Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following are the closing remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the LawTech Conference “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century” under Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 today (December 5):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
As we approach the end of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your active participation in the past few days despite the difficult circumstances in our community. We extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the tragic fire which took place last week and remain mindful of the gravity of the situation as we bring Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 to a close. This week has offered us a valuable platform to engage in meaningful dialogues on various international, regional and local hot topics. This afternoon, we have explored the burgeoning possibilities presented by lawtech and artificial intelligence (AI).
Importance of lawtech and AI in the 21st century
This is a meaningful year for the DoJ’s (Department of Justice) annual flagship Hong Kong Legal Week, as we organised the inaugural Hong Kong LawTech Fest. Lawtech and AI are not only trends to observe but pivotal forces which are transforming the whole legal profession. During the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, we have explored how technological advancements are transforming the legal industry, enhancing not only efficiency but also accessibility and quality.
The significance of lawtech and AI cannot be overstated. The traditional methods we have relied on for long are now being complemented and, in some cases, supplanted by innovative technologies which help streamline workflow and enhance efficiency. AI-powered legal tools facilitate a wide variety of tasks including legal research, document review and drafting, contract lifecycle management and e-discovery, and are significantly changing the way legal practitioners engage with their work. These tools elevate legal services’ quality by minimising human errors, speeding up administrative tasks, and ensuring more accurate and timely responses to clients.
Furthermore, the introduction of these technologies opens the door to a more inclusive legal landscape. The use of AI tools could facilitate access to justice through reducing the overall costs of legal services and making legal resources more easily accessible to individuals, regardless of their financial background. At the institutional level, they enable law firms, courts, and organisations to scale services, optimise resource allocation, and bridge gaps in access to justice.
Nevertheless, there are two sides to every coin. As we embrace these technological innovations, we must not neglect the associated risks and ethical considerations. Throughout the discussions and the LexGoTech Roundtables Report released today, we have acknowledged the dual nature of technology: whilst it holds the promise of efficiency and accuracy, it carries the risks of bias, challenges to data privacy, accountability and transparency, etc. In light of these risks, maintaining human-in-the-loop is critical. We should not forget that while AI can process vast amounts of data with remarkable speed, advocacy, ethical judgment, commercial acumen, critical decision-making, emotional intelligence and relationship building and management cannot be fully automated. It is therefore pertinent for us to adopt a “Human+AI” approach when embracing the use of AI so that we can harness the benefits of technology while safeguarding against its potential risks.
DoJ’s work in the promotion of AI in the legal industry
It is imperative that we approach the implementation of lawtech and AI in legal practice in a cautious and step-by-step manner. In this connection, the DoJ has embraced the recommendation of the Consultation Group on LawTech Development to promote the use of technology in the legal industry progressively in three stages. In Phase 1, we aim to change certain ingrained mindsets and practices within the legal profession by raising awareness. To this end, the DoJ launched the LexGoTech Roundtable Series to raise the profession’s understanding of lawtech and to facilitate the exchange and sharing of information between the profession and lawtech experts to enable them to plan for the viable adoption of lawtech. Moving to Phase 2, we aim to promote the profession’s engagement with lawtech products. We hope that through the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, the legal sector could have a better understanding of and access to the lawtech products which are available in the market, and to empower them to make informed choices on the adoption approach that best suits their individual needs. In Phase 3, we would accelerate the widespread adoption of lawtech in the legal profession by encouraging local and overseas lawtech enterprises to establish and grow in the local market, thereby fostering Hong Kong’s lawtech ecosystem.
Policy Address 2025 and the National “AI+” Initiative
The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address emphasises the Government’s strong commitment to step up the promotion of AI as a core industry for Hong Kong’s development. In this connection, apart from actively promoting the integration of lawtech and AI in the legal sector, the DoJ has taken on a pivotal role in shaping the broader legal regime for AI governance. In particular, we will establish an interdepartmental working group by the end of this year to co-ordinate the responsible bureaux in reviewing the relevant legislation, so as to support and complement the development of and need for wider application of AI in Hong Kong.
The emphasis of AI in Policy Address 2025 resonates with the national “AI+” Initiative. The 10-year blueprint for integrating AI into China’s economy and society aims to maximise the technology’s benefits for domestic development and international competitiveness. By aligning ourselves with this national strategy, and with Hong Kong being the springboard for Mainland enterprises going global, we would strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a global hub for AI development as well as contribute to national development by powering up our legal services.
As legal practitioners, it is our responsibility to harness the potential of lawtech and AI, not merely to enhance our practices but also to contribute to the overall development of our society. Embracing AI complements our vision of a forward-looking, dynamic legal system which is well prepared to tackle the challenges of the digital age. As we consider the implications of these goals for the legal profession, we must commit ourselves to continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration. We should work together to ensure that the legal sector evolves alongside technological advancements while adhering to key principles such as accuracy and reliability, compliance with laws and regulations, security and transparency, etc.
The AI revolution offers us an unprecedented opportunity to redefine the legal profession and sharpen our skills. By embracing these changes with an open and cautious mindset, we can create a legal system which is not only swifter and smarter, but also fairer and more accessible for all. Let us ride the wave of this AI revolution together and seize the opportunities to enhance our practices and serve our community with greater impact. Together, we can keep Hong Kong at the vanguard of legal innovation in the 21st century.
Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all those who are eligible to exercise your right to vote in the Legislative Council General Election on Sunday. Your active participation is more than a constitutional duty – it is a pivotal choice which will shape the future of our legal system, uphold the rule of law, and secure the well-being of our society.
Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the supporting organisations, exhibitors of the Hong Kong LawTech Fest, moderators, speakers, my colleagues and all participants. None of the events of Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 would have been possible without your support, dedication, and hard work. On behalf of the Department, I extend our deepest thanks. Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following are the welcome remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the 15th Business of IP Asia Forum Concurrent Breakout Session “From Trends to Triumph: Conquering the Legal Hurdles in IP Commercialization” today (December 5):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. I welcome you all to this thematic breakout session co-organised by the Department of Justice and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
In recent years, the popular art toy industry and the “goods economy” have expanded rapidly worldwide. Notably, the iconic art toy character Labubu, created by a renowned Hong Kong designer, has received the most attention. Its diverse range of IP (intellectual property) merchandise, from “blind boxes” and plush toys to apparels and accessories, have generated considerable profits in the markets of Hong Kong and beyond.
But the art toy phenomenon is more than a momentary trend, it presents valuable opportunities for Hong Kong. At the same time, numerous challenges in the realm of intellectual property have emerged alongside its growing fame. Later this afternoon, our distinguished speakers will take us through strategies for protecting the intellectual property rights of IP merchandise, the potential infringement risks and legal challenges related to IP commercialisation, and address how IP disputes can be tackled and resolved.
Robust IP protection regime
As Hong Kong is capitalising on IP as a new growth area, a robust and effective IP protection regime lays the foundation for fostering innovation, technological development and creativity. Indeed, such a regime builds up confidence and serves as a prerequisite for promoting IP trading in the highly competitive international landscape.
To fully leverage the advantage of support from the Central People’s Government for Hong Kong to develop into a regional IP trading centre, the Government attaches great importance to the legal protection of IP rights, and has made every effort to ensure our IP legal framework remains up to date, aligns with current international standards, and meets the demands of Hong Kong’s future economic development, especially those from creators and investors all over the world.
Recognising that industrial design, which seeks to protect the design of the appearance of an article, is one of the IP rights that is protected and registrable under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s registered designs regime under Registered Designs Ordinance (Cap. 522).
International and Mainland co-operation
Whilst the IP laws in Hong Kong are domestic and only offer territorial protection, Hong Kong continues to work closely with the international community in this respect. As of today, 10 main international IP conventions have been applied to Hong Kong, providing international and cross-border IP protection to IP creators. As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), our IP protection regime fully aligns with and strictly adheres to the international standards on the protection of IP rights set forth in the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of IP Rights.
Hong Kong has also established extensive co-operations with the Chinese Mainland in multiple areas of IP protection. For instance, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Qianhai Authority in Shenzhen jointly promulgated 16 Co-operation Measures for the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Intellectual Property and Innovation Hub (Co-operation Measures) in 2023, which encompass a wide range of areas, including multidimensional co-operations in IP protection and IP trading.
These Co-operation Measures do not only serve to foster cross-boundary innovation and promote IP development on both sides, but also addresses in a timely manner the surging demand for IP trading in the areas of assignment and licensing of IP rights.
In this connection, the innovative capacity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is well recognised by the international community. In the latest WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster ranks first globally in the top 100 innovation clusters.
Dispute resolution
Moving onto dispute resolution, Hong Kong, as the international legal and dispute resolution services centre, is well-positioned to provide top-notch services in resolving IP disputes.
In respect of litigation, with the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Ordinance (Cap. 645) coming into effect last year, Hong Kong judgments on IP disputes are now generally recognised and enforceable in the Chinese Mainland. This represents a significant development as it goes beyond the international norms set out in the Hague Convention, which explicitly excludes all IP matters.
Turning to arbitration, arbitration is a prevalent option for resolving international IP disputes. Our dispute resolution professionals have substantial experience in resolving IP disputes. In this regard, our home-grown arbitral institution, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, has maintained a Panel of Arbitrators for IP disputes. The Panel comprises members who have strong expertise and extensive experience in resolving IP disputes. As of November 2025, there are a total of 55 arbitrators for IP disputes on the panel.
The presence of these experienced IP arbitrators contributes to the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a seat for arbitration. According to the 2025 International Arbitration Survey conducted by Queen Mary University of London, Hong Kong ranks as the second most preferred seat for arbitration globally and the first in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hong Kong’s arbitration regime is well suited to resolve IP disputes. In 2017, the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 609) was amended to clarify that disputes over IP rights can be resolved by arbitration and arbitral awards involving IP rights can be enforced in Hong Kong. Since the rapid development of innovation and technology around the world would inevitably give rise to IP disputes, these timely amendments have given Hong Kong a competitive edge over other jurisdictions in the region in resolving IP disputes. To ensure that the legislative framework for arbitration in Hong Kong stays at the forefront of international development, a Working Group on Arbitration Law Reform was recently established in late October 2025 to review and study further the needs to amend the Arbitration Ordinance.
In addition, the Interim Measures Arrangement (Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures in Aid of Arbitral Proceedings by the Courts of the Mainland and of the HKSAR), which came into force in October 2019, has proven to be particularly useful in the context of cross-border IP disputes where urgent interim measures in the form of property and evidence preservation are usually called for. The arrangement allows parties to arbitral proceedings administered by designated arbitral institutions in Hong Kong to apply to court in the Chinese Mainland for interim measures. Hong Kong is currently the only common law jurisdiction with such an advantage, which again enhances Hong Kong’s overall attractiveness as an arbitral seat.
Our panel speakers will discuss the benefits of resolving IP disputes through arbitration in further detail during the panel discussion session, and I am sure you will find the practical examples shared by the speakers insightful.
All in all, with the strong legal infrastructure and comprehensive policy initiatives in place to support IP trading and resolution of IP disputes, Hong Kong has the potential to strengthen its position as a premier hub for IP trading in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in the years ahead.
On this note, I wish you all a very constructive session this afternoon. Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident happened in Wan Chai today (December 5) in which a woman died.
At 10.14am, a coach driven by a 62-year-old man was travelling along Wan Chai Road southbound. When approaching the junction of Wan Chai Road and Cross Street, the coach reportedly knocked down an 86-year-old female pedestrian.
The female pedestrian was trapped under the coach and subsequently rescued by passersby. Sustaining serious multiple injuries, she was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 10.42am.
The coach driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for enquiries. Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is under way.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 6848.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation codenamed “Gridbuster” in Mong Kok between November 20 and yesterday (December 4) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 7 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $2.58 million.
Customs earlier conducted patrols at popular shopping spots and discovered some fixed-pitch hawker stalls in Mong Kok selling suspected counterfeit goods. After investigations, Customs officers took enforcement action during the abovementioned period and raided 21 fixed-pitch hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street and a nearby storage site for counterfeit goods upstairs. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including handbags, leather goods, and accessories, was seized.
During the operation, Customs arrested one man and four women, aged between 23 and 56. An investigation is ongoing.
With Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in order to safeguard local consumers’ and visitors’ rights at full strength.
Customs appeals to local consumers and visitors to purchase goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Customs also reminds traders not to sell counterfeit goods and to be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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
FEHD releases eighth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November
District Among the eighth batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 16 survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released eight batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 50 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Fourteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August this year, 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 the 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 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, 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 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following are the opening remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the LawTech Conference “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century” under Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 today (December 5):
The Honourable Mr Justice Lok (Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, Mr David Lok), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Welcome to the Main Stage LawTech Conference today. It is appreciated that so many of you have chosen to join us today despite the difficult circumstances in our community, and stand ready to engage thoughtfully with the challenges and opportunities that lawtech and artificial intelligence bring to the legal profession.
The inaugural Hong Kong LawTech Fest 2025 helps to bring together legal practitioners, technology providers, experts, academics, and policymakers to explore the fast-evolving intersection of law and AI, and to showcase the latest innovative products and services shaping legal practices. The LawTech Fest features a dynamic blend of exhibition, live demonstrations and consultations, and expert dialogues. As Hong Kong embraces the transformative AI era, with lawtech and AI reshaping the delivery of legal services, we hope that the LawTech Fest would provide a platform for attendees to discover cutting-edge solutions, stay ahead of trends, expand professional network, and gain actionable insights to advance innovation in their own legal practice.
The theme of today’s conference, “The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century”, sits at the heart of an important dialogue about the future of our legal system. Lawtech and AI are transforming legal practice, enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and quality in delivering legal services. By automating routine tasks such as legal research, document drafting and review, these technologies allow legal professionals to focus on high-value activities, such as strategic decision-making and client relationship management. Moreover, lawtech and AI solutions enable more effective data management and analysis, facilitate informed decision-making, and provide predictive insights. This technological integration also improves access to legal resources, enabling individuals and businesses to obtain quality legal support more easily and affordably. As we navigate through the increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape, it is vital that we address these frequently asked questions: How can we integrate AI professionally and responsibly into our legal practice? What are the risks and ethical implications that we must consider? And most importantly, how can we ensure that technology can act as a complement to human touch, which remains pivotal in the practice of law? Today’s conference examines in a timely manner the opportunities and risks associated with AI’s growing role in legal practice.
The DoJ (Department of Justice) is steadfast in its commitment to foster innovation and the integration of technology in the legal industry. To promote the development of lawtech, we established the Consultation Group on Lawtech Development in January this year, and invited the industry and various stakeholders to jointly study and formulate policy measures related to lawtech.
This year, we launched the LexGoTech Roundtable Series and successfully organised three roundtables. Through the roundtables, we have gathered solicitors, barristers, arbitrators, legal educators, in-house counsel and government lawyers – a diverse group of professionals who are the vital pillars of Hong Kong’s legal services delivery – to exchange views and experiences on the opportunities and challenges that lawtech and AI present to the legal profession in Hong Kong. Today, I would like to announce the release of the LexGoTech Roundtables Report. The Report summarises the insights gained from the Roundtable Series. More details will be discussed in the 2025 final round of the Roundtable Series taking place here on this stage later this afternoon.
Additionally, the DoJ launched the Survey for LawTech Service Providers in Hong Kong in October. We are now analysing the valuable feedback, which we believe would significantly shape the future steps in our lawtech/AI development strategies.
Going back to today’s programme, we are very honoured to have the Honourable Mr Justice Lok to deliver a keynote speech on lawtech and the future of law and justice. Following that, we will have an interactive “LawTech Guess Who” game, during which we will explore the advantages of using AI in legal practice, while highlighting the importance of human input and oversight. Next, we will have the LexGoTech Roundtable Series – 2025 Final Round, during which we will share key findings gathered from our earlier roundtables. On the basis of these findings, seasoned practitioners will exchange insights on the opportunities and challenges we face as we integrate technology into legal practice. I look forward to hearing our distinguished speakers’ insightful sharing.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we navigate through the AI era, we should bear in mind that our ultimate goal is not just to adopt technology for the sake of progress, but to harness its power in ways that uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and integrity. Technology is a powerful tool, but it cannot replace human qualities such as empathy, judgment and integrity, which remain essential in legal practice. Only with an open and responsible mindset will we be able to grasp the opportunities brought by lawtech and AI and transform the challenges into benefits. On this note, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all speakers, participants, Consultation Group members and colleagues who have worked tirelessly to make this meaningful event and the DoJ’s lawtech initiatives possible. I wish you all a fruitful and inspiring discussion today. Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Draft Shau Kei Wan Outline Zoning Plan approved “The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Shau Kei Wan area,” a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (December 5).
The planning scheme area, covering an area of about 201 hectares in the north-eastern part of Hong Kong Island, is bounded by Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter to the north and Tai Tam Country Park to the south. To the east is Heng Fa Chuen, and to the west are the residential developments of Lei King Wan, Taikoo Shing and Kornhill.
The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Shau Kei Wan OZP No. S/H9/21, which mainly involve (i) rezoning a site occupied by the Former Shau Kei Wan Market (SKWM) Building and the SKWM Building Sitting-out Area from “Government, Institution or Community” (“G/IC”) to “Residential (Group A)7” with stipulation of building height restriction for private residential development; and (ii) rezoning a site occupied by the Kam Wah Street Rest Garden from “G/IC” to “Open Space” to reflect the as-built condition.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP have been amended to reflect the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.
The approved Shau Kei Wan OZP No. S/H9/22 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Hong Kong District Planning Office, and (iv) the Eastern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre.
Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
For parents of Primary 6 (P6) students participating in the current SSPA cycle who wish to apply for Secondary 1 (S1) discretionary places (DPs) in government, aided, caput secondary schools as well as Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) secondary schools participating in the SSPA System for their children, they have to submit the electronic application forms to secondary schools via the SSPA e-platform (eSSPA) (esspa.edb.gov.hk) or use the paper Application Form for Secondary One Discretionary Place (Application Form) distributed by the Education Bureau (EDB) in early December via primary schools for application.
When submitting the applications, parents should note-
1. DP application is not subject to restriction on districts. However, each student may apply to not more than two participating secondary schools. Otherwise, the DP applications of their children will be rendered void. The list of schools and the number of DPs for application are listed in the Handbook for Application for Secondary One Discretionary Places (Handbook). Parents may visit eSSPA or the EDB’s website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/secondary-spa/general-info/index.html) to browse the Handbook. They can also ask for the Handbook from their children’s attending primary schools for reference or call the EDB’s 24-hour Automatic Telephone Enquiry System on 2891 0088 to obtain relevant information by fax.
2. The DP application period will be the same for all participating secondary schools, starting from January 2 to 16, 2026.
3. Parents should consider the schools in all respects, e.g. its educational philosophy, tradition, religion, class structure, development and operation, and their children’s characteristics, personalities, abilities and interests so as to make a suitable school choice. Parents may refer to the relevant information in the Secondary School Profiles (www.chsc.hk/secondary) (published every December, with the latest version made available at the electronic version) or school websites for reference. At the same time, parents should also note the admission criteria and weightings announced by the schools, as well as the documents as required by the schools, e.g. report cards, certificates and records of participation in extra-curricular activities and community service. Students do not need to provide the scores or positions in individual subjects to the secondary schools. Schools may arrange interviews and will inform applicants of the related arrangements.
4. Parents who have registered as eSSPA users and bound their account to “iAM Smart+” may browse choice-making information starting from December 5, 2025, as well as submit DP applications and check application results via eSSPA at a later stage. The EDB encourages parents to register with “iAM Smart+” (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) as early as possible and activate their eSSPA account using “iAM Smart+” for more convenient and faster electronic services.
5. For parents who submit DP applications via eSSPA should select the preferred secondary schools according to the order of school preference, fill in the contact information required by the schools, and upload a copy of the student’s identity document(s) and/or documents required by the secondary schools for completion of application. For details, please refer to the Parent’s Guides on the EDB website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/secondary-spa/general-info/SSPA_ePlatform_Parents_Guide.html). For parents who prefer to submit paper Application Form to schools should fill in the name of the secondary schools applied to on the Application Form, and tear off the part containing the order of school preference for retention before submitting the duly completed paper Application Form and other necessary documents directly to the secondary schools concerned in person. After submission, parents should receive from the secondary schools the Parent’s Copy bearing the school chop, name and code for retention and record. Parents should note that no matter whether the applications are submitted via the eSSPA or in paper Application Form, the applications, once submitted, cannot be retrieved or cancelled, and no change can be made to the order of school preference.
6. Parents should not submit applications to more than two secondary schools participating in the SSPA no matter whether the applications are submitted via the eSSPA or in paper Application Form. Otherwise, the DP applications of their children will be rendered void. In addition, parents should not submit duplicate applications via the eSSPA and in paper Application Form for the same child.
7. Apart from applying to not more than two participating secondary schools, parents can apply to Jockey Club Ti-I College at the same time. The deadline for application is January 20, 2026.
8. Participating secondary schools (including Jockey Club Ti-I College) will notify parents of all successful applicants of their children’s inclusion in the Successful Lists for Discretionary Places on March 31, 2026. Parents who have registered as eSSPA users may also view notifications for successful DP applicants via eSSPA starting from 10 a.m. on the same day. These notification arrangements are not applicable to reserve and unsuccessful applicants, nor are the notifications the allocation results. Parents do not need to reply to the secondary schools whether they would accept the DP offers.
9. Apart from making DP applications to participating secondary schools, students may also apply to Direct Subsidy Scheme secondary schools not participating in SSPA (NDSS secondary schools), and there is no limit to the number of NDSS secondary schools they can apply to. As there is no limit to the number of NDSS secondary schools that a student may apply to, a student may be accepted by several NDSS secondary schools. However, when a parent surrenders the signed Parent’s Undertaking and the original of the Primary 6 Student Record Form to one of the schools making the child an offer, then that will serve as confirmation of acceptance of the S1 place offered by the NDSS secondary school concerned and an agreement to give up any other subsidised S1 places.
10. If students notified by participating secondary schools as successful DP applicants have also been admitted by an NDSS secondary school, parents should decide whether to retain the school place of the NDSS secondary school on or before April 10, 2026. If parents decide to retain the school place offered by the NDSS secondary school, they should disregard the notifications from participating secondary schools. If they decide to decline the offer from the NDSS secondary school, they should notify the NDSS secondary school concerned and retrieve the signed Parent’s Undertaking and the original of the Primary 6 Student Record Form on or before April 10, 2026 in order to retain the DP which they have successfully obtained.
11. For applications to Jockey Club Ti-I College and NDSS secondary schools, parents should fill in the application form provided by the schools. The eSSPA and paper Application Form for DP are not applicable to applications for S1 places of Jockey Club Ti-I College and NDSS secondary schools.
12. Parents should return the duly completed Secondary One Choice of Schools Form (Choice Form) to the EDB in early May 2026 through their children’s primary schools. This is to ensure that students will still be allocated S1 places through Central Allocation (CA) if their DP applications have not been successful. For students who are notified as successful applicants by participating secondary schools, their parents only have to skip the parts on school choices when filling in Choice Form via eSSPA and sign digitally, or tick the respective item and cross out the parts on school choices, and sign on the paper form after filling in contact information to indicate that they do not need to make school choices, and return the electronic or paper form to the primary schools their children attend.
13. The results of DP and CA will be released at the same time on July 7, 2026.
For further enquiries concerning the SSPA System, please contact the School Places Allocation Section of the EDB on 2832 7740 or 2832 7700.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Drug abuse and drug situation in Hong Kong in first three quarters of 2025 The ACAN Chairman, Dr Donald Li, said “Statistics show that the illegal use of etomidate among youngsters remains serious. I would like to again remind everyone that etomidate is a dangerous drug. In fact, youngsters who tried etomidate out of curiosity often wrongly believed at the beginning that vaping etomidate once or twice by e-cigarette was not a big deal, yet they quickly found themselves addicted to it and vaped more and more. Apart from addiction, etomidate also has many other harmful effects. In various recent cases, there were youngsters who lost their minds after vaping etomidate. Vaping etomidate also causes skin ulcers, myoclonic jerks, hormonal balance disruption as well as facial hair growth and deepened voices in women, seriously affecting health and appearance.”
Dr Li also reminds the public that etomidate and all its analogues are dangerous drugs. Under the strict control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134), trafficking and manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of these substances will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. The public should never try etomidate out of curiosity. It will cost one’s health and career. Taking this opportunity, Dr Li urges etomidate abusers to stop vaping it immediately and proactively seek help and undergo drug treatments.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 2025 Asia’s World City – 4th Business Forum themed “PLAY: Culture and Entertainment in Hong Kong” today (December 5):
Jeremy (Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong’s (BritCham) General Committee, Mr Jeremy Sheldon), Nick (Head of HK CEO Office, HSBC, Mr Nick Holmes), Paul (Executive Director of the BritCham, Mr Paul McComb), Anthony (Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Anthony Lau), friends,
Good morning.
The theme of today’s Business Forum is “PLAY: Culture and Entertainment in Hong Kong”. In the last few days, of course I have been reviewing my speech, and I couldn’t help but wonder: should I ask to speak on a different theme during this difficult juncture, a juncture when the city of Hong Kong is collectively working hard to get out of the haze of the Tai Po fire?
In the end, I decided that I should continue to speak on the original theme. All of you who are with me here today are no strangers to Hong Kong. From the introduction of Nick and Jeremy, you could see they probably call the city their home, or at least their second home. A lot of us actually were born here, grew up here. And we love this city. As a community we need time to bring relief to the disaster, and to heal from the immense sorrow. But we also need to see hope, to see light at the end of the tunnel, in order to stay motivated and focused enough to help one another, and help ourselves in the process.
So my sincere thanks once again must therefore go to Jeremy for the invitation, so that I may, through addressing the distinguished British business community here today, have an opportunity to introduce our cultural and mega events which can bring light and hope for a better tomorrow.
One year ago, on December 5, 2024, I was appointed the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. I outlined a few priorities as I took up office, and two of the most important items among them were the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park and the successful organisation of the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China. These are no child’s play indeed.
The successful opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1, 2025, now seems a long time ago, right? I believe quite a number of you in the audience would have taken part in some of Kai Tak’s inaugural events –the World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 in early March, the Hong Kong Sevens, which Jeremy just now spoke about, in end-March which was rated by many veterans as the best Sevens ever, although this is the very first time it took place in Kai Tak. The Coldplay “Music of the Spheres” concerts in early April, the Hong Kong Football Festival in late July which we saw Liverpool facing AC Milan and also Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs staging their first ever North London Derby outside of London. That is a big thing for football fans. The list goes on, but I won’t try to describe the excitement one feels when one steps into Kai Tak Stadium for the very first time; be it a sports or entertainment mega event, no words can fit that bill of describing how amazing, how really wonderful Kai Tak Stadium is.
The completion of the Kai Tak Sports Park, the biggest ever sports and entertainment infrastructure in Hong Kong worthy of over $30 billion, puts Hong Kong right back on the global and regional events map. We were kind of losing out a little bit before the operation of Kai Tak because we simply didn’t have a big enough stadium for international major events or major tournaments or pop concerts. But Kai Tak not only puts us back on the map; it makes us shine. With the 50 000 capacity Kai Tak Stadium and the 10 000 capacity Kai Tak Arena, the Kai Tak Sports Park is now a prime destination for regional and international concert tours and sports tournaments, and fans of pop and sports stars from either Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland even Asia now find the Kai Tak Sports Park both novel and familiar, huge but accessible, and some even have their own secret havens for post-event supper in the Kowloon City area. Talk about the night economy!
The smooth opening and operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park significantly boosted our capacities and confidence to successfully cohost the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China together with Guangdong and Macao.
First of all, I need to tell you how incredibly proud I am of our 602 athletes of Team Hong Kong. Their final tally of nine gold, two silver and eight bronze medals surpassed the achievement of any previous Hong Kong delegation to the National Games.
But there is so much more beyond the medals. This edition of the National Games – our country’s highest-level multi-sport event – is historic; it is the first time that the Games are staged across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It promotes sports exchange and co-operation within the Greater Bay Area, and provides an invaluable experience for Hong Kong to host more mega and cross-boundary events with other cities in the Greater Bay Area. It is, more importantly, a shining example and testament to the “one country, two systems” principle. The unprecedented cohosting arrangement powerfully affirms that Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao, each with unique systems, can join hands and leverage our respective strengths to achieve something truly exceptional and inspirational.
Building on that success, we are now cohosting the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games with Guangdong and Macao. Events in Hong Kong begin just this week. I invite you all to join us in giving strong support to all the participating athletes.
Integration of the Greater Bay Area and sports development aside, the National Games also provides Hong Kong with valuable opportunities to promote ourselves and attract visitors from the Chinese Mainland and overseas. For example, some of you would have noticed or even taken part, we have staged the triathlon event along the world-famous Victoria Harbourfront, the beach volleyball event at Victoria Park in the heart of Causeway Bay, the golf event at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, and the rugby sevens event, of course, at Kai Tak Stadium.
This integration of sports events with tourist attractions has created a new experience for our visitors. And I am pleased to note that our tourism sector has started to capitalise on this, and especially on the National Games to roll out tailor-made tourism products across the Greater Bay Area. Such efforts have borne fruit – more than 1.7 million visitors came to Hong Kong during the National Games period, a 19 per cent increase over the same period last year.
Building on this, the Hong Kong SAR Government is now working hand-in-hand with our partners in the commercial sector to bring more attractive events here. Just now, I think it’s Nick who alluded to a prime example, and that is our recent multi-year partnership with LIV Golf to host the LIV Golf League in Hong Kong in 2026 and 2027. I am actually very hopeful that English golfers such as Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton will compete in the event from March 5 to 8, 2026.
Right after the LIV Golf 2026, Hong Kong Sevens, organised by Hong Kong China Rugby since 1976, will celebrate its Golden Jubilee from April 17 to 19, 2026. Now don’t worry. We close the roof and there will be air conditioning. Not scorching at all. But I look forward to seeing all of you in an event jersey at Kai Tak over the Rugby Sevens period.
I am confident that what I just said has already had you marking your diaries to ensure that you won’t miss out on any of the attractive events. Indeed, Hong Kong’s mega events are not isolated occurrences; many a time they are much more than mere entertainment. Collectively, they are a powerful magnet, a dynamic engine, and a key pillar solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a premier international city. That’s our soft power. And, unlike in many other places, mega events in Hong Kong are not held in distant, far-away venues. They happen right in the heart of our city – among our streets, contributing to our city’s architecture, and becoming an integral part of our daily life.
Remember attending the Wine and Dine Festival, such a successful comeback under the able leadership of Anthony Lau here, this past October with a glass of wine in your hand while enjoying the glittering Victoria Harbour nightscape? Or taking your little ones to the world’s first “WATER PARADE at Victoria Harbour” concluded in early November to greet globally renowned IP characters such as Doraemon; KAWS and Sesame Street’s Elmo; McDonald’s Grimace; and Labubu, a popular creation by a Hong Kong artist that has now become a global phenomenon? Or enjoying a cool picnic at Symphony Under the Stars, the iconic annual outdoor music extravaganza presented by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra with generous support from Swire Pacific Limited just last week?
Such good memories have people longing for more, and we have indeed planned to stage more heartwarming events over the festive season. Of course, as a society, Hong Kong’s priority at this juncture is doing all we can to bring comfort to the aggrieved, as well as to bravely confront the aftermath of the fire, including electing a new legislature that would work wholeheartedly with the Government on disaster relief and essential reforms on the coming Sunday. And of course, healing of physical wounds and the heartstrings takes a lot of time and much more care. But I hope that, for those in society who could use a drop of light, both literally and emotionally, the Christmas lightings that would be lit-up later this month under Hong Kong WinterFest could bring some warmth and comfort in a chilly season.
With Hong Kong’s diverse offerings, we welcomed some 45 million visitors in the first 11 months of this year, already surpassing the entire of 2024. This is a 12 per cent increase year on year. Visitors from the UK (United Kingdom) grew even more significantly, by 15 per cent, meaning our long-haul visitors are actually coming back, thanks to mega events, but also thanks to an increase in air flight capacity.
Beyond economic benefits, mega events allow people to experience the real and authentic Hong Kong firsthand. Visitors become our best ambassadors, telling Hong Kong’s good stories far and wide. As someone familiar with and care deeply about Hong Kong, which is all of you here, I sincerely encourage you to invite your friends to explore the real Hong Kong and the opportunities here. I have spoken enough about sports and entertainment, and I would like to mention that with the strong participation of British artists, Hong Kong’s cultural offerings in the coming months are equally attractive. A few examples are Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducting the Constellation Choir and Orchestra at the 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London, not to mention the highly anticipated annual mega art and creative events of Art Basel, Art Central and ComplexCon.
Ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is globally acclaimed as an international financial centre. This is, of course, absolutely true and important. In good times or bad, Hong Kong is always a city full of dynamic energy, and a vibrant and unique blend of East and West. But in closing, I hope to drive home this equally important message: as it is stated in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “these three remain: faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love”. Let us remember this and live out this spirit in full!