Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Women Empowerment Fund is open for the first round of applications in 2025-26 from today until July 8.

The fund subsidises projects that support women in balancing their career and family commitments, raise awareness of women’s physical and mental health, and unlock their potential.

The 2025-26 thematic projects include the Greater Bay Area Exchange Programme and the Programme on Women’s Participation in Community Services.

The exchange programme will enable women to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of national affairs, and interact with local residents, thereby promoting women’s development. 

The community services programme aims to encourage women to make use of their own strengths to plan and launch community service projects, thereby promoting care and inclusion.

Each exchange project and community services project shall be completed within one year, with the funding capped at $120,000 and $400,000 respectively.

Set up in June 2023, the fund aims to empower women, regardless of their age, occupation or background, to realise their full potential in their respective roles, thereby promoting women’s development in Hong Kong.

Interested eligible women’s groups and non-governmental organisations may submit an electronic or paper application.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     In view of the rcently ongoing protests and riots across the United States, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government reminds Hong Kong residents who are already there or intend to visit the United States to attend to personal safety.

A Government spokesman said, “The Government reminds residents who intend to visit the United Stated or are already there to monitor the local situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid large gatherings of people, and pay attention to local announcements on the latest situation.”

In view of the latest developments, the Security Bureau has already updated the Outbound Travel Alerts (OTA) webpage regarding supplementary information for the United States and will continue to closely monitor the situation there. Any updates will be issued through the media, the bureau’s mobile app, and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota).
    
     Hong Kong residents in the United States who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the Immigration Department Mobile Application, send a message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, or submit the Online Assistance Request Form, or contact the Chinese Embassy/Consulate-General in the United States of America at the consular protection hotline: (Embassy – (1) 2024952216, Consulate-General in New York – (1) 2126953125, Consulate-General in San Francisco – (1) 4159296998, Consulate-General in Los Angeles – (1) 2138078052, Consulate-General in Chicago – (1) 3123973015).
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Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The AI Self-Learning Fabric Inspecting System is a groundbreaking solution designed to modernize and automate the global textile inspection process. Traditionally, fabric inspection has relied heavily on manual labor, with a speed of just 10 yards per minute and only about 70% defect detection accuracy. It also demands experienced operators with at least three years of hands-on expertise and causes significant visual fatigue. Our system transforms this outdated method by offering a fully automated, 24/7 operation capable of inspecting fabric at 120 yards per minute-12 times faster than current market standards-while achieving up to 99% detection accuracy.

At its core, the system utilizes dual AI algorithms: one for automatic color temperature adjustment (ranging from 1000K to 11000K), and another for precise fabric tension control. These intelligent features allow it to outperform the human eye in detecting subtle defects. The system’s user-centric design enables a single operator to install fabric within five minutes (compared to at least 20 minutes in traditional setups) and to manage multiple machines simultaneously. Operator training requires only two days after AI engineers configure the system.

The system went through 30 rounds of prototyping and AI optimization to reach its current performance. It drastically reduces human error and reliance on skilled labor, and it minimizes workplace injuries due to its ergonomic, automated process.
In terms of business impact, the system offers clear advantages: over 50% labor cost savings per unit, more than 30% material waste reduction, and increased production efficiency. It marks defect locations with 99% accuracy and is capable of future updates that include automated defect pattern analysis, helping fabric suppliers improve quality control and manufacturing processes.

Environmentally, it reduces resource waste and improves logistics efficiency by lowering the rate of rejected or returned shipments. Socially, it lightens labor intensity by 40%, enhancing worker health and safety. From a strategic standpoint, it helps bridge the gap between fabric suppliers and global fashion brands by responding to digital transformation needs. This positions the system as a vital component of next-generation smart manufacturing.

By introducing automation, precision, and intelligence into fabric inspection, this system reshapes the textile industry’s production line, offering high-speed performance, scalable deployment, and sustainable benefits.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun concluded a six-day visit to Europe by arriving in Munich to start the final day of his visit to Germany, where he attended pitch event.

On June 8, Mr Sun officiated at the prize presentation ceremony of the pitch event co-organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) and a local youth entrepreneurship organisation.

In delivering his remarks, Mr Sun praised the candidates for their business proposals ingeniously integrating with Hong Kong’s strengths and targeting the Asian markets. He highlighted that technology as well as talent are key engines driving the economy and society towards high-quality development.

As Asia’s world city, Hong Kong is proactively attracting international high-calibre talent to tie in with the development under the strategic positioning of the “eight centres”, so as to inject new impetus into its high-quality development, he added.

Last November, HKTE visited Germany and established a partnership network with a student association from the Technische Universität München and a local youth entrepreneurship organisation.

Thereafter, the HKTE collaborated with the organisation to launch the pitch event targeting students from eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and young entrepreneurs, inviting talent in Germany with entrepreneurial ambitions and intentions to develop in Asia.

Nearly 580 proposals for the pitch event were received across various fields, including artificial intelligence, deep tech, climate and sustainability. Twelve winners were selected and will be arranged to tour Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in September to explore the region’s innovation and technology ecosystem, industry support and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The HKTE delegation’s visit to Europe also encompasses Switzerland and France. In Switzerland, the delegation exchanged with representatives from three of the world’s top 100 universities, namely the Université de Genève, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and EHL Hospitality Business School, and invited two representatives from the hospitality sector in Hong Kong to share insights on the city’s tourism development and opportunities.

In France, the HKTE co-hosts an event with the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires to proactively recruit talent in the finance and commerce sectors to pursue development in Hong Kong.

During his stay in Germany, Mr Sun also had lunch with the Junior Chamber International Germany and a group of foreign students. He learnt about their lives, introduced Hong Kong’s latest developments and invited them to consider pursuing their development in the city.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 39-year-old female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (June 8) and seized 23,200 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $95,000 and a duty potential of about $77,000 from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

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).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, arrived in Munich to start the final day of his visit to Germany on June 8 (Munich time), concluding the six-day visit to Europe.

     In the afternoon, Mr Sun attended a pitch event co-organised by the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) and a local youth entrepreneurship organisation, where he officiated at the prize presentation ceremony.

     In delivering his remarks, Mr Sun praised the candidates for their business proposals ingeniously integrating with Hong Kong’s strengths and targeting the Asian markets. He highlighted that technology as well as talent are key engines driving the economy and society towards high-quality development. As Asia’s world city, Hong Kong is proactively attracting international high-calibre talent to tie in with the development under the strategic positioning of the “eight centres”, so as to inject new impetus into its high-quality development.

     Last November, the HKTE visited Germany and established a partnership network with a student association from the Technische Universität München and a local youth entrepreneurship organisation. Thereafter, the HKTE collaborated with the organisation to launch the pitch event targeting students from eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and young entrepreneurs, inviting talent in Germany with entrepreneurial ambitions and intentions to develop in Asia.

     Nearly 580 proposals for the pitch event were received across various fields, including artificial intelligence, deep tech, climate and sustainability, as well as health and biotechnology. After two rounds of shortlisting, 25 candidates competed in the finals. The judging panel of the finals included representatives from the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and start-up organisations, as well as an innovation and technology (I&T) expert and an angel investor from Hong Kong. Twelve winners were selected and will be arranged to tour Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in September to explore the region’s I&T ecosystem, industry support and entrepreneurial opportunities.

     The HKTE delegation’s visit to Europe also encompasses Switzerland and France. In Switzerland, the delegation exchanged with representatives from three of the world’s top 100 universities, namely the Université de Genève, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and EHL Hospitality Business School, and invited two representatives from the hospitality sector in Hong Kong to share insights on the city’s tourism development and opportunities. In France, the HKTE co-hosts an event with the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) to proactively recruit talent in the finance and commerce sectors to pursue development in Hong Kong.

     During his stay in Germany, Mr Sun also had lunch with the Junior Chamber International Germany and a group of foreign students in Germany. He learned about their lives, introduced the latest development in Hong Kong, and invited them to consider pursuing their development in the city.

     Mr Sun will return to Hong Kong in the evening.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following are the remarks made by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (June 7):

Reporter: Mr Hui, can you talk about the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance because you mentioned that this can attract the enterprises and also investment? So how effective is this since the Ordinance came into effect?

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: Since the enactment of the relevant company re-domiciliation regime legislation on May 23, we have got very positive response from the market, inquiring about how they can do that and at the same time the detailed procedures.

     So far, in terms of inquiries, we have got about 150 of them and in terms of downloads of the relevant information from our website regarding this new regime, the number is close to 10 000. So I think all these are something very positive in terms of how we have been drawing more companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong.

Reporter: What should the Government do to even attract them to use more of other services in Hong Kong?

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: I think it is natural and also logical. If they decide to re-domicile to Hong Kong, there will be demand for relevant professional services. By that, it could be about accounting, could be about legal, and also other supporting financial and professional services. So once that decision is made, I am sure that the relevant professional sectors in Hong Kong will be able to benefit from that.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.) 

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region