Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) highlighted Hong Kong’s latest developments in the Northern Metropolis and innovation and technology (I&T) at the international conference New Horizons in Future Technologies, held in Chemnitz, Germany, on May 28 and 29 (Chemnitz time).
 
The conference, which was cohosted by Industrieverein Sachsen 1828, German Global Trade Forum Berlin, and the University of Technology Chemnitz, brought together representatives from the government, business, academic, and diplomatic community. A highlight of the conference was the forum held on May 29, where representatives from Germany and senior diplomats exchanged insights on global development trends and technological developments.
 
Speaking at the forum, the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted the strategic development of the Northern Metropolis as well as the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. He also outlined Hong Kong’s unique role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and wider Asian markets, as well as the opportunities under the “Go Global” initiative. 
 
     “The Northern Metropolis covers 30 000 hectares, accounting for one-third of Hong Kong’s total land area and injecting new economic impetus into Hong Kong. The development of the Northern Metropolis will also forge closer economic co-operation with adjacent cities in the Greater Bay Area. It is expected to develop into a world-class I&T and research and development hub, which will create numerous job opportunities and attract global talent,” Mr Wong said.
 
The conference also provided a platform for representatives from government, business, and academic sectors to discuss and exchange views on emerging technologies, scientific collaboration, and industrial transformation. Mr Wong also highlighted the top-level planning for hydrogen development and applications in Hong Kong at the conference.
 
About HKETO Berlin
 
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland. 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (June 2).

     The value of total retail sales in April 2026, provisionally estimated at $31.4 billion, increased by 8.6% compared with the same month in 2025. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in March 2026 increased by 12.8% compared with a year earlier. For the first 4 months of 2026 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 11.3% compared with the same period in 2025.

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

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 2) reminded the public that COVID-19 has become an endemic disease in Hong Kong, with its activity levels fluctuating. Individuals should follow expert recommendations and receive their initial doses or booster doses in a timely manner, based on their personal risk factors and the time when they received their last dose, in order to minimise the risk of severe disease and death. The shelf life of the vaccines provided under the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is going to expire. A new batch of vaccines will arrive in Hong Kong successively in the fourth quarter of 2026. During this transition period, eligible individuals will not be able to receive free COVID-19 vaccines through the Programme for a short period. Those in need are advised to make appointments as early as possible.
 
     Currently, the LP.8.1 vaccine provided under the Programme for children and adults will expire in mid-July and early September this year respectively. Existing vaccination services will continue until the following dates:
 
* Individuals aged 6 months to 11 years: Vaccination services will be available until July 10, 2026.
* Individuals aged 12 or above: Vaccination services will be available until September 5, 2026.
 
     “Although COVID-19 activity currently remains at a low level, there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months. These are related to changes in predominant circulating variants and a decline in community herd immunity. Nearly a year has passed since the end of the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity, and the CHP does not rule out the possibility that the overall COVID-19 activity may increase. Late last year, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP updated their consensus recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Given that the Government’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines will be temporarily suspended for a short period, I urge eligible individuals who require the vaccine to book an appointment as soon as possible and complete their vaccination before the aforementioned dates. Vaccination services under the Programme will resume in an orderly manner in the fourth quarter this year. Details will be announced in due course,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
 
     According to the JSC’s latest recommendations, children aged 6 months to 4 years without prior COVID-19 infection should receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of initial doses, with an interval of at least 28 days between doses. To ensure completion of vaccination before vaccine expiry, children who require the vaccine are encouraged to receive the first dose on or before June 12, 2026. Children aged 5 years or above (regardless of history of infection) and children aged 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 infection require only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of the initial dose.
 
     Priority groups include residents of residential care homes for the elderly; elderly persons aged 65 years or above who are living in the community; persons aged 50 to 64 years with underlying comorbidities; persons with immunocompromising conditions aged 6 months or above; pregnant women; and healthcare workers. A booster dose is recommended to be given at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.
 
     Eligible individuals may schedule an appointment via the Government’s online booking platform to receive COVID-19 vaccination from Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations, designated clinics under the DH or the Hospital Authority. For details, please refer to the webpage.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at HKUST Unicorn Day 2026 “From Ideas to Miracles – 35 Years of Impact and Beyond” today (June 2):

Professor Nancy Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)), Ms Edith Shih (Vice-Chairperson of the University Council of the HKUST), Professor Ni (Founding President of the HKUST (Guangzhou), Professor Lionel Ni), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all at HKUST Unicorn Day, especially as the University celebrates its remarkable 35th anniversary.

     In just three and a half decades, the HKUST has risen from a bold vision on Clearwater Bay to a global powerhouse in deep-tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The University’s ability to nurture unicorns and deep-tech ventures is the result of visionary leadership, a culture that embraces experimentation, and an ecosystem that nurtures talent and empowers young innovators to turn ideas into impact. Few young universities in the world have recorded such a rapid ascent. The HKUST’s achievements are truly impressive.

     Innovation and technology (I&T) has always been on the top agenda of the Hong Kong SAR Government. We fully recognise the crucial role of local universities – not only as key partners, but as the bedrock of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem. To this end, the Government has implemented a series of forward-looking initiatives to accelerate research translation, strengthen collaboration, and expand our talent pipeline. Among these, the RAISe+ Scheme has been particularly well received by local universities. To date, 73 projects have been supported, with over $3 billion of government funding committed. Nineteen of them came from the HKUST. This once again demonstrates the HKUST’s strength in translating frontier research into real-world applications.

     This year also marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which signals clear and unwavering support for Hong Kong’s I&T development. Just last week, Hong Kong celebrated a historic milestone in our nation’s space endeavours. It is the first time ever that a payload expert from Hong Kong has joined the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight. We understand that among many other missions, our Hong Kong-born payload expert will operate the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory, an advanced Earth observation instrument invented by Professor Su Hui’s team of the HKUST, on board the Tiangong space station. This is a powerful recognition of Hong Kong’s scientific excellence at the national level. It also sends a clear message to all students and young innovators: Your ideas can go from the laboratory not only to the marketplace, but also to space. The future of innovation belongs to those who dare to dream boldly and fight for what they believe in.

     As we look ahead, Hong Kong is entering a golden era of I&T development. We are building new engines of Hong Kong’s high-quality development, including the Hetao Hong Kong Park, the San Tin Technopole and the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster. In addition to the existing R&D (research and development) institutes such as the Hong Kong Productivity Council, ASTRI (Applied Science and Technology Research Institute) and the Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, we will have the AI Research and Development Institute and the Life and Health Technology Research Institute to focus on R&D in the respective fields and lead industry application. All these will create unprecedented opportunities for universities, enterprises, and start-ups to work together, scale faster, and connect more deeply with the Greater Bay Area and the world.

     As the HKUST celebrates its 35th anniversary, it stands on the cusp of an even more fruitful chapter. With the collective efforts of government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors, and with the passion of young people inspired by achievements from Unicorn Day to Shenzhou 23, I am confident that Hong Kong will rise as a leading international I&T centre and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s high-quality development, and that the HKUST will continue to be a driving force in this amazing journey.

     May I wish Unicorn Day great success. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

An incoming passenger was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 1) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 59-year-old female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on May 28 and seized 795 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $3,200, and the duty potential was about $2,600. She was subsequently arrested.
 
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.
 
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes 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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

President Lai confers decoration on Czech Republic Senate President Miloš Vystrčil  
On the morning of June 2, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon on Senate President Miloš Vystrčil of the Czech Republic in recognition of his many years of staunch support for Taiwan and contributions to Taiwan-Czech relations and the defense of global democracy. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and the Czech Republic share the values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, and will deepen cooperation across various fields, including the economy, trade, technology, culture, and education, to contribute to global peace, stability, and prosperity.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
First, on behalf of all the people of Taiwan, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Senate President Vystrčil and our distinguished guests on their return visit to Taiwan, demonstrating their support for Taiwan through concrete actions. Although Taiwan and the Czech Republic are geographically separated by thousands of kilometers, we share a firm belief in the values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. It is this conviction that binds us closely together.
In 2020, while the world was still reeling from the impact of the pandemic, Senate President Vystrčil stood undeterred by pressure from China and remained steadfast in visiting Taiwan. During his address to the Legislative Yuan, his declaration – “I am a Taiwanese” – deeply moved our people. It also let the entire world feel the courage of democracy, the power of solidarity, and the great tradition of the Czech people in defending freedom.
Today, on behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I have the honor of conferring the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon upon Senate President Vystrčil. This is to recognize his staunch support for Taiwan over many years, his outstanding contributions to Taiwan-Czech relations, and his powerful defense of global democracy. This decoration honors his extraordinary courage and symbolizes the highest respect and gratitude of Taiwan’s people. It also stands as a true testament to the friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
Echoing Senate President Vystrčil’s call for solidarity among democratic nations to defend our common values, Taiwan and the Czech Republic have continuously deepened our partnership in recent years. We have not only protected our shared values of democracy and freedom, but have also achieved fruitful collaborative results across various fields, including the economy, trade, technology, culture, and education.
In 2023, China Airlines launched direct flights between Taipei and Prague, and starting this August, STARLUX will provide direct flights as well. These two air routes bridge our peoples, businesses, and friendships, bringing Taiwan and the Czech Republic even closer together. In the semiconductor sector, we have jointly established an R&D center to strengthen talent development. In the field of AI, the Czech Republic aims to build an AI Gigafactory  for the European Union, a vision in which Taiwanese companies are actively taking part. Moving ahead, we look forward to launching even more innovative collaboration in areas such as smart healthcare, information security, and emerging technologies.
As we face the continued expansion of authoritarianism, I would like to emphasize that in the past, both Taiwan and the Czech Republic endured long periods of authoritarian rule. Therefore, we know firsthand that freedom does not come easily, and we stand willing to work together in solidarity to defend democracy.
I firmly believe that in these uncertain times, our nation must send a clear message to the international community. Taiwan and the Czech Republic will continue to march hand in hand, stand on the side of freedom and democracy, and contribute even more to global peace, stability, and prosperity. Once again, I want to thank Senate President Vystrčil and all our distinguished guests for their visit. I look forward to the continuous deepening of Taiwan-Czech relations and the constant creation of new milestones.
Senate President Vystrčil then delivered remarks, expressing that he is deeply honored to be conferred the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon, a symbol of high distinction. He stated that for him personally, this is an immense privilege, and emphasized that the honor belongs not only to him, but should also be seen as a recognition and commendation of the Czech Senate.
Senate President Vystrčil pointed out that the Czech Senate, first in 2020 and again in 2026, expressed its support for him by an overwhelming majority during its plenary sessions, explicitly recommending that he visit the Republic of China (Taiwan) in his capacity as president of the Senate to further deepen mutually beneficial relations. He added that for Czech senators to make such a decision often requires immense political courage.
Senate President Vystrčil noted that on this ceremonious occasion, he is deeply aware that an individual’s strength is ultimately limited, and that being awarded the Order of Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon would not have been possible without the support and assistance of many people. He extended special thanks to his team, who have stood beside him along the way and always served as his strongest support. He also thanked his family and friends, expressing that walking hand in hand with them is an immense blessing in life. He then paid tribute to the late Czech Senate President Jaroslav Kubera, as well as many other important figures who have provided guidance and inspiration throughout his life.
Senate President Vystrčil mentioned that upon seeing President Lai’s address on his second anniversary of taking office on May 20, he once again felt that Taiwan and the Czech Republic share many similarities. He remarked that whether in Taiwan or the Czech Republic, society frequently focuses on changes in the current international order. Today, he said, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms seem to be gradually taking a back seat, while the importance of power is becoming increasingly prominent – a power that is often accompanied by forces unconstrained by laws and rules, which is not a positive direction for development.
Senate President Vystrčil maintained that our responsibility lies in enhancing national resilience, resisting these trends, and continuing to defend the values of freedom and democracy. It is precisely for this reason, he said, that democratic nations need to support one another and cooperate closely.
In closing, Senate President Vystrčil stated that he has always firmly believed that all the beautiful things an individual receives, be it gratitude, praise, gifts, or such a prestigious decoration, carry a responsibility and commitment that should be kept in mind and practiced throughout one’s life. He pledged to continue working toward this end, expressed his gratitude to Taiwan and the Czech Republic for being important allies to each other, and conveyed his appreciation for the deep friendship between the two sides.
Also in attendance at the ceremony was Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office David Steinke. 

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Land Registry logged 8,537 sale and purchase agreements received for registration for all building units in May, a drop of 1.8% compared with April and up 32.5% year on year.

The total consideration for building unit sale and purchase agreements in May decreased 0.1% from the previous month to 72.8 billion, representing a 46.1% year-on-year increase.

A total of 7,138 agreements were for residential units, down 3.1% from the previous month and up 39.8% from a year ago.

The total consideration for residential units was $65.6 billion, an increase of 3% compared with the previous month and a rise of 71.5% year on year.

There were 450,201 land register searches last month.