Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Digital Policy Office convenes special meeting with Internet infrastructure and cybersecurity industry (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Digital Policy Office (DPO) is highly concerned about recent cybersecurity incidents affecting public and private organisations in Hong Kong, and held a special meeting with the Internet Infrastructure Liaison Group today (July 29) to discuss strategies for addressing increasingly severe cybersecurity challenges. The meeting also invited the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and President of the Hong Kong Cybersecurity Professional Association, Dr Rocky Cheng, to participate in discussions, aiming to strengthen collaboration with the cybersecurity industry and collectively safeguard the security and resilience of Hong Kong’s digital and cyber ecosystem.
 
     The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, stated during the meeting, “The DPO has always placed great importance on cybersecurity. This special meeting not only thoroughly analysed the causes of recent cybersecurity incidents and discussed optimising technical measures, but also enabled the industry to identify potential risks earlier and enhance defences, thereby improving Hong Kong’s overall cybersecurity environment.”
 
     Mr Wong stressed, “Several major events will take place in Hong Kong in the second half of this year, including celebrations for the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, the Election Committee Subsector By-elections, the 15th National Games, and the eighth-term Legislative Council general election, etc. These events extensively utilise information technology, and cybersecurity is critical to ensure the smooth execution of the large-scale events. The Internet infrastructure and cybersecurity industries stakeholders must collaborate closely and remain vigilant.”
 
     The DPO will maintain close communication with the Internet infrastructure stakeholders and the cybersecurity industry to strengthen protective measures for digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity monitoring, threat intelligence sharing and analysis, and conduct large-scale cybersecurity attack and defence drills to improve the defence and response capabilities of relevant systems and teams. These efforts aim to ensure the security of Hong Kong’s Internet infrastructure and digital government services during these major events, while fully supporting the smooth operation of information systems related to these significant activities.

  

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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $260 million in second phase of “Cutflow” operation (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs, in collaboration with Singapore Customs, mounted the second phase of a joint operation codenamed “Cutflow” to combat illicit cigarette smuggling activities between mid-May and July this year, and dismantled a transnational illicit cigarette smuggling syndicate. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 58 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $260 million and a duty potential of about $192 million, and arrested five men.

Through intelligence exchanges with Singapore Customs, as well as risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Hong Kong Customs seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes in 13 seaborne containers from Singapore and arrested five male drivers, aged between 62 and 71.

Investigations into the related cases are ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

The outcomes of the operation fully demonstrate Customs’ notable enforcement effectiveness on combating cross-boundary illicit cigarette activities at source through international co-operation. Customs will continue to maintain close liaisons and strengthen intelligence exchanges with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary illicit cigarette activities.

Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
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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).

  

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Haze Advisory Test

Source: Government of Singapore

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Haze Advisory Test

29 Jul 2025

Air Quality Forecast

1-hr PM2.5: [System testing] This a maintenance test message for air quality.
24-hr PSI: Moderate

Health Advisory

Healthy persons: [System testing. Please ignore this message.] This a maintenance test message for health advisory.
Elderly, pregnant women & children: [System testing. Please ignore this message]. This a maintenance test message for health advisory.
Persons with chronic lung/heart disease: [System testing. Please ignore this message.] This a maintenance test message for health advisory.

This is a Maintenance test message.

This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory. This is a maintenance test message for advisory.

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Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board convenes first meeting (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board:

The Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB) held its first meeting today (July 29). Members were briefed on experts’ analysis of the latest developments in Hong Kong’s port and maritime industry and discussed the strategy for positioning Hong Kong as an international maritime centre under the current geopolitical situation. With the target of developing Hong Kong into a “global maritime capital”, the HKMPDB worked to formulate a more outgoing and comprehensive Mainland and overseas promotional plan, and identify key research areas for relevant committees to commence studies in the near term.

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Choi Yuk-lin returns from Japan

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin concluded a visit to Osaka, Japan and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

 

Ms Choi paid a courtesy call on Consul-General of China in Osaka Xue Jian this morning and briefed him Hong Kong’s current education policies.

 

She also visited the Confucius Institute at Osaka Sangyo University and met teachers and students of the institute to learn about its work to promote Chinese language studies and Chinese culture in Japan.

 

Earlier in her trip, the education chief attended a seminar that formed part of the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. She spoke at it of Hong Kong’s experience in delivering quality and equitable education and promoted Hong Kong’s advantages as an international hub for post-secondary education.

 

Ms Choi also met representatives from the UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization and officials from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology, as well as representatives from Japanese universities and from other places.

 

She also exchanged views with a Hong Kong citizen working in the foundational education in Japan and, together with Hong Kong secondary students participating in an exchange tour, visited the Sakai City Traditional Townhouse Museums.

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Import of poultry meat and products from Province of Toledo of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain suspended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 29) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Province of Toledo of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 50 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 50 000 poultry eggs from Spain in the first six months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Spanish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

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One more nomination form for Election Committee Subsector By-elections received today

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

One more nomination form for Election Committee Subsector By-elections received today 
     If there is a contested election for an EC subsector, a poll will be held on September 7.
 
     The By-elections will fill a total of 93 vacancies in the membership of the EC to be returned by election involving 28 subsectors. The breakdown of nomination forms received for the relevant subsectors is set out below:
 

First Sector     Besides, 10 vacancies involving five subsectors to be returned by nomination will be filled through supplementary nominations by designated bodies. The breakdown of nomination forms received for the relevant subsectors is set out below:
 

AccountancyParticulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:30

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Youth festival kicks off

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today unveiled a series of youth activities as he officiated at the “2025 youthfest@HK Kick-off Ceremony”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan remarked that in 2022 the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government released its Youth Development Blueprint, containing policies aimed at nurturing a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and instilling in them global perspectives, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking.

Since then, the Government has implemented about 250 specific actions and measures, including youthfest@HK.

The theme of the festival is “Nurture Positive Thinking, Promote Innovation and Inspire Creativity”.

Mr Chan said the festival offers young people a great opportunity to develop their potential, enhance their knowledge, and share their experiences.

Involving tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, over the past two years the festival has presented more than 400 activities, attracting over 400,000 participants.

Mr Chan encouraged young people to participate in this year’s varied festival activities.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Mr Chan encouraged youth organisations to organise activities to commemorate the anniversary as partner events to the festival, with a view to deepening young people’s understanding of Hong Kong’s and China’s history, and fostering a sense of patriotism.

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SED shares Hong Kong’s experience in achieving quality and equitable education in Osaka

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SED shares Hong Kong’s experience in achieving quality and equitable education in Osaka 
     The seminar, held on July 28, aimed at exploring how to guarantee equitable learning opportunities for all. In her speech titled “Provision of Quality and Equitable Education in Hong Kong”, Dr Choi outlined Hong Kong’s policy measures and achievements in providing quality and equitable education at the systemic levels.
 
     Dr Choi said that the Government is committed to investing in education and ensuring equitable distribution of educational resources. In addition to providing 12 years’ free primary and secondary education through public sector schools, it caters to individual differences and promotes whole-person development through diversified support mechanisms. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results, Hong Kong ranked second in educational equity among countries or economies with high academic achievements, indicating that the family socio-economic status of students had minimal bearing on their performance. Moreover, the Government has launched the Kindergarten Education Scheme to provide good-quality and highly affordable kindergarten education, enabling all children aged from 3 to 6 to access different modes of kindergarten education based on their needs. Currently, about 90 per cent of half-day kindergarten programmes are free of charge, while school fees for whole-day programmes are maintained at a low level.  
 
     On primary and secondary education, the Education Bureau (EDB) has developed a broad and balanced school curriculum framework that helps students build a solid knowledge foundation, nurture proper values and attitudes, and develop generic skills. A diverse range of life-wide learning activities is also provided to enrich students’ horizons. Coupled with the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) as the university entrance examination, the curriculum features flexibility and diversity, offering not only traditional academic subjects but also applied learning subjects for selection, which demonstrates the concept of convergence of vocational and general education and helps students plan their careers. Adopting the standards-referenced reporting system to report candidates’ examination results, which is in line with the international standards, the HKDSE is widely recognised locally and abroad. 
 
     In the seminar, Dr Choi also talked about the EDB’s targeted support for non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students and students with special educational needs (SEN). It has been providing NCS students, from pre-primary to secondary levels, with all-encompassing learning support to facilitate their mastery of Chinese language for integration into the community. The EDB is also dedicated to promoting an inclusive learning environment. It has been encouraging schools to adopt the Whole School Approach in supporting students with SEN and implement integrated education based on the spirit of “equal opportunities and teaching students in accordance with their abilities”, enabling students with SEN to integrate into ordinary schools.
 
     Dr Choi said that Hong Kong’s post-secondary education is highly internationalised and diversified. The quality of teaching and learning is consistently ranked among the top in the international comparative studies, with five publicly funded universities ranking among the world’s top 100. In addition to the Government’s substantial subsidy for tuition fees (87 per cent), various universities provide scholarships, grants and loans to students to ensure that no qualified students will be denied access to higher education due to financial difficulties.
 
     The Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub to provide students with broader international perspectives and attract more outstanding talent from around the world. At present, around one out of five students and 70 per cent of academic staff of publicly funded universities come from outside Hong Kong. These universities have also signed over 2 600 student exchange agreements with institutions around the world. In the 2025 ranking of the world’s most international universities published by the Times Higher Education, Hong Kong’s publicly funded universities achieved encouraging results by claiming all top four spots.
 
     Furthermore, the Government has been actively promoting vocational and professional education and training. By developing universities of applied sciences, and supporting the Vocational Training Council and other post-secondary institutions’ provision of post-secondary programmes of applied nature that blend theory and practice, the Government fosters co-operation between industries and education and collaboration between schools and businesses, and provides young people with diversified learning and employment opportunities as well as multiple pathways, with a view to nurturing more high-quality talent with applied knowledge and skills.
 
     On July 27 and 28, Dr Choi met representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, officials of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, representatives from several Japanese universities, and education representatives from other places attending the “Theme Weeks” of the Expo to discuss further education collaboration and exchanges.
 
     On July 27, she exchanged views with a Hong Kong person working in the field of basic education in Japan to learn about the latest developments in Japanese basic education. On the same day, she visited the Sakai City Traditional Townhouse Museums together with Hong Kong secondary students participating in an exchange tour in Japan and learned about the students’ experiential learning.
 
     This morning, Dr Choi paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of China in Osaka, Mr Xue Jian, to introduce Hong Kong’s latest education policies. She also visited the Confucius Institute at Osaka Sangyo University and met its teachers and students to learn about the Institute’s experience in promoting Chinese language studies and Chinese culture in Japan. Dr Choi will conclude her visit this afternoon and return to Hong Kong.
Issued at HKT 18:43

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