Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKUST and French companies sign MOU to collaborate on low-carbon retrofit pilot project
This MOU stems from the Team France Green Paper on collaboration opportunities to accelerate Hong Kong’s path to carbon neutrality by 2050 published in April 2024. This was followed by work on a pilot project proposal for a net zero-carbon building, which was shared with the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee.
The pilot project represents a concrete outcome of the Team France Green Paper, which identified collaborative opportunities to support Hong Kong’s decarbonisation journey. It will focus on the energy efficiency retrofitting of an existing building at the HKUST, serving as a demonstration of how public-private partnerships can drive sustainable urban development. By showcasing innovative financing models and advanced retrofitting technologies, this first HKUST pilot aims to pave the way for broader adoption of similar projects.
Key project features include:
The signing ceremony of the MOU took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The MOU was signed by the Vice President for Administration and Business of the HKUST, Professor Tam Kar-yan; the President of Schneider Electric Hong Kong, Mr Jonathan Chiu; and the Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Laurent Pelletier. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the French Ambassador to China, Mr Bertrand Lortholary; the Consul-General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Christile Drulhe; the Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau; and Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau.
“French companies have always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to sustainable infrastructure. We are proud to support them in bringing their advanced, green solutions to Hong Kong’s dynamic built environment. As our two territories share the same goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, this pilot project demonstrates how France and Hong Kong are natural partners to build a greener, more resilient future, in line with the roadmap agreed between our two Presidents to strengthen our co-operation to promote sustainable development and environment protection while addressing the challenges of climate change,” Mr. Lortholary said.
“This pilot project is not only about sustainability, but also about market creation and investment facilitation,” said Ms Lau. “With over 90 per cent of Hong Kong’s existing buildings expected to still be in use by 2050, the retrofitting sector represents a significant opportunity for investment, innovation, and job creation. We are pleased to have facilitated this initiative by connecting strategic partners and enabling collaboration. InvestHK is committed to supporting companies of all sizes and sectors as they expand in Hong Kong, strengthen their regional presence, and turn innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities.”
“Retrofitting is not just good for the planet. It’s good for business,” said Professor Tam. “This initiative represents an important step toward building the evidence base that Hong Kong needs to accelerate low-carbon transformation in the built environment. By working closely with industry partners, we aim to generate real-world data, performance benchmarks, and insights that can inform policy, guide investment, and unlock scalable solutions. This initiative will help quantify the value of retrofit-led innovation and offer a blueprint for green growth.”
“With less than 2 per cent of the global building stock being retrofitted annually, this initiative is a timely and strategic step towards decarbonizing Hong Kong’s built environment. It aims to shift public and market perceptions from viewing environmental upgrades as a cost burden to recognising them as a strategic economic driver with long-term competitiveness. Leveraging digitisation and electrification, we must embrace innovative retrofit solutions, such as AI, Digital Twin, EV charging, and smart grid systems. This collaborative approach will help advance our green technology applications and transformations, ultimately accelerating sustainability and the green economy in Hong Kong,” said Mr Chiu.
“Optimising existing buildings’ energy efficiency is one of the main levers for Hong Kong to achieve its carbon neutrality goal, as buildings’ electricity consumption is responsible for 60 per cent of the carbon emissions,” said Mr Pelletier. “By combining the expertise of Veolia, Schneider Electric, Bouygues-Dragages, Egis, and Saint-Gobain, we can propose a more impactful set of solutions for retrofitting, leveraging the complementarity of our know-how. Beyond technology, we are also proposing an innovative business model, where our team, with the help of financial partners, can support the initial investment.”
Sustainable development and the green economy are among the strategic sectors InvestHK prioritises in its foreign direct investment promotion efforts. The department actively attracts international companies that bring cutting-edge solutions in energy efficiency, climate technology, and smart infrastructure. InvestHK is committed to supporting international partners in building a future-ready economy in Hong Kong, where sustainability and foreign direct investment go hand in hand.Issued at HKT 19:10
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12 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion”, from September 9 to yesterday (September 11). A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one overstayer were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided a laundry factory. Eight suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three men and five women, aged 29 to 48. The 52-year-old woman, who was suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested.
Health survey starts Sept 18
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Department of Health’s (DH) Centre for Health Protection will launch the Population Health Survey (PHS) 2025-26 on September 18 to collect the latest information on the health status and lifestyles of the local population.
The information collected will update and enrich the Government’s database on population health, enabling it to formulate evidence-based public health policies, allocate resources effectively, and develop public health services and programmes tailored to local community’s needs.
The survey includes a questionnaire and a health examination, targeting land-based non-institutionalised Hong Kong residents aged 15 or above.
For the questionnaire, the DH will randomly select about 20,000 individuals to represent their households, and send the selected households an invitation letter by post.
The interviewees may choose to complete the questionnaire themselves through an online platform or the eHealth App. The DH can also arrange for an interviewer to visit the household.
Around 1,800 respondents aged between 15 and 84 who have completed the questionnaires will then be selected to undergo a free health examination at designated centres, including physical measurements and biochemical testing.
Laboratory reports will be returned to the respondents and the DH will advise those who have abnormal results and provide them with referral letters. The test reports will also be kept in their personal eHealth accounts for follow-ups.
Click here for details or call the enquiry line at 2426 5208.
Return of completed requisition forms urged
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (September 12) reminded payers of rates and/or Government rent (payers) who have received a Requisition for Particulars of Tenements (requisition form) to return the completed form to the RVD as soon as possible.
An RVD spokesman said, “Whether their property is vacant, let or owner-occupied, payers should return the completed requisition form to the RVD within 21 calendar days from the date of issue. They can complete and submit an electronic form (Form e-R1A) by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD website. The website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form.”
The RVD issued about 350 000 requisition forms to payers in August to obtain occupation particulars, rents and tenancy details for different types of properties for use in the upcoming general revaluation to reflect the latest market rental level of properties.
Under the Rating Ordinance or the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, any person who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively and an additional fine equivalent to three times the amount of rates and/or Government rent undercharged.
Payers are reminded to pay sufficient postage if they return the form by post to ensure timely postal delivery. Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the RVD.
German I&T talent visit Hong Kong and Shenzhen to explore opportunities in twin cities (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) arranged for a delegation of German innovation and technology (I&T) talent to visit Hong Kong and Shenzhen from September 9 to 12 to learn about the entrepreneurial ecosystem, industry support and I&T opportunities in both cities. The visit is aimed at attracting German delegation members to pursue development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The 18-member delegation visited the Hong Kong Science Park, the Shatin Communications and Technology Centre of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center as well as the Qianhai International Talent Hub in Shenzhen, and exchanged views with representatives from Invest Hong Kong, local start-ups, and Mainland technology enterprises. The delegation also toured various landmarks in Hong Kong to experience the unique charm of Asia’s world city.
When meeting the delegation, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, stated that talent and technology are the key engines driving high-quality economic and social development. He highlighted that Hong Kong leapt to fourth place globally and first in Asia in the World Talent Ranking, and that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster was ranked first globally by the World Intellectual Property Organization, reflecting the high international recognition of Hong Kong’s appeal to talent and the GBA’s innovation capacity. The Government will continue to promote complementarity and synergy between Hong Kong and other cities in the GBA as well as facilitate the integration of technology and talent with a view to fostering the economic development of Hong Kong and contributing to the impetus of national development.
Representatives from the German youth entrepreneurship organisation opined that it was exceptionally meaningful for them to establish a connection with the Government, and hoped that they could serve as a bridge between Hong Kong and Germany to enable more German talent to know about Hong Kong and expand into markets outside Europe. Some delegates said that Hong Kong’s location at the heart of Asia, as well as its mature financial market and network of business partners with access to the vast markets of the GBA, make it conducive to starting or expanding a business. They found the visit useful in helping them understand the regional I&T ecosystem and said that they hoped to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to explore new opportunities in Asia.
In June this year, HKTE visited Munich, Germany, and co-organised a pitch event on I&T and entrepreneurship with the local youth entrepreneurship organisation. Twelve winning I&T talents were selected. Mr Sun visited the city to officiate at the prize presentation ceremony and invited the winners, together with representatives from the organisation and judges of the event, to visit Hong Kong and other cities in the GBA.
As of today, HKTE has completed about 70 outreach visits and hosted more than 170 talent promotional programmes on the Mainland and overseas. The office will enhance its external promotion, in consonance with the development of the eight centres, to recruit more global talent with diverse backgrounds, and provide comprehensive support services to assist incoming talent in integrating into Hong Kong, building the city into an international hub for high-calibre talent.
“Ink Art Ensembles” Exhibition Series in the Greater Bay Area – “Strata and Symbiosis” staged in Guangzhou (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Jointly organised by the Art Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Shenzhen Fringe Art Center, the third exhibition “Strata and Symbiosis” of the “Ink Art Ensembles” Exhibition Series in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) is on display from today (September 12) to October 26 in Guangzhou. It is also a contribution programme of the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. Hong Kong artist Ross Yau uses ink as a medium to reshape the imagery of traditional landscapes, while another GBA art group, _.WAV_Studio_(Cao Yuxi and Lau Hiu-kong), has created a fantastical landscape world through digital technology. Through different media, they break the temporal and spatial dimensions of traditional ink art.
Yau focuses on ink creations and research. His ink artworks, such as “Meta-5”, “Into V”, “Beyond the Echoes”, and “The Trail of the Mountains”, reveal varied landscapes. Another ink artwork, “Mirage Harmony”, metaphorically reconstructs the distinctive landforms of Hong Kong’s 18 districts into a pictorial landscape. The ink art installation “Mountains Beyond II” constructs a cyclical landscape, connecting uninhabited islands from Hong Kong’s southern and northern sides through a monumental composition. The circular installation allows viewers to walk through its space, engaging with shifting perspectives and distances to emulate the visual and spatial experience of scenery transforming with every step. His artwork “Tracing” shows traces left by a piece of sandpaper in a round shape rubbing against a sheet of ink-coloured paper through light trails in the dark.
The artworks of _.WAV_Studio_ encompass video, installation, interactive and sound art. The series “Shanshui by AI” trains a “landscape painting machine” capable of infinite generation with tens of thousands of ink paintings, and makes use of three-dimensional physical simulation to create an immersive experience like “glasses-free 3D”. “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” reinterprets the scannable QR code, transforming it into a readable landscape. The series “Seasonal Proximities” turns footage of flowers, trees, rocks, water bodies, and light and shadow into digital images, guiding viewers to consider how to rebuild perceptions of nature through algorithms and data. “Longitude and Latitude Chart of High Mountains and Flowing Water” captures real-time mountain terrain of the GBA to dynamically generate digital landscapes.
The exhibition also displays a digital video installation co-created by _.WAV_Studio_ and Yau named “Shanshui by AI – A Special Collaboration with Ross YAU Wing Fung”. It was inspired by Yau’s original work “Pouring II”. The visual tension in the artwork aligns seamlessly with the “dynamic texture” of the “Shanshui by AI” series, appearing frozen in time through algorithmically generated imagery. It shows traditional brushwork resonating with digitally generated art.
The exhibition has venue support from chi K11 art space and is running at chi K11 art space at L4, Guangzhou K11 Art Mall (6 Zhujiang East Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou) with free admission. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website of the Art Promotion Office: www.apo.hk/en/web/apo/there_ink_art_ensembles_strata_and_symbiosis.html, and follow the “apothere” page on Facebook www.facebook.com/apo.there, Instagram www.instagram.com/apo.there and Weibo weibo.com/apothere.
The exhibition is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit ccpo.gov.hk/en.
Three approved outline zoning plans referred back for amendment
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Town Planning Board (the Board) announced today (September 12) that the Secretary for Development has referred three approved outline zoning plans (OZPs) to the Board, namely the approved Ho Man Tin OZP, the approved Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong, Lei Yue Mun OZP and the approved Shek Kong OZP, for amendment to reflect the latest land use proposals.
Each OZP incorporating the respective amendment(s) will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.
The Ho Man Tin OZP, the Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong, Lei Yue Mun OZP and the Shek Kong OZP were last approved by the Chief Executive in Council in September 2015, November 2022 and October 2006 respectively.
Hong Kong’s Gross National Income and external primary income flows for the second quarter of 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 12) the preliminary statistics on Hong Kong’s Gross National Income (GNI) and related figures for the second quarter of 2025.
Hong Kong’s GNI, which denotes the total income earned by Hong Kong residents from engaging in various economic activities, increased by 5.2% in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier to $892.2 billion at current market prices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at $785.2 billion at current market prices in the same quarter, recorded a 3.7% increase over a year earlier. The value of GNI was larger than GDP by $107.0 billion in the second quarter of 2025, which was equivalent to 13.6% of GDP in that quarter, mainly attributable to a net inflow of investment income.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, Hong Kong’s GNI increased by 3.6% in real terms in the second quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. The corresponding GDP in the same quarter increased by 3.1% in real terms.
Hong Kong’s total inflow of primary income, which mainly comprises investment income, estimated at $624.6 billion in the second quarter of 2025 and equivalent to 79.5% of GDP in that quarter, recorded an increase of 4.8% over a year earlier. Meanwhile, total primary income outflow, estimated at $517.6 billion in the second quarter of 2025 and equivalent to 65.9% of GDP in that quarter, also increased by 2.3% over a year earlier.
As for the major components of investment income inflow, direct investment income (DII) increased by 3.5% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent local enterprises from their direct investment abroad. Portfolio investment income (PII) recorded a significant increase of 19.4% over a year earlier, mainly attributable to the increase in dividend income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident equity securities and the increase in interest income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident debt securities.
Regarding the major components of investment income outflow, DII increased by 3.1% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent multinational enterprises from their direct investment in Hong Kong. PII increased significantly by 19.6%, mainly attributable to the increase in dividend payout to non-resident investors from their holdings of resident equity securities and the increase in interest payout to non-resident investors from their holdings of resident debt securities.
Analysed by country/territory, the mainland of China continued to be the largest source of Hong Kong’s total primary income inflow in the second quarter of 2025, accounting for 42.3%. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI), with a share of 12.8%. Regarding total primary income outflow, the mainland of China and the BVI remained the most important destinations in the second quarter of 2025, accounting for 30.5% and 21.8% respectively.
Further information
GDP and GNI are closely related indicators for measuring economic performance. GDP is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of an economy. GNI denotes the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities, irrespective of whether the economic activities are carried out within the economic territory of the economy or outside.
Figures of GNI and primary income flows analysed by income component from the third quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2025 are presented in Table A, while selected major country/territory breakdowns of primary income inflow and outflow for the same quarters are presented in Tables B(1) and B(2) respectively.
Statistics on GDP and GNI from 2023 onwards and primary income flows from 2024 onwards are subject to revision when more data are incorporated.
More detailed statistics are given in the report “Gross National Income and External Primary Income Flows, Second Quarter 2025”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1040005&scode=250).
For enquiries about GNI and related statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7054 or email: gni@censtatd.gov.hk).
Appeal for information on missing girl in Tin Sum (with photo)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police today (September 12) appealed to the public for information on a girl who went missing in Tin Sum.
Diao Kai-yan, aged 14, went missing after she left her residence on Mei Tin Road yesterday (September 11) morning. Her caretaker then made a report to Police.
She is about 1.65 metres tall, 70 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and long black hair. She was last seen wearing a light-coloured short-sleeved shirt, dark trousers, white shoes and a light-coloured cap.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing girl or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9689 6212 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Tokyo ETO promotes Hong Kong professional bodies in exchanges in Korea to showcase Hong Kong’s competitive edge (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (Tokyo ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, organised an outreach and professional exchange mission to Incheon, Korea. The delegation took part in the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) 21st Asian Congress of Architects, alongside professional bodies from around the world. The programme was funded by the Professionals Participation Subsidy Programme under the Government’s Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme, with a view to promoting Hong Kong’s competitive edge and professional services.
ARCASIA, comprising architectural associations from various countries and regions across Asia, hosted its 21st Asian Congress of Architects under the theme “A Better Tomorrow.” During their visit to Incheon from September 10 to 14, members of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects not only attended the 21st Asian Congress of Architects but also held several exchange meetings with professional bodies from different places and visited local architectural sites and enterprises.
In addition, a representative of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects took part in the Young Architects Exchange Forum titled “Emerging Voices of Asia” held this afternoon (September 12). The representative exchanged views with fellow speakers and participants, shared professional insights and experiences, and highlighted the strength and international vision of Hong Kong’s architectural professionals.
Tokyo ETO will continue to promote exchanges and co-operation of Hong Kong’s professional services with their counterparts in external markets and enhance the standards and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s professional services.