Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that China Chengxin Group, one of the Chinese Mainland’s longest-established and largest credit rating agencies, is expanding its business in Hong Kong. Under this expansion, its green finance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) arm, China Chengxin Green Finance (CCXGF), today (September 1) entered into a strategic merger with leading Asian sustainability tech platform MioTech to form “CCX-MioTech”. The new entity will offer a dedicated ESG and sustainable development services platform for Mainland enterprises looking to expand abroad, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a launchpad for Mainland and international enterprises expanding overseas.

     A launch ceremony for the CCX-MioTech merger, together with the debut of the entity’s new AI system products, was held in Hong Kong today. Officiating guests at the launch ceremony included the Founder and Chairman of China Chengxin Group, Mr Mao Zhenhua; the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy of the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, Mr Daniel Cheung; Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK Ms Loretta Lee; the Associate Director of International Affairs and Sustainable Finance of the Securities and Futures Commission, Ms Elaine Ng; the Head of Carbon and ESG Products of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mr Ken Chiu; the Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association, Mr Philip Kam; the Senior Director, Asia Pacific of the International Capital Market Association, Mr Ricco Zhang; the Secretary General of the Hong Kong Green Finance Association Mr Tsun Chen; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Investor Relations Association, Dr Eva Chan.

     Ms Lee, said, “Hong Kong is well positioned to meet the Mainland’s huge demand for green transformation. Our common law system, robust ESG framework and leading professional services make the city an ideal platform for Mainland enterprises to expand overseas. We are delighted to see CCXGF using Hong Kong as its base and joining forces with MioTech to bring AI-powered Chinese ESG fintech services to the world, demonstrating Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’.”

     The Co-President of CCX-MioTech and Chief Executive Officer of China Chengxin Green Finance International, Dr Yang Junhao, said, “As Asia’s sustainable finance centre, Hong Kong is ideally placed to capture the vast opportunities of both the Chinese Mainland and international markets. Its increasingly robust ESG governance framework also gives us an important edge as we position our sustainable finance business strategically. Since beginning operations here in 2022, we became a recognised external reviewer under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in 2023. Through today’s strategic merger with MioTech, we will use Hong Kong as our go-global hub to take our standardised, technology-driven professional capabilities further into Southeast Asia and markets worldwide.”

     CCXGF is one of the earliest professional institutions on the Chinese Mainland to provide third-party green finance services, with a long-standing focus on green finance assessment and certification, ESG ratings and advisory, data services, and carbon neutrality research. MioTech, for its part, has consistently driven the deep integration of artificial intelligence, data and software into sustainability applications.

     InvestHK provided one-stop support for China Chengxin Green Finance International’s expansion in Hong Kong, including market intelligence, business matching, and connections with local and overseas industry stakeholders, helping to raise the company’s industry profile and open up cross-regional market opportunities.

     For more information about CCXGF, please visit www.ccxgfi.com/en/.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Innovation and Technology Commission today (September 1) held the third InnoHK research cluster launch ceremony. The new cluster, namely SEAM@InnoHK, focuses on four frontier technology fields – sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials – marking an important milestone in Hong Kong’s journey to become an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
 
Eight research centres have been approved for admission to SEAM@InnoHK, with total government funding support of around HK$2.5 billion. The centres are led by renowned local and overseas universities and research institutions, and have established collaborations with a number of top-tier universities and research institutions from the Chinese Mainland and worldwide, with a network spanning the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, etc, together forming a cross-Eurasian landscape for international I&T collaboration.
 
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said that research of the eight research centres spans next-generation semiconductors, sustainable energy and innovative materials, space manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as smart energy management. The initiative echoes the call to drive high-end manufacturing, accelerate growth of strategic emerging industries and deepen green transition under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.
 
Professor Sun said that by integrating advanced technologies into local industries, the third research cluster demonstrates the Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting real-world applications of research outcomes with a view to accelerating Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre.
 
The participating institutions of the centres include many of the world’s top 100 universities and research and development institutes in frontier technology fields, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s unique advantage as a “super connector” to seamlessly bridge top-tier international academic resources with local industrial needs. Currently, the eight research centres are actively preparing to set up their laboratories and will come into operations progressively to inject new momentum into Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem.
 
Other officiating guests at the launch ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi; Deputy Director-General of the Economic and Financial Department II of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Lyu Feng; the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Ms Cordelia Chung; and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP, Mr Terry Wong, as well as representatives from collaborating universities and research institutions. The centre head/co-head of each research centre also introduced their centres’ research focuses in frontier technology fields at the launch ceremony.
 
InnoHK is a flagship international I&T initiative of the Government, aimed at bringing together world-class institutions and local universities to establish research centres in Hong Kong. The Government has invested HK$10 billion to successfully set up two major platforms: Health@InnoHK, focusing on healthcare technology, and AIR@InnoHK, focusing on AI and robotics technology. To date, they have attracted over 30 top-notch universities and research institutions from 12 economies worldwide, funded more than 30 research centres, and pooled together about 3 000 local and overseas researchers, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s pivotal role in the global I&T network. The establishment of the third cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, expands the research collaboration network to emerging areas including sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The owner of a pig farm at Lin Fa Tei in Pat Heung, Yuen Long, was convicted of violating the Waste Disposal (Livestock Waste) Regulations by discharging improperly treated livestock waste into a nearby watercourse, and was fined $12,000 by the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (September 1). The owner concerned has previously been convicted of the same unlawful act and this is a repeated case.

     During a previous surprise inspection in Yuen Long, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff found that brownish-yellow wastewater carrying an odour of pig manure was being discharged from the pig farm concerned into a nearby watercourse, causing serious pollution of the downstream water quality of the Kam Tin River. EPD staff immediately collected wastewater samples for analysis. Given the concealed location of the wastewater discharge point, it was difficult to determine its position by visual inspection. The EPD staff applied smart technology to assist in positioning, including using a drone for aerial detection with image analysis, with a view to confirming that the wastewater discharge originated from a plant-covered pond within the concerned pig farm. Since the analysis results of the wastewater samples indicated exceedance of the legal discharge standards, the EPD subsequently instigated prosecution against the pig farm owner involved in the case in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Livestock Waste) Regulations, and notified the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the case for follow-up action.

     An EPD spokesman said that the department is highly concerned about illegal wastewater discharge from livestock farms along the Kam Tin River. Livestock waste without proper treatment contains high concentrations of pollutants. Its discharge into rivers not only causes serious water pollution, but also an odour nuisance. According to the abovementioned Regulations, liquid livestock waste generated by livestock farms must be properly treated to meet the statutory requirements before discharge. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and a fine of $5,000 for each day on which the offence continues. Operators and staff of livestock farms must strictly comply with the law, properly operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities for livestock waste, and must not, for the sake of convenience, discharge untreated livestock waste into nearby rivers or water bodies. Any contravention will be subject to prosecution.

     This case marks the second successful prosecution in recent times, following the EPD’s announcement on August 20, 2026, of a similar conviction involving illegal discharge from a pig farm at Sheung Che in Pat Heung, Yuen Long. It reaffirms the Department’s “zero-tolerance” enforcement stance against illegal discharge of livestock waste. The EPD spokesman reiterated that the Department will continue to combat any illegal wastewater discharge activity by surprise inspections, smart technology applications and interdepartmental collaboration to safeguard environmental health and river water quality.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the third InnoHK research cluster launch ceremony today (September 1): 

呂峰副部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Mr Lyu Feng), Cordelia (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Ms Cordelia Chung), Kevin (Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Kevin Choi), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the launch ceremony of the third InnoHK research cluster.

InnoHK is the HKSAR Government’s flagship platform for global research collaboration. Over the past several years, two Inno (InnoHK) research clusters have been established, namely Health@InnoHK focusing on healthcare technology, and AIR@InnoHK on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies. The initiative has connected over 30 leading universities and research institutions from 12 economies, bringing together some 3 000 local and international researchers and collaborators. Riding on the success of the first two clusters, we are now building the third one, namely SEAM@InnoHK, which expands our reach to four main areas, namely sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing, and materials.  

With Government funding of around $2.5 billion under this new cluster, we are proud to set up eight R&D (research and development) centres and partner with about 30 collaborators from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, with research spanning next-generation semiconductors, sustainable energy and innovative materials, space manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technologies, as well as smart energy management. This initiative echoes the call to drive high-end manufacturing, accelerate growth of strategic emerging industries and deepen the green transition under the national 15th Five-Year Plan.

Hong Kong’s unique advantages provide fertile soil for the launch of the SEAM@InnoHK new cluster. We are home to five of the world’s top 100 universities and lead globally in several areas, such as engineering, material sciences, and environmental sciences. Hong Kong serves as the “super connector” and “super value-adder” between our nation and the world, attracting global technology enterprises, capital, and world-class talent. By integrating advanced technologies into our local industries, the third research cluster demonstrates our unwavering commitment to promoting cutting-edge research and real-world application of our excellent research outcomes, with a view to accelerating Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology centre.
 
I am confident that SEAM@InnoHK will generate tangible economic and social benefits, cultivate a new generation of research talent, and contribute to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, our nation, and the world. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Government announced today (September 1) the appointment of 11 new members and the reappointment of 11 incumbent members to the Lantau Development Advisory Committee (LanDAC) for a two-year term from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028.

     LanDAC is responsible for advising the Government on initiatives and specific proposals which are conducive to realising the sustainable development and conservation of Lantau from a holistic perspective to capitalise on the unique strategic advantages of Lantau for meeting the long-term social, housing and economic development needs of Hong Kong.

Membership of LanDAC from September 1, 2026, is as follows:

Chairman
********
Secretary for Development

Non-official members
*******************
Mr Chan Hok-fung#
Ms Judy Chan Kapui#
Ms Joephy Chan Wing-yan#
Professor Leslie Chen Hung-chi
Mrs Vivian Cheung Kar-fay#
Ms Linda Choy Siu-min
Mr Ryan Chuk Hing-toi#
Miss Natalie Chung Sum-yue
Professor Thomas Ho On-sing#
Mr Ho Siu-kei#
Mr Francis Lam Ka-fai#
Mr Anthony Lau Chun-hon#
Ms Ivy Lee Siu-wing#
Mr Thomas Lee
Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee
Mr Li Yun-tai
Mr Simon Ng Ka-wing
Dr Winnie Tang Shuk-ming
Mr Wong Fuk-kan
Professor Wong Sze-chun
Mr Yiu Pak-leung#
Ms Vriko Yu Pik-fan

Ex-officio members
******************
Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) or representative
Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) or representative
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) or representative
Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics or representative
Permanent Secretary for Housing or representative
Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs or representative
Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism or representative
Director of Civil Engineering and Development
Director of Planning

# new member

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) has recently noted several fraudulent websites purported to be from HKICL:
 
Type 1:
 

• fpshkicl[.]courses
• fpshkicl[.]garden

These fraudulent websites imitate as “Buyer Online Protection” to provide services including 1) refund to buyer, 2) unauthorised online transaction reporting, and 3) online transaction support, for online transaction over FPS payment.
 
Type 2:
 

• hkrefundplatform[.]click

In addition to the above functions of type 1 fraudulent websites, it intends to trick user into giving away personal document number and ID photo together with phone number for real name verification in order to get cash reward. In addition, it also tricks user into providing bank name, bank account number and bank account holder’s name to top up and withdraw money from its platform’s virtual wallet via FPS. Further, it directs user to a WhatsApp chat with the fraudster impersonating as customer service personnel.
 
HKICL advises that these fraudulent websites have no affiliation with HKICL, or any business of HKICL. HKICL will not directly provide FPS service to individual members of the public or contact individual members of the public proactively under usual circumstance. The genuine official website addresses of HKICL are www.hkicl.com.hk and fps.hkicl.com.hk.
 
HKICL urges the public to beware of suspicious calls, websites or other communications, and to remain vigilant in protecting personal information. If members of the public receive any suspicious communication purportedly from HKICL, please call HKICL’s general line at 2533 1111 to verify. Members of the public who suspect that they have become the victim of fraudulent acts should report promptly to the Police.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     A Hong Kong male resident was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of making a false statutory declaration. He pleaded guilty to the charges at Shatin Magistrates’ Courts, and was convicted and sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment yesterday (August 31).

     The Outside Investigation Section of the Immigration Department (ImmD) through intelligence analysis found that the 32-year-old defendant married a Mainland female resident in Hong Kong in February 2025. The said female later obtained a Confirmation Certificate on Delivery Booking from a local private hospital for delivery services in Hong Kong by virtue of her marital relationship with the defendant. The said female attempted to enter Hong Kong for delivery in June of the same year. Due to doubts about the marital relationship between her and the defendant, she was refused permission to land by the ImmD and subsequently gave birth on the Mainland.

     During the follow-up investigation by the ImmD, the defendant was arrested. The defendant admitted under caution that under the arrangement of a middleman, he was paid a total of about $50,000 as a monetary reward to contract a bogus marriage with the Mainland female resident in order to assist her to obtain visit endorsements and residency status in Hong Kong. The defendant also admitted that he knowingly made a false statutory declaration at a District Office, claiming to be the father of the expectant child of the Mainland female resident even though he knew that the expectant baby was not born to him, in order to assist the Mainland female resident to obtain a Confirmation Certificate on Delivery Booking for delivery in Hong Kong. The investigation of other suspects is still underway, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.
    
     “The ImmD is concerned about the situation of non-local pregnant women seeking to give birth in Hong Kong by illegal means. While great efforts are made to intercept non-local pregnant women without a confinement booking at the control points, vigorous enforcement actions have also been taken to combat related immigration offences committed by non-local pregnant women and their abettors. Furthermore, the ImmD will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages. For people who have obtained their residency in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residence status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin,” an ImmD spokesman said.

     “According to the Immigration Ordinance, any person who makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true to immigration officers commits an offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Conspiracy to defraud is a serious offence. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction, under the Crimes Ordinance, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years. Moreover, under the Crimes Ordinance, a person who knowingly and wilfully makes a false statutory declaration shall be liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to the maximum penalty of imprisonment for two years,” the ImmD spokesman warned.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region