Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Director-General of OASES visits Strategic Enterprise Biren Technology’s exhibition centre to explore innovative computing solutions       
     Biren Technology has continued to expand its business and was listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited in January 2026, becoming the first GPU enterprise to listed in Hong Kong. Biren Technology has also established a new exhibition centre to showcase its latest AI computing products and solutions.
      
     During the visit, Mr Yan stated that Hong Kong is committed to developing innovation and technology (I&T). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively investing in the Northern Metropolis and through tax incentives, research funding and talent policies, is attracting more strategic enterprises with leading technologies in AI and computing power to develop in Hong Kong. These measures are highly aligned with the strategic direction set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate the development of an international I&T centre and promote collaborative innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Mr Yan further noted that the 2026-27 Budget has identified AI as a priority, introducing the “AI+” policy framework, including the establishment of the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy, to enhance computing infrastructure, promote talent cultivation, and transform research outcomes, thereby further strengthening Hong Kong’s AI industry ecosystem. These policies complement existing I&T platforms, providing enterprises with a more favourable environment for growth. Mr Yan stressed that since Biren Technology established its presence in Hong Kong, the company has fully leveraged the city’s combined strengths in international finance, professional services and I&T. It has continued to expand in the Chinese Mainland markets including the Greater Bay Area. Biren Technology’s development in Hong Kong not only demonstrates the city’s attractiveness, but also contributes to the accelerated growth of the local AI industry chain and computing ecosystem.
      
     The Chairman of the Strategy Committee of Biren Technology, Mr Allen Li, said, “Establishing our presence in Hong Kong marks an important step in Biren Technology’s global strategic layout. Hong Kong offers the dual advantages of an international platform and a capital market, providing an ideal environment for the R&D and commercialisation of our GPGPU chips and intelligent computing solutions. With the comprehensive support of the HKSAR Government and the OASES, we are rapidly integrating advanced computing infrastructure into the local ecosystem. Looking ahead, the company will continue to use Hong Kong as a bridge to bring the Chinese Mainland’s independently innovated AI technologies to the world, while working closely with the HKSAR Government to actively align with the country’s overall development strategy.”Issued at HKT 21:50

NNNN

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.4 million at airport.  An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 20:45

NNNN

Speech by CE at International Women’s Day Reception 2026

Allow me to address our English-speaking friends. Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a day of profound significance around the world. We are here this morning to honour the global contributions of women and to recognise the inspiring vision, leadership and resilience of women in our community.

Hong Kong women enrich different aspects of our society. Over the years, in so many ways, women have challenged prejudices, erased boundaries and embraced opportunities. And done so through remarkable achievements in government, business, the professions, academia, the arts, innovation, family life, and so much more. Women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, women’s talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong’s continuing success.

Last October, China, our country, hosted the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing. The international gathering brought together leaders and experts from around the world to advance gender equality and the cause of women everywhere. At the Meeting, President Xi Jinping noted that “women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilisation, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women”.

Our country has long championed women’s development, upholding gender equality as a fundamental policy priority. With the nation’s support and a widening global vision, women in the Hong Kong SAR have been able to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential.

The Government has worked closely with the Women’s Commission to expand opportunities for women. One of our flagship events, held in 2024, was the inaugural Family and Women Development Summit.

The second Summit will take place this month, on March 31. And I look forward to the enthusiastic participation of our partners across the community.

I’ve just shared in Cantonese about four traditional Chinese silk fabrics and how they resemble the qualities of Hong Kong women. Each fabric has its own character: one represents clarity and poise with which you balance family and career; another symbolises inclusive spirit, bringing people together and building consensus.
These four fabrics – clarity, inclusivity, resilience, and grace – are woven into the daily lives of women here in Hong Kong. They are the threads of women’s character. And my hope, ladies, is that you will continue to illuminate every corner of this city with that same remarkable spirit.

I wish you all an inspiring International Women’s Day, and continued happiness, health and success. Thank you! 多謝大家。
Issued at HKT 11:55

NNNN

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products       
     Customs officers intercepted a 33-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on March 7. About 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $153,000 and a duty potential of about $112,300, as well as 10 000 heat sticks with an estimated market value of about $30,000 were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined $900 in contravention of the DCO, and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences run concurrently.

     As well, Customs officers intercepted two male passengers, aged 60 and aged 44 respectively, at HKIA yesterday (March 8). About 49 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $201,000 and a duty potential of about $162,100 were seized from the former’s personal baggage, while about 28 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $128,000 and a duty potential of about $94,000 were seized from the latter’s personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 and four months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively in contravention of the DCO today.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.      
     Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:15

NNNN

Hongkong Post to issue “Hong Kong Museums Collection – Xubaizhai Collection” special stamps       
     Cherished by the renowned art connoisseur, Mr Low Chuck-tiew (1911-1993), the Xubaizhai Collection of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy primarily encompasses masterpieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties through the 20th century. Mr Low donated his collection to the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1989. Hongkong Post is continuing its Hong Kong Museums Collection series by issuing a set of six stamps, two stamp sheetlets and associated philatelic products on the theme of “Xubaizhai Collection” to present paintings selected from the exhibition “Life Planning of the Chinese Literati: Selected Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Xubaizhai Collection”, showcasing the artistic styles and aspirations of traditional Chinese literati.
      
     Official first day covers for “Hong Kong Museums Collection – Xubaizhai Collection” will be on sale at all post offices and on Hongkong Post’s online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk      
     A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on March 24 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
      
     Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hkIssued at HKT 12:25

NNNN

Hong Kong Customs seizes corals of suspected scheduled endangered species (with photo)      
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 78-year-old male passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point yesterday. Upon examination, the batch of coral of suspected scheduled endangered species was seized from his rucksack. Officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) attended the scene for inspection and confirmed that the batch of coral was of an endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (the Ordinance) in Hong Kong. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
      
     Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
      
     According to the Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:00

NNNN

Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and Women’s Commission celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 (with photos/video)      
     The reception was attended by members of the WoC, representatives from women’s groups, non-governmental organisations and the local community. Thematic panels were set up at the venue to showcase the efforts of the current-term Government and the WoC in promoting women’s development.
      
     In his speech, Mr Lee cited the remarks made by President Xi Jinping at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025, stating that women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilisation, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women. Mr Lee said that, “with the nation’s support and a widening global vision, women in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have been able to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential”. He emphasised that women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, and that their talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong’s continuing success.
      
     He expressed gratitude for the hard work and contributions of women and, drawing on the qualities of four traditional Chinese silk fabrics, expressed his hope that women would continue to illuminate the city with their clarity, inclusivity, resilience, and grace.
      
     The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, said at the reception that the current-term Government attaches great importance to women’s development. She noted that the HYAB has been working closely with the WoC to actively implement a range of initiatives. In recent years, these have included launching the Women Empowerment Fund, establishing the Women Affairs Team and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, organising the Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit, launching the one-stop Family and Women Information Portal, and rolling out the “She Inspires” Mentorship Programme — all aimed at supporting women from different backgrounds in balancing both their careers and family.
      
     Miss Mak said, “The HYAB will continue to take forward relevant work in response to the four proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing in 2025 to jointly foster an enabling environment, jointly cultivate development momentum, jointly develop governance framework, and jointly promote collaboration between all parties, so as to create more opportunities for the high-quality development of the women’s cause.”
      
     To carry forward and promote the spirit of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing, the HYAB will hold the second Hong Kong Family and Women Development Summit on March 31, under the theme “Shaping Women’s Strengths and Harnessing a Shared Future for Families”. The Summit will bring together stakeholders from across society to explore ways to further advance family and women development in Hong Kong.
     　
     Other officiating guests at the reception were Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Sun Shangwu; Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Zhang Changwei; Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Mr Li Shuangzhou; Deputy Director of the liaison office of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Xie Zhixiang; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mrs Regina Ip; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo; the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip; and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs cum Vice-chairperson of the Women’s Commission, Mr Patrick Li.
Issued at HKT 14:40

NNNN

Police kick off fifth cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics       
     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the abuse of etomidate in recent years has posed challenges to anti-drug efforts, reflecting the ever-changing drug scene. As such, the programme curriculum of L.I.O.N. must keep abreast of the times. In addition to training courses covering leadership skills, drug-related legal and medical knowledge, publicity and media response techniques, and adventure-based training, L.I.O.N. has also incorporated generative artificial intelligence training this year to equip mentees with skills to apply innovative technologies for creating impactful anti-drug projects. The Chinese Mainland exchange tour will also be extended to three days and two nights this year, enabling mentees to engage in in-depth exchanges in the Greater Bay Area and broaden their horizons.
      
     He added that this year marks the fifth anniversary of L.I.O.N.’s establishment, and a series of large-scale promotional activities will be launched, including the “L.I.O.N.–mobile”, an anti-drug short video competition, and a large-scale anti-drug carnival, showcasing the creative achievements of mentees of the current and past cohorts, and further promoting a drug-free culture to the community.
      
     Mr Chow expressed his appreciation to the Hong Kong Youth Development Alliance, executive committee members of the past cohorts, professional trainers, as well as school principals and teachers for their support and contributions to L.I.O.N.. He encouraged mentees of the new cohort to cherish every learning opportunity, and work together with all sectors to build a drug-free society.
      
     At the ceremony, awardees from the fourth cohort shared their valuable insights from the exchange tour to New Zealand in February. They said that the trip deepened their understanding of how anti-drug messages were disseminated there through publicity, education and community involvement, which would help them continue to fulfill their mission as anti-drug leaders in the future.
      
     Established by the Police Narcotics Bureau in 2021, L.I.O.N. brings together various community sectors and annually recruits 80 secondary students and 20 undergraduates as mentees. Through various training activities, visits, as well as exchange tours, L.I.O.N. nurtures young people as anti-drug leaders to disseminate anti-drug messages in the community.
Issued at HKT 19:03

NNNN

Recognition ceremony commends children and adolescents for outstanding performance and resilience in face of adversity       
     Addressing the event, Mr To said that every award recipient tells a touching story of resilience in the face of adversity, demonstrating extraordinary courage and tenacity amid life challenges as well as forging the qualities of self-discipline, confidence, and self-reliance in a difficult environment. Some of them have all the more attained exceptional achievements, setting a good example for other children and youths. Their performances are truly commendable.
      
     Mr To also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers, volunteers, and social workers at the event for their companionship and support in the personal growth of these disadvantaged children and youths. Their care and love have allowed these children and youths to grow up in a nurturing family setting and instilled in them a positive outlook on life, which is of immeasurable value to their future.
      
     At the ceremony today, 42 children and youths were awarded the Best Achievement Award or the Best Progress Award.
      
     Eighteen-year-old Sing is one of the recipients of the Best Achievement Award. Sing lost parental care at a young age and became a ward of the DSW when he was four. Growing up in a devoted foster family, he has been overcoming different challenges in life with resilience and a positive attitude. With excellent academic performance and personal conduct, Sing also has a strong passion for music. He excels in vocal performance and is talented at playing the piano and violin, obtaining a level 4 diploma in singing from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, along with grade 8 piano and grade 5 violin qualifications. In recent years, he has showcased his extraordinary musical talent and earned notable awards in international and local music contests, including the first prize in the piano category at the 2025 Australian International Music Competition – Sound of Music and multiple accolades in three other competitions, namely the 2025 GASCA Japan International Music Competition in Tokyo, IYACC Hong Kong-Taiwan International Music Competition, and the Seventh Hong Kong Youth and Children Music Competition of the Hong Kong Youth and Children Talent Association. Sing received a scholarship from the Changing Young Lives Foundation this year to support his continued development in the musical arena, in which his efforts and talents have been recognised. He plans to give back to society through his music and knowledge in the future and inspire other teenagers with a similar underprivileged background to lead a fruitful life through personal endeavour and a positive attitude.
      
     Another awardee of the Best Achievement Award is 16-year-old Ah Ming (pseudonym). Coming from a single-parent family, Ah Ming has been receiving residential care services since the age of 5 due to his mother’s chronic illness. Under the meticulous care of a small group home of TWGHs, he has gradually developed self-discipline, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. On top of proactively taking care of younger peers at the small group home, Ah Ming has shown significant progress in academics, behaviour, and social skills. He is also enthusiastic about sports and actively participates in his school’s athletics team training. With his persevering character, Ah Ming represented his school in the 16th Hong Kong Tug of War Open Tournament last year and secured the second place in his team’s category, winning glory for his school. His artistic talents are equally outstanding, and his ceramic works have been selected for public exhibitions.
      
     Children and adolescents are made wards of the DSW for various reasons that rendered them unable or unsuitable to live with their family members. Prioritising the best interests of children and adolescents, the Social Welfare Department’s social workers will, depending on individual case circumstances, apply for wardship for a case in accordance with the court procedures stipulated in the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance (Cap. 213 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and draw up appropriate long-term welfare plans for them, such as arranging for adoption or reunion with their families, or preparing them to live independently when they become adults. As at the end of December 2025, a total of 788 children and youths were made wards of the DSW.
Issued at HKT 14:00

NNNN