can provide investable certainty; 
• how risks and returns should be shared among producers, airlines, financiers and governments; and 
• how China and international partners can build credible, scalable supply chains for the next generation of sustainable fuels.

     I hope today’s discussions bring us one step closer to the answers, and I wish you all a stimulating, productive, and successful day. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (September 23) strongly disapproved of and rejected the unfounded and biased content against various aspects of the HKSAR in the so-called annual report on Hong Kong issued by the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

     A spokesman for the HKSAR Government stressed, “The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. It is a local administrative region that enjoys a high degree of autonomy under ‘one country, two systems’ and comes directly under the Central People’s Government. The HKSAR steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. The HKSAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and other relevant laws so as to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, safeguard the lawful rights and interests enjoyed by Hong Kong people and other persons in the HKSAR in accordance with the law. Its overarching goal is to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’.”
     
     “The implementation of the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws effectively safeguards national security, restoring stability in the social order of Hong Kong, providing a solid foundation for developments in Hong Kong’s economy, social life and other aspects. The various rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents and other persons in the HKSAR in accordance with the law are all better protected, steadily improving their well-being. The HKSAR Government strongly urges the EU to respect facts, abide by the international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop its long-arm jurisdiction and interference in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs.”
 
Safeguarding Rights and Freedoms 
     “Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, the media landscape in Hong Kong has remained vibrant. However, some people with ulterior motives deliberately fabricated facts about freedom of the press and speech in Hong Kong. In fact, freedom of the press and speech are firmly protected in Hong Kong at a constitutional level under the Basic Law, but they are not absolute. The media, like everyone else, have an obligation to abide by all the laws. The media continue to enjoy the freedom to comment on and criticise government policies without any restriction, as long as this is not in violation of the law. The court further cited precedents from the European Court of Human Rights regarding press freedom in the reasons for a verdict of a relevant case, pointing out that the European Convention on Human Rights does not guarantee a wholly unrestricted freedom of speech even with respect to press coverage on matters of serious public concern. The most crucial point is that journalists must act in good faith and on accurate factual basis and provide reliable and precise information in accordance with the tenets of ‘responsible journalism’ in order to enjoy the protection of their rights to freedom of speech and press freedom. Contrarily, 14 of the 27 countries in the EU were involved in the scandal for using the ‘Pegasus’ spyware to monitor media and citizens. They have absolutely no right to make absurd and fact-twisting comments on the issue of press freedom. The so-called report abuses press freedom as an excuse to break the law, again exposing the EU’s biased stance and double standards all along.”
 
Safeguarding Due Administration of Justice and Rule of Law
 
     The HKSAR Government spokesman pointed out, “Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law and has always adhered to the principle that ‘laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable’. The HKSAR Government safeguards independent judicial power and fully supports the Judiciary in exercising its judicial power independently, safeguarding the due administration of justice and the rule of law. Articles 2, 19 and 85 of the Basic Law specifically provide that the HKSAR enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, and the courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. The Judiciary exercises judicial power independently in accordance with the law, and everyone charged with a criminal offence has the right to a fair hearing. The courts decide cases strictly in accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws. Cases will never be handled any differently owing to the profession, political beliefs or background of the persons involved. When adjudicating cases concerning offences endangering national security, as in any other cases, judges remain independent and impartial in performing their judicial duties, free from any interference. Any reasonable, objective and fair-minded person who has read the publicly accessible judgments of the court on relevant cases would certainly reach the same conclusion.”
 
     “The rule of law in Hong Kong is strong and robust, and withstands the test of time. Hong Kong’s common law system has been built and maintained over the years by the joint efforts of the Judiciary and legal professions, including judges at all levels of courts, and it will not be changed because of the departure of individual overseas non-permanent judges (NPJs). Departure of a small number of NPJs must be apprehended in conjunction with the background of increasingly intense geopolitical situations, leaving absolutely no room to be taken out of context for vilifying the rule of law situation in Hong Kong.”
 
     “The Department of Justice takes charge of criminal prosecutions, free from any interference by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law. All prosecutorial decisions are based on an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable laws. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt the commission of an offence before a defendant may be convicted by the court.”
 
     “All cases concerning offence endangering national security will be handled in a fair and timely manner by the law enforcement, prosecution and judicial authorities of the HKSAR as required by Article 42(1) of the HKNSL. The time taken between the institution of prosecution and the completion of trial of each case depends on a multitude of factors. The prosecution and defence will adhere to any direction given by the court to ensure a timely trial.”
 
Laws safeguarding national security
 
     The HKSAR Government spokesman said, “The HKSAR Government strongly opposes the absurd and false contents in the EU’s so-called report with regard to the laws and the relevant efforts that safeguard national security in the HKSAR.”
 
     “It is each and every sovereign state’s inherent right, under international law and international relations based on the Charter of the United Nations, to enact laws safeguarding national security, and is also an international practice. The enactment of the HKNSL by the Central Authorities restores stability and safety of the city. Its necessity and legitimacy are unquestionable. The HKSAR, as an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, must fulfil the constitutional responsibility to continue to improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security.”
 
     “In fact, the EU and its member states have continuously enacted and amended laws in the name of national security or anti-terrorism, amongst which harsh provisions are ubiquitous. For instance, the Terrorist Content Online Regulation in the EU provides that hosting service providers must remove or disable access to terrorist content within one hour of receipt of a removal order from the competent authority. The Digital Services Act even requires online platform service providers to exercise content moderation to remove or to disable access to the illegal hate speech, otherwise they may face massive fines of up to 4% to 6% of their total worldwide turnover. The EU member states also enacted laws and regulations suppressing people’s rights and freedoms, such as the Intelligence Services Reform Act passed in Germany in August this year was more than 730 pages. It significantly expands the powers of domestic and foreign intelligence organisations, including entering private homes to disable devices or to install malware, legalising state spyware, deploying artificial intelligence to scan vast amount of public and private data, requiring mandatory provision of information, etc. Nevertheless, the EU disregards its own broad and stringent laws and regulations, repeatedly distorts and confounds right and wrong, unscrupulously smears the laws for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR which were strictly enacted according to its actual circumstances, continues to harbor biased comments against relevant laws, which is typical hypocrisy with double standards.” 
     “In fact, the implementation of the HKNSL in the past six years or so has enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community at large to swiftly resume to normal and the business environment to be restored and improved continuously. Besides maintaining its position as the world’s freest economy, Hong Kong has risen to top spot in cross boundary wealth management worldwide and is ranked second in world competitiveness. The city is ranked third among international financial centres and comes first in the world in terms of funds raised through initial public offerings in 2025. Hong Kong remains high in the overall ranking and continues to be ahead of European and American countries which often unreasonably criticise the rule of law and human rights situation of Hong Kong in the 2025 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. These achievements are built upon the freedom and stability brought to Hong Kong society by the HKNSL, the SNSO, other relevant laws of the HKSAR, and the work of safeguarding national security.”
 
    “Also, the specific content of the SNSO fully demonstrates that it was formulated strictly in accordance with the rule of law principles: including clear definitions of the elements that constitute an offence, only making necessary and reasonable restrictions on basic human rights and freedoms in accordance with applicable international standards and with reference to relevant practices in other common law jurisdictions, and not affecting the legitimate rights and interests of innocent third parties etc.”
 
     “As regards the sedition offence, the courts of the HKSAR have ruled in different cases that the provisions relating to sedition are consistent with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights on the protection of human rights, and that a proportionate and reasonable balance has been struck between safeguarding national security and protection of the freedom of speech. It should be reiterated that the offence is not meant to silence expression of any opinion that is only a genuine criticism against the Government based on objective facts.”
    
     “The HKNSL and the SNSO apply equally to every person in Hong Kong; no one is above the law. Article 5 of the HKNSL and section 2 of the SNSO clearly stipulate that the principle of the rule of law shall be adhered to in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for offences endangering national security. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law in respect of the acts of the persons or entities concerned, which have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation. All cases are handled strictly on the basis of evidence and in accordance with the law. All defendants will receive fair trial strictly in accordance with laws applicable to Hong Kong (including the HKNSL) and as protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. Any suggestion that certain individuals or organisations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. The Western countries also took numerous law enforcement actions targeting spread of false information and speeches which incite hatred and glorify violence. Nonetheless, they ignore their own laws but to vilify the laws safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, fully revealing their double standards.”
 
     “As guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, all defendants charged with a criminal offence shall have the right to a fair trial by the Judiciary exercising independent judicial power. The courts of the HKSAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. As to the so-called report’s malicious smears against the verdict of the case of Lai Chee-ying involving offences endangering national security (Lai’s case), the HKSAR Government must stress that the court in that case has conducted 156 days of public hearings, considered up to 2 220 pieces of evidence, over 80 000 pages of documents, and a total of over 1 000 pages of written submissions from all parties, etc. There was also sufficient time for Lai’s side, whose legal team was led by a Senior Counsel who has practised for more than 35 years and has extensive experience in respect of defending criminal cases (including national security cases), to prepare for his defence. The various procedural challenges raised before and during the trial were all duly and properly handled by the court. They also had full opportunity to challenge the evidence of the prosecution and present the defence case. Lai Chee-ying himself even testified in court for 52 days. The defence provided detailed written submissions in respect of the points of law involved in the case and the analysis of evidence, and made oral submissions on different key issues at the hearings. These are the testaments to the fact that Lai Chee-ying and other defendants were found guilty only after a fair trial. Lai Chee-ying also does not appeal against his conviction or sentence. The court’s verdict of guilty is reasoned and well founded, and fully demonstrates that the court arrived at the verdict in strict accordance with the laws and evidence, free from any interference, and entirely devoid of political considerations. The court also clearly pointed out in the reasons for verdict that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. It is such a disgrace for the EU, when being faced with these ironclad facts, to continue to distort the truth and maliciously attack. The HKSAR Government must again firmly refute these claims to set the record straight.”
 
     “In respect of the incitement to subversion case of the ‘Hong Kong Alliance’ mentioned by the so-called report, the verdict handed down by the court is forceful and compelling, as well as well-reasoned and sound. The reasons for verdict clearly emphasised that the defendants were put on trial not because of their political views or beliefs. The court would only consider the laws and evidence relevant to the case to decide whether the prosecution is able to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt. The court also pointed out that the defendants had all along been hostile towards the Communist Party of China (the CPC) and the Central Government under its leadership. After the implementation of the HKNSL, the defendants refused to pull back from the brink and were bent on embracing the resistance line to the very end. Even though the defendants knew that what they had said and done might have already gone beyond the scope of lawful freedom of expression, they paid no regard to it. The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state, forming the most important part of the constitutional order of the HKSAR. The Preamble to the Constitution makes it clear that the leadership by the CPC is the core and foundation of the constitutional order of the People’s Republic of China. No country’s constitution would allow citizens to subvert the constitutional order and the fundamental system of the country established by the constitution.”
 
     “We noticed that the so-called report mentioned other cases on offences endangering national security. The HKSAR Government has emphasised time and again that as the legal proceedings involving the concerned cases are still ongoing, it is inappropriate for any person to comment on the details of the case in an attempt to interfere with the court to exercise judicial power independently, which might otherwise constitute perverting the course of justice. Any act to distort the truth, blatantly discredit the judicial system and trials of the HKSAR, in an attempt to glorify criminal behavior and exert pressure on the courts of the HKSAR must stop.”
 
     “The Correctional Services Department ensures that the custodial environment is safe, humane, appropriate and healthy in accordance with the law, including appropriate and timely medical support, etc.. The arrangements by the Commissioner of Correctional Services (the Commissioner) under Rule 68B of the Prison Rules to remove a prisoner from association with other prisoners are made in the interests of the personal safety and interests of the prisoner. They can be made upon requests by the prisoner which are to be approved by the Commissioner after due consideration in accordance with the law, or made by the Commissioner after considering all relevant factors according to the legal requirements and procedures. The rights of persons concerned while in custody, including visits, communications, well-being, religious services, arrangements of outdoor activities, etc., will not be deprived because of his personal identity or removal from association with other prisoners.”
 
     “Appropriate extraterritorial effect for the offences under the HKNSL and the SNSO fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world.”
 
     “As the law enforcement department of the HKSAR safeguarding national security, the Police are duty bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security outside Hong Kong. Those absconders hiding in the Western countries are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. Moreover, they continue to collude with external forces to cover for their evil deeds. The Police applied for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and will take all lawful measures to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, procuring the return of the absconded persons to Hong Kong to face judicial proceedings. The action is fully justified, necessary and legitimate. There are laws in other jurisdictions which aim to prevent and prohibit people from harboring, financing, or otherwise assisting persons endangering national security, terrorists or criminal suspects. Anyone who violates such laws should all be punished in accordance with the law. Their relationship with the criminal suspect is absolutely not a relevant factor to be taken into account.”
    
Improved electoral system
 
     A spokesman for the HKSAR Government said, “The Legislative Council (LegCo) formed following the improvement of the electoral system in 2021 has fully implemented the principle of ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’, which is consistent with the universally prevailing political tenet of keeping political power in the hands of patriots. The LegCo has completely broken free from the past chaos of confrontation, polarisation, disorderly conduct and ineffectiveness in the chamber, returning to the right track of rationality and pragmatism. It deliberated with efficiency and quality, focusing its efforts on developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood, ensuring the steady and successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’. The general election for the eighth term LegCo was successfully held at the end of last year. Voters actively cast their votes, returning a new cohort of LegCo members who are patriotic and love Hong Kong, responsible, capable and committed to serving the community. This has once again exemplified the high-quality and healthy competition under the new electoral system, embodying broad representation and balanced participation. The improved LegCo has proven in practice that this is a democratic electoral system that suits HKSAR’s actual circumstances and needs.”
 
     The spokesperson continued: “There is no single model of democracy in the world. The 27 member states of the EU each have different electoral systems and political traditions, which fully demonstrates that the forms in which democracy is implemented are inherently diverse. The EU should view, with a positive and respectful attitude, the healthy development of democracy that Hong Kong is advancing in accordance with its actual circumstances.”
 
Enhancing National Education
 
     The HKSAR Government spokesman pointed out, “Schools are places for students to learn and grow. It is the obligation of schools to provide a safe and orderly school environment and atmosphere, and to maintain a campus free from political interference or illegal activities, for safeguarding students’ well-being. National education has been an important part of the curricula for primary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens with a view to deepening our students’ understanding of the country’s national affairs, history and culture, the Constitution and the Basic Law, as well as national security, thereby building up students’ cultural confidence to foster a sense of national identity, and cultivating them into a new generation that is able and virtuous with a sense of responsibility, visions and love for the country and the city. Teachers are also important role models for their students, playing a vital role in passing on knowledge and nurturing students’ character. The HKSAR Government has the responsibility to ensure the professional conduct of teachers. Implementation of national education, including national security education, is the legitimate duty of education authorities all over the world. Different places attach great importance to implementing national security education and developing their students’ sense of national identity, including knowledge of their respective constitution, their own history, culture, geography, etc.”
     
     “Academic freedom is an important social value treasured in Hong Kong and the cornerstone of our higher education sector. Since the implementation of the HKNSL, academics or post-secondary education institutions in Hong Kong continue to conduct normal exchange activities with their foreign or external counterparts. Meanwhile, post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong have taken a series of measures to incorporate national security education into students’ learning in fulfilment of their statutory duty. These institutions enjoy autonomy on curriculum design, and the HKSAR Government encourages the institutions to provide students with diversified learning opportunities on national security education.”
 
Maintaining Long-term Prosperity and Stability
 
     The HKSAR Government spokesman stressed, “Since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, the HKSAR Government has been fully, faithfully and resolutely implementing the principles of ‘one country, two systems’, ‘Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong’ and a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Hong Kong has entered a new stage of advancing from stability to prosperity.”
 
     “Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantage of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Hong Kong continues to participate actively in the World Trade Organization and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation as separate members. With the unparalleled connectivity to the Mainland and the rest of the world, Hong Kong will strengthen our dual role as “super-connector” and “super value-adder”. The stable environment benefitted from the implementation of HKNSL has served Hong Kong well to produce strong and ever-growing trade performance with the world, including that the EU continues to be one of Hong Kong’s top trading partners. In addition, in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, Hong Kong ranked among the top again. Hong Kong will continue to leverage its strengths to enhance its role as international financial, maritime and trade centres, among others, whilst proactively integrating into the overall development of our nation, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, etc.. The HKSAR Government will also continue to create strong impetus for growth at full steam and proactively compete for enterprises and talents to strengthen the city’s competitiveness.”
 
     The spokesman reiterated, “Any attempt by foreign countries or external forces to undermine Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability by slandering the city will only expose their own weakness and faulty arguments and be doomed to fail. The HKSAR Government will continue to discharge its duty, in adherence to the principle of the rule of law, to steadfastly ensure the successful implementation of the principles of ‘one country, two systems’, ‘Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong’ and a high degree of autonomy. It will continue to create strong impetus for growth at full steam, forge a better integration of a capable government and an efficient market, and proactively compete for enterprises and talent to strengthen the city’s competitiveness. It will take the city’s economic development to new heights, better serving Hong Kong citizens and fostering the city’s development.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in August was 6.6 per cent, at Level 2, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was fairly extensive. The FEHD and relevant government departments have continuously stepped up mosquito prevention and control actions.

In August, among the 62 survey areas, the area gravidtrap indexes (AGI) in one area exceeded 20 per cent. The gravidtraps were mostly located in the vicinity of private residential areas, public housing estates, schools, hospitals, recreational and sports facilities and public places. The FEHD has collaborated with relevant government departments to take immediate action to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work in the areas concerned. In August this year, the FEHD conducted over 65 000 inspections, initiated 14 prosecutions following the discovery of mosquito breeding, and issued 63 statutory notices requiring the clearance of stagnant water or stagnant water containers.

Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in August was 1.2, which represented that an average of 1.2 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. 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 website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The FEHD continues to monitor mosquito infestation and conduct risk assessments in all districts, promptly taking appropriate and targeted mosquito prevention and elimination measures. The FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, has implemented rapid response measures and targeted deployments, and has continued to intensify the mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also conducted site inspections with relevant department, and provided them with professional advice and technical support to assist them in formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures swiftly. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened publicity and education.

The FEHD continues to conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The third phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign was launched on August 3 and will run until October 23. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo working areas, land boundary control points, typhoon shelters and cross-boundary ferry terminals to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. To further enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control, the FEHD and relevant government departments have launched the first and second phase of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations on March 25 and April 30 respectively. Departments will continue with the work of phase one, including eliminating potential mosquito breeding places and arranging for necessary structural repairs to minimise mosquito breeding places, and will consistently carry out the work of phase two by conducting regular ultra-low volume fogging operations at places with mosquito infestation to control the mosquitoes. The FEHD called on property management entities to continue actively participating in the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations.

The FEHD currently makes regular announcements on gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus on its webpage. To allow more citizens to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation, the FEHD has strengthened information dissemination by promptly announcing the latest gravidtrap indexes through press releases and social media.

To reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF) and dengue fever (DF), the FEHD continues to step up mosquito prevention and control measures across all districts and conduct vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations within a 250-metre radius of the residences of patients and the places that patients had visited during the infectious period. Actions include removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and carrying out ultra-low volume fogging operations in adult mosquito habitats such as densely wooded areas, dark and secluded places, and abandoned structures to eliminate adult mosquitoes.

The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under plant pots at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and disposable meal boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

​Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF and CF. DF and CF are commonly found in countries in tropical and subtropical regions, and the risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. If travellers feel unwell after returning to Hong Kong, they should seek medical advice immediately and provide their travel history to the doctor.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (September 22) that stalls at the 2027 Chinese New Year (CNY) fairs will be put up for open auction in batches starting from October 7 (Wednesday).

     The CNY fairs are to be held at 14 locations and will be open for seven days from January 31 to February 6, 2027. A total of 939 wet goods stalls, 599 dry goods stalls and 26 fast food stalls will be provided.——————————————–
Number of stalls: 400
 
Auction date: October 7 (Wednesday)
AM session: Fast food (Stall Nos. A to D) and wet goods (Stall Nos. 217 to 289)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 290 to 396)
Opening prices:
Fast food: $120,470
Wet goods: $6,530
 
Auction date: October 8 (Thursday)
AM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 59)
PM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 60 to 138)
Opening prices:
Dry goods (regular size): $8,540
Dry goods (large size): $12,810
 
Auction date: October 9 (Friday)
AM session: Dry goods (Stall Nos. 139 to 216)
Opening price:
Dry goods (regular size): $8,540
 
Tat Tung Road Garden (Tung Chung)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 12 (Monday)
Number of stalls: 25
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $380
Dry goods (regular size): $450
Dry goods (large size): $680
 
Fa Hui Park (Sham Shui Po)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 13 (Tuesday)
Number of stalls: 126
AM session: Fast food and wet goods
PM session: Dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $17,480
Wet goods: $3,540
Dry goods (regular size): $7,800
Dry goods (large size): $11,700
 
Cheung Sha Wan Playground (Sham Shui Po)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 14 (Wednesday)
Number of stalls: 92
AM session: Fast food and wet goods
PM session: Dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $2,290
Wet goods: $500
Dry goods (regular size): $550
Dry goods (large size): $830
 
Kwun Tong Recreation Ground (Kwun Tong)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 15 (Thursday)
Number of stalls: 89
AM session: Fast food and wet goods
PM session: Dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $3,030
Wet goods: $2,180
Dry goods (regular size): $2,130
Dry goods (large size): $3,200
 
To Kwa Wan Recreation Ground (Kowloon City)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 16 (Friday)
Number of stalls: 53
Stall types: Fast food, wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $2,660
Wet goods: $1,340
Dry goods (regular size): $1,340
Dry goods (large size): $2,020 
Sha Tsui Road Playground (Tsuen Wan)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 20 (Tuesday)
Number of stalls: 126
AM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 64)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 65 to 96) and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $1,770
Dry goods (regular size): $8,480
Dry goods (large size): 
Plover Cove Road Mini-soccer Pitch (Tai Po)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 21 (Wednesday)
Number of stalls: 75
Stall types: Fast food, wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $5,480
Wet goods: $2,270
Dry goods (regular size): $1,450
Dry goods (large size): $2,180
 
Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground (Yuen Long)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 22 (Thursday)
Number of stalls: 158
AM session: Fast food and wet goods (Stall Nos. 57 to 72 and 77 to 136)
PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 137 to 156) and dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $5,480
Wet goods: $700
Dry goods (regular size): $1,350
Dry goods (large size): $2,030
 
Tin Hau Temple Plaza (Tuen Mun)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 23 (Friday)
Number of stalls: 62
Stall types: Fast food, wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $2,740
Wet goods: $1,490
Dry goods: $2,140
 
Po Hong Park (Tseung Kwan O)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 26 (Monday)
Number of stalls: 93
Stall types: Fast food, wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Fast food: $4,570
Wet goods: $830
Dry goods (regular size): $1,540
Dry goods (large size): $2,310
 
Shek Wu Hui Playground (North District)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 27 (Tuesday)
Number of stalls: 92
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $710
Dry goods (regular size): $1,540
Dry goods (large size): $2,310
 
Kwai Chung Sports Ground (Kwai Tsing)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 28 (Wednesday)
Number of stalls: 98
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $490
Dry goods (regular size): $2,250
Dry goods (large size): $3,380
 
Yuen Wo Playground (Sha Tin)
——————————————–
Auction date: October 29 (Thursday)
Number of stalls: 75
Stall types: Wet goods and dry goods
Opening prices:
Wet goods: $3,580
Dry goods (regular size): $4,570
Dry goods (large size): $6,860
 
     Bidders for CNY fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today congratulated swimmer Siobhan Haughey on winning another gold medal – in the Women’s 100m Freestyle – for the Hong Kong, China Delegation at the 20th Asian Games.

Miss Law also congratulated fencer Ryan Choi on winning a silver medal in the Men’s Foil Individual event, wushu athlete Lau Chi-lung on his silver medal in the Men’s Nanquan & Nangun, and cyclist Leung Wing-yee on her bronze medal in the Women’s Road Race.

Miss Law said Ms Haughey had lived up to expectations at the Games and pulled off a remarkable achievement, today’s medal coming after she won gold in the Women’s 200m Freestyle yesterday.

The sports chief also commended Mr Choi on his outstanding performance, remarking that he demonstrated excellent technique and personal style to achieve a breakthrough result.

She added: “Stepping onto the Asian Games podium for the first time, Lau Chi-lung won a silver medal with his superb performance. Leung Wing-yee showed perseverance and gave her all to successfully secure a bronze medal.” 

The Hong Kong team has so far won twelve medals at the Asian Games: three gold, five silver and four bronze.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak has appointed a supervisory committee to investigate the conviction of Yuen Long District Council (YLDC) member Sei Chun-hing for having intercourse with a girl aged under 16.

Upon Mr Sei’s conviction, on September 14, the Chairman and three members of the YLDC initiated an investigation on the same day, pursuant to the District Councils Ordinance, 

Miss Mak named the supervisory committee today in accordance with both the ordinance and the performance monitoring system for District Council (DC) members.

The appointees to the committee are Bunny Chan, Lam Chui-ling, Deannie Yew, Lee Ching-har and Michael Liu.

The committee will establish whether the facts on which the allegation was based are true; give its opinion on whether the facts constitute grounds for imposing sanctions under the ordinance; and, if there are, give its opinion on the appropriate sanction to be imposed on Mr Sei.

After completing its investigation, the supervisory committee will submit a report to the SHYA for consideration. The SHYA will announce its decision in due course.

Miss Mak said the five members of the supervisory committee include one person who is not a DC member, and four DC members from districts other than Yuen Long. They have diverse backgrounds and rich district experience.

“The supervisory committee will handle the investigation in a robust, fair, just, impartial, independent and objective manner in accordance with the established mechanism,” she added.

Source: Government of Singapore

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour & Welfare Bureau today published its Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection report, predicting that Hong Kong’s overall manpower shortage will narrow from the previous projection of approximately 180,000 to some 130,000 by 2028.

The report indicates that the city’s overall manpower shortage has been alleviated, benefiting from various talent admission and labour importation measures implemented by the Government over the past three years.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the mid-term update reflects the Government’s measures have effectively stabilised the labour force.

“However, manpower demand in certain industries remains acute. In response to the job reshaping driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the Government will continue to collaborate with all parties to formulate targeted measures.

“In addition to strengthening retraining mechanisms and providing flexible skill-conversion programmes for elderly and middle-aged employees, we will enhance the employment support for young graduates and explore incentives for employers and employees to engage in on-the-job retraining.

“The Government will adopt a multipronged approach to assist workers at all levels in equipping themselves to step into the new era of AI.”

The report finds that economic restructuring and the adoption of AI adoption have moderated growth in demand for manpower, at the same time as admission schemes have supplemented parts of the labour force. Nevertheless, the manpower situation across most key industries –  particularly innovation and technology, aviation, construction, everyday services and healthcare services – remains tight.

About 60% percentage of the overall manpower shortage over the next three years is projected to be concentrated in two categories – skilled technical workers, and services and sales workers. This is due to workforce ageing and difficulties in attracting younger entrants.

Looking ahead to 2028, the overall labour force, driven by continued population ageing, is projected to decrease gradually to approximately 3.4 million even after accounting for various new entrants.

The report includes analysis of the profound impact of AI on the labour market.

Research indicates that adoption of AI in applicable roles will boost individual productivity by 20% to 30%. Companies are currently managing the transition through natural attrition and the risk of large-scale layoffs in the short term remains relatively low. However, approximately 20% to 30% of positions, primarily clerical roles, will face restructuring.

The Government will continue to promote “AI for All” and support lifelong learning, ensuring that skills in the labour force remain aligned with Hong Kong’s future economy.