Category: MIL-OSI

Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks to be held on March 28(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the purchaser is a body corporate); and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed. Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.Issued at HKT 14:56

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Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for February 2026      
     The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 43.4 in January 2026 in the contractionary zone to 45.3 in February 2026, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. March 2026) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.6. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for all the surveyed sectors rose in February 2026 as compared with previous month, particularly for the retail trade (from 38.4 to 41.4), restaurants (from 38.6 to 41.4) and import and export trades (from 45.7 to 47.4).
               
     The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades increased from 46.0 in January 2026 to 47.1 in February 2026, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. March 2026) was 47.9.
      
Commentary
      
     A Government spokesman said that business sentiment amongst SMEs improved in February, with the current and outlook diffusion indices on business receipts for SMEs both rising to near two-year highs. The current diffusion index on employment for SMEs also improved from the preceding month.
      
     Looking ahead, local business sentiment will be supported by the sustained expansion of the economy. The Government will closely monitor the evolving external environment, including the developments surrounding the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the frequently shifting trade and economic policies of major economies.
      
Further information
      
     The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to companies with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent companies in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
      
     The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own companies rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
      
     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300      
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $3.4 million at airport.  An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 20:45

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Director-General of OASES visits Strategic Enterprise Biren Technology’s exhibition centre to explore innovative computing solutions       
     Biren Technology has continued to expand its business and was listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited in January 2026, becoming the first GPU enterprise to listed in Hong Kong. Biren Technology has also established a new exhibition centre to showcase its latest AI computing products and solutions.
      
     During the visit, Mr Yan stated that Hong Kong is committed to developing innovation and technology (I&T). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is actively investing in the Northern Metropolis and through tax incentives, research funding and talent policies, is attracting more strategic enterprises with leading technologies in AI and computing power to develop in Hong Kong. These measures are highly aligned with the strategic direction set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate the development of an international I&T centre and promote collaborative innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Mr Yan further noted that the 2026-27 Budget has identified AI as a priority, introducing the “AI+” policy framework, including the establishment of the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy, to enhance computing infrastructure, promote talent cultivation, and transform research outcomes, thereby further strengthening Hong Kong’s AI industry ecosystem. These policies complement existing I&T platforms, providing enterprises with a more favourable environment for growth. Mr Yan stressed that since Biren Technology established its presence in Hong Kong, the company has fully leveraged the city’s combined strengths in international finance, professional services and I&T. It has continued to expand in the Chinese Mainland markets including the Greater Bay Area. Biren Technology’s development in Hong Kong not only demonstrates the city’s attractiveness, but also contributes to the accelerated growth of the local AI industry chain and computing ecosystem.
      
     The Chairman of the Strategy Committee of Biren Technology, Mr Allen Li, said, “Establishing our presence in Hong Kong marks an important step in Biren Technology’s global strategic layout. Hong Kong offers the dual advantages of an international platform and a capital market, providing an ideal environment for the R&D and commercialisation of our GPGPU chips and intelligent computing solutions. With the comprehensive support of the HKSAR Government and the OASES, we are rapidly integrating advanced computing infrastructure into the local ecosystem. Looking ahead, the company will continue to use Hong Kong as a bridge to bring the Chinese Mainland’s independently innovated AI technologies to the world, while working closely with the HKSAR Government to actively align with the country’s overall development strategy.”Issued at HKT 21:50

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Speech by CE at International Women’s Day Reception 2026

Allow me to address our English-speaking friends. Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a day of profound significance around the world. We are here this morning to honour the global contributions of women and to recognise the inspiring vision, leadership and resilience of women in our community.

Hong Kong women enrich different aspects of our society. Over the years, in so many ways, women have challenged prejudices, erased boundaries and embraced opportunities. And done so through remarkable achievements in government, business, the professions, academia, the arts, innovation, family life, and so much more. Women are a powerful source of energy for social progress, women’s talent and determination are essential to Hong Kong’s continuing success.

Last October, China, our country, hosted the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing. The international gathering brought together leaders and experts from around the world to advance gender equality and the cause of women everywhere. At the Meeting, President Xi Jinping noted that “women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilisation, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women”.

Our country has long championed women’s development, upholding gender equality as a fundamental policy priority. With the nation’s support and a widening global vision, women in the Hong Kong SAR have been able to pursue their dreams and realise their full potential.

The Government has worked closely with the Women’s Commission to expand opportunities for women. One of our flagship events, held in 2024, was the inaugural Family and Women Development Summit.

The second Summit will take place this month, on March 31. And I look forward to the enthusiastic participation of our partners across the community.

I’ve just shared in Cantonese about four traditional Chinese silk fabrics and how they resemble the qualities of Hong Kong women. Each fabric has its own character: one represents clarity and poise with which you balance family and career; another symbolises inclusive spirit, bringing people together and building consensus.
These four fabrics – clarity, inclusivity, resilience, and grace – are woven into the daily lives of women here in Hong Kong. They are the threads of women’s character. And my hope, ladies, is that you will continue to illuminate every corner of this city with that same remarkable spirit.

I wish you all an inspiring International Women’s Day, and continued happiness, health and success. Thank you! 多謝大家。
Issued at HKT 11:55

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