Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, together with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, met the media today (November 26) on the distribution of thank you cards to voters during the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election. Following are Mr Chan’s remarks at the media session:

Reporter: Good morning. A few questions. First one, why did the Government come up with such incentives? And secondly, what do you make of private business sectors coming up with discounts and promotions on polling day? Thank you.

Chief Secretary for Administration: Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to say thank you to the many private companies and the private sector for providing some facilitation and special offers to those who vote in the LegCo election. I think encouraging more people to vote is very important, and it is also very important for the future of Hong Kong. We encourage the private sector to provide, as far as they can, facilitation and special offers to encourage (voting in) the LegCo election; it is very, very important for Hong Kong’s future. I really encourage that. Thank you. 

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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation on November 24 to combat infringing activities involving circumventing game consoles. Eight game consoles suspected to be connected with the case, 13 sets of suspected infringing game consoles, 29 memory cards containing suspected infringing games, a desktop computer with an external hard disk used for dealing with infringing games and a batch of computer equipment were seized. The total estimated market value was about $150,000.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that someone offered paid services to circumvent game consoles and sold suspected infringing electronic games through a social media platform page. After a thorough investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers took enforcement action on November 24. An industrial unit in Kwun Tong and a retail shop in Tsuen Wan were raided, and the batch of game consoles connected with the case and the suspected infringing game consoles were seized. Customs officers from the Computer Forensic Laboratory were also summoned to the scene to support the operation. Through an on-site digital examination, more than 5 000 suspected infringing game files were found from the computer connected with an external storage media, which was used to process infringing games.

During the operation, two men, aged 42 and 38, were arrested. 
 
     An investigation is ongoing, and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs noted that the copyright owner had applied an effective technological measure in his game consoles to prevent any unauthorised games being played on any devices, and the arrested persons are suspected of using circumvention technology to enable the infringing games to run on the game consoles.

     Customs reminds traders not to take part in circumvention activities since selling a circumvention device or providing a circumvention service is a serious crime. Also, members of the public should respect intellectual property rights and not buy any circumvention devices. Unknown websites connected with circumvention devices might contain computer viruses or malware which can pose a risk to users.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who possesses an infringing copy of a copyright work with a view to selling it commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years. Any person who, for the purpose of a circumvention business, or in the course of a circumvention business, sells or lets for hire a relevant device, or provides relevant services in order to allow circumventing an effective technological measure which has been applied in relation to a copyright work, is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for four years.

Members of the public may report any suspected infringement 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

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today (November 26) that, to express gratitude for the public’s support in the Legislative Council General Election and for casting their valuable votes on polling day, a thoughtfully designed thank-you card will be produced and presented to voters after they have cast their votes on polling day.
 
     The theme of the thank-you card is “Together We Create a Better Future”, symbolising the collective effort of various sectors of society and the general public to jointly forge a better future for Hong Kong. The cover of the card features a futuristic design, with the election mascots, the Ballot Box Family (namely “Blue Ballot”, “Red Ballot” and “Grandpa Ballot”), expressing their thanks to citizens. The card was designed by a team at the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI) and produced by the Information Services Department and the Government Logistics Department.
 
     A Government spokesman said, “The Government has in recent years bolstered its efforts to promote artificial intelligence (AI) as a core industry for Hong Kong’s development, implementing a series of measures to foster a thriving AI ecosystem. HKGAI, funded by InnoHK, a major innovation and technology initiative of the Government, specialises in the research and development of generative AI technology, with the goal of building Hong Kong’s self-developed AI foundation models and ecosystem. The use of generative AI by HKGAI for this design resonates perfectly with the election’s theme of ‘creating the future together.'”
 
     On December 6, the day before the election, the Government will host an Election Fun Day with a series of activities across Hong Kong to welcome the election. These include:
 

• The “Let’s Vote, Together We Create the Future Gala” will be held at Wonderland of the West Kowloon Cultural District that evening, featuring performances by artists, magician and dancers;
   
• The Government will organise carnivals in various locations, such as a civic education carnival at Tai Po Waterfront Park, as well as land and water experience activities along the Wan Chai and North Point waterfronts, etc;
   
• The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold “Fun in Sports & LegCo Election” carnival activities at six venues, i.e. Southorn Playground in Wan Chai, Kowloon Park, Kowloon Walled City Park, Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Fanling Playground, and Pak Tai Temple Playground in Cheung Chau;
   
• Various policy bureaux and departments will organise exhibitions and interactive experience activities. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will hold a roving interactive exhibition at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill; while the Environment and Ecology Bureau, in collaboration with Kowloon Motor Bus, will display vintage buses and electric buses at the Yue Lun Street Depot in Lai Chi Kok; and
   
• Eight disciplinary forces under the Security Bureau will host activities or open their facilities to the public. The Police Force will hold an event at the Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui; while open days will be held at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O; the Customs Headquarters Building in North Point; the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum in Stanley; the Civil Aid Service Headquarters in Yau Ma Tei; the Auxiliary Medical Service Headquarters in Ho Man Tin; the Tsing Yi Fire Station; and the Government Flying Service helipads in Sai Kung, Tai Mei Tuk and Tai Mo Shan.

     To further enhance the ambience of the election to be held on December 7 and public awareness of the election, as well as to remind voters to fulfil their civic responsibility and strengthen their civic consciousness, various government departments have arranged for various facilities to be open to all citizens for free on December 6 and 7 or to provide souvenirs or special offers, including:
 

• Free admission to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, as well as public swimming pools, and the fee-charging exhibitions of the Science Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on these two days;

 

• The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY;

 

• The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will hold activities to promote the election and hand out souvenirs to citizens at certain public markets;

 

• At designated shopping centres, markets and Domain in Yau Tong under the Hong Kong Housing Authority, members of the public will enjoy extra free parking offers upon consumption of a certain amount; and

 

• The 14 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme will provide different offers, including free guided tours and consumption discount. Additionally, citizens can enrol for the free guided tours, organised by the declared monument King Yin Lei on Saturdays and Sundays, starting from December 6 onwards.

 
     Members of the public can learn about various activities of the Election Fun Day by clicking here, and know more details regarding free admission to government facilities and special offers arranged by government departments by accessing the link here. The Government is also pleased to note that quite a number of private enterprises, merchants and restaurants are taking the initiative to provide various offers on polling day. Members of the public are advised to watch out for information concerned.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The 35th International Railway Safety Council Annual Conference commenced in Hong Kong today.

Jointly organised by the National Railway Administration (NRA), the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC), the conference is co-hosted by the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong for the first time, showcasing the close collaboration between the two places in railway safety and regulation, as well as their influence on the global railway professional field.

Chief Executive John Lee, NRA Deputy Administrator Wang Qiming and MTRC Chairman Rex Auyeung officiated at the opening ceremony. Also in attendance was Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan.

With the theme “Advancing Railway Safety through Innovations & Collaborations”, the conference features four days of plenary sessions and two days of technical visits. It provides a platform for railway safety regulators, operators and stakeholders from around the world to discuss global railway safety issues, and to have exchanges on the latest developments and innovative technology applications of railways.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said that railways serve as a powerful engine driving connectivity, resilience and progress.

He expressed confidence that by prioritising safety, embracing innovation and deepening collaboration, the industry will enhance lives and connect countries and communities around the world.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government considers that the introduction of Chinese Mainland railway standards can help Hong Kong make better use of Chinese Mainland resources in order to effectively reduce costs and shorten construction periods, while maintaining safety and service levels. The Highways Department expects to complete formulating the new Hong Kong Railway Standards in the coming weeks.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today held an interdepartmental urgent meeting to assist residents affected by the fire in Tai Po.

He was deeply saddened that the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po caused multiple deaths and injuries, including the passing of fire services personnel on duty. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and injured.

Mr Lee is also extremely concerned about the incident and immediately activated the Emergency Monitoring & Support Centre. He was briefed by the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department and steered the relevant departments to make every effort to carry out firefighting, rescue and cure work.

All government departments are fully assisting residents affected by the fire, prioritising the safety and well-being of the public.

The Home Affairs Department, District Offices and Social Welfare Department have set up interdepartmental help desks, arranged for residents in need to move to temporary shelters, and provided assistance and mental support to the families of the deceased and injured.

The Hospital Authority has also activated the emergency mechanism to make every effort to save and care for the injured.

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung was deeply saddened by the death of fireman Ho Wai-ho, during the fire in Tai Po today.

Mr Tang said: “I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members.”

He also expressed sympathies to the family members of others who died in the fire and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung also expressed sadness at the passing of Mr Ho.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, at the WWD x SJ Global Fashion & Business Conference today (November 26):
 
Bosco (Representative of the Hong Kong Fashion Council, Mr Bosco Law), Amanda (Chief Executive Officer of the Fairchild Media Group, Ms Amanda Smith), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. I am delighted to welcome you to the WWD (Women’s Wear Daily) x SJ (Sourcing Journal) Global Fashion & Business Conference. A heartfelt greeting goes to our speakers and guests who have travelled from near and far to be with us today.
      
     The fashion industry is one of the most dynamic industries, facing challenges but also offering abundant opportunities. With the theme “Global Creativity and the Fashion Imagination”, this conference gathers visionary minds to dive into inspiring topics at the forefront of fashion, such as cross-cultural creativity, innovation through heritage, storytelling in fashion, and global sourcing. These are all up-to-the-minute, important and practical topics on the global fashion agenda.
      
     At the same time, the conference convenes fashion leaders from the East and the West for insightful dialogue on the industry’s future. It reflects Hong Kong’s unique position as a gateway between the Chinese Mainland, Asia and the world, where cultures and creativity converge. I believe that today’s conference will empower participants with valuable takeaways and inspire new ideas to shape the future of fashion worldwide.
      
     Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2025, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government and organised by our various partners, is now under way across the city and will continue until next Sunday (December 7). The wide range of programmes creates platforms for designers and brands across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and many more countries and regions to build connections and pursue collaboration. It highlights Hong Kong’s role as a global cultural bridge while demonstrating our growing influence as a fashion design hub in Asia. We warmly welcome all of you to join this signature event during your stay in Hong Kong.
       
     I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hong Kong Fashion Council for bringing us this truly meaningful conference. My gratitude also goes to our partners of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest, Women’s Wear Daily, the globally respected “Bible of Fashion”, and Sourcing Journal, the premier international voice for sourcing and manufacturing, whose partnership has further elevated this remarkable event.
      
     Before closing, I would also like to take this occasion to encourage all our Hong Kong participants to cast their votes in the Legislative Council General Election on December 7 to fulfil our civil and social responsibilities. Together, we build a better Hong Kong.
      
     Finally, may I wish the Conference a resounding success and hope you all enjoy today’s programme and more from the Hong Kong Fashion Fest.
      
     Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Housing Bureau (HB) released today (November 26) the latest Composite Waiting Time for Subsidised Rental Housing (CWT).
 
     As at end-September 2025, the CWT for general applicants (i.e. family and elderly one-person applicants) that were housed in public rental housing (PRH) or Light Public Housing (LPH) in the past 12 months has been maintained at 5.1 years, which is again the lowest record since the first quarter of 2018. Compared with the highest level of 6.1 years before the current-term Government took office, the CWT has been shortened by a full year.
 
     A spokesman for the HB said, “In the third quarter of 2025, we successfully arranged a total of about 7 900 general applicants to be housed to PRH or LPH, including about 1 600 newly completed PRH units, about 4 000 recovered PRH flats and about 2 300 LPH units. Among the general applicants housed to PRH, over 85 per cent were housed to Urban districts and Extended Urban districts, which are very popular districts among applicants. However, the waiting time for Urban districts and Extended Urban districts is about two years longer than that for the New Territories, thus their longer waiting time has been taken into account in the latest CWT. Despite the huge housing supply of around 8 000 units this quarter, the CWT has been maintained at 5.1 years as in the last quarter.”
 
     On the other hand, the waiting time for general applicants housed to LPH is obviously shorter. In fact, since the first LPH project began allocations in the first quarter of 2025, the waiting time of general applicants who were housed to LPH is only 3.1 years on average. This fully highlights that LPH has not only improved the living conditions and quality of life of low-income families, but has also played a key role in shortening the waiting time for PRH.
 
     The LPH project at Choi Hing Road in Ngau Tau Kok, being the first LPH project in an urban area, has been fully occupied in early September 2025. Among the residents who have moved into the project, about 70 per cent had previously been living in inadequate housing (e.g. sub-divided units, rooftop houses and bedspaces, etc). With the gradual completion of various PRH and LPH projects, the CWT will in turn decline, reflecting that PRH applicants will be allocated to adequate housing more quickly. Not only does this immediately help those families overcome their housing difficulties, but also significantly relieves their rental burden, thereby commencing a new family life and even starting to accumulate their own savings.
 
     A spokesman for the HB said, “We will continue building PRH and take forward the remaining LPH projects proactively. It is anticipated that about 9 500 LPH units will be gradually completed for intake in 2025, moving towards the target of completing the construction of about 30 000 LPH units by 2027-28.
 
     “In addition, with our multipronged approach to expedite the turnover of PRH flats, the number of PRH general applicants has further decreased. As at end-September 2025, there were about 111 600 general applications for PRH, and about 85 700 non-elderly one-person applications under the Quota and Points System. As compared with the highest level of 156 400 cases and 143 700 cases of general applications and non-elderly one-person applications, the application number has been reduced significantly by around 30 per cent and 40 per cent respectively, clearly demonstrating that the PRH waiting queue is being reduced.”
 
     Looking ahead to the five years starting from 2026-27, the overall public housing production (including LPH) will reach 189 000 units, about 80 per cent higher than when the current-term Government took office. Under the current-term Government’s unremitting efforts to “enhance speed, quantity, quality and efficiency” in the past three years, the back-loaded situation has been completely reversed by the public housing production. This shift has enabled faster fulfillment of the housing needs of low-income families. The target of reducing the CWT to 4.5 years by 2026-27 remains unchanged.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at Bloomberg’s Greater Bay Area (GBA) FinTech Talent Initiative Summit today (November 26):
 
Bing (Head of Asia Pacific, Bloomberg, Mr Bing Li), Howard (Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Howard Lee), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow colleagues in the fintech sectors,
 
     Good afternoon. It is a great honour and pleasure to join you today at the GBA FinTech Talent Initiative Summit, organised by Bloomberg. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Bloomberg for your continued commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration in the fintech space. Our co-operation with Bloomberg has been exemplary, extending across various initiatives that strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global financial centre. For example, we recently marked the first anniversary of the Hong Kong Family Office Nexus – a strategic partnership between my bureau and Bloomberg. This collaboration integrates Bloomberg’s global resources and technological expertise to provide a digital knowledge hub, professional insights, and exchange platforms for family offices. Such partnerships underscore our shared dedication to innovation and ecosystem building.
 
     On today’s summit, it is particularly fitting that it places a special emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and our synergies with Shenzhen. These themes align closely with our shared vision of building a dynamic, innovative, and interconnected fintech ecosystem. I also wish to acknowledge the presence of esteemed speakers and participants, including representatives from our regulator, leading financial institutions, and technology firms. Your insights and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our discussions on empowering the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) for an AI-driven future.
 
     Hong Kong has long been recognised as a global financial centre, underpinned by a robust regulatory framework, free flow of capital, and a deep pool of talent. In recent years, we have redoubled our efforts to promote fintech development, recognising its pivotal role in enhancing the competitiveness of our financial services sector and driving economic growth. Our multipronged approach encompasses upgrading financial infrastructure, nurturing a vibrant ecosystem, cultivating talent, and strengthening cross-boundary co-operation – particularly within the GBA.
 
     The fintech landscape in Hong Kong is thriving. Today, we host over 1 200 fintech companies, including eight digital banks, four virtual insurers, and 11 licensed digital asset trading platforms. This ecosystem is not only diverse but also innovative, attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from around the world. To further accelerate this momentum, the Government issued a policy statement in October last year on the responsible application of AI in the financial market. This statement underscores our commitment to an open-minded approach, where we closely monitor market developments, draw on international best practices, and promote the ethical use of AI to foster new quality productive forces in finance.
 
     Talent is the cornerstone of any successful innovation hub, and this is especially true for fintech. The GBA FinTech Talent Initiative Summit provides an invaluable platform to address this critical element. In Hong Kong, we have implemented a series of targeted measures to nurture and attract fintech talent. For instance, in October 2023, my bureau launched the GBA FinTech Two-way Internship Scheme for Post-secondary Students. This scheme subsidises students from the Mainland and Hong Kong to undertake short-term internships in fintech companies, enhancing talent exchange and expanding our talent pool. In April this year, we had provided around 50 positions in our summer programme, with over 100 students participating across four rounds to date.
 
     Complementing this, in September 2022, we introduced the Pilot Scheme on Training Subsidy for Fintech Practitioners, which reimburses training costs for those attaining professional qualifications. As of October this year, around 730 practitioners have enrolled in relevant courses, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving field.
 
     Our focus on AI talent is equally robust. In August last year, the HKMA and Cyberport launched the Generative AI Sandbox, providing banks with a risk-managed environment to test innovative AI use cases. The first cohort, announced in December last year, explored applications in risk management, anti-fraud measures, and customer experience. This was followed by a second cohort in April this year, selecting 27 use cases from 20 banks and 14 technology partners. These initiatives not only build technical capabilities but also ensure that our workforce is prepared for the responsible deployment of AI technologies.
 
     Turning to cross-boundary collaboration, which is central to the GBA’s success, Hong Kong is actively deepening ties with our Mainland counterparts, particularly Shenzhen. Just this month, the FSTB (Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau) and the Shenzhen Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau jointly promulgated the Action Plan for Jointly Building Hong Kong-Shenzhen Global Fintech Hub (2025-2027). This plan leverages Hong Kong’s strengths in fintech innovation and Shenzhen’s prowess in industrial finance, covering key areas such as digital finance, techfin, green finance, inclusive finance, and pension finance. It aims to establish a world-class fintech centre through enhanced co-operation.
 
     These efforts are part of a broader strategy to integrate fintech into the GBA’s economic fabric. Furthermore, in June this year, the People’s Bank of China and the HKMA launched Payment Connect, linking the Mainland’s Internet Banking Payment System with Hong Kong’s Faster Payment System (FPS). This initiative enables secure, real-time cross-boundary remittances using just mobile and an account number. By July this year, it had processed over 700 000 transactions worth RMB4 billion. Meanwhile, our FPS has seen remarkable growth, with 18.31 million registrations and an average daily turnover of 2.17 million transactions worth HK$16.9 billion as of October 2025.
 
     Also, our commitment extends to green and sustainable fintech. In June last year, the Government launched the Green and Sustainable Fintech Proof-of-Concept Funding Support Scheme, approving 60 projects to date. This initiative aims to position Hong Kong as a green fintech hub by funding solutions with potentials to be commercialised.
 
     Looking ahead, the Government will continue to provide an enabling environment for fintech to flourish. We will work closely with regulators, industry players, and our GBA partners – including valued collaborators like Bloomberg – to address challenges and seize opportunities, particularly in AI-driven innovations. Events like this summit are crucial for exchanging ideas and forging partnerships that will shape the future of finance in the region.
 
     In closing, I am confident that the discussions today – from the fireside chat with industry leaders to the panel on empowering the GBA for an AI-driven future – will inspire actionable insights. Let us harness the collective wisdom here to build a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable fintech ecosystem.
 
     Thank you once again to Bloomberg and all participants. I wish the summit every success.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region