Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, the Awards Presentation Ceremony cum Premiere of the 13th Animation Support Program (ASP) was held today (April 24) to recognise outstanding local animation companies under the program.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, said the Government is dedicated to promoting the development of the creative industries, and that he is pleased to see an increasing number of local original animations attaining professional standards. CCIDA will continue to support local animations for tapping into the Chinese Mainland and international markets, and to foster the sustainable development of the industry, he added.

Mr Lau noted that the animation short “Another World”, from the 6th ASP, had later received a subsidy under CCIDA’s Film Development Fund to develop into an animation feature film. It was selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (Non-competitive Section) in France in 2025 and premiered in the “Midnight Specials” section, successfully expanding into overseas markets, driving public interest in animated features and encouraging market investment, he remarked.

A total of 28 local start-up animation companies were selected for this edition of the program, covering themes such as adventure, virtual worlds, friendship and campus life in their creations. Each company can receive a maximum subsidy of $600,000, along with supporting measures such as technical and business development training, as well as professional guidance from veterans in the industry, with a view to further enhancing the quality of the selected start-ups’ work. The animations concerned were showcased at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) held last month and will be rolled out on various platforms gradually, allowing the creations to reach a larger audience and also helping companies to explore more business collaboration opportunities.

Since the inception of the ASP, CCIDA has subsidised over 300 original animations, many of which won various awards in local and international animation competitions, showcasing the creativity and capability of local original animations. For more information about the program, please visit www.animation-ssp.com.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​In response to media enquiries regarding the resignation of Professor Freddy Boey Yin-chiang as President of the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), a spokesperson for the Education Bureau today (April 24) gave the following reply:

     We are aware that CityU has announced that Professor Freddy Boey Yin-chiang, for personal reasons, tendered his resignation to the Council as President of CityU. CityU will initiate a global search process for the next President. The Government respects Professor Boey’s personal wish and decision and would like to thank him for his contributions to the university during his tenure.

     The recruitment of the President is part of the university’s institutional autonomy and is taken care of by the CityU Council under the authority conferred on it by the CityU Ordinance (Cap. 1132). The Government has full confidence in the CityU Council in selecting the most suitable candidate for the post based on the university’s long-term interests and development needs.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (April 24) the results of the Quarterly Business Tendency Survey for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.
     
Business Situation

     For all surveyed sectors taken together, the proportion of respondents expecting their business situation to be better (11%) in Q2 2026 over the preceding quarter is lower than that expecting it to be worse (16%).     
     The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. In this type of survey on expectations, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the future accords with the underlying trends. The enumeration period for this survey round was from March 3, 2026 to April 13, 2026. 
     
Volume of Business / Output

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​A man was sentenced today (April 24) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts to four months’ imprisonment for illegally importing 52 800 alternative smoking products. The Department of Health (DH) welcomed the verdict and reminded members of the public and visitors not to bring alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products or herbal cigarettes into Hong Kong, and not to use any alternative smoking products.

     The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the DH was notified by Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 23) that 52 800 alternative smoking products had been intercepted in the luggage of the aforesaid man arriving from the Chinese Mainland. TACO immediately arrested and prosecuted the individual.

Since the amendments to the Tobacco Control Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which conferred arrest powers on TACO inspectors, took effect on September 19, 2025, TACO has prosecuted 24 cases involving importation of large quantities of alternative smoking products. Twenty-seven persons have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to eight months.

According to the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), a person who imports alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person may promote, manufacture, sell, or possess for commercial purposes alternative smoking products. An offender is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     TACO will continue to closely monitor and enforce the law to combat related offences.

In addition, the DH also cautions the public that alternative smoking products are addictive and are not effective smoking cessation tools. E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Smokers are urged to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For assistance, please call the DH’s Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit www.livetobaccofree.hk for information on quitting.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (April 24) invited interested commercial entities or groups to submit expression of interest (EOI) for the development of three designated public beaches under its management into recreational, leisure and aquatic venues by introducing market-based business models. The designated beaches are Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan District, Butterfly Beach in Tuen Mun District and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District.
 
     The 2025 Policy Address announced that the LCSD would explore the feasibility of engaging the market and select some public beaches as pilot sites, with a view to exploring the possibility of leveraging market forces and adopting commercial operations to enhance beach facilities and developing pilot beaches into recreational, leisure and aquatic venues, thereby attracting more tourists and members of the public.
 
     The LCSD is inviting views from the market. Interested commercial entities or groups are invited to put forward feasible proposals for the introduction of market-based business models into the designated beaches. The feedback and information gathered will assist the LCSD in formulating the way forward and future operation details of the relevant venues. The EOI invitation document is available on the LCSD website. Interested parties should submit their EOI by June 18 (Thursday). The LCSD will conduct a briefing session at the Audio-Visual Room, 1/F, Leisure and Cultural Services Headquarters, 1-3 Pai Tau Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, at 2pm on May 26 (Tuesday).
 
     For enquiries, please email the LCSD at avu@lcsd.gov.hk.