Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Two Hong Kong teams shine at International Physics and Mathematical Olympiads
Gold medal:The IMO 2025, hosted by Australia, was held from July 10 to 20, with the participation of 630 students from 110 countries or regions. The Hong Kong team won two gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal. The six awardees are as follows:
Gold medal: The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, congratulated the Hong Kong teams today (July 25) on their outstanding performances. “The impressive results achieved by the Hong Kong teams bear testament to the concerted efforts of the Government and various stakeholders in promoting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) and gifted education. The Education Bureau (EDB) will continue to strengthen the promotion of STEAM and gifted education in primary and secondary schools, and encourage the effective use of the school-based student talent pool to identify and nurture more students with talent,” Dr Choi said.
The EDB has been attaching great importance to the grooming of gifted students and continues to collaborate with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) to provide more diversified and high-quality off-school gifted education services and, in particular, arrange for students with potential in STEAM to participate in systematic training and competitions of a reasonable scale to nurture future innovation and technology talent for Hong Kong.Issued at HKT 17:13
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th National Games (NG) and Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, attended a press conference on preparations for the 15th NG organised by the Information Office of the State Council this afternoon (July 25) in Beijing. Mr Chan, along with relevant officials from the General Administration of Sport of China, Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region, introduced the progress of the preparations and highlights of the 15th NG.
As regards Hong Kong’s advantages in organising competition events, Mr Chan said, “The successful test events for the 15th NG held in Hong Kong have showcased the city’s capability to organise large-scale competitions. As a cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong’s strategic location and convenient transportation have attracted both overseas and Mainland tourists, as well as media. Leveraging its institutional and geographical strengths from ‘one country, two systems’, along with the unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world, Hong Kong can serve as a solid force in national sports development, backed by rich experience and the capability to organise large-scale sports events.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) completed a fruitful visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from July 13 to 20, championing Hong Kong as a premier international green technology hub for UK companies seeking growth and collaboration opportunities in Asia and beyond.
During the visit, the Senior Vice President (Sustainability) for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InvestHK, Ms Olivia To, engaged with key stakeholders in London and Cambridge to foster two-way business opportunities and deepen co-operation in sustainability and green tech innovation.
In London, Ms To held extensive discussions with leading UK’s new energy, new materials and digital companies, as well as UK Research and Innovation, the national funding agency investing in science and research, Sustainable Ventures, a leading green tech hub and ecosystem provider, Generation Investment Management, a sustainable investment management firm, London & Partners, London’s business growth and destination agency, and London GreenCity, a clean technology entrepreneurs accelerator providing prototyping lab and collaborative community.
In Cambridge, Ms To spoke at the event titled “Powering Tomorrow: Deep Tech Innovations for a Sustainable Energy Future”, co-organised by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Full Vision Capital, highlighting the competitive advantages Hong Kong offers energy and technology companies to grow and thrive across the region. The conference featured dynamic keynotes on growth strategies for clean energy start-ups, panel discussions on disruptive energy innovations, and a start-up demo where over 30 start-ups showcased their cutting-edge solutions. The event culminated in the announcement of the 4th TERA-Award Winner receiving a prize of US$1 million and a celebratory Gala Dinner, fostering further global networking and collaboration opportunities.
Ms To said, “Hong Kong’s unparalleled status as a global financial powerhouse connects the East and West markets, bolstered by its dynamic green tech ecosystem and visionary government initiatives like the Green Tech Fund, the Innovation and Technology Fund and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s GreenTech Hub, and positions it as the premier gateway for UK companies to amplify green innovations across Asia. This visit underscores our dedication to fostering collaboration in sustainability and green technology between Hong Kong and the UK. We look forward to supporting more UK companies in establishing and expanding their presence in Hong Kong, utilising our robust financial infrastructure to facilitate financing and IPO listings that attract international capital.”
The Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award, Mr Alan Chan, stated, “It was our pleasure to have InvestHK’s participation in our TERA-Award event. Together, we are building a stronger global innovation ecosystem that connects investors, start-ups, and green organisations, fostering groundbreaking solutions in smart energy. We look forward to working closely with InvestHK to further expand our promotion of the TERA-Award to the global market and establish a bridge between the international energy contexts.”
The Chief Innovation Officer from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Mr James Cole, said, “We are delighted to welcome InvestHK’s participation in our event, enhancing the collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong economies, supporting sustainability start-ups and strengthening the ecosystem. This collaboration ignites our commitment to forge global partnerships that will propel deep tech innovations, fostering a greener and more resilient future. Together, we anticipate to deepen our collaboration to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future and empower the next generation of innovators.”
Co-Founder of London GreenCity Mr Laith Anezi said, “Both Hong Kong and the UK share a strong commitment to driving innovation in green technology. InvestHK’s visit has forged a robust foundation for strengthening ties between Hong Kong and British sustainability and green tech companies. We are excited to deepen our partnership with InvestHK, driving innovation to shape a sustainable world together.”
Hong Kong, as the world’s third-largest financial hub, is well positioned to be the global leader in green tech and finance. The city is transitioning to cleaner energy sources, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, supported by the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong and significant investments in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
In green mobility, Hong Kong’s roadmap for electric vehicles has seen 70 per cent of newly registered private cars in 2024 be electric, with plans to establish the city as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.
This visit to the UK is a testament to Hong Kong’s dedication to fostering international collaboration and driving the global transition to a sustainable future. By attracting more UK companies in sustainable technology and innovation, Hong Kong aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation today (July 25). A total of 17 Vietnamese illegal immigrants and overstayers were repatriated to Vietnam. The persons removed comprised nine men and eight women, all of whom were unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.
The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable according to the actual situation through appropriate measures as necessary.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 25) that Lido Beach and Casam Beach in Tsuen Wan District are temporarily closed until further notice for maintenance of the shark prevention nets. Red flags have been hoisted at these beaches. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.
The 114th Double Tenth Celebration Committee held its second meeting, where Chairperson Michael Wu briefed community leaders on the planning progress. He also unveiled this year’s theme and logo — “Legacy in Motion” — symbolizing the brilliance of Taiwan’s history and the wisdom passed down through generations. In an era of rapid innovation, it highlights how tradition and technology can converge in harmony, guiding Taiwan boldly into the future.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu commended Michael and his team for their precise planning, as reflected in the meeting handbook—demonstrating the quality and efficiency of Taiwanese entrepreneurship. He looks forward to the community’s strong support and active participation in both the National Day Reception hosted by TECO Sydney, and the National Day Dinner organized by the Celebration Committee.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
​
The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal to extend the terms of office of the following three non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal for a period of three years:
Non-Permanent Judge from Another Common Law Jurisdiction
———————————————————————
(commencing July 29, 2025)
The Honourable Mr Justice William Gummow
Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judges
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(commencing September 1, 2025)
The Honourable Mr Justice Frank Stock, GBS
(commencing October 21, 2025)
The Honourable Mr Justice Patrick Chan Siu-oi, GBM
The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of judges from other common law jurisdictions. The term of appointment of such judges is three years. That term may be extended for one or more periods of three years by the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Justice.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Statistics on Code on Access to Information for fourth quarter of 2024 The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of December 2024 amounted to 134 124. Of these, 8 767 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors, and 6 623 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information or cannot confirm or deny the existence of information. As at December 31, 2024, 653 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.
Among the 118 081 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and to which the bureaux/departments had responded, 114 706 requests (97.1 per cent) were met, either in full (111 597 requests) or in part (3 109 requests), and 3 375 requests (2.9 per cent) were refused.Issued at HKT 15:30
The projected private flat supply for the next three to four years is 101,000 units, 4,000 lower than the previous estimate.
The Housing Bureau today said there were 27,000 unsold units in completed projects at the end of June.
There were also 64,000 units under construction, excluding those pre-sold by developers; and 10,000 units from disposed sites where construction may start anytime.
The number of flats under construction in the second quarter was 2,500, while 4,600 units were completed during the period.
Mickaël Forrest, membre du gouvernement chargé de la jeunesse, a officiellement annoncé vendredi 25 juillet, aux côtés des partenaires impliqués, l’extension du « Programme d’insertion et d’interculturalité dans la région océanienne du gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie » (PIIROG-NC) vers une nouvelle destination : le Vanuatu. Ce développement marque une étape importante dans la politique de mobilité régionale portée par la Nouvelle-Calédonie, à travers une mission d’immersion interculturelle.
La mobilité internationale, un levier stratégique pour la jeunesse
La mobilité internationale s’impose comme un axe majeur des politiques publiques en faveur de la jeunesse calédonienne. Son impact est significatif sur le parcours des jeunes puisqu’il favorise l’estime de soi, la remobilisation dans un parcours d’insertion professionnel et l’ouverture culturelle, autant de dimensions essentielles à l’insertion sociale et professionnelle des jeunes.
C’est dans cette dynamique que le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a lancé en 2022 un premier projet pilote baptisé VIP (Volontaire International du Pacifique), en partenariat avec la Nouvelle-Zélande. Fort de son succès, le dispositif évolue aujourd’hui sous l’appellation PIIROG-NC, piloté par la direction de la Jeunesse et des sports (DJSNC) et mis en œuvre par le centre information mobilité jeunesse de Nouvelle-Calédonie (CIMJNC), désigné comme opérateur officiel.
« Ces initiatives s’inscrivent directement dans le Plan stratégique concerté en faveur de la jeunesse de la Nouvelle-Calédonie adopté par le Congrès en 2019, qui contient une déclinaison spécifique pour la mobilité régionale, a indiqué Mickaël Forrest. Les dispositifs comme PIIROG sont de vraies opportunités d’offrir des perspectives concrètes à notre jeunesse au travers de la culture, du patrimoine et des échanges humains ».
Un programme éprouvé en Nouvelle-Zélande
Déployé depuis 2022 en Nouvelle-Zélande, PIIROG–NC offre à des jeunes âgés de 18 à 30 ans l’opportunité de vivre une expérience professionnelle encadrée, notamment dans le cadre du visa vacances-travail (Working Holiday Visa).
En trois ans, 75 jeunes Calédoniens ont pu participer à ce programme, principalement dans le secteur agricole. Trente nouveaux bénéficiaires s’apprêtent à partir d’ici la fin de l’année 2025. Cependant, la capacité d’accueil en Nouvelle-Zélande reste limitée, alors que la demande ne cesse de croître : plus de 100 candidatures sont reçues chaque année pour seulement 30 places disponibles.
Une première mission d’immersion interculturelle au Vanuatu
Pour répondre à cet engouement, le gouvernement étend en 2025 le dispositif PIIROG–NC au Vanuatu, en misant cette fois sur une mission d’immersion interculturelle de courte durée.
Du 28 juillet au 14 août 2025, 22 jeunes Calédoniens âgés de 18 à 35 ans, participeront à une expérience d’insertion et d’interculturalité en groupe dans le village d’Imaki, au sud de l’île de Tanna, durant laquelle les échanges de connaissances et d’expériences culturelles entre les communautés de jeunes seront privilégiés.
Leur mission coïncidera avec un moment fort de la vie culturelle vanuataise : le 5ᵉ Festival des arts du Vanuatu, organisé du 4 au 8 août prochains.
Cette immersion alliera engagement collectif, découverte interculturelle et sensibilisation à l’intérêt général. Elle vise à renforcer l’autonomie des participants et à faciliter leur insertion professionnelle au retour et s’inscrit pleinement dans la dynamique portée par les différents accords signés entre le Vanuatu et la Nouvelle-Calédonie dans les domaines de la culture, de la coopération régionale, etc.
« Cet échange est un aboutissement du travail entre les institutions, mais également des liens qui se sont créés au fil du temps entre nos populations. Cette immersion à Tanna permettra d’explorer un peu plus ces liens ancestraux, a affirmé Serge Alain Mahe, consul général du Vanuatu en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Nous sommes très heureux d’accueillir les jeunes Calédoniens à l’occasion du festival national des arts qui est un événement majeur pour le Vanuatu ».
Un projet pilote aux ambitions régionales
Cette première mission au Vanuatu constitue un projet pilote, avec une session unique en 2025. D’autres déploiements pourraient suivre en fonction de l’évaluation de cette édition, afin d’offrir cette opportunité à un plus grand nombre de jeunes.
Dans le contexte actuel, la mobilité reste une demande forte des jeunes Calédoniens. Le gouvernement entend y répondre en diversifiant les destinations accessibles dans la région Pacifique, avec pour ambition de renforcer les passerelles régionales et de créer des parcours de vie et d’engagement structurants.
« L’expérience est importante dans ce genre de voyages, mais le retour l’est tout autant. Il sera intéressant par la suite de voir ce que les jeunes vont pouvoir capitaliser, les connaissances qu’ils vont acquérir et les savoir-faire qu’ils vont ramener pour concourir à l’enrichissement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, a jouté Grégory Armien, directeur de la Jeunesse et des sports (DJS) de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. PIIROG fait partie de ces dispositifs qui permettent d’ouvrir l’esprit des jeunes et de leur donner l’opportunité de trouver leur place dans la société ».
PIIROG en quelques chiffres
75 jeunes calédoniens bénéficiaires, âgés entre 18 et 30 ans, depuis 2022
Des nouveaux bénéficiaires s’envoleront à la fin de l’année pour la Nouvelle-Zélande
Une centaine de candidatures à chaque session pour le PIIROG à destination de la Nouvelle-Zélande
30 places offertes chaque année, réparties entre les trois provinces, pour le PIIROG à destination de la Nouvelle-Zélande