Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2026, organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO), opens for enrolment today (April 28). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the HKICTA, celebrating two decades of excellence in Hong Kong’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Locally developed ICT products and solutions are invited to compete for the Grand Awards in the eight award categories and the top accolade of the competition – the Award of the Year. Enrolment is free of charge and the deadline is July 20, 2026.
 
There are eight award categories in the HKICTA and each award category is led by a local industry association or professional body. The award categories and respective leading organisers are listed below:
 

Award categories	Leading organisers
Digital Entertainment Award	Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association
FinTech Award	The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers
ICT Startup Award	Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association
Smart Business Award	Hong Kong Computer Society
Smart Living Award	Hong Kong Information Technology Federation
Smart Mobility Award	GS1 Hong Kong
Smart People Award	The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
Student Innovation Award	Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association

A Grand Award will be granted in each category, and the Award of the Year will be selected by a Grand Judging Panel from the eight Grand Awardees.
 
In a bid to foster the innovative use of AI, the Best Use of AI award winner will be selected in each of the eight categories to magnify and honour outstanding achievements in harnessing the power of AI in respective areas.   
 
Since its establishment in 2006, the HKICTA has become an annual signature event of the local ICT industry with an aim to recognise and promote outstanding local ICT inventions and applications, thereby encouraging the pursuit of innovation and excellence among Hong Kong’s ICT professionals and enterprises to develop innovative applications meeting business and social needs, use innovation and technology (I&T) to bring benefits to the community, and foster Hong Kong’s I&T and smart city development.
 
Through concerted efforts of the ICT sectors, academia and the Government, the HKICTA has long been highly regarded by the information technology industry. Winners not only gain authoritative recognition but also have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in regional and international competitions, as well as receive sponsorships to participate in overseas I&T exhibitions. Beyond offering encouragement and recognition, the HKICTA also helps the products enter both the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets. The winners will also be invited to join the “HKICTA Winner Circle”, in recognition of their outstanding contribution, while fostering innovation and technological exchange in the I&T industry, and collectively advancing the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s ICT sector.
 
Details of the HKICTA are available on the thematic website (www.hkictawards.hk). Enquiries can be made to the DPO at 3974 5224 or by emailing hkictawards@digitalpolicy.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28):
 
Honourable Director Zhou Ji (Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR), Professor Harry Shum (the Council Chairman of the HKUST), Professor Nancy Ip (the President of the HKUST), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning. It’s a great pleasure to be here today for the groundbreaking of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Education and Research Complex. I am delighted to witness this milestone with you – Hong Kong’s third medical school is now taking shape.
 
The National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent. A new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. It will also contribute to a Healthy China, one of the Five-Year Plan’s key goals, by deepening collaboration with the Chinese Mainland.
 
Equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency, and higher capacity in our healthcare and medical services. It will increase local doctor training, easing manpower shortages. It will help us meet the challenges of an ageing population.
 
Beyond these, HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from our two existing ones. That will create synergy, drive innovation, generate multiplier effects, and raise our medical-education capabilities. Hong Kong is fast emerging as an international centre for medical training, research and innovation. Building a third medical school will get us there that much faster.
 
We are moving decisively to bring these benefits to Hong Kong. Last November, I approved HKUST’s proposal, agreeing in principle to launch a four-year, graduate-entry medical programme. It offers a combined bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degree. About 50 students will make up the first cohort, starting in the 2028/29 academic year.
 
HKUST’s winning bid followed a rigorous assessment process by the Task Group on New Medical School and its expert advisors. They fully recognised HKUST’s innovative strategy, its financial commitment and its ability to deliver.
 
To turn this decision into reality, the Government has set up three working groups under the Task Group. The members include relevant government departments and outside experts, such as the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong.
 
These groups will now work with HKUST on every stage of implementation, advising on curriculum, finances and more. I’m sure HKUST will also work closely with the Medical Council to complete course accreditation and advance all fronts.
 
Our goal is clear: to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system. The Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. We have set aside funding, on a matching basis, to support HKUST.
 
We have also reserved land at Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis. That land is for the medical school’s permanent campus and an integrated hospital of medical education, research and patient-care. We will also work with HKUST on the development and operational model for the new hospital.
 
Today’s groundbreaking ceremony, here at the Clear Water Bay campus, is a tangible step forward. The eight-storey complex will rise as one of the core facilities of the medical school. It is scheduled for completion in mid‑2028, just in time to welcome the first cohort of students. It will support the school’s phased development, and its technology-enabled teaching, for years to come.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, I have every confidence in HKUST. It enjoys an outstanding international reputation in science and life sciences, as well as engineering and business. The new medical school will take full advantage of these formidable strengths to create its own medical education and research foundations.
 
It will nurture a new generation of doctors with professional expertise, technological command, a global perspective, and a patient-centred philosophy. It will raise Hong Kong’s research and medical-education capabilities.
 
This is the future we are building – for Hong Kong, and for every patient who will one day be healed by the doctors trained here. Let’s build it together. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following latest information today (April 28) on the traffic and public transport arrangements during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week (May 1 to 5):
 
     During the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, in anticipation of a large number of members of the public, visitors and cross-boundary vehicles visiting land-based boundary control points (BCPs), the Transport Department (TD) appealed to cross-boundary travellers to use public transport services travelling between Hong Kong and the Mainland or Macao, plan their trips early and allow sufficient travelling time.
 
Enhancing services for travel convenience
 
     The TD has been steering local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week for the convenience of residents and visitors, including:
 

• The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau Stations at different times from April 30 to May 5 based on passenger demand;
• The train service of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Futian Stations will be enhanced from April 30 to May 3, with 13 additional pairs of trains (i.e. 26 train trips) operating daily. On May 4 and 5, there will be one additional pair of trains operating daily between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Futian Stations, and between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Shenzhenbei Stations respectively. One additional pair of temporary sleeper train trips operating between Hong Kong West Kowloon and Beijingxi Stations will also be added on April 30 and from May 5 to 7 daily;
• Increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to an average of about one minute during peak hours, if needed;
• Increasing the frequency of the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to an average of about two minutes during peak hours, if needed;
• Increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services; and
• The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land-based BCPs will also be increased to a level higher than that of normal weekends, and the operators concerned will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand.

Travel during non-peak hours
 
     It is anticipated that the waiting time for public transport services, including the Gold Bus and the franchised bus B routes, may be longer. Passengers are advised to travel during non-peak hours, maintain order while queuing and heed advice from on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers planning to take cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.
 
     HZMB users travelling to Zhuhai should note that the temporary link bridge connecting HZMB Zhuhai Port and Qinglu South Road has been closed to all traffic. They should use public transport services as far as possible, plan their trips early and allow sufficient travelling time. The traffic of Zhuhai Port and neighbouring roads may also be affected, and passengers should remain patient while waiting.
 
     As for motorists of cross-boundary private cars crossing the border, they are advised that special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau BCP and the Shenzhen Bay Port, subject to actual traffic conditions, during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week to secure smooth access for public transport vehicles to the above BCPs. Cross-boundary private cars may experience longer waiting times for crossing the BCPs during peak periods. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.
 
Information dissemination
 
     For the HZMB, to plan their journeys ahead, members of the public can make use of the TD’s HKeMobility mobile app or website (hkemobility.gov.hk/en/traffic-information/live/cctv) to access snapshots of traffic conditions at inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time situations of the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts “hzmbzhport” or “zhuhaifabu” (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with the traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles must not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.
 
     The public and visitors may visit the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance “Easy Boundary” (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) of the Security Bureau or the HKeMobility for the latest information on various land-based BCPs more conveniently. The TD will provide information on the services and waiting times of the Gold Bus, the Yellow Bus and the MTR. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility.
 
     The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of various districts, the BCPs and major stations, and to implement contingency measures when necessary to meet service demands.
 
     The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s Labour Day Golden Week, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, attended the “Guangdong-Hong Kong collaboration begins at the Greater Bay Area – Guangdong enterprises’ going global and international development promotion seminar” in Guangzhou today (April 28). The seminar was jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Council for the Promotion of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Enterprises Overseas Professional Service Alliance. It explored how Mainland enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s business advantages and opportunities to realise their overseas expansion strategies.

     This is the first large-scale promotion event held in Guangdong Province by the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global (GoGlobal Task Force), steered by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Mr Yau and the Director General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Chen Liwen, delivered speeches at the event. Other guests included the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress and Deputy Secretary of the Leading Party Group of the Committee, Mr Huang Ningsheng.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, together with the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zhou Ji; the 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 Li Yongsheng; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Medical Education and Research Complex today (April 28), marking a new phase in the establishment of the third medical school.

     Located in the HKUST’s Clear Water Bay campus, the Medical Education and Research Complex is one of the core facilities of the new medical school. It is expected to be completed by mid-2028 to admit the first cohort of students in the same year, and it will serve as an interim campus before the permanent campus in the Northern Metropolis is completed. The Government has also reserved a site in Ngau Tam Mei in the Northern Metropolis for the permanent campus of the new medical school, and for the development of an integrated medical teaching and research hospital. The Government will reserve resources for this purpose and fully support the early commencement of construction works.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in becoming an international hub for high-calibre talent, and that a new medical school will help turn that vision into reality, attracting and training top talent in healthcare and higher education. He added that, equally important, the new medical school will ensure better quality, greater efficiency and higher capacity in local healthcare and medical services. He also noted that HKUST’s medical school will develop differently from the two existing ones, creating synergy, driving innovation, generating multiplier effects, and raising the city’s medical-education capabilities.

     Mr Lee said that the Government’s goal is to ensure that the new medical school and its teaching hospital become a key pillar of Hong Kong’s medical teaching and service system, and that the Government is backing this commitment with substantial resources. Today’s groundbreaking of the HKUST Medical Education and Research Complex is a tangible step forward, he said, and it will support the new medical school’s phased development for years to come.

     Professor Lo said, “The HKSAR Government fully supports the HKUST in actively advancing the preparatory work for the new medical school. The Task Group on New Medical School has set up three working groups. Relevant government departments and experienced experts in related fields have been invited to join the working groups to offer advice and support to the HKUST on areas such as curriculum development and financial arrangements of the new medical school. The three working groups have already held their first meetings to follow up with every effort on all aspects of the work for establishing the new medical school. They will report the progress to the Task Group on a regular basis to ensure the preparatory process is smooth and on track. I would like to express my gratitude in particular to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for swiftly setting up the accreditation committee to start the preparatory work for programme accreditation, with a view to ensuring the upcoming four-year graduate-entry programme offered by the new medical school will meet the quality and standards of medical education in Hong Kong.”

     Dr Choi said, “The establishment of the new medical school is a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s higher education. It will not only effectively expand capacity and enhance quality of medical education, but also further strengthen and enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub. The Government will continue to provide full support to the HKUST in establishing the new medical school and work hand-in-hand with the University to advance this strategically important project. We look forward to the new medical school complementing the existing two medical schools in a synergistic manner, creating a more comprehensive and diverse medical education ecosystem, and nurturing more outstanding medical talent with global vision, humanistic care, and innovative thinking. Through the establishment of the new medical school, Hong Kong will further strengthen its competitive edge in international higher education and medical training, attracting more outstanding academics, students, and research projects. Members of the Task Group will continue to work closely together to ensure the high-quality, high-standard development of the new medical school, with a view to injecting strong momentum into the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and complementing with the talent backing for our country and Hong Kong.”

     In November last year, the Chief Executive in Council approved the establishment of the third medical school and gave approval-in-principle for the new medical school to be established by the HKUST, which shall aim to admit the first cohort of 50 students in the 2028/29 academic year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (April 28) the external merchandise trade statistics for March 2026. In March 2026, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 35.8% and 41.2% respectively.

In March 2026, the value of total exports of goods increased by 35.8% over a year earlier to $618.4 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 24.7% in February 2026. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 41.2% over a year earlier to $707.5 billion in March 2026, after a year-on-year increase by 29.9% in February 2026. A visible trade deficit of $89.1 billion, equivalent to 12.6% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in March 2026.

For the first quarter of 2026 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 32.0% over the same period in 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 37.0%. A visible trade deficit of $168.4 billion, equivalent to 9.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first quarter of 2026.

Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 18.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 20.0%.

Analysis by country/territory

Comparing March 2026 with March 2025, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 37.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Singapore (+125.0%), Malaysia (+62.3%), Thailand (+61.7%), Taiwan (+50.9%) and Chinese Mainland (the Mainland) (+39.5%).

Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+80.8%) and the Netherlands (+37.1%). Meanwhile, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Kingdom (-29.1%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular the United Kingdom (+118.5%), Korea (+112.2%), India (+88.1%), Vietnam (+85.7%), the USA (+66.0%) and the Mainland (+48.8%).

Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the same period in 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Malaysia (+81.1%), Singapore (+71.2%), Taiwan (+56.5%), the USA (+47.5%) and the Mainland (+34.9%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular the United Kingdom (+128.2%), India (+112.2%), Korea (+100.8%), Vietnam (+93.4%) and the Mainland (+42.3%).

Analysis by major commodity

Comparing March 2026 with March 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $99.8 billion or +47.9%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $40.2 billion or +94.7%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $10.2 billion or +175.9%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $106.2 billion or +49.5%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $45.3 billion or +93.0%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $30.4 billion or +403.6%).

Comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the same period in 2025, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $220.3 billion or +40.2%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $78.3 billion or +63.8%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $24.8 billion or +169.1%).

Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $231.3 billion or +42.4%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $103.2 billion or +81.6%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $62.3 billion or +340.7%).

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that merchandise exports continued to stage a strong performance in March. The value of merchandise exports grew by 35.8% over a year earlier on the back of strong global demand for AI-related electronic products. Exports to most markets and of most major commodities sustained strong growth.

Looking ahead, the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have led to an upsurge in international energy prices, posing downside risk to the near-term global economic outlook, with potential disruptions to global trade flows and supply chains. Nonetheless, global demand for AI-related electronic products remains robust and should provide staunch support to the performance of Hong Kong’s merchandise exports. The Government will continue to monitor the evolving external environment closely and stay vigilant.

Further information

Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for March 2026. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2023 to March 2026, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.

The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for March 2026 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.

Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for March 2026.

All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for March 2026 will be released in mid-May 2026.

The March 2026 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in March 2026 and will be available in early May 2026. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230).

​Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3863 2592).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (April 28) announced that the auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on May 16 (Saturday) at Meeting Room S221, L2, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     “A total of 200 traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) will be put up for public auction in the morning session, and 120 personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be put up for auction in the afternoon session. The lists of marks have been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.

     For the auction of TVRMs, only registration marks starting with “HK” or “XX” and special vehicle registration marks are put up for physical auction. Applicants should attend the auction and take note of the opening price as announced by the auctioneer before participating in the bidding of the mark.

     The reserve price of each PVRM is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also attend the physical auction and participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.

     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the physical auction should take note of the following points:

(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(iv) a crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. Any bidder who wishes to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs on the same day, should bring along at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices (for an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed). Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.

(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Vehicle Registration Mark or the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.

(3) A registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.

(4) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.

(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.

(6) Special vehicle registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special vehicle registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special vehicle registration mark shall be cancelled.

(7) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the vehicle registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the registration mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation by the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.

     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of TVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/tvrm_auction/index.html) and Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRMs (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Innovation and Technology Commission announced today (April 28) that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee (the Vetting Committee) under the Innovation and Technology Fund has supported in principle an application under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS) submitted by Hiharbor Tech HK Limited, a subsidiary of Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. The project plan is to set up a production line in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park producing high-capacity energy storage batteries under the advanced manufacturing technology sector. The estimated total investment amount is over $200 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be around $80 million.
 
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, “We are pleased to see the application of Hiharbor Tech HK Limited under the NIAS being supported by the Vetting Committee, which fully reflects the Government’s support for enterprises in developing advanced manufacturing industries in Hong Kong. It is the first project supported by the Vetting Committee with a total project cost of less than $300 million since the NIAS application threshold was relaxed in November last year, indicating the effectiveness of the enhancement measures in helping enterprises to develop innovation and technology industries. Moreover, it is also the first time that an enterprise in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone will set up pilot and smart production lines through funding under the NIAS. With the gradual release of land resources in areas such as the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao Co-operation Zone, more industrial land will be provided. The Government will continue to promote new industrialisation and accelerate the development of new productive forces in Hong Kong, thereby enabling the city to integrate into our country’s overall planning of new industrialisation.”
 
The NIAS provides funding support on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) and contributing no less than $100 million to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government also provides additional funding for relevant enterprises to engage research talent and/or technical personnel.
 
The NIAS is open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the scheme (Tel: 3543 5904; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Health Bureau today clarified that the Government never requested the CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) to repay its government loan ahead of schedule.

The bureau noted that the proposal for early repayment was initiated jointly by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the CUHKMC.

In a press statement, the bureau said the CUHKMC formally notified the Government in writing on April 22 of its proposal to fully repay the loan ahead of schedule, citing its gradually stabilising financial position.

Taking into account various considerations, the Government has agreed to the proposal in principle that the CUHKMC may repay the full loan amount on March 19 next year. Specific arrangements are being finalised.

The bureau added that the Government will maintain close liaison with the CUHK and the CUHKMC to complete the necessary procedures. It will also closely monitor the CUHKMC’s compliance with deed-related obligations to ensure proper operations before and after the repayment.

The Government, the CUHK and the CUHKMC will report the latest updates on the loan arrangement to the Legislative Council Panel on Health Services on May 8.