Category: MIL-OSI

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Railway financial scheme approved

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport & Logistics Bureau and the MTR Corporation have executed the Part 1 Project Agreement, subsequent to the approval of the financial arrangement for Part 1 of the Northern Link (NOL) Project by the Chief Executive in Council today.
 
Supported by an independent checking consultant, the Government critically examined the financial estimates provided by the corporation in relation to Part 1 of the NOL Project, and verified that the capital cost estimate is about $31.4 billion (in July prices).
 
Noting that the NOL Project embodies significant strategic value, the Government said that it has decided to make major breakthroughs to enhance the project’s speed and efficiency.
 
It explained that it would take forward the project through a holistic planning and staged implementation strategy, planning the NOL Spur Line in combination with the NOL Main Line as one project to achieve synergies and realise cost savings.
 
The project would be implemented under a two-part approach to expedite progress. The execution of the Part 1 Project Agreement at this juncture could propel the project forward immediately, and in parallel carry out the detailed planning and design as well as statutory procedures for the NOL Spur Line.
 
In the spirit of innovating continuously, the Government is pursuing various strategies for reducing cost and accelerating project delivery, which would be implemented as soon as possible.
 
Such strategies include leveraging Mainland approaches and capabilities in construction on account of the cross-boundary element of the project, and setting up a dedicated team in the Highways Department to handle building submissions in a manner to streamline the overall project workflow and expedite procedures.
 
These initiatives will not only improve the construction efficiency of the cross-boundary NOL Spur Line, but may also benefit the NOL Main Line to a certain extent, the Government said.
 
By adopting a result-oriented mindset, the construction efficiency will also be improved with railway-related Mainland standards, practices and resources, substantially bringing forward the planning of the NOL Spur Line.
 
The target is to commission the NOL Spur Line together with the NOL Main Line by 2034 or earlier, which is about two years earlier than what was originally envisaged, the Government added.
 
The Chief Executive in Council approved the grant of sites at Kam Sheung Road Station Phase 2; Fanling North Area 13 (East) and Area 16; Kwu Tung North Area 22 (East), Area 26 (West), Area 14 and Area 15; as well as San Tin Area 4D, Area 6A and Area 2A to the MTR Corporation for residential and commercial development under the “Rail-plus-Property” model.
 
A total fixed lump sum of $39.05 billion, in money-of-the-day prices, would be deducted from the full market value land premium of the sites assessed on a “with-railway” basis in the future as funding support to the corporation in implementing Part 1 of the NOL Project.
 
The execution of the Part 1 Project Agreement today would immediately kick-start works that are more ready and time-critical, including the civil and structural works of two sections of the NOL Main Line from the Kam Sheung Road Station to the intersection with the approach tunnels to Ngau Tam Mei Depot and from the San Tin Station to the Kwu Tung Station.
 
The MTR Corporation is required to carry out the detailed planning and design of the NOL Spur Line simultaneously, including statutory procedures relating to the environmental impact assessment and railway scheme gazettal, and strive for completion as early as possible.

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FS meets finance sector in Seoul

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today began his visit to Seoul, Korea, by meeting Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong and Korea Investment Corporation President & Chief Executive Officer Park Il-young.

Upon arrival in the afternoon, Mr Chan visited the Bank of Korea, the country’s central bank, and met Governor Rhee Chang-yong to discuss the developments in finance, trade and economic landscapes of the two places, in the region and around the globe.

They also exchanged views on monetary and interest rate policies and investment trends.

During the meeting, Mr Chan shared the latest developments in Hong Kong, particularly the continuous capital inflow to Hong Kong’s financial system, reflecting international investors’ confidence in Hong Kong in the current international environment.

Mr Chan said that Hong Kong maintains a free and open economic and financial system as well as the Linked Exchange Rate System under the “one country, two systems” principle. He also highlighted that Hong Kong’s unique advantage of being connected to the Mainland and the world, as well as its highly internationalised characteristics, is further attracting more international participants and capital to enjoy opportunities brought by developments in China.

Hong Kong’s international ties are continuously deepening, Mr Chan added.

Thereafter, the finance chief visited the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and met its President & Chief Executive Officer Park Il-young to have an in-depth exchange of opinions on various issues of mutual concern, such as trends of investment markets, asset allocation strategies and digital asset developments.

The KIC was established by the Korean government in 2005, responsible for managing part of Korea’s foreign exchange reserves and other public funds for overseas investments. Currently, over US$200 billion of assets are under its management.

Mr Chan shared the recent developments in Hong Kong’s economic and financial markets, and its important role in connecting capital and investors from China and around the globe.

He pointed out that Hong Kong’s capital market is closely connected to the Mainland’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. The recent stock market is vibrant, with many leading Mainland I&T enterprises having listed or planning to list in Hong Kong. To international investors, Hong Kong serves as a highly effective gateway to tap into I&T opportunities in Greater China.

Mr Chan welcomed Korean capital to better use the Hong Kong market to allocate international investments and jointly seize the vast business opportunities of I&T developments.

In the evening, Mr Chan had dinner with leaders in Korea’s digital asset industry, where he shared Hong Kong’s developments and opportunities in digital assets.

He also encouraged the local industry to actively participate in the Hong Kong market and jointly explore and expand more applications and developments in digital assets.

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SCST continues visit to France (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to Bordeaux, France, in the company of the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Dr Peter Lam.

On the morning of July 7 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law met with the President of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), Mr Allan Sichel. The CIVB, responsible for promoting Bordeaux wines globally, discussed opportunities to enhance collaboration with Hong Kong. Miss Law highlighted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG)’s efforts to host signature mega events, including the annual Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, which provides unique experiences for visitors. She invited the CIVB to make further, and even better, use of Hong Kong as a platform to promote Bordeaux wines to the Mainland of China and other markets in Asia. Both parties exchanged ideas on creative approaches to attract a global audience and elevate the event’s appeal.

Later, Miss Law met with the Mayor of Bordeaux, Mr Pierre Hurmic; the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux, Ms Céline Papin; and the President of the Bordeaux Tourism and Conventions Office, Ms Brigitte Bloch. During the meeting, Miss Law highlighted the HKSARG’s and the HKTB’s intention to build on the unique brand of the Wine and Dine Festival to make it a platform for fostering cultural exchanges and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and Bordeaux. Mr Hurmic expressed enthusiasm for increasing the presence of Bordeaux wines in the Chinese and Asian markets through a strong presence in the festival.

In the afternoon, Miss Law held discussions with the President of Great Wine Capitals Global Network, Mr Jacques Faurens; the Director General of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Pascal Faugère; and the Chief Executive Officer of Vinexposium, Mr Rodolphne Lamseyse. They discussed the challenges of marketing Bordeaux wines during the current economic conditions and explored best practices for organising international trade shows and events. Miss Law emphasised the potential for Hong Kong and Bordeaux to collaborate in enhancing each other’s attractiveness as global tourism destinations.

Miss Law also met with France’s Minister for Tourism, Ms Nathalie Delattre, to explore ways to strengthen tourism connectivity between Hong Kong and France. She highlighted Hong Kong’s unique offerings, including its gastronomy, arts, sports, traditional festivals, mega events and stunning outdoors as key attractions for French audiences. Miss Law introduced the 2025 Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, scheduled for October, as an excellent opportunity for Bordeaux wines to gain greater visibility. Ms Delattre reaffirmed the strong relationship between Hong Kong and France with regards to wine and other fields, and expressed her commitment to fostering collaboration in bilateral tourism.

Miss Law was given a guided tour of La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s iconic cultural centre and wine museum dedicated to promoting the universal culture of wine. The immersive and sensory exhibits provided an inspirational exploration of wine’s journey from ancient civilisations to modern-day winemaking. Miss Law was impressed by its creative storytelling and remarked on the potential for similar initiatives to promote cultural heritage in Hong Kong.  

On July 8 (Bordeaux time), Miss Law visited two Bordeaux wineries, Château L’if and Château Le Pin, where she deepened her understanding of Bordeaux’s winemaking traditions and explored potential synergies to incorporate Bordeaux wines into Hong Kong’s wine tourism initiatives.  
 
Miss Law will conclude her visit to France and depart for Hong Kong on the morning of July 9 (Bordeaux time). 

              

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Opening remarks by Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) at Deloitte’s Digital Asset Forum (English only) (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Opening remarks by Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) at Deloitte’s Digital Asset Forum (English only)  
Eliza (Senior Advisor of Deloitte China Dr Eliza Chan), Duncan (Legislative Council member (Technology and Innovation) Mr Duncan Chiu), Robert (Hong Kong Digital Asset leader of Deloitte China, Mr Robert Lui), friends from the digital asset sector, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     The Forum today is very timely, as we are standing at a pivotal moment when economies worldwide are striving to chart the course for digital assets and oversight of their use. Hong Kong has been working diligently to stay ahead of the curve in building an ecosystem for the healthy development of the digital asset sector.
 
     As you know, back in 2022, we announced our first policy statement on digital assets, or virtual assets at the time, setting out our vision to create that comprehensive ecosystem under the principle of “same activity, same risks, same regulation”. Then in June 2023, we put in place a licensing regime for digital asset trading platforms. Now we have a total of 11 licensees with local and international backgrounds. Nine exchange-traded funds with digital underlying assets have also been listed. In May this year, with the support of the Legislative Council, we enacted the Stablecoins Ordinance, making Hong Kong one of the few economies in the world to have a comprehensive law in place on stablecoin issuance. The Ordinance is scheduled to come into effect on August 1, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will begin to accept licence applications.
 
     This solid groundwork serves as a springboard for the next phase of digital asset development in Hong Kong. The “LEAP” framework or metaphor embodied in the second policy statement issued on June 26 conveys a proactive and forward-looking approach. To recap, “L” stands for legal and regulatory streamlining, “E” for expanding the suite of tokenised products, “A” for advancing use cases and cross-sectoral collaboration, and “P” is people and partnership development. These are linked to Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international financial centre, including our comprehensive legal system, sophisticated financial market and infrastructure, close connection with the international markets, and a wealth of professional talents.
 
     A lot of you are interested in the application scenarios or the “E” and “A” in the statement. A lot can be said on this. For now, I believe that as a well-developed financial market with a wide range of financial instruments and assets available for trading, Hong Kong has great potential to promote tokenisation of RWA (Real-World Assets). For example, Hong Kong is in a very good position to develop tokenised government bonds, building on our two landmark tokenised government green bond issuances in the past two years and Hong Kong’s status as a leading bond issuance hub in Asia. The first batch totalling HK$800 million issued in 2023 was the first tokenised green bond issued by a government entity. The second batch, issued in 2024 denominated in Renminbi, Hong Kong dollars, Euro and US dollars and totalling close to HK$6 billion equivalent, was the world’s first multi-currency digitally native green bonds. As announced in the 2025-26 Budget, the Government will regularise the issuance of tokenised bonds.
 
     I am sure that there are many good ideas about RWA out there in the marketplace. To encourage market participation in developing use cases, thanks to Cyberport, a funding scheme has been launched to support the development of high-impact applications with potential to serve as future use case benchmark.
 
     On the legal regulatory front or “L”, right on the next day following the promulgation of the second policy statement, we launched a public consultation on the licensing regimes for digital asset dealing and custodian service providers. This is another big step in making the regulatory regime comprehensive, thus enabling us to manage the risks and harness the potential in different activities along the digital asset value chain, from issuance, trading and dealing, to post-trade custodian service. The two-month consultation period will end in late August. Do let us have your views.
 
     On the people and partnership front or “P”, we value stakeholder engagement, and we walk the talk. At the policy level, the Financial Secretary is chairing the Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development. At the regulator level, the Securities and Futures Commission has established a consultative panel focusing on market and regulatory issues. The panel just held its second meeting yesterday. Fora like the one today will certainly provide useful feedback for our work.
 
     Our policy stance on digital assets is clear. We strive to embrace financial innovations so as to capture their potential benefits, but at the same time we need to put in risk management guardrails with emphasis on investor protection and user education. With this, we look forward to hearing your feedback, and I wish you fruitful discussions. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 18:40

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Commissioner for Transport deeply grieved by passing of staff member

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee, today (July 8) expressed profound sadness at the sudden passing of a Clerical Assistant of the Transport Department (TD) and extended her deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. The TD will strive to provide assistance to the family as appropriate.

     This morning, the staff member collapsed at an office in the Harbour Building, Central, and was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital, but passed away later. Police investigations into the incident are underway and the TD will render full assistance.

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Appointments to Urban Forestry Advisory Panel

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Development Bureau (DEVB) announced today (July 8) the appointment of 16 individuals as non-official members to the Urban Forestry Advisory Panel (UFAP) for a term of two years from July 1, 2025. 

The new non-official members are Ms Winnie Cheng Mee-kun, Professor Huang Songyi, Professor Jim Chi-yung, Professor Derrick Lai Yuk-fo, Dr Peter Yau and Dr Allen Zhang Hao. The reappointed non-official members are Mr Paul Chan Yuen-king, Professor Wendy Chen Yan, Professor Chu Lee-man, Dr Dong Hui, Professor Anthony Leung Kwan, Mr Hincent Ng Yu-hin, Dr Shi Shulin, Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet, Professor Charles Wong Man-sing and Mr Yiu Vor. 

A spokesman for the DEVB said, “The UFAP comprises local and overseas experts from different fields including urban forestry, plant science, engineering and landscape architecture related academics, professionals and experts, and provides advice on urban forestry policies and initiatives from multiple perspectives.”

Appointed by the Secretary for Development, members of the UFAP advise the DEVB on management strategies, applied research and development in respect of urban forestry, as well as positive capacity building initiatives for the urban forestry related industries. 
​
The membership of the new term of the UFAP is set out below:  

Chairman
————
Head of Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section, DEVB

Non-official members
—————————
Mr Paul Chan Yuen-king
Professor Wendy Chen Yan
Ms Winnie Cheng Mee-kun*
Professor Chu Lee-man
Dr Dong Hui
Professor Huang Songyi*
Professor Jim Chi-yung*
Professor Derrick Lai Yuk-fo*
Professor Anthony Leung Kwan
Mr Hincent Ng Yu-hin
Dr Shi Shulin
Mr Chiky Wong Cheuk-yuet
Professor Charles Wong Man-sing
Dr Peter Yau*
Mr Yiu Vor
Dr Allen Zhang Hao*

Official members
———————
Head of Tree Management Office, DEVB
Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Representative of Highways Department
Representative of Housing Department
Representative of Leisure and Cultural Services Department

* New non-official members

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SAMOA TO PARTICIPATE IN INAUGURAL PACIFICAUS SPORTS CRICKET INVITATIONAL

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[PRESS RELEASE] – Samoa’s national women’s cricket team are travelling to Port Moresby to compete in the Inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational. The team will be battling against an Australian Indigenous team and teams from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu from Saturday 15 June – Saturday 21 June in an action-packed draw.

Captain Tuaoloa Helen Semau of Vailuutai, Falelatai and Iva Savaii said the team is “incredibly excited and honoured to be part of the Pacific Invitational Tournament. Competing against strong teams like the Australian Indigenous Women’s Team, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu is both a challenge and a privilege we embrace wholeheartedly.

This is an amazing opportunity for us to test ourselves and grow as a team. We’ve been training hard, and the spirit within the squad is strong. We’re not just here to participate – we’re here to compete, represent Samoa with pride, and show the progress we’ve made in our cricket journey.”

The Samoa national women’s team is currently ranked 45 th , and prior to COVID-19 it had been ranked 16th in the world. The Invitational presents an opportunity for the team to face up against old rivals PNG and Vanuatu. Coach Perelini Mulitalo said “I’m really happy about the squad we’ve assembled for this Pacific Invitational, especially with the inclusion of our young talents from the U19 Women’s Team – Avetia Mapu, Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Angel Sootaga So, Masina Faimafili Tafea and Norah Jade Salima. These girls have shown great potential, composure, and hunger to compete at the senior level.

“This tournament will be an invaluable experience for them, and it is a big step forward in our pathway for women’s cricket in Samoa. Bringing in youth adds fresh energy, and it also signals the growth and future of our program. We are not only building for now—we are building for sustained success in the years to come.

“It is going to be a tough competition, but these young players bring new strengths and fearless intent that will boost our team. I am proud of how far they’ve come and excited to see them rise to this challenge.

“These types of tournaments are so important for women’s cricket in the Pacific. They push us to raise our standards and inspire the next generation back home. Win or lose, we’ll leave everything on the field and carry our flag with pride.”

Carol Agafili, a fresh addition to the team is feeling calm and confident ahead of the matches and will be another strong addition to the team.

The T20 tournament is supported through the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, which creates opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa, HE Will Robinson said, “the Australian Government is proud to partner with the Samoa International Cricket Association to help the Samoan team to attend the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational. Manuia le fa’amoemoe Samoa!”

The Invitational builds on previous investment in Samoa cricket from the Australian Government, with PacificAus Sports supporting a visit to Samoa from Australian cricket legend Cathryn Fitzpatrick last year to support the U19 women’s team prepare for the T20 World Cup.

The competition is set to be fierce, with Cricket Australia’s CEO Todd Greenberg expecting “this tournament will showcase high-performance cricket while continuing to strengthen shared cultural connections”. Mr Greenberg also added that “the Australian Women’s Indigenous squad brings together skill, determination, and a proud legacy of Indigenous cricket”. Mr Greenberg is looking forward to seeing the Australian team perform their at their best in PNG.

The tournament is being played in Papua New Guinea as part of the celebration of the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence, Cricket Papua New Guinea will be the hosts for the tournament, with support from Cricket Australia.

END.

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First Digital Education Week by Education Bureau concludes

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The first Digital Education Week (DEW) organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) concluded yesterday (July 7). The two flagship events of the DEW, including the Learning and Teaching Expo 2025 (LTE 2025) and the International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects and Post-Summit Workshop Series, attracted over 24 000 participants altogether, providing opportunities for education professionals to gain further insights into the latest developments in educational technology and inspiring them to apply emerging technologies to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness.

The Summit, jointly organised by the EDB, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong Education City (EdCity), was held from July 4 to 7, attracting over 4 500 participants. The LTE 2025, was held from July 2 to 4, supported by the EDB, presented by EdCity and organised by the Smart City Consortium, attracted over 20 000 participants, setting a new record for attendance. Themed “Education: A Shared Future for All”, the LTE 2025 convened global educators, education leaders and innovators. Through keynote speeches, seminars, workshops and product showcases, participants explored innovative pedagogies and educational technology applications while shaping future educational directions.

The LTE 2025 featured over 600 exhibition booths and introduced the Mainland and International Pavilions (including Singapore and Korea) to foster cross-regional collaborative exchanges. The Principals’ Conference, for the first time, brought together over 200 Hong Kong school principals for a 1.5-day “VASK” immersive experience, comprising seminars and expert discussions focused on “Values, Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge”. A newly introduced Kids’ AI Summit engaged approximately 100 Hong Kong primary and secondary school students in a three-minute speech session, where they shared insights on AI in education, child well-being, and future careers. Additionally, over 270 keynote speeches, seminars, and demonstration classes showcased innovative teaching solutions and trends in technology applications, with more than 300 experts sharing their experiences in integrating AI and educational technology into teaching.

The Summit included three main components: the Summit itself, a series of workshops, and the technology showcase. Participants engaged in different segments based on their backgrounds, needs, and interests. The first two days of the Summit featured keynote speeches from five top experts in AI education, namely Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, the United States, Professor Victor Lee; the Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Competency Education Centre at the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Kong Siu-cheung; Professor of the School of Animation and Digital Arts at the Communication University of China Professor Lyu Xin; Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Reading, the United Kingdom, Professor Rodney Jones; and the Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Mr Andreas Schleicher. In addition to keynote speeches, the Summit arranged for scholars from around the world to present 83 papers and conducted seven teaching demonstrations by frontline teachers from Hong Kong and the Mainland.

In the following two days, 11 workshops were held in Cantonese, Putonghua, or English, allowing participants to experience various AI educational tools and engage in in-depth discussions on ethical issues related to AI literacy and applications. Additionally, 20 exhibiting organisations and technology companies participated in the technology showcase, displaying cutting-edge tools and software to demonstrate the potential of AI in the teaching and learning of languages and other subjects.

The first DEW has made a positive impact on the education sector, enhancing teachers’ and students’ understanding of digital education and the application of related educational technologies. The rich activities provided during the DEW comprehensively showcased the latest educational technologies, resources, and teaching methods from around the world, inspiring innovative thinking among educators. Through various rich interactive sessions, participants not only had the opportunities to engage with a wide range of effective innovative technology solutions to enhance learning and teaching, but the public awareness of future educational trends has also been strengthened.

The series of activities during this year’s DEW was well received by various sectors, with total participation exceeding 24 000 visitors. Despite teachers and students being busy with post-examination activities, they actively supported the events, fully demonstrating the appeal and foresight of the themes of the two flagship events of this year’s DEW. It also reflected the intensive attention and support from the academic community and relevant stakeholders for the development of digital education in Hong Kong.