Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ3: Nurturing artificial intelligence talents
Question:
There are views pointing out that there is a strong global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) talents. Regarding the enhancement of Hong Kong’s AI talent pool to enable the country to gain a greater influence in the global AI competition, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as it has been reported that eight local universities in Hong Kong are ranked among the top 100 universities in Asia, with five of them even ranked among the world’s top 50 in the fields of data science and AI, how the Government will step up efforts to promote Hong Kong’s AI education in the Mainland and emerging market countries along the Belt and Road, with a view to attracting more relevant talents to Hong Kong for further studies in AI;
(2) as there are views pointing out that AI is a systematically complex subject involving multiple challenges across areas such as ethics, law and governance, how the Government will enhance the development of the local interdisciplinary framework, promote the integration and innovation of humanities subjects and computer science, and cultivate a group of interdisciplinary talents who possess both technical knowledge and AI governance capabilities; and
(3) whether it will draw on the experiences of the “AI Apprenticeship” programmes in Singapore and the United States to provide local talents with paid training and internship opportunities for in-depth participation in the application of AI in industries, so as to nurture them into AI professionals?
Reply:
President,
Hong Kong’s higher education sector is internationalised and diversified; approximately a quarter of students enrolled in the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded programmes come from outside Hong Kong, with the majority from the Chinese Mainland and Belt and Road (B&R) countries. Notably, five UGC-funded universities rank among the world’s top 100, demonstrating outstanding performance in academic influence, research standards and internationalisation, and nurturing outstanding talent for our nation and Hong Kong across various fields, including innovation and technology (I&T). Furthermore, the Education Bureau and the UGC have all along prioritised the promotion of I&T education to enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s higher education in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI).
As regards the question raised by the Hon Andrew Yao, having consulted the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, our reply is set out below:
(1) To support universities in strengthening the promotion of “Study in Hong Kong” and showcasing Hong Kong’s world-class universities and academic subjects, including AI and I&T education, to the global community, the UGC has provided a funding of around $40 million in the 2025-28 triennium for the Heads of Universities Committee’s Standing Committee on Internationalisation (HUCOMSCI), which involves the eight UGC-funded universities, to organise and participate in various overseas activities, with a view to promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand worldwide and attracting more students to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. The UGC has also provided a funding of about $10 million to support the HUCOMSCI in promoting Hong Kong’s higher education to the countries along the B&R, including the formulation of publicity and promotion strategies and the production of publicity materials and videos.
In terms of academic exchange, the universities have been actively organising a variety of large-scale international academic events, inviting the participation of representatives and renowned scholars from universities in different parts of the Chinese Mainland and overseas. The events held in 2025 included the International Low-Altitude Economy Summit organised by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with the support of the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Greater Bay Area Low Altitude Economy Alliance; the Digital Universities Asia 2025 co-hosted by the Lingnan University in partnership with Times Higher Education; and the 25th Asian Quantum Information Science Conference co-organised by the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Institute of Quantum Science & Technology. These conferences and exhibitions further foster collaboration and exchanges between universities and institutions worldwide by bringing together higher education leaders and representatives from around the globe (including the Chinese Mainland and B&R countries), thereby enhancing the promotion of the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.
(2) Through the Planning Exercise for the 2025-28 triennium, the UGC serves as a vital bridge connecting national strategies, the needs of Hong Kong and the universities’ development. It encourages the universities to review and launch new programmes in response to the Government’s policy steer, market demand and industry trends. This enables institutions to keep pace with the times and provide students with appropriate curricula to navigate future social developmental changes.
In the 2025-28 triennium, the UGC-funded universities collectively introduce 27 new undergraduate programmes related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) or the “eight centres”, covering areas such as AI, creative industries and data science to create opportunities for young people to unleash their potential. The universities are also launching interdisciplinary programmes and programmes that integrate technology with traditional fields, such as educational technology and digital humanities, to cultivate specialists with cross-discipline expertise through innovative curriculum content.
Moreover, the Government launched the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies in the 2025/26 academic year to encourage more local students to pursue postgraduate studies in priority areas that are beneficial to Hong Kong’s development and to expand the pool of high-calibre talent across different fields. Digital transformation and innovation is one of these priority areas.
At the same time, to align with developments in teaching and learning as well as evolving societal needs, the UGC launched the Fund for Innovative Technology-in-Education (FITE) in 2023 with an allocation of $100 million to support UGC-funded universities in applying innovative technologies in teaching and learning and in nurturing digitally competent and technologically responsible talents. The FITE encourages universities to develop teaching, curriculum and student support initiatives related to AI and other emerging technologies, and to promote inter-institutional collaboration and engagement with the industry. The universities may utilise the fund to advance AI-related curriculum reform, teaching innovation and student development initiatives, including the strengthening of AI literacy, data security, academic integrity and education on technological ethics.
In addition, the UGC has increased the Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant for the 2025-28 triennium to $919.8 million. The universities may use the grant to address changes and challenges in teaching and learning, including the integration of generative AI and innovative technologies, thereby supporting universities in advancing AI education.
(3) The UGC has always encouraged the UGC-funded universities to strengthen collaboration with industry and the community, so as to provide students with more practice-oriented learning opportunities, including internships, work experience, industry partnership projects and joint teaching arrangements. In addition, one of the four key themes supported under the FITE is fostering academia-industry collaboration for authentic learning experience, which strongly encourages the universities to develop innovative projects related to the industry and the community, enabling students to experience AI applications in real-life settings and enhancing their practical skills in an innovation- and technology-driven environment, thereby helping students accumulate experience in actual workplace contexts.
Furthermore, the Innovation and Technology Commission launched the STEM Internship Scheme in 2020 with the aim to subsidise full-time university students enrolling in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-related programmes to take up short-term internships, so that they could gain I&T-related work experience and cultivate their early interest in pursuing a career in I&T after graduation, thereby enlarging the local I&T talent pool. Internships funded by the Scheme must be related to I&T, including AI and other I&T areas.
In addition, the New Industrialisation and Technology Training Programme under the Innovation and Technology Fund also subsidises local enterprises on a 1 (Government): 1 (enterprise) matching basis for them to arrange training in advanced technologies (including training related to AI) for their staff. Moreover, the Hong Kong Productivity Council is committed to providing various upskilling training courses to employees of enterprises undergoing digital transformation. Focus of these courses includes different soft skills such as AI, equipping employees with knowledge in different technology areas.
Thank you, President.
Issued at HKT 17:37
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Tax concession bill approved
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government today welcomed the passage, by the Legislative Council, of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions, Concessionary Deductions & Allowances) Bill 2026, which allows implementation of the concessionary tax measures proposed in the 2025 Policy Address and the 2026-27 Budget.
The legislation will be published in the Government Gazette on May 22.
The measures include increasing the basic allowance, the married person’s allowance, the single parent allowance, the basic and additional child allowance, and the basic and additional allowance for dependent parents/grandparents, as well as raising the deduction ceiling for elderly residential care expenses and extending the claim period for additional child allowance for newborns starting from the year of assessment 2026-27. About 2.09 million taxpayers will benefit, reducing tax revenue by about $5.51 billion per year.
A one-off 100% reduction of salaries tax, tax under personal assessment and profits tax for the year of assessment 2025-26 will also be granted, subject to a ceiling of $3,000 per case. This is expected to benefit about 2.12 million taxpayers and 170,000 businesses, with about 24% of the former and 18% of the latter not needing to pay tax for the year of assessment 2025-26. Government revenue will be reduced by about $5.78 billion.
The one-off tax concessions, increased allowances and deduction ceilings will be reflected in taxpayers’ final tax payable for the year of assessment 2025-26 and tax payable for the year of assessment 2026-27.
Taiwan’s Research Excellence Shines at Edison Awards with 16 Wins
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) of Taiwan today (May 12) announced Taiwan’s results at the 2026 Edison Awards, marking another landmark year for the country at what is widely regarded as “the Oscars of Innovation.” In total, Taiwan received 16 awards this year, joining other winners including Dell, Medtronic, and Dow.
MOEA-affiliated research institutions took home three gold, six silver, and three bronze awards. Winners included the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), and the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI). The awarded technologies have been commercialized through partnerships with companies such as Mizuno and Sangtech Lab, helping accelerate industry transformation.
ITRI claimed three gold and two silver awards. Its LigamiX, co-developed with TTRI, earned a gold award for addressing long-standing limitations of conventional artificial ligaments, including poor biocompatibility, inflammation and rejection risks, and material degradation that can lead to breakage. Combining polymer-bioceramic composite fibers with a porous bionic textile structure, the technology delivers up to three times the strength of commercially available products while promoting bone regeneration and tissue adherence. Through collaboration with traditional textile manufacturers, ITRI transformed a textile material originally worth less than US$1 into an artificial ligament commanding a unit price of US$2,500.
Another gold winner, Prognosis Monitoring System (PMS), addresses the costly risks of sudden production line failures that lead to product loss and unplanned downtime. Using AI to continuously monitor equipment conditions and predict anomalies before failure, PMS significantly reduces unexpected shutdowns. In a single instance during semiconductor manufacturing, the system prevented an estimated loss of US$5 million. The technology has since expanded into industries including machine tools, energy, and petrochemicals.
Also earning gold, Sustainable Pavement Material Recycling introduces a first-of-its-kind asphalt-aggregate separation process that resolves the longstanding disposal burden of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Using a proprietary biological agent and a water-based heating process, the technology converts 100% of RAP into reusable paving material, generating approximately US$50 in value per ton of recycled material. At scale, the technology could help Taiwan reduce quarrying by approximately 4.85 million tons annually while cutting carbon emissions by 270,000 tons per year.
MIRDC took home two silver and two bronze awards. The silver award-winning ThermoMind Smart Energy-efficiency Combustion System tackles the longstanding inefficiencies of traditional furnaces, which have traditionally struggled with significant heat loss and a heavy reliance on manual adjustment. Targeting energy-intensive industrial furnace applications, ThermoMind delivers real-time combustion adjustment and waste heat recovery, helping industries reduce carbon emissions by over 110,000 metric tons to date.
Also earning silver, MagicABC addresses the shortage of Mandarin-speaking speech-language pathologists and the limitations of one-way training systems. Through an AI-powered Speech-Language Pathology Agent (SLP-Agent) and interactive lesson plans, MagicABC helps children with language delays practice verbal expression. The system has already been adopted by more than 10 medical and educational institutions, including Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital.
TTRI claimed two Silver and one Bronze awards. The silver award-winning A Slice of Running Shoe disrupts traditional footwear assembly by integrating precision melt-blown automation to slash the conventional eight-step process down to just two. This leap in efficiency allows a shoe upper to be completed in a six minutes; furthermore, its mono-material construction ensures the product is both ultra-lightweight and fully recyclable, addressing critical goals in the circular economy.
Securing another Silver, the CellNet Leukocyte Reduction Filter, co-developed with Sangtech Lab, enhances transfusion safety by removing white blood cells from blood products. The manufacturing process replaces conventional solvents and heavy water usage with supercritical carbon dioxide fluid technology, enabling a cleaner, lower-carbon production of medical devices under entirely solvent-free and waterless conditions.
Commercial vehicles to get toll waiver
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply today announced that the Government will waive 50% of the toll for commercial vehicles using government tolled tunnels, and the Tsing Sha Control Area, from May 17 to July 16.
Commercial vehicles include buses, goods vehicles, light buses and taxis registered with the Transport Department. Private cars and motorcycles are not eligible for the waiver.
The two-month measure aims to alleviate operating costs for commercial vehicles, and to assist drivers and operators in coping with rising fuel prices, the task force explained.
The department said it has steered the toll service provider to adjust the HKeToll system. Commercial vehicle owners only need to pay the reduced amount, as displayed via the system. Payment methods and time limits remain unchanged.
Separately, taxi passengers are reminded that they must continue to pay statutory tolls in full during the waiver period. Placards will be displayed in taxi compartments regarding the tolls.
Global Buyers Gather in Taiwan as TITA Helps Auto Parts Suppliers Secure Orders
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs(MOEA) announced on April 14 that the “2026 Auto Parts, EV, and Motorcycle Procurement Meeting” would be held in Hall 1 of the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center to help local suppliers secure overseas orders. The event attracted 92 international buyers from 37 countries, who held over 480 one-on-one meetings with 241 Taiwanese companies, generating US$280 million in business opportunities, while showcasing Taiwan’s strong competitiveness in global supply chains.
Leading buyers included major e-commerce platforms for U.S. auto parts, fuel system and engine management manufacturers, a Thai Tier 1 supplier, and a French off-road motorcycle brand. Buyers praised Taiwan’s consistent quality, flexible customization, and reliable delivery, with several indicating plans to expand sourcing. Amid shifting geopolitical patterns, Taiwan is increasingly seen as a key supply chain partner.
The event also featured a policy brief on sourcing in Taiwan, with a European distributor sharing market trends to help firms switch from passive order-taking to proactive market alignment.
The MOEA added that the “2026 Global Sourcing Day-Kaohsiung” on April 21 would further drive business opportunities with over 150 international buyers expected to participate. The government will continue to support firms through, “Taiwan Excellence Pavilions,” buyer matchmaking, and AI-driven digital marketing to expand global market opportunities.
MOEA Unveils “TEAM Taiwan Flagship Pavilion” at the EISENWARENMESSE-International Hardware Fair in Cologne
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
The world’s largest hardware trade fair, EISENWARENMESSE, successfully concluded on March 6, 2026 at Koelnmesse. The event featured nearly 2,500 exhibitors from over 50 countries. Taiwan stood out with its first-ever “Team Taiwan Flagship Pavilion,” which featured 263 companies from the hand tools and fastener sectors, making Taiwan the second-largest exhibitor. The pavilion showcased Taiwan’s strong supply chains and innovation, generating US$120 million in business opportunities.
In response to the restructuring of global supply chains and the impacts of U.S. tariff, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has expanded support through special budget measures. These include enhanced subsidies for exhibitors, the establishment of Taiwan pavilions at major global trade shows, buyer-sourcing programs, AI-driven marketing, and one-stop services via Taiwan Trade and Investment Centers.
To boost order acquisition, integrated marketing activities were held during the fair, including buyer delegations, product launches, industry seminars, and networking events. These efforts facilitated strong engagement with buyers from Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, which resulted in on-site deals and positive feedback from exhibitors.
Looking ahead, Taiwan will set up flagship pavilions at 10 major international trade shows across Europe, the U.S., and Japan, focusing on industries affected by U.S. tariffs, to enhance global visibility and expand market opportunities.
HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong’s creative art tech work at Munich Biennale
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong’s creative art tech work at Munich Biennale
The reception featured a panel discussion themed “China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Meets Global Audiences: The Role of Art Tech”. Speaking in his remarks, the Deputy Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Billy Leung, highlighted Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
“Hong Kong has been a unique cultural melting pot of East and West, thanks to its extensive international connections and large-scale arts and cultural facilities. We are proud to showcase outstanding creative work from Hong Kong with global peers, promoting our city’s diverse artistic vocabularies,” said Mr Leung.
This year’s Munich Biennale showcased ARCHE, an applied research art tech project funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission. The project was developed by composer Professor Eugene Birman of the Academy of Music at Hong Kong Baptist University and stage director Dr Katharina Schmitt, and was commissioned by the City of Munich, combining elements of kung fu and opera. The work was created with references to various kung fu films and wuxia novels.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Issued at HKT 18:40
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Six persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed “Contribute” today (May 12). During the operation, ImmD officers raided two village houses in a housing estate in Tai Po District and a unit in an industrial building in Kwai Chung District. Five suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised five men, aged 33 to 45. They were found performing cementing, painting, plumbing and electrical duties. A man aged 30 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.
An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.
AFCD lays charges against local coxswain and five Mainland fishermen deckhands suspected of using snake cages for fishing
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (May 12) laid charges against a local coxswain and five Mainland fishermen deckhands suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages on a local vessel in waters off Po Toi.
The AFCD recently noted that there was a fishing vessel engaging in illegal fishing using snake cages in the southeastern waters of Hong Kong and mounted a joint operation with the Police yesterday (May 11). During the joint operation, the Police intercepted a local vessel at around 10am suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages. Some fishing gear, including snake cages and winches, was seized by the AFCD officers from the vessel.
After an investigation, the six persons were charged with contravening the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171). They will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 13).
Only a vessel registered under the Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters and only the fishing methods listed on its Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel can be employed for fishing by the vessel. The conditions of the Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel regarding cage traps also stipulate that any collapsible cage traps should not be connected in any way to one another; or should not exceed 5 metres in any of its extended dimensions. Hence, it is unlawful to fish using snake cages. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
An AFCD spokesman stressed, “The Government is committed to combating illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action.”
LegCo Secretariat releases Policy Pulse on “Unrivalled connectivity where sea meets sky: Consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping centre and aviation hub”
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China” explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its role as an international shipping centre and aviation hub. The Legislative Council (LegCo) fully supports the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in formulating Hong Kong’s first five-year plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Members have long attached great importance to and discussed the ways to enhance Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness in its dual-hub role. In this connection, LegCo Secretariat (the Secretariat) today (May 12) released a Policy Pulse on “Unrivalled connectivity where sea meets sky: Consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping centre and aviation hub” to provide a concise overview of the initiatives on consolidating this dual-hub role. It also summarises the relevant discussions in LegCo and suggestions by Members.