Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the 2025/26 HKMA/HKT Global Innovation Award Presentation Ceremony today (June 29):

Ir T K Chiang (Deputy Chairperson of Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA), Mr Chiang Tung-keung), Professor Susanna Hui (Executive Committee and Council Member of HKMA), Professor Randy Lai (Deputy Chairperson of HKMA), Ir Professor Sunny Lee (Chairperson, Organising Committee of HKMA/HKT Global Innovation Award), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I am delighted to join you all today at the Global Innovation Award Presentation Ceremony organised by the Hong Kong Management Association and sponsored by Hong Kong Telecom (HKT).

In Hong Kong and across the globe, businesses are transforming at unprecedented speed. Industries are being reshaped, business models reinvented, and technologies deployed in ways that redefine how value is created. In this fast-evolving landscape, innovation and technology (I&T) has become the lifeblood of competitiveness, resilience, and long-term success.

The launch of this Award is therefore both timely and visionary. It recognises organisations that have not only adapted to change, but have embraced it. I had the honour of attending the Kick-off Ceremony of this Award in 2022. It is a pleasure to return today and witness how it has grown from strength to strength, attracting 800 entries across its first three editions, including close to 100 non-local submissions from the Chinese Mainland and overseas economies. These achievements reflect not only the Award’s rising influence, but also the vibrant spirit of innovation that defines Hong Kong’s business community.

Hong Kong is now entering a new chapter of development under the National 15th Five Year Plan, which positions Hong Kong as an international I&T centre. Over the past few years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been investing heavily in I&T infrastructure, talent development, cross-border collaboration, and the transformation of the industrial base. From the Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park in Hetao to the San Tin Technopole; from the Sandy Ridge Data Cluster Facility to the expansion of our InnoHK research clusters, we are building the foundations of a world-class I&T ecosystem that connects the international market with the innovation engine of the Greater Bay Area.

At the same time, we are accelerating our embrace of AI and digital transformation at full speed. The Government is moving toward full digitalisation of its services. Today, all licensing and government services involving application and approval now support submission, payment and document collection by electronic means. We have rolled out over 100 new digital government and smart city initiatives by end-2025, covering the use of AI, blockchain technology, geospatial analysis and automation. The HKGAI (Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center), one of our InnoHK centres, has launched a series of generative AI applications built on a locally developed large language model, such as HKPilot and HKChat, and has received positive feedback with more than 720 000 registered users. These initiatives, together with the collective effort of stakeholders across sectors, have propelled Hong Kong to place second globally this year in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, with particularly outstanding performance in “Government efficiency” and third in “Business efficiency”.

Let me take this opportunity to congratulate all the awardees and finalists. Your achievements are a testament to what Hong Kong’s talent and enterprises can accomplish when they innovate with ambition and purpose. As we celebrate your success, I encourage all organisations in Hong Kong to continue investing in innovation, not only as a one-off project, but a continuous journey.

I would also like to thank the HKMA, HKT and all supporting partners for launching this meaningful Award to recognise excellence and encourage innovation across sectors. Let us continue to embrace new ideas and build a Hong Kong that is not only competitive today, but ready for the opportunities of tomorrow. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the 13th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting today (June 27):

Thank you, Chair, for giving me the floor.

I’d like to begin my presentation by sharing with you how Hong Kong, China faced last year on tourism. In 2025, we welcomed nearly 50 million visitors, the majority of whom coming from the APEC family economies, representing a 12 per cent year-on-year increase. Last year alone, we hosted over 240 mega events, including many held at the Kai Tak Sports Park, our state-of-the-art and new “Home Ground”, and a game-changer in our tourism industry.

The results actually reflect our strategic vision of “+ Tourism”. At its heart, “+ Tourism” is about bringing together Hong Kong’s uniqueness, including our culture and heritage, arts and creativity, natural landscapes, sports and mega events, and weaving them into a richer, deeper journey.

Our subject today – smart technology – is an indispensable force that brings this vision vividly to life.

From digital platforms and big data to artificial intelligence, information technology has transformed travel experiences and allow visitors to travel conveniently with accessible information, change and explore destinations in-depth.

In Hong Kong, this transformation is already underway. During peak travel periods, major attractions now share live waiting times with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to allow real-time crowd updates on our “Discover Hong Kong” digital platform. Currently, we are developing an AI-powered itinerary-planning feature and collaborating with map service providers to integrate our data into a dedicated Hong Kong travel map. This will empower visitors with tailored information on attractions, events, dining, and offers, while generating personalised itineraries that reflect their interests.

By bringing these capabilities together, visitors can plan their ideal trip in just a few clicks, enjoying an experience, an “Only in Hong Kong” experience, that is convenient and uniquely their own.

Beyond logistical convenience, smart technology multiplies the economic and social value of tourism. Across Hong Kong, destinations are embedding digital elements to create authentic, locally rooted experiences with global appeal.

For instance, our new East Kowloon Cultural Centre brings together artists and tech innovators to incubate new forms of arts tech performance, while the Hong Kong Museum of Art blends heritage with multimedia and AI. Events like Art Basel Hong Kong transforms exhibitions into immersive showcases through AI-generated avatars and interactive installations. Attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland use an animatronic robot to deepen engagement.

Through digital and intelligent technologies, visitors do not merely visit Hong Kong, they experience our city and become connected to it. They stay longer, spend more, and become storytellers who amplify our city’s cultural and creative identity.

To ensure the wider community reap the benefits of smart tourism, we are equally committed to empowering our people and strengthening their capabilities. We enable businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive in this digital era. We have collaborated with Hong Kong’s flagship IT (information technology) hub, Cyberport, to connect technology providers with industry practitioners to solve real-world challenges through adopting digital solutions, enhancing productivity, service quality, and global competitiveness.

Let me close with this thought. Tourism does not thrive on technology alone, but also on the warmth of human connection. While AI can personalise journeys and digital tools enhance convenience, they can never replace real local stories and human interactions that truly define travel.

Let us use technology to enrich, rather than replace, the soul of our destinations. Together let us work to ensure every visitor explores our cities deeply, meaningfully, and memorably.

Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department (TD) today welcomed suggestions from the Ombudsman’s Office on improving services relating to the issuance of driving licences. 

The department remarked that a report issued by the Ombudsman’s Office mainly concerns operations prior to the full implementation of online appointments for counter services on March 16. It said that following the implementation of new measures, the situation with regard to service quotas and queuing issues has improved. 

It explained that as applicants for direct issue of licences can receive a Hong Kong Full Driving Licence without taking a local driving test, rigorous checks must be conducted, including verification of original documents issued by places outside of Hong Kong and, where necessary, approaching relevant authorities to authenticate such documents.

To provide convenience to applicants and enhance processing efficiency, the department has implemented various measures. This includes full implementation of online appointments for direct issue of licences via counters, increasing appointment by 40% to 550 per working day, and extending this service to all four Licensing Offices, thereby substantially increasing overall processing capacity.

The department stressed that the enhanced online appointment system has been operating smoothly since its launch. The system features a human-machine verification mechanism, virtual queue management, verification of applicants’ identity through “iAM Smart” and artificial intelligence, and the use of a one-time password for verification. These elements have strengthened security and prevented abuse of appointments.

Stating that it will continue to monitor the new arrangements, the department added that it will also explore further uses of technology, including adopting new AI technologies in e-licensing services.

With regard to recommendations made by the Office of the Ombudsman on further improving ticketing and queuing arrangements for counter services, it said it will study feasible enhancement measures to enhance service quality and efficiency.

It will also continue to promote online licensing services and look at ways to reduce the need for members of the public to visit Licensing Offices in person.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (June 29) that seven new estate kindergarten premises are open for application by eligible applicant bodies under the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2026. Details of the seven kindergarten premises are set out in the Annex.

“The seven new estate kindergarten premises, each providing six or nine classrooms, are located in North District, Islands District, Sham Shui Po District and Kowloon City District, and will be available in the fourth quarter of 2027. The EDB is entrusted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to nominate operators for the kindergarten premises. The Exercise will be carried out on a competitive basis,” a spokesman for the EDB said.

     Since the implementation of the Kindergarten Education Scheme (the Scheme) in the 2017/18 school year, apart from continuing to help kindergartens improve the environment of their premises, the EDB endeavours to provide more kindergarten premises owned by the Government for eligible applicant bodies to compete fairly for reprovisioning or operating kindergartens, which not only enables a reduction in rental expenses but also allows them to enjoy quality school premises. In addition, the EDB has adopted a streamlined mechanism starting from 2021 for assessing applications for nomination of suitable operators for kindergarten premises to reduce applicant bodies’ administrative work.

Non-profit-making kindergartens, especially those bearing high rental expenses, having dilapidated school environments and facilities, and facing a surplus of kindergarten places in the district, are encouraged to apply for the above-mentioned kindergarten premises. The EDB will accord priority to kindergartens under the Scheme applying for relocation. Applications for operating new kindergartens will only be considered if no suitable applicants are found for relocation. Quality of education is the prime consideration. The EDB will take into account the operation plan, track record of school operation and relocation needs (if applicable) of the applicant bodies. The applicant body should be exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.  

The application form, information on the operation plan, points to note and other reference materials for the Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise can be downloaded from the EDB’s homepage at www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary-kindergarten/allocation-of-kg/latest-news.html. The EDB will provide a template for preparation of the operation plan and set out the selection criteria in the “Points to Note” for applicant bodies’ reference. Applicant bodies should carefully read the basic requirements and relevant instructions as stipulated in the “Points to Note” before submitting applications.

     The duly completed application form, information on the operation plan, list of operating schools run by the applicant body (if any) and supporting documents should reach the EDB Kindergarten Education Division (Room 1432, 14/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong) by 5pm on August 28. Late applications or those not duly completed will not be processed. For enquiries, please contact EDB staff at 2892 6415.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To dovetail with the initiative announced in the Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address to promote local thematic immersive tours, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) under the Home Affairs Department today (June 29) released two guides to guesthouse licence applications, which facilitate individuals to apply for licences to operate holiday camps in rural areas or “home-stay lodgings” in village houses.

The two guides are the enhanced “Guide to Licence Applications for Guesthouse (Holiday Camp) Covering Building, Caravan & Tent Campsites” and the newly published “Guide to Licence Application for Guesthouse in Village House”. The guides aim to state the building and fire safety requirements flexibly formulated based on the actual circumstances of holiday camps and village houses, and set out the specific requirements and measures to facilitate the operation of holiday camps and “home-stay lodgings” in rural areas.

According to the guides, for holiday camps or village houses located in remote areas and not equipped with emergency vehicular access or street fire hydrant, the OLA may, based on the actual circumstances and provided that fire safety requirements are met, permit applicants to adopt a pragmatic and flexible approach on fire safety measures, such as requiring installation of wheeled type dry powder fire extinguishers and self-contained smoke detectors, in order to enhance operational convenience. Besides, for village houses built before 1961, of which the construction conditions may not fully meet the current prescribed standards, the OLA may accept alternative proposals on structural safety, fire resisting construction, means of escape, lighting and ventilation provisions, etc, on individual merits, provided that they meet the building safety requirements.

Under the premise of ensuring building and fire safety, the OLA will continue to remove barriers and lift restrictions for the trade to facilitate the operation of holiday camps and “home-stay lodgings” in rural areas, and will constantly review and enhance the licensing regime for guesthouses.

The two guides have been uploaded to the OLA’s website:

Guide to Licence Applications for Guesthouse (Holiday Camp) Covering Building, Caravan & Tent Campsites:
www.hadla.gov.hk/filemanager/en/docs/holidaycampguide.pdf

Guide to Licence Application for Guesthouse in Village House:
www.hadla.gov.hk/filemanager/en/docs/villagehouseguide.pdf

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in developing into an international hub for high-calibre talents, and the public consultation document on Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan also proposes to refine the strategies for nurturing, attracting and retaining targeted talents. The Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat today (June 29) released the latest issue of the Policy Pulse on “Empowering Hong Kong by nurturing and pooling talents: building an international hub for high-calibre talents”, which provides a brief overview of the series of measures adopted by the Government to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talents, the effectiveness of its efforts in pooling talents and the latest progress in promoting talent cooperation and exchanges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It also offers an overview of the relevant discussions in LegCo along with Members’ suggestions.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region