Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Chun-ying and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):

Question:

     The Chief Executive stated in the 2025 Policy Address the promotion of intellectual property (IP) trading and the bolstering of IP financing. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority collaborated with the Government to launch an IP financing sandbox at the end of last year to assist pilot sectors in leveraging IPs for financing, of the status of the sandbox experiments to date; whether it has considered further expanding the participating banks and pilot sectors;

(2) as it is learnt that many Mainland enterprises hold substantial IP assets in the biotechnology, electronics and innovation and technology sectors, whether the Government will consider gradually including some Mainland enterprises in the sandbox to lay the foundation for future cross-boundary IP financing; and

(3) as the Government has earmarked $28 million to provide qualitative patent evaluation for innovation and technology enterprises and implement a two-year Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme, there are views that banks’ frontline approving officers are most concerned about the liquidity and valuation stability of intangible assets, whether, while assisting innovation and technology enterprises with patent valuation, the Government will formulate a clear recognition framework or guidelines for the above Scheme, so that banks can directly incorporate the relevant evaluation results into the valuation basis for loan collateral?

Reply:

President,

     As the global economy rapidly shifts towards a development model centred on creativity, technology and innovation, intellectual property (IP), as an intangible asset protecting creative and innovative ideas, has become a key driver of business competitiveness and economic growth. The National 14th Five Year Plan expressed support for Hong Kong’s development into a regional IP trading centre. This positioning of Hong Kong has been reaffirmed by the National 15th Five Year Plan.

     The Government has been taking forward a series of targeted new policies and measures in a multi-pronged manner to further improve the local IP trading ecosystem, enhance Hong Kong’s capabilities in IP trading and financing, and consolidate Hong Kong’s position and competitive advantages as a regional IP trading centre.

     Having consulted the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Chun-ying is as follows:

     To help innovation driven enterprises leverage their IP assets to obtain financing so that they can devote more resources to research and development (R&D) and commercialisation, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD), in collaboration with the HKMA, launched the IP Financing Sandbox (Sandbox) in end-December 2025 to assist pilot sectors, particularly the technology sector, in leveraging IPs for financing. Three major banks in Hong Kong and their clients from different sectors, as well as professional services organisations, are participating in the Sandbox. The aim of the Sandbox is to, through small scale pilot projects, provide a collaborative and risk controlled environment for key stakeholders, including banks, enterprises, valuation and legal professionals and other professional bodies, to participate in suitable IP financing projects on a “pioneer and pilot” approach as reference cases for the future. The Sandbox will help unlock a new financing channel, thereby supporting the commercialisation of outcomes of R&D as well as creativity, and promoting innovation and technology (I&T) as a key driver of economic growth. These pilot projects will provide valuable practical experience, enabling the aforesaid key stakeholders to collectively test out the full lifecycle of financing arrangements based on IP assets, build cross sector trust, capacity building and long term partnerships, and provide guidance and basis for follow up arrangements.

     We are pleased to note that there has recently been successful completion of financing approval under the Sandbox, and other pilot cases are also undergoing the approval process. The CEDB and the IPD will, together with the HKMA, collect stakeholders’ views, consolidate market feedback and experience on the Sandbox, and make follow up arrangements (such as increasing the number of participating banks and pilot projects). Banks will conduct approval in accordance with their established procedures after taking into account risk and other relevant factors. It is therefore necessary for banks to have a good understanding of enterprises participating in pilot projects, so that they can conduct due diligence in accordance with regulatory requirements.

     At this stage, we will focus on leveraging the Sandbox to accumulate practical financing experience for local enterprises, and will closely monitor the latest developments in IP financing in both Hong Kong and the Mainland, so as to make the most appropriate arrangement for the next stage of work.

     In addition, to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) address the challenges of IP valuation, the Government will launch a two-year Pilot Patent Valuation Support Scheme (Pilot Scheme) through the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre (HKTISC) to support eligible local SMEs to conduct valuation of their patents and other IP assets, which will provide concrete information on the enterprises’ assets to serve as a reference for credit financing.

     The Pilot Scheme, which is expected to be launched in the third quarter of this year, will adopt a matching grant model of one-to-one between the Government and eligible local SMEs and provide each enterprise of an approved application (approved enterprise) with a one off funding capped at $80,000 to support them in commissioning qualified valuation service providers to conduct quantitative valuation of their patents and other IP assets. If the IP assets of the approved enterprise include at least one Hong Kong patent granted under the Patents Ordinance (Cap. 514) that has also undergone substantive examination, the IPD’s patent examiners will, through the HKTISC, provide free qualitative patent evaluation service based on the national standard for one Hong Kong patent designated by the approved enterprise concerned. Valuation service providers may, where appropriate, refer to the results of such qualitative patent evaluation in conducting quantitative valuation. The Government has earmarked $28 million to support the HKTISC in providing patent evaluation for I&T enterprises and implementing the two-year Pilot Scheme.

     The Pilot Scheme will provide high quality qualitative patent evaluation and reliable quantitative valuation for IP assets held by approved enterprises. This not only assists relevant SMEs in demonstrating the economic value of their IP assets, but also enhances understanding of the value of intangible assets by financial institutions and investors, enabling them to consider the market potential of SMEs’ IP assets in a more comprehensive manner and increasing their confidence in investing in SMEs or establishing strategic partnerships with them. Relevant evaluation and valuation reports could also serve as references to banks and other financial institutions when they assess enterprises’ applications for financing, loans, etc. The IPD had briefed a number of local banks, through the HKMA, on the active supporting functions of the Pilot Scheme in their assessment of enterprises’ applications for financing, and the Pilot Scheme was positively received by the banks. The IPD is working with the HKTISC to actively prepare the concrete implementation arrangements and detailed execution plan for the Pilot Scheme. The IPD is also preparing a guidance document setting out the minimum information requirements for valuation reports provided by valuation service providers under the Pilot Scheme, so as to ensure consistency in the contents of such reports and assist banks in using them for credit assessment in compliance with prudent risk management principles. The Government will regularly review the overall progress of the operation of the Pilot Scheme, with a view to enhancing banks’ acceptance of valuation reports.

     The Government will continue to capitalise on Hong Kong’s advantages in legal and professional services, seize the opportunity brought by our country’s support for deepening Hong Kong’s development as a regional IP trading centre, and actively promote more IP trading and financing activities, with a view to further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as a regional IP trading centre.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yung and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):

Question:     
(1) of the Park Company’s specific ways to maintain regular interface with the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (the Qianhai Authority) and strengthen co-operation in areas such as industrial planning, attracting enterprises and investment, mutual recognition of standards, professional services;     
     In alignment with the overall strategy of the Northern Metropolis (NM) as “industry-driven”, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in the beginning of this year, established the wholly government-owned Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company Limited (the Park Company), which will be responsible for the development and operation of the around 23-hectare Industry Park located in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, with a view to capitalising on the locational advantage of Hung Shui Kiu for its good transport network and proximity to Qianhai and Nanshan in Shenzhen to drive the development of industries with a competitive edge and supported by the HKSAR Government, including high value-added or smart production (such as pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing) and advanced construction.
     
     The Industry Park, in conjunction development with the Hung Shui Kiu University Town, will foster deep integration of the industry, academia and research sectors, and attract talent. The Park Company will proactively attract high-quality enterprises to establish a foothold in the Industry Park through tailored packages, and provide support services such as testing and certification, business matching and staff training, etc. The Park Company will support enterprises in expanding their businesses, help Chinese Mainland enterprises to “go global” and “bring in” overseas firms, fully utilising Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city and boosting the economic impetus.
     
     In respect of the various parts of the question, having consulted the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the reply is as follows:
     
(1) The Qianhai Co-operation Zone, with its high-standard opening up, promotes the innovative development of modern service industry, gathering the finance, technology, legal, and cultural and creative sectors, while the Nanshan District is a gathering place of high-tech innovation. Hung Shui Kiu is just a bay away from the Qianhai Co-operation Zone and the Nanshan District, offering great prospects for co-operation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):

Question:(ii) Displaying signages and broadcasting announcements in the airport arrival area and through airlines to urge passengers who have visited the DRC or Uganda within the past 21 days to proactively declare their travel history to the on-site staff of the DH for further health assessment;
(iii) If an inbound traveller exhibits relevant symptoms and is assessed as a suspected case by the Port Health Division officers, arrangements will be made immediately to transfer the individual to the Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre (HAIDC) for isolation and treatment;
(iv) Strengthening public awareness and health education efforts regarding Ebola disease at all boundary control points, including broadcasting announcements and posting posters to alert travellers; and
(v) Providing the Airport Authority Hong Kong and airlines with the latest information on the virus, and urging airlines to remind their flight crews to strictly enforce established prevention and control measures if they identify suspected cases on their flights.　 
     The HA will continue to work closely with the CHP to monitor the development of the situation and review the relevant measures in a timely manner.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Carmen Kan and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):

Question:

     It has been reported that recently, some members of the public who have lost their identity cards have fallen victim to identity theft. After opening bank accounts online or in person, fraudsters have impersonated these members of the public to apply for loans and telecommunications services, or even engage in other criminal activities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the fraudsters’ major means of identity theft (e.g. fraudulent offline use of physical identity documents and remote digital identity theft), and the nature of cases consequent to such acts (e.g. online shopping and borrowing), their numbers and pecuniary losses incurred over the past three years, with a breakdown in tabular form;

(2) whether the Government has grasped the situation where the credit scores of members of the public have been adversely affected due to identity theft over the past three years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether the authorities will consider requiring the Credit Reference Platform “Credit Data Smart” or its participating institutions to provide relevant data to relevant regulatory bodies and the Police for follow-up;

(3) given that members of the public are currently able to access the online services of various government departments or bodies through “iAM Smart” and “iAM Smart+” which is equipped with a digital signing function, whether the Government has compiled respective statistics on the data application scenarios, data scope and popularization rates of various services of “iAM Smart” and “iAM Smart+” (e.g. using the public services provided by all government departments as the denominator in the calculation);

(4) given that members of the public will authorize government departments and bodies to retrieve user data (e.g. identity card numbers, photographs and contact information) when using “iAM Smart” and “iAM Smart+”, how the Government will strike a balance between providing facilitation to both the public and businesses and preventing identity theft, with details of relevant measures set out by type of government department and body;

(5) as it has been reported that in the field of fintech, government raw data may be referred to as “authoritative data sources”; Mainland financial institutions can connect to the Ministry of Public Security’s “National Citizen Identity Information Centre”, and when banks upload customers’ identity card numbers, names and photographs, the system can instantly compare such data against the Ministry of Public Security’s database, which will provide feedback on the authenticity of identity documents and facial matching results with enhanced effectiveness in fraud prevention, whether the Government will, with reference to this approach, adopt an open attitude towards providing “authoritative data sources” to financial institutions (e.g. allowing relevant departments and the Digital Policy Office to share suspicious intelligence with financial institutions and conduct identity verification); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(6) if the Government has no plan to fully open up “authoritative data sources” to financial institutions, what alternative measures are in place to assist financial institutions in conducting customer identity verification and due diligence, as well as the costs incurred by these measures (e.g. whether the authorities will consider opening up “authoritative data sources” first to digital banks that generally have no physical branch for face-to-face customer verification, so as to assist them in verifying customer identities); and

(7) whether the Government has a clear understanding of the technologies used by public bodies and financial institutions to prevent identity theft without its opening up of “authoritative data sources”, and the annual investment in the research and development as well as maintenance of such technologies; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

To address the issue of identify theft concerning members of the public, the Government, the financial regulators and the industry have been monitoring market and technology trends closely, and have been maintaining close communication and intelligence sharing. If crimes involving the production of counterfeit Hong Kong identity cards (HKIC) or the use of false identities are detected, the law enforcement agencies take proactive enforcement actions. 

After consulting the Security Bureau, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA), the reply to the seven parts of the question is as follows:

(1) The Hong Kong Police Force carried out multiple arrest operations over the past year related to the making of false HKICs or the use of false identities, including Operation “SILVERHALL” launched in October 2025, which successfully dismantled a local fraud syndicate. The syndicate used deepfake technology to replace the portraits on HKICs which had been reported as lost, and successfully passed the facial recognition verification of online banking systems, opened 19 bank accounts, and used those identity cards to apply for loans and credit cards, involving approximately HK$220,000. In that operation, the Police arrested 23 persons, including the mastermind and core members of the syndicate, as well as holders of stooge accounts, which had been used to launder or handle crime proceeds totalling more than HK$190 million.

The Police does not maintain a breakdown of the primary methods by which fraudsters misused identities across all cases.

(2) When members of the public enquire about inaccuracies in their personal credit records held by a credit reference agency, the relevant credit provider or consumer credit reference agency will handle the matter in accordance with the procedures set out in paragraphs 3.19 and 3.20 of the Code of Practice on Consumer Credit Data, including verifying the information, following up with the data provider where necessary, and making corrections as soon as possible if the information is confirmed to be inaccurate.

These procedures effectively prevent or address situations where identity theft affects an individual’s credit record. Members of the public may also make use of credit alert services provided by consumer credit reference agencies as needed, to identify any inaccurate information or other suspicious circumstances early, and take follow-up action in a timely manner.

In cases of suspected identity theft, relevant institutions will verify the information and follow up in accordance with established risk management and compliance procedures, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies for further investigation if necessary.

The HKMA and consumer credit reference agencies do not maintain statistics on cases involving suspected identity theft that affect personal credit records.

(3) As of the end of May 2026, “iAM Smart” has registered over 4.5 million users, more than 80 per cent of whom use “iAM Smart+”. Currently, “iAM Smart” has achieved the goal of a “single portal for online government services” (i.e. all online government services have adopted “iAM Smart”), enabling access to over 1 400 online services provided by the Government and public and private organisations, as well as government e-forms. Citizens can use various functions of “iAM Smart”/”iAM Smart+”, including identity authentication, “e-Me” form filling and digital signing, etc, to log in to and access various related services, such as viewing and paying bills, registering for and logging in to the eMPF Platform, checking personal credit records, applying for loans, and opening accounts with banks and financial institutions online. 

(4) As a critical digital infrastructure, the “iAM Smart” platform has consistently adhered to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance to protect citizens’ personal data. “iAM Smart” will transfer users’ personal data to online service providers only with the user’s prior consent. The personal data transferred may vary depending on the requirements of online service providers. It mainly includes users’ HKIC data (such as HKIC number, Chinese and English names, date of birth, gender, etc) and personal data voluntarily provided by the user in “e-ME” profile, including residential address, email address, phone number.

Personal data in the “iAM Smart” system are encrypted using prevailing internationally recognised and accepted Advanced Encryption Standard, and stored in government data centre facilities. During transmission of data over the Internet, Transport Layer Security is also adopted to encrypt data to ensure data security and integrity. The “iAM Smart” platform was successfully accredited with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 international standard certifications in 2023. This shows that “iAM Smart” services have achieved international standards in information security and personal data protection. 

To tackle evolving security threats, the Digital Policy Office (DPO) continuously enhances the overall system security of “iAM Smart”, including adopting AI in deepfake detection during the facial recognition process, to ensure that selfie images are captured from real persons (instead of AI-generated fakes). We also utilise AI log analytics and monitoring techniques for anomaly detection to proactively identify and swiftly address potential system issues. Furthermore, to strengthen cybersecurity and guard against identity theft, the DPO introduced the “Step-up Authentication” function in “iAM Smart”, allowing online services to conduct additional identity verification for their users during key processes (e.g. bank account opening, remote authentication). Apart from the AI-powered anti-deepfake technology, “Step-up Authentication” function also supports the use of Near Field Communication (i.e. NFC) function of users’ mobile phones to read the identity card’s chip data. By cross-referencing data against the records of the Immigration Department in real time, it further enhances the security of identity authentication. Meanwhile, we engage red team to identify hidden security risks of the system, and arrange annual audits by independent third-party consultants to guard against information security risks.

(5) to (7) In the banking sector, the HKMA has all along required banks to adopt multiple layers of controls to authenticate customers’ identities and guard against fraud. These include the use of technology solutions to verify the authenticity of identity cards and facial recognition technology to confirm customers’ identities. The existing measures have been effective at validating customers’ identities. However, in view of evolving fraud tactics and technological developments, banks must also continually review and strengthen the relevant controls and identity verification processes.

In this regard, the HKMA is working closely with the DPO, banks, and the stored value facility industry and plans to progressively integrate “iAM Smart”‘s Step-up Authentication function into critical processes. Through leveraging the function to conduct facial recognition and reading of identity card chips, fraudsters can be prevented from using fake or stolen identity documents. This will provide another layer of protection to the customer identity authentication process. The HKMA is engaging with the industry on the arrangements for the first phase of implementation covering remote account opening. The plan is to commence testing within 2026 and extend relevant arrangements to other critical processes in phases, following a risk-based approach.

With respect to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF), since all administration work of MPF schemes is centrally handled by the eMPF Platform, the MPFA is able to identify potential connections among suspicious cases more effectively and take follow-up action as early as possible. Furthermore, since December 2025, all online applications to register for the eMPF Platform must be submitted via “iAM Smart” as a measure to combat impersonation of MPF scheme members by criminals. MPFA has also required MPF trustees to put in place robust risk management and monitoring mechanisms, and to assist in conducting due diligence on cases referred by the eMPF Platform, for detecting and preventing fraudulent activities and strengthening the protection of scheme members’ interests.

In the securities sector, under the SFC’s Guideline on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism, licensed corporations must conduct customer due diligence before establishing a business relationship, verifying identity using reliable and independent documents, data, or information. For non face to face account opening, licensed corporations must take additional measures to mitigate risks associated with the absence of physical identity verification (e.g. impersonation risk). Since the launch of “iAM Smart”, the SFC has accepted the use of “iAM Smart” by intermediaries for identity verification during account opening, helping to prevent identity theft and reduce impersonation risk. “iAM Smart” provides a reliable and independent source of Hong Kong resident identity information, allowing intermediaries to verify customers through its authentication function. 

Nevertheless, “iAM Smart” is different in nature from the Chinese Mainland’s “National Citizen Identity Information Service Center system”. Registration for “iAM Smart” is voluntary, meaning its Step-up Authentication function can only be used where the customer has registered for “iAM Smart” and consented to its use. The Government will continue to monitor technological developments and the operational needs of the industry, and will keep reviewing and optimising related policies, while fully protecting personal data privacy and complying with Hong Kong’s legal framework. These include exploring the further use of the authentication capabilities of “iAM Smart”, and collaborating with various financial regulators to strengthen cross industry identity verification mechanisms, thereby more effectively preventing identity theft.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chuang and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):

Question:

     Following the successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship recently, the first female payload specialist from Hong Kong also travelled into space on board. At the same time, our country’s “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan” has included for the first time the need to “work faster to boost China’s strength in aerospace” as a key task while expressly pointing out the need to promote the development of strategic emerging industries such as aviation and aerospace. Regarding areas such as promoting the development of aerospace and space technologies as an industry, leveraging Hong Kong’s advantages as a financing platform, and deepening the training of young talents, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether the Government will formulate specific strategies for areas such as scientific and technological research, talent cultivation and industry development in the aerospace domain, so as to build up the role of Hong Kong in the commercial aerospace industry chain of our country;

(2) how the Government will attract Mainland and international commercial aerospace enterprises to Hong Kong for listing, issuing bonds, undertaking private equity financing, and setting up regional headquarters or research and development centres;

(3) as the authorities indicated earlier that the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited had been requested to review the relevant listing mechanisms and requirements to facilitate and dovetail with financing activities involving aerospace enterprises, of the specific progress of the review at present and the timetable for implementing the relevant measures;

(4) whether the authorities will assess the number of high-end employment opportunities that can be created by the aerospace science and technology industry for Hong Kong’s young people and its manpower demand in the coming 5 to 10 years; and

(5) whether the Government will launch more dedicated training programmes or subsidy funds specifically for tertiary students and young people who have just begun their careers, so as to encourage young people to enrol in advanced professional programmes relating to the aerospace domain and nurture more aerospace industry talents equipped with interdisciplinary capabilities for Hong Kong; apart from training programmes and subsidy funds, what other specific schemes have been put in place by the authorities to nurture the relevant talents?

Reply:

President: 

     The National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out key strategies to develop a modernised industrial system and expedite the development into an aerospace power. With the strong support of the country, a Hong Kong payload specialist takes part in the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission for the first time, which is a testimony to the country’s high recognition of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) talent, development, and achievements. It also reflects the great importance attached, as well as the care and support given to the technological development in Hong Kong by our country. Hong Kong has transformed from being a “supporter” of the country’s great aerospace endeavours into a “participator”. This does not only demonstrate Hong Kong’s capability in contributing to the country’s development into an aerospace power, but also showcases how Hong Kong could better integrate into and serve the overall national development.

     Having consulted the Education Bureau (EDB), the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), our reply to the Hon Albert Chuang’s question is as follows:

(1) Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) possesses strong capabilities in scientific research. Various research institutions and universities have been participating in aerospace research projects, including providing systems, instruments, and technical support for the country’s lunar and Mars exploration missions, as well as conducting spaceborne experiments, actively contributing to the country’s aerospace development. In future, Hong Kong can play a unique role in fostering international exchanges and collaborations as the country’s aerospace development goes global, so as to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths to contribute to the national needs.

     The Government has a clear plan on promoting the development of aerospace technology. Talent is a critical element for promoting I&T development. The Government is taking forward the development under the principle of “promoting technology with talents, leading industries with technology, and attracting talents with industries”. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong possesses the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. With five universities ranking among the world’s top 100, Hong Kong provides a powerful impetus for nurturing and attracting I&T talents.

     The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) have been expanding the local research and I&T talent pool through a multipronged approach, supporting enterprises and research institutions in grooming technology (including aerospace technology) talents and promoting I&T development. Such measures include:

(i) the STEM Internship Scheme, which subsidises undergraduates and postgraduates taking full-time STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-related programmes to enrol in short-term internships, with a view to encouraging them to gain I&T-related work experience;
(ii) the Research Talent Hub, which provides funding support to eligible companies or organisations to engage research talents to conduct research and development (R&D) work; and
(iii) the New Industrialisation and Technology Training Programme, which subsidises local enterprises on a 1(Government):1(enterprise) matching basis to train their staff in advanced technologies.

     Furthermore, the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre has been established under the InnoHK research clusters to participate in relevant aerospace missions of our nation. The ITC also launched the Innovation and Technology Support Programme Special Call on Aerospace Technology in July 2024 and deployed over $100 million funding to support six projects related to aerospace technology. One of them was the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) camera, which has recently arrived at Tiangong Space Station. The development of MUSICO was led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

     Regarding industry development, the Government’s relevant existing policy measures are all applicable to the realm of aerospace. For example, the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme supports enterprises in obtaining funding on a matching basis to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong; the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme provides funding on a matching basis to enterprises engaged in strategic industries to establish new smart production facilities in Hong Kong; and the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund is also planned to commence operation within the year to channel more market capital into strategic emerging and future industries, thereby systematically building up the I&T industry ecosystem.

     All in all, the Government will continue to enhance research capability, initiatives on nurturing talent and industry support, with a view to enabling Hong Kong to perform its unique role in the country’s aerospace development.

(2) & (3) The FSTB is committed to building a vibrant and sustainable fundraising platform in Hong Kong. As a global major listing platform for companies from different jurisdictions and the second largest private equity management centre in Asia following the Mainland, the FSTB actively drives the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) to study broadening the fundraising channels for enterprises, as well as keeping abreast of international trends and continuously enhancing Hong Kong’s listing regime, thereby facilitating listing by companies from different industries in Hong Kong. On the other hand, through the active promotion of the Government, Hong Kong has been a major international bond issuance hub in Asia. In fact, the Hong Kong bond market has seen vibrant development in recent years, with annual issuance size gradually rising and issuers becoming more diversified. A number of major technology companies have issued bonds in Hong Kong in recent years. The Government, the SFC and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will continue to implement the various initiatives under the Roadmap for the Development of Fixed Income and Currency (FIC) Markets, and step up market outreach to various target markets, with a view to attracting more issuers and investors (including technology enterprises) to participate in Hong Kong’s FIC markets.

     In recent years, the aerospace industry has experienced significant development, extending beyond national strategic initiatives into the commercial sphere. On the listing platform, the HKEX introduced Chapter 18C in March 2023 to provide a listing pathway for early-stage specialist technology companies. According to the HKEX’s guidance, Chapter 18C captures a broad range of aerospace-related business activities under the existing acceptable sectors of specialist technology industries, including aerospace technology, advanced communication technology and advanced transportation technology. Applicants from the aerospace industry may apply for listing under Chapter 18C and benefit from the Technology Enterprises Channel. To support the high-speed developments of relevant industries, the HKEX has commenced a review to assess and optimise the existing listing framework to meet the fundraising needs arising from the development of the aerospace industry, and will announce specific measures or provide further guidance as appropriate in due course.

     Furthermore, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) is actively exploring investment directions related to commercial aerospace and the space economy. By synergising capital, technology, talent and application scenarios, the HKIC will facilitate to connect promising aerospace enterprises with the diverse financing channels, high calibre talent, and common law system advantages of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, thereby helping relevant enterprises accelerate technological translation and market implementation. The HKIC will also deepen collaborative innovation with local universities and research institutions, promote industry-academia-research collaboration, and assist Hong Kong in contributing to our country’s aerospace development with its own strengths, while injecting new momentum into Hong Kong’s high-quality economic development.

(4) The HKSAR Government has been conducting periodic manpower projection (MP) exercises to assess Hong Kong’s future manpower supply and requirement trends at a macro level, with a view to providing an important reference for the planning of medium-term manpower strategies. The LWB is currently conducting a mid-term update of the MP to assess Hong Kong’s manpower supply and demand trends from 2025 to 2028 at the macro level. The scope of the MP covers 17 key economic sectors, including the “international I&T centre”. The development of various advanced technologies (including aerospace technology and related cutting-edge technologies) as well as relevant scientific research activities (including R&D activities in the public, business and higher education sectors) have been subsumed under the overall manpower demand assessment for the “international I&T centre”. At present, the stakeholder consultation and data analysis for the mid-term update of the MP have been largely completed. Final data consolidation is underway, and the LWB expects to release the findings in the fourth quarter of 2026. 

     Regarding the specific breakdown of data analysis, preliminary feedback from the stakeholder consultation indicates that the manpower demand related to aerospace technology only accounts for a relatively small proportion of the entire manpower demand for the international I&T centre at the current stage. Hence, an independent quantitative assessment on aerospace technology has not been conducted in this mid-term update of the MP. The Government will continue to closely monitor the development trends of I&T (including aerospace technology) in Hong Kong. Where necessary, consideration may be given in future MPs to conducting more targeted sub-sectoral assessments on specific technology areas, so as to ensure that the manpower supply can dovetail with the development needs of the industries and our country. 

(5) The EDB advised that the Government has all along encouraged the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities to offer programmes which cater for Hong Kong’s development needs, expand the talent pool of important areas such as I&T, and strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness. In “The Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address”, we announced our target that by the 2026/27 academic year, 35 per cent of the students of the UGC-funded universities will be studying STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subjects and 60 per cent will be studying subjects relevant to Hong Kong’s development into the “eight centres” in the 14th Five-Year Plan. During the 2025-28 triennium, the eight UGC-funded universities collectively introduce 27 new undergraduate programmes related to STEAM and the “eight centres”, covering emerging fields that have been rapidly developing and highly popular among young people in recent years, such as aerospace science and technology, etc. They will not only consolidate Hong Kong’s development in I&T and the “eight centres”, but also create opportunities for young people to give full play to their strengths, thereby promoting greater social and economic diversification.

     The UGC allocates recurrent funding to the eight UGC-funded universities, in the form of a block grant on a triennial basis, for offering programmes and allocating student places among different disciplines.

     At present, there are four UGC-funded universities offering undergraduate programmes in aerospace knowledge and training in Hong Kong, namely City University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the HKUST. PolyU also provides postgraduate programmes. These programmes all serve to nurture talent in aerospace engineering for both Hong Kong and the nation.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director-General David Cheng-Wei Wu held meetings with bipartisan leaders at the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament to enhance bilateral cooperation.
During the discussions, Director-General Wu shared updates on Taiwan’s recent economic and technological growth, noting that Taiwan’s stock market capitalization has surpassed the UK and India to become the fifth largest globally. He also highlighted Nvidia’s first overseas headquarters and innovation center set to open in Taiwan by 2030, alongside President Lai Ching-te’s newly launched “New Strategic Plan for Taiwan’s Population Policy,” which addresses demographic challenges to secure national competitiveness and social resilience.
Director-General Wu reaffirmed that Taiwan and Australia are key, like-minded partners sharing values of freedom and democracy, committed to the rules-based international order. He emphasized that this office will continue to deepen the strong partnership between Taiwan and New South Wales across all key sectors.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Environment and Ecology Bureau today urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent WhatsApp messages falsely claiming to be from the Secretary for Environment and Ecology (SEE).

The bureau clarified that neither it nor the SEE has any connection to these messages, adding that the case has been reported to the Police.

Members of the public are reminded to exercise caution regarding suspicious messages, protect their personal information and contact the Police if they suspect fraudulent activity.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs held the 2026 World Metrology Day Symposium on 19 May 2026. The symposium explored three major themes-smart manufacturing and AI, net-zero transition, and the new energy industry, highlighting that metrology is not only essential to the stable operation of industries across all sectors, but also serves as a critical foundation for national policymaking and fostering public trust.
World Metrology Day is celebrated globally on May 20 each year to commemorate the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, which laid the foundation for global measurement consistency, and to reflect on how metrology can help address future challenges. As a member of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the BSMI organized a symposium under the 2026 theme, “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making.” It aimed to foster greater public awareness and understanding of the importance of metrology through the sharing and discussion of real-world case studies.

The BSMI noted that the metrology system is fundamental to ensuring fair market transactions and maintaining public confidence in government enforcement. Currently, 22 categories of legal measuring instruments have been designated under regulation. Any legal measuring instrument subject to mandatory verification must complete verification before importation or release from the factory to ensure the accuracy and consistency of measurement results, while also protecting consumer rights and maintaining fair trade practices.

In addition, BSMI has also aligned its efforts with the government’s energy transition and industrial upgrading policies. It is actively advancing hydrogen metrology technologies, developing standards for hydrogen refueling stations, and improving the green electricity trading framework, with the aim of gradually establishing a reliable standards and metrology foundation for emerging energy industries. At the same time, by integrating metrology with AI technologies, the BSMI is developing services for sensor calibration, automated equipment calibrations, and geometric measurement of machine tools, helping the smart machinery industry improve measurement data quality, enhance process stability, and strengthen international competitiveness.

The symposium featured distinguished speakers from industry and academia. Mr. Cheng Tzu-yen, General Manager of Chroma ATE Inc., delivered a presentation entitled “The Development of Smart Manufacturing and the Role of Metrology in the AI Wave,” exploring how smart manufacturing integrates AI applications with metrology to strengthen quality assurance and build trust across global supply chains. Mr. Lee Chien-ming, Senior Consultant at the Taiwan Research Institute, presented on “Metrology Supporting High-Integrity Net-Zero Transition,” explaining the pivotal role of metrology in carbon management and net-zero governance. In addition, Mr. Huang Yi-hsieh, Senior Energy Consultant at Taiwan Cement Corporation Group Holdings, shared insights on “Metrology Challenges and Policy Implementation in the New Energy Supply Chain,” highlighting the importance of establishing standardized metrology systems to support the implementation of new energy policies.

As the world moves toward digital governance, sustainable development, and energy transition, policymaking increasingly depends on a precise and reliable metrological foundation. The BSMI will endeavor to align with the nation’s development vision and strategies by leveraging internationally harmonized metrology standards and the solid foundation of the National Measurement Laboratory. Guided by the principles of “precise metrology, sustainable development, and intelligent innovation,” BSMI is committed to enhancing the credibility and impact of public policy and serving as a strong backbone for the sustainable development of Taiwan’s industrial economy.

Responsible Division: Metrology Administration Division
Contact Person: Chang, Chao-Ching, Deputy Director
Tel. (O): +886-2-23431700 ext. 5111
Email: hush.chang@bsmi.gov.tw