Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Department of Justice (DoJ) is organising for the first time the Hong Kong LawTech Fest 2025 during the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025. The LawTech Fest is being held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for three days from today (December 3), focusing on the development of the integration of lawtech and AI, and featuring a dynamic blend of a thematic conference, a lawtech exhibition, live demonstrations and expert dialogues. It brings together legal practitioners, technology providers, experts, academics and more to explore how technology is reshaping the legal practice and services. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, attended the LawTech Fest today to exchange views with the sector and learn more about the latest developments in lawtech products and services.
Mr Lam and Dr Cheung visited the LawTech Exhibition set up outside the main event venue of the Hong Kong Legal Week this morning and listened to briefings on innovative products and services by exhibitors. Fifteen exhibitors presented products and services covering areas such as legal research, drafting, contract analytics, online dispute resolution and hearing support. Apart from live demonstrations, expert consultations were also provided to allow attendees to explore how to integrate technology into real-world workflows.
There was also the Insight Stage with industry leaders sharing the application of AI and lawtech in practice, in terms of case studies, governance structure, change management and skills transformation strategy from a practical and actionable perspective.
Another highlight of the LawTech Fest will be the main stage lawtech conference The AI Era: Shaping the Legal Landscape in the 21st Century to be held on Friday (December 5). A keynote speech and the 2025 Final Round of the LexGoTech Roundtable Series will be featured to elevate the legal profession’s understanding of the development of lawtech and AI.
The other events of the Hong Kong Legal Week continued today. A Symposium of the HCCH Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific on Private International Law – Transnational Litigation & Apostille: Innovating Practices under the HCCH Conventions, co-organised by the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, was held this morning. More than 500 participants, including judges, government officials, academics and legal practitioners from over 30 jurisdictions have registered for the event, sharing their experiences and the challenges faced in implementing the Hague Apostille Convention, Service Convention and Evidence Convention in the digital age and also their recommendations on the way forward.
The Capital of Mediation event and the Hong Kong Mediation Lecture 2025 were held in the afternoon and the evening respectively. More than 740 sign-ups from participants were received. The two panel sessions of the Capital of Mediation event examined mediation’s role in managing interstate and cross-border commercial disputes, and shared insights on Hong Kong’s deepening mediation culture initiative and other mediation schemes designed to resolve civil and commercial disputes and highlighted the achievements of mediation in areas such as financial services, building management and community relations. The Hong Kong Mediation Lecture 2025 focused on the growing relevance of mediation in the entertainment industries. The two activities fully reflected Hong Kong’s comprehensive strategy for advancing dispute resolution, reinforcing the city’s position as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services and supporting Hong Kong’s development into a global mediation capital.
The DoJ will organise the Basic Law 35th Anniversary Legal Summit on Constitution Day tomorrow (December 4). An expert will be invited to deliver a keynote speech on “The Basic Law – 28 Years’ Practice and Insights”. Leaders from the financial, aviation, trade and higher education sectors will share their insights on how Hong Kong leverages its institutional strengths under the Basic Law and the principle of “one country, two systems” to consolidate and enhance its status as an international centre in finance, aviation and trade, as well as to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
For more details of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025, please visit the dedicated website at www.legalweek.hk. A live broadcast will be available on the dedicated website and at webcast.info.gov.hk.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office (the Office), under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, will set up a booth at the Entrepreneur Day exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 4 and 5 to introduce entrepreneurial opportunities arising from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the various support services available.
A spokesman for the Office said today (December 3) that the GBA, as one of the most open and economically vibrant regions of the country, plays a key strategic role in the overall national development. The GBA has a population of over 87 million, and its total economic output exceeded RMB14.5 trillion last year. The development of the GBA is full of vitality and opportunities. The Office has been committed to promoting the significant opportunities brought about by the development of the GBA to local, Mainland, and overseas stakeholders through diversified channels and means. By setting up a booth at the Entrepreneur Day exhibition, the Office aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs, including young people who wish to start businesses in the Mainland cities of the GBA, with practical information on relevant policies and support measures.
The booth to be set up by the Office at the exhibition will feature rich content, providing comprehensive information ranging from policy overviews to practical support services. This will help participants grasp the opportunities of the GBA’s development and create greater room for business and career development. There will also be limited-edition souvenirs distributed while stocks last.
The Office booth will be located at Hall 1E (Booth 1E – F02) and will be open from 9am to 6.30pm on December 4 and from 9am to 6pm on December 5. Admission to the exhibition is free. Interested participants may preregister on the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)’s website (www.hktdc.com/event/eday/en).
The Entrepreneur Day exhibition is organised by the HKTDC, and is designed to foster entrepreneurship and offer support to start-ups through abundant opportunities and customised support services. Participants can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and investors, forge partnerships, engage with industry leaders and expedite their business growth.
For further information about the GBA, please visit the Office’s one-stop dedicated website (www.bayarea.gov.hk/en).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November
District
District Among the seventh batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering five survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 13 survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.
The FEHD has so far released seven batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 49 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Fifteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent. Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following are the welcome remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the Symposium of the HCCH Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) on Private International Law under Hong Kong Legal Week 2025 today (December 3):
Dr Christophe Bernasconi (Secretary-General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured to join you all today at the Symposium of the HCCH Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific on Private International Law, co-organised by the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy of my department, as part of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2025.
In fact, this is the very first time that we co-organised an event with the HCCH during Hong Kong Legal Week. The HCCH is our long-standing partner and we have worked very closely with the HCCH for decades. With the staunch support of the Central People’s Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been actively participating in the working groups, meetings and activities of the HCCH as part of the Chinese delegation since 1997. Through a standing arrangement with the HCCH, Hong Kong legal talent from both the private and public sectors have the opportunity to be seconded to the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH at the Hague, obtaining valuable insights into the work of the HCCH in the field of private international law.
In 2012, the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the HCCH was set up in the HKSAR. Since its establishment, ROAP has played a significant role in increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of the HCCH and its instruments among states and stakeholders, as well as contributing to the smooth implementation and operation of the HCCH’s instruments in the Asia-Pacific region.
Today’s Symposium is another example of our long-standing collaborations with the HCCH. We are joined here today by esteemed speakers from different parts of the Asia-Pacific region, who will share their insightful views on topics relevant to the theme of today’s Symposium – “Transnational Litigation & Apostille: Innovating Practices under the HCCH Conventions”.
Hong Kong has long valued the work of the HCCH; a total of nine HCCH instruments are currently applicable to the HKSAR, including the Apostille, Service and Evidence Conventions, which will be discussed in today’s Symposium. Back in 1965, the first HCCH Convention which applied to Hong Kong was the Apostille Convention, which is now one of the most widely applied multilateral treaties in the area of legal co-operation with over 125 contracting parties, followed by the Service Convention in 1970 and the Evidence Convention in 1978. Under the principle of “one country, two systems”, these HCCH Conventions continue to apply to the HKSAR since 1997.
As the timing would suggest, these HCCH Conventions were concluded at a time which is vastly different from today. To adapt to the rapid and ever-evolving technological advancements over the years, the HCCH has developed various innovating practices to facilitate and streamline the functioning of the HCCH’s Conventions in this digital age.
These innovating practices include the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), which is aimed at supporting the electronic issuance and verification of Apostilles around the world. The HKSAR has also implemented the e-APP in recent years, which will be discussed by Registrar Kwang from the High Court of the HKSAR (Registrar of the High Court, Mr Simon Kwang) during the first panel discussion later today. With respect to the use of digital means under other HCCH Conventions, taking of evidence by video link has been implemented in the HKSAR for some years. In fact, video-conferencing facilities have been used for remote hearings for suitable civil cases of the High Court since April 3, 2020. I will leave further discussion to our experts at the second panel who will share their insights on how digital means could further enhance efficiency in litigation support under various HCCH Conventions.
Ladies and gentlemen, today’s theme is timely as we explore how innovating practices, including digital means, can streamline cross-border document circulation and enhance efficiency in litigation support in the context of the HCCH’s Conventions. I hope today’s Symposium will allow us all to engage in meaningful exchanges and drive forward the future of private international law. Thank you.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Interest rate of second interest payment for series of retail infrastructure bonds due 2027 According to the Issue Circular dated November 26, 2024 for the Retail Infrastructure Bonds, the second interest payment of the Retail Infrastructure Bonds is scheduled to be made on December 17, 2025, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on December 3, 2025 as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate.
On December 3, 2025, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:
Floating Rate: +1.28 per cent (Annex) Fixed Rate: +3.50 per cent
Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the second interest payment is determined and announced as 3.50 per cent per annum. Issued at HKT 17:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Correctional officers stop assault on person in custody At 1.22pm today, a 67-year-old male person in custody attacked a 65-year-old male person in custody inside a dayroom. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailant and called for reinforcement.
During the incident, the victim sustained injuries to his head, clavicle and hand. After examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer, he was referred to a public hospital for further treatment. The assailant did not sustain any injuries.
The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.
The two persons in custody were sentenced to imprisonment for the offences of murder in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Issued at HKT 17:15
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
In response to netizens’ comments on a social media platform about victims of the fire incident in Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po being arranged to move into interim housing units with unfurnished floors, a spokesman for the Housing Department today (December 3) clarified that the relevant comments are not fact-based. No affected residents are staying in the interim housing units at the moment.
The Housing Department reminds members of the public not to trust false comments online. Affected residents who would like to stay in transitional housing under the Housing Bureau may call 3611 8482. For enquiries on the interim housing and transit centres of the Housing Department, members of the public may call 2658 4430.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 3) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in County Cavan in Ireland, and a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Tottori Prefecture in Japan, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Ireland for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Ireland, and about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first nine months of this year.
“The CFS has contacted the Irish and Japanese authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
Following its success in September, winning dual Sustainability Action Awards for its Small Farmer Coffee and Sugarcane Rum initiatives, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) has once again demonstrated its robust capabilities in sustainability. The corporation has been honored with two prestigious accolades at the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards (TCSA): the Top 100 Taiwan Sustainability Model Corporate Award and the Corporate Sustainability Report Gold Award.
Taisugar Vice President Tseng Chien-chan attended the award ceremony on the morning of November 26 to accept the honors. These awards not only recognize Taisugar’s long-term efforts in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sectors but also inspire us to uphold our core philosophy of Agriculture-based, Circular Sustainability. We remain be committed to becoming a benchmark for healthy and green enterprise.
Taisugar emphasizes that sustainable development is deeply embedded in its corporate DNA, with ESG principles actively applied across products, services, and business operations. The Small Farmer Coffee for Rural Education and Sustainable Taiwan Sugarcane Rum projects, which won the Taiwan Sustainability Action Awards in September, are concrete examples of Taisugar’s dedication to fair trade, educational equity, and the high-value transformation of traditional sugar innovation.
Winning the TCSA Top 100 Model Enterprise and Gold Report awards signifies high external recognition of Taisugar’s comprehensive performance in ESG, as well as the integrity and credibility of its information disclosure. Taisugar aims to exert continuously a positive corporate influence through sustainable operations.
In response to net-zero carbon emission policies, Taisugar is aggressively developing green energy. As of the end of 2024, the company has installed a total of 543.64 MW in solar panels including rooftop, floating, and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems.
Furthermore, Taisugar is integrating green energy with the circular economy by utilizing sugar production by-products (bagasse) and livestock waste (pig manure) for biomass power generation. In 2024, these initiatives generated 9.93 million kWh and 703,500 kWh of electricity, respectively. In terms of carbon sinks, Taisugar has managed 11,468 hectares of afforestation areas as of the end of 2024, absorbing approximately 127,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide to help mitigate climate change impacts.
Taisugar continues to support government policies for public welfare by stabilizing prices of essential commodities such as sugar, pork, and edible oil, demonstrating the resilience and reliability of the state-owned enterprise supply chain.
Operationally, Taisugar has been recognized by the government as a Distinguished Business Unit for Labor-Management Harmony. Additionally, the Development of Industrial Park South of Shashexi project was awarded the Golden Safety Award for public works (the highest honor in construction safety) ensuring top-tier quality and workplace safety in its infrastructure projects.
Taisugar stresses that, confronting the dual challenges of climate change and net-zero goals, sustainable business is an absolute imperative. Looking ahead, Taisugar will deepen its ESG strategies with high standards, advancing sustainability goals from green energy and circular agriculture to social prosperity, co-creating a healthy and green future for Taiwan.
TSC News Contact Person:
Chang Mu-Jung
Public Relations, Department of Secretariat, TSC
Contact Number: 886-6-337-8819 / 886-920-636-951
Email:a63449@taisugar.com.tw
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR will jointly hold a Constitution Day seminar tomorrow, with a view to enhancing public understanding of the constitutional basis of China and the Hong Kong SAR.
The Preamble of the Constitution stipulates that “realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” is a fundamental task for the country. The Hong Kong SAR Government said that fully implementing the Constitution is foundational for advancing the country’s overall law-based governance and building a socialist state under the rule of law.
This year’s seminar, themed “The Constitution & the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation”, will feature a keynote speech and a panel discussion.
The speech will be delivered by Prof Han Dayuan, who is a member of the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law Committee under the Standing Committee of the NPC and a professor at the Renmin University of China’s Renmin Law School.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Endeavour Education Centre Management Committee member Rita Fan. She will be joined by Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies consultant Prof Lau Siu-kai, and member of the Committee for Liaison with Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan & Overseas Chinese of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference David Lie, to explore the Constitution’s centrality to the process of China’s rejuvenation and Hong Kong’s unique roles under “one country, two systems”.
The seminar will be held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from 11am to 12.30pm tomorrow. It will also be broadcast live on the Information Services Department’s website, news.gov.hk’sFacebook page, the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau’s Facebook page and Radio Television Hong Kong TV 32.
The full version of the seminar will subsequently be uploaded to the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau’s website.