Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

80th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression Commemorative Medal Handover Ceremony held at MWRCD  
     At the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Fifth Bureau of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Ms Li Li presented the commemorative medal on behalf of the Central Government for receipt by the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, for the HKSAR Government. Expressing gratitude to the Central Government, Ms Chan said that the gift provides members of the public with the opportunity to appreciate the commemorative medal as well as its significance, thereby deepening their patriotic sentiments. From tomorrow, the commemorative medal will be displayed at the MWRCD thematic exhibition “Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong”.
 
     Other guests attending the ceremony included the President and Deputy President of the Society of Veterans of the Original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, Ms Lam Chun and Mr Lam Ming; Investigation and Research Officer of the Fifth Bureau of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Liu Meng; the Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Ng Chi-wo; and the Head of the Chinese Culture Promotion Office, Mr Terence Cheung.
 
     In 2025, to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the country awarded the commemorative medal to surviving veterans, old comrades, wartime generals or their families. The commemorative medal features the sculpture “Marching Towards Victory” at the centre, incorporating the Yan’an Pagoda Mountain, Yellow River, five stars, lights, olive branches and doves of peace.
 
     The MWRCD’s “Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong” exhibition presents the history of the people of Guangdong and Hong Kong, led by the Chinese Communist Party, in resisting the enemy in close unity. For details of the exhibition and related activities, please visit the MWRCD website at hk.waranddefence.museum/en/web/mcd/standingtogetherforpeacebuilding.htmlIssued at HKT 17:25

Man sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for smuggling rhino horns (with photo)      
     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the passenger arrived at Hong Kong International Airport from Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 29 last year. During inspection of the man’s luggage by Customs officers, 41 suspected rhino horns cut in pieces were found concealed inside. The AFCD officers attended the scene and examined the items, which were found to be painted black and wrapped in plastic film. All cut pieces were confirmed to be rhino horns, weighing 7.7 kilograms in total, with an estimated market value of about $3 million. The man was prosecuted by the AFCD for the illegal importation of specimens of endangered species. He was convicted at the District Court today, and the court adopted a starting point of 36 months’ imprisonment for sentencing. A one-third reduction was given for his guilty plea and the defendant was sentenced to imprisonment for 24 months. 

     Rhinos are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and are regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. Any person who imports, exports or possesses 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.
      
     The spokesman said, “the Government is committed to the protection of endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs will remain vigilant and closely monitor and combat illegal activities involving endangered species.”Issued at HKT 15:30

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Guangxi and Hong Kong sign MOU on AI co-operation to jointly explore new opportunities for digital development (with photo)      
     The signing ceremony of the MOU was held at the Gateway to ASEAN & Strategic Hinterland of the Greater Bay Area – Guangxi-Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference 2026, when the Director of the Guangxi Big Data Development Bureau, Mr Zhao Zhigang, and the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, signed the MOU. According to the MOU, both sides will facilitate co-operation between Guangxi and Hong Kong in the field of AI, fully leverage the advantages of the two places in aggregating digital innovation resources, and promote the efficient connection of AI achievements in both places with the international market.
      
     Guangxi and Hong Kong agreed to strengthen co-operation in multiple areas, including co-operation at the AI application level, supporting data products and AI achievements to enter international markets, promoting the development of international data infrastructure, promoting exchanges on AI governance, security and technical standards, as well as deepening the cultivation of innovation and technology (I&T) talent in both places.
      
     “By leveraging Guangxi’s advantages in cross-boundary data policies, low-cost green energy and proximity to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market, together with Hong Kong’s unique positioning as an international financial centre, an I&T hub, and our connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, it will help I&T enterprises in both places expand into the ASEAN and international markets and promote technical co-operation with ASEAN in areas such as fintech, data governance and cybersecurity. It will bring more opportunities and support for the AI industry in both places to go global, attract international collaboration, enhance global influence and strengthen talent exchanges,” a spokesman for the DPO said.
Issued at HKT 13:03

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Singapore ETO holds dinner with local community to celebrate Year of Horse and promote Hong Kong  
     Over 200 guests attended the Chinese New Year dinner, including the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Cao Zhongming; the Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat, Mr Eduardo Pedrosa; and representatives from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Other guests came from the government sector, foreign embassies in Singapore, business associations, academic institutions, cultural organisations as well as the local Hong Kong community.
 
     In her welcome speech, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, highlighted the close and long-standing partnership between Hong Kong and Singapore, underpinned by strong economic and trade ties and sustained high-level exchanges, as manifested by the meeting between the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong, on the sidelines of the APEC meetings last October.
 
     Ms Hung took the opportunity to introduce the key initiatives featured in the 2026-27 Budget delivered by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, yesterday, including proactive alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, accelerating development in the Northern Metropolis, advancing AI industrialisation and adoption, boosting new quality productive forces, enhancing intellectual property trading and emerging sectors like aerospace, attracting high-calibre talent and strategic enterprises, enhancing support for family offices and regional headquarters through potential tax incentives, and continuing to support Chinese Mainland enterprises in going global.
 
     At the dinner, Hong Kong musicians Anna Lo and Rick Lau performed as guest artistes, presenting a selection of the widely acclaimed Hong Kong cabaret production “LauZone”. Through songs written in a variety of dialects, they portrayed Hong Kong’s unique character as a cultural melting pot, enabling the Singapore audience to find resonance in the stories told. The duo will also take part in the Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2026 organised by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (the Esplanade), where they will stage three performances of “LauZone” on February 27 and 28, with support from the Esplanade and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
    
     Ms Hung concluded by highlighting Hong Kong’s unique advantage of being the only city connected to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world under the “one country, two systems” framework, serving the dual role of “super connector” and “super value-adder” to actively explore new growth areas and promote high-quality economic development. The Singapore ETO will continue to work closely with partners in Singapore and the region to promote Hong Kong and foster broader and deeper collaboration through initiatives such as the Economic and Trade Express platform, which brings together the global network of all ETOs, Invest Hong Kong and the HKTDC to support enterprises in going global and expanding regionally.
 
     Singapore ETO will host Chinese New Year dinners in Manila, the Philippines, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on February 27 and March 14 respectively to further strengthen ties and exchanges with local communities in the two places.
Issued at HKT 13:00

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DH urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccinations amid rising influenza activity      
     “The CHP’s latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (February 15 to 21) was 2.29 per cent, up from 1.96 per cent recorded in the previous week (February 8 to 14). During the same period, the influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.13 cases per 10 000 population, which is higher than the 0.10 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous week. The proportion of influenza B among positive respiratory specimens has gradually increased from around 6 per cent in late January to over 21 per cent last week. Meanwhile, the proportion of influenza A (H3) virus strains has decreased from 91 to 71 per cent. Outside Hong Kong, seasonal influenza activity remains high in Japan and Korea, with the predominant circulating viruses having shifted from influenza A (H3) to influenza B. Japan is experiencing another winter peak driven by influenza B. Influenza B proportions have also increased in many parts of the world recently, including the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and North America,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
      
     “Based on past experience, Hong Kong’s winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. Given the persistently cold weather, combined with factors such as individuals returning from outbound travel after the long holidays and the shift in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that influenza activity will continue to increase and Hong Kong may enter the winter influenza season. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation. Scientific research indicates that this season’s SIV provides protection against influenza A and influenza B viruses. As it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the influenza virus, I appeal again to all individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, to receive the SIV if they have not yet done so. This is particularly important for high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, and adults with underlying illnesses or immunosuppression. Furthermore, individuals who contracted influenza during the summer influenza season late last year but have not yet received the SIV should also get vaccinated promptly to guard against other circulating virus strains that may emerge during the upcoming winter influenza season. Apart from receiving the vaccination through the DH’s SIV Programmes      
     “So far this year, five severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded, involving children aged between 6 months and 15 years old. Three of the affected children had not received an SIV. I would like to remind parents and caregivers that influenza in children may deteriorate rapidly. If a sick child shows any sign of deteriorating condition, for example the emergence of symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions, the child must be taken to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately,” he added. 

     For other respiratory pathogens, the latest surveillance data shows increased activity of rhinovirus/enterovirus and parainfluenza viruses. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for parainfluenza virus have risen compared to January. To prevent respiratory infections, members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. Furthermore, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should avoid crowded places and refrain from work or attending classes at school.
      
     Members of the public may refer to the CHP’s COVID-19 & Flu ExpressIssued at HKT 17:50