Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of Survey on Professional and Business Services relating to Intellectual Property Trading/Commercialisation released
The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, said, “With the support of the Central Government, Hong Kong has been fully committed to developing into a regional IP trading centre. Hong Kong’s pool of experienced IP service professionals is a key to safeguarding the legitimate interests of parties to IP transactions and the successful promotion of IP commercialisation. The Survey indicated that at least one-third of the establishments providing IP services collaborated with counterparts outside Hong Kong (notably on the Chinese Mainland and overseas) in their daily business. Our IP services providers are team players in both the local and global IP communities, playing the dual roles of ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ by leveraging Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and staying closely connected to the world.”
The Survey was commissioned by the IPD to collect information on the local landscape of the provision of IP services. During the period from May to October this year, the survey successfully enumerated 751 establishments, of which 266 provided IP services during the year of 2024. It was estimated that as at the end 2024, the number of people in Hong Kong’s workforce who engaged in IP services was about 4 148, up about 10 per cent from the manpower survey conducted by the IPD in 2017. Almost 80 per cent of the IP practitioners had a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, and about 70 per cent thereof possessed relevant academic and/or professional qualifications.
In 2024, the establishments most frequently provided “IP registration services” (84.1 per cent) and “IP consultation and/or advisory services” (79.5 per cent), which accounted for the highest percentage of their income in IP services. Amongst various IP rights, “trade marks” (92.4 per cent) and “patents” (48 per cent) were most often involved in the IP services rendered and were the categories that generated the largest business receipts.
The considerable business opportunities brought about by the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) also foster co-operation in IP services in the region. In 2024, about a quarter (25.7 per cent) of the establishments providing IP services in Hong Kong also provided IP services in or concerning the GBA (other than Hong Kong itself), also mostly in respect of “IP registration services” (85.4 per cent) and “IP consultation and/or advisory services” (66.7 per cent). Likewise, “trade marks” (96.1 per cent) and “patents” (50.3 per cent) were the two major types of IP rights involved in these IP services. Furthermore, nearly 30 per cent of the establishments providing IP services in Hong Kong indicated that they would consider starting to provide IP services concerning other parts of the GBA or expand their IP services business to other parts of the GBA in the next two years, indicating their active participation in driving the economic growth of GBA.
The Survey further collected the views of the establishments providing IP services on the major challenges they faced in enhancing IP services in Hong Kong, and they generally see the need for nurturing more talent with sufficient IP knowledge and experience.
Mr Wong said that the IPD will continue pressing ahead with supporting initiatives on various fronts to build a robust ecosystem to enhance Hong Kong’s position as a regional IP trading centre.
Members of the public are welcome to browse the summary of survey results uploaded to the websiteIssued at HKT 16:00
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Appointments to Commission on Children announced
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to Commission on Children announced
The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairperson of the CoC, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, welcomed the appointments. He looked forward to the members’ valuable advice on the wide-ranging issues of concern relating to children, and their collaborative efforts with the Government to promote children’s healthy growth and development as well as safeguarding their rights and well-being, thereby building a pro-child and inclusive community. He also expressed his appreciation to the outgoing member for the efforts and contributions made to the CoC.
The CoC was established on June 1, 2018. Its major functions are to develop policies, set strategies and priorities related to the development and advancement of children, oversee the implementation of relevant policies and services, promote children’s rights and fund public educational projects.
The membership list of the CoC with effect from January 1, 2026, is as follows:
Chairperson
————-
Chief Secretary for Administration——————
Secretary for Labour and Welfare———————-
Ms Karin Ann
Mr Chan Kin-ping
Miss Anna May Chan Mei-lan
Mrs Jennifer Cheng Yu Ngar-wing
Professor Eric Chui Wing-hong
Ms Kathy Chung Lai-kam
Ms Heidi Hui Sim-kiu
Dr Kevin Lau Chung-hang
Ms Joyce Lee Yuen-sum
Ms Yolanda Ng Yuen-ting
Ms Cindy Pun Siu-fung
Mrs Chandni Rakesh
Dr Tang Chun-pan
Mr Tony Tse Tsz-fung
Dr Winnie Tso Wan-yee
Mr Alan Tsoi Ka-lun
Dr Rizwan Ullah
Mr Gary Wong Chi-him
Ms Donna Wong Chui-ling
Ms Wong May-kwan
Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun
Ex-officio members
——————–
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
Secretary for Education
Secretary for Health
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs
Commissioner of Police
Director of Health
Director of Home Affairs
Director of Social Welfare
Chairperson of Family Council
Chairperson of Women’s Commission
Issued at HKT 12:00
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Government updates Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government today (December 31) promulgated the updated Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), which sets out the strategies and priority actions Hong Kong will adopt over the next 10 years to protect nature and support sustainable development, to protect Hong Kong’s biodiversity and thereby contribute to national and global efforts towards the goal of achieving harmony between humans and nature.
A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, “Natural ecosystems and biodiversity are deeply intertwined with our well-being and are a vital part in achieving sustainable development in society. The harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is our country’s vision. We must act on the concept that ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and focus on building a beautiful China'”.
At the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the country led the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which proposed a new global strategic framework for biodiversity conservation. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China released the China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030) in January 2024. To match these frameworks, and taking into account Hong Kong’s actual circumstances and conditions as well as stakeholders’ feedback, the Government has updated the BSAP and formulated actions for the next phase, building upon the first phase of the BSAP launched in 2016.
The updated BSAP puts forward four strategic areas, namely nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building, and collaborative partnering, which include a total of 30 priority actions and 81 priority projects. The Government looks forward to continuing collaboration with various sectors in the community to strengthen Hong Kong’s biodiversity conservation, enabling sustainable development.
The four strategic areas in the updated BSAP are as follows:
(1) Nature conservation
The Government will protect ecosystems and species through comprehensive and area-based measures to safeguard and restore biodiversity. Priority actions include: strengthening management of protected areas and establishing a wetland conservation system; restoring degraded ecosystems and revitalising remote countryside areas; stepping up enforcement against wildlife crimes and management of invasive alien species; and preventing deterioration of the aquatic environment by controlling pollution discharges.
(2) Deepening mainstreaming
The Government will continue to drive the integration of biodiversity conservation concepts into every sector of society, elevating it to a shared responsibility embedded within economic, urban and community practices. For example, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions can promote various programmes to deepen the public’s connection with nature; enterprises can disclose biodiversity-related risks and adopt sustainable operating practices; academic institutions can advance knowledge and nurture the next generation of conservation talent; urban development can also integrate biodiversity conservation concepts by adopting nature-based solutions and wildlife-friendly designs. Other sectors can also contribute to mainstreaming biodiversity by supporting sustainable agriculture and fisheries, ecotourism and the circular economy.
(3) Capacity building
The Government places emphasis on enhancing Hong Kong’s biodiversity conservation capacity by advancing knowledge, professional expertise and technological development. The Government will continue to support scientific and interdisciplinary research to explore the frontiers of knowledge and technology, complemented by measures to assess the status of nature, promote knowledge dissemination and sharing with the public, nurture talent, and deepen professional capabilities. At the same time, the Government will explore the establishment of a centre or platform for biodiversity resources, to enable better access by the public to natural treasures and heritage in Hong Kong.
(4) Collaborative partnering
The Government is committed to expanding and strengthening partnerships across regions, sectors and communities to safeguard the natural environment and resources; to create ecological corridors, combat wildlife crimes and manage habitats along species migration routes through cross-boundary co-operation; enhance the exchange of knowledge and expertise with the international community; learn from global best practices and case studies, optimise existing conservation measures, and enhance ecological resources management; capitalise on the role as a “super connector” to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, advance ecological civilisation across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and support the latest initiatives on biodiversity on the national and global levels.
The Government will continue to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation progress of the updated BSAP through the dedicated interdepartmental working group, and report the progress to the Advisory Council on the Environment regularly. To keep the public informed about the implementation, the Government will launch a dedicated website showcasing related work progress.
The updated BSAP has been uploaded to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/Con_hkbsap/updating_bsap/updating_bsap.html).
Government’s financial results for eight months ended November 30, 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (December 31) its financial results for the eight months ended November 30, 2025.
Expenditure and revenue from April to November 2025 amounted to HK$496.6 billion and HK$371.9 billion respectively, resulting in a deficit of HK$18 billion after taking into account HK$135.2 billion received from issuance of Government Bonds and repayment of HK$28.5 billion principal on Government Bonds.
A Government spokesperson said that the deficit for the period ended November 2025 was lower than that ended October 2025, mainly due to the fact that some major types of revenue including salaries and profits taxes are mostly received towards the end of a financial year. The revised estimates for the current financial year will be published along with the 2026-27 Budget.
The fiscal reserves stood at HK$636.3 billion as at November 30, 2025.
Detailed figures are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (Note 1)
| |
Month ended November 30, 2025 HK$ million |
Eight months ended November 30, 2025 HK$ million |
| Revenue | 79,423.6 | 371,887.3 |
| Expenditure | (57,695.4) | (496,610.4) |
| Surplus/(Deficit) before issuance and repayment of Government Bonds |
21,728.2 | (124,723.1) |
| Proceeds received from issuance of Government Bonds | 18,614.0 | 135,169.8 |
| Repayment of Government Bonds* |
(1,590.5) | (28,465.5) |
| Surplus/(Deficit) after issuance and repayment of Government Bonds |
38,751.7 | (18,018.8) |
| Financing | ||
| Domestic | ||
| Banking Sector (Note 2) | (38,533.5) | 14,680.8 |
| Non-Banking Sector | (218.2) | 3,338.0 |
| External | – | – |
| Total | (38,751.7) | 18,018.8 |
| * Being repayment of principal on Government Bonds and does not include the associated interest and other expenses. | ||
Government Debts as at November 30, 2025 (Note 3)
HK$410,245 million
Debts Guaranteed by Government as at November 30, 2025 (Note 4)
HK$115,251 million
TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES
| |
Month ended November 30, 2025 HK$ million |
Eight months ended November 30, 2025 HK$ million |
| Fiscal Reserves at start of period | 597,546.3 | 654,316.8 |
| Consolidated Surplus/(Deficit) after issuance and repayment of Government Bonds | 38,751.7 | (18,018.8) |
| Fiscal Reserves at end of period (Note 5) |
636,298.0 | 636,298.0 |
Notes :
1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at November 30, 2025, was HK$170,055 million.
2. Includes transactions with the Exchange Fund and resident banks.
3. The Government Debts, with proceeds credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund, comprise:
(i) the Green Bonds (equivalent to HK$203,190 million as at November 30, 2025) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$11,250 million with maturity from January 2026 to January 2053), euros (5,880 million euros with maturity from February 2026 to November 2041), Renminbi (RMB34,500 million with maturity from February 2026 to July 2054) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$24,500 million with maturity from February 2026 to November 2027);
(ii) the Infrastructure Bonds (equivalent to HK$97,710 million as at November 30, 2025) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They were denominated in Renminbi (RMB34,500 million with maturity from December 2025 to June 2055) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$59,730 million with maturity from February 2026 to June 2055); and
(iii) the Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$109,345 million (with maturity in October 2027 and October 2028 and may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.
They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$124,194 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,786 million as at November 30, 2025) issued under the Government Bond Programme with proceeds credited to the Bond Fund. Of these bonds under the Government Bond Programme (including Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$53,694 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$77,094 million will mature within the period from December 2025 to November 2026, and the rest within the period from December 2026 to May 2042.
4. Includes guarantees provided under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2001, the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2008, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme launched in 2012, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Battery Electric Taxis and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Travel Sector launched in 2023, and the commercial loan under Guaranteed Medium Term Note Programme of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited.
5. Includes HK$249,817 million, being the balance of the Land Fund held in the name of “Future Fund”, for long-term investments up to December 31, 2030. The Future Fund also includes HK$4,800 million, being one-third of the actual surplus in 2015-16 as top-up.
Designation of Domestic Systemically Important Authorized Institutions
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Designation of Domestic Systemically Important Authorized Institutions
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has completed its annual assessment of the list of Domestic Systemically Important Authorized Institutions (D-SIBs). Based on the assessment results, the list of authorized institutions designated as D-SIBs remains unchanged compared to the list of D-SIBs published by the HKMA on December 31, 2024. The latest list of D-SIBs is shown in the Annex.
Under the D-SIB framework, each of the authorized institutions designated as a D-SIB will be required to include a Higher Loss Absorbency (HLA) requirement into the calculation of its regulatory capital buffers within a period of 12 months after the formal notification of its designation. The HLA requirement applicable to a D-SIB (expressed as a ratio of an authorized institution’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital to its risk-weighted assets as calculated under the Banking (Capital) Rules) ranges between 1 per cent and 3.5 per cent (depending on the assessed level of the D-SIB’s systemic importance). Compared to the list of D-SIBs published on December 31, 2024, there is no change to the HLA requirements applied to the designated D-SIBs.
Background
1. D-SIB framework in Hong Kong
The Banking (Capital) Rules and the HKMA’s regulatory framework for D-SIBs follow the provisions in “A framework for dealing with domestic systemically important banks” issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in October 2012, by enabling the Monetary Authority (i) to designate an authorized institution as a D-SIB if the Monetary Authority considers the authorized institution to be of systemic importance in the context of the Hong Kong banking and financial system and (ii) to require an authorized institution designated as a D-SIB to be subject to an HLA capital buffer.
2. HLA requirement for authorized institutions designated as D-SIBs
The Monetary Authority is empowered under sections 3U and 3V of the Banking (Capital) Rules to designate D-SIBs and to determine an HLA requirement for each of these D-SIBs by reference to the degree of domestic systemic importance which the Monetary Authority assesses them to bear. To achieve this aim, the HKMA’s regulatory framework for D-SIBs provides for authorized institutions designated as D-SIBs to be allocated to different HLA “buckets”. This differentiated approach reflects the diversified nature and varying degrees of systemic importance of authorized institutions in Hong Kong.Issued at HKT 17:00
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FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
District
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