Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Extension of opening hours and special traffic arrangements of FEHD’s columbaria during Chung Yeung Festival
The spokesman reminded grave sweepers to pay attention to the special traffic and transport arrangements that will be implemented during the Chung Yeung Festival. Except for vehicles with permission, all vehicles are prohibited from entering the FEHD cemeteries and columbaria when the special traffic and transport arrangements are in effect. For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and columbaria, please visit the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk
The FEHD expects that there will be a large number of visitors burning paper offerings in joss paper burners (JPBs) at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium during the peak sweeping period of the Chung Yeung Festival. No walk-in queuing for the JPBs will be allowed at both columbaria on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the above-mentioned Chung Yeung Festival period. Members of the public are required to make bookings via the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/notice.html
The FEHD reminds the public that the Shek Mun Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance in Sha Tin implements a “smoke-free worship” environment. Burning of joss sticks and paper offerings is strictly prohibited throughout the premises, and no related facilities are provided. The public is encouraged to pay tribute with fresh flowers instead of traditional offerings to help preserve the peaceful and dignified atmosphere of the site.
Green burial allows the environment to thrive and love to endure. Members of the public can register their wishes for a green burial through the Green Burial Central Register (www.greenburial.gov.hk
To further promote green burial and encourage the public to plan ahead for their after-death arrangements, the FEHD will organise a “School of Life – Interactive Exhibition” from October 16 to 19 at Main Atrium, 1/F, Phase 1, Tuen Mun Town Plaza. The event will feature a variety of experiential activities, along with booths set up by multiple service organisations to introduce enhanced services on life arrangements and green burial. On-site registration for the Green Burial Central Register and free registration on guided tour to Garden of Remembrance will be available. Admission is free, and all interested individuals are welcome to participate.
Issued at HKT 15:00
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Interest rate of sixth interest payment for series of retail green bonds due 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Interest rate of sixth interest payment for series of retail green bonds due 2026
According to the Issue Circular dated September 18, 2023 for the Retail Green Bonds, the sixth interest payment of the Retail Green Bonds is scheduled to be made on October 12, 2026, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on September 25, 2026 as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate.
On September 25, 2026, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:
Floating Rate: +1.80 per cent
Fixed Rate: +4.75 per cent
Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the sixth interest payment is determined and announced as 4.75 per cent per annum.
Issued at HKT 16:30
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Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development appreciates HKSAR Government’s unwavering commitment to carbon neutrality when discussing Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The following is issued on behalf of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development:
The Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development (CCN&SD) discussed at its meeting today (September 25) the strategies and initiatives on carbon neutrality and sustainable development set out in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address (the Policy Address). The Council unanimously support the strategies and initiatives.
The Council supports the various indicators and strategies put forward in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address. It considers that they can further enhance environmental protection in Hong Kong and steer Hong Kong towards carbon neutrality. During the meeting, members engaged in a thorough discussion on various key environmental and sustainability issues, including promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, waste management strategies (including waste-to-energy facilities), as well as stepping up environmental and sustainability education.
The Chairman of the CCN&SD, Dr Lam Ching-choi, said, “We are pleased to note that four of the five binding indicators set out in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan concern decarbonisation and environmental protection. This underscores the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s strong commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s transition towards carbon neutrality and sustainable development.”
Dr Lam added that the Council will continue to work proactively and closely with the Government and different sectors of society to jointly promote the implementation of relevant environmental policy measures outlined in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address, with a view to building a low-carbon and sustainable future together.
Haze Situation Update (25 September 2026)
Source: Government of Singapore
Air Quality Forecast
24-hr PSI Forecast: Moderate
Health Advisory
Healthy persons: If 24-hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24-hr PSI is Unhealthy, reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Elderly, pregnant women & children: If 24-hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If 24-hr PSI is Unhealthy, minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Persons with chronic lung/heart disease: If 24-hr PSI is Moderate, normal activities. If PSI is Unhealthy, avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Normal (Band 1), normal activities. If 1-hr PM2.5 is Elevated (Band 2), avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 for immediate activities, and the 24-hr PSI forecast to plan ahead.
Singapore, 25 September 2026 – It was partly cloudy over Singapore today. As at 6pm, the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings were 17 – 35 µg/m3, in (Band 1, Normal), and the 24-hr PSI was 61 – 79 in the Moderate range.
Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation
2. Moderate to dense smoke plumes were observed from fires in parts of Kalimantan and southern Sumatra as dry weather conditions persisted over these areas.
3. While dry conditions are forecast to continue over the southeastern parts of Sumatra and the southern parts of Kalimantan tomorrow, showers are expected over Singapore and parts of the surrounding region which could help reduce the risk of smoke haze. The 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the Moderate range.
Activity Guidelines
4. The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Use the 24-hr PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories for planning next day outdoor activities.
5. For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myENV) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at http://asmc.asean.org.
Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery. The full extent of the hotspot and smoke haze situation could not be determined due to extensive cloud cover.
– End –
Final registers of voters released
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The 2026 final registers of electors for geographical constituencies (GCs) and functional constituencies (FCs), as well as voters for Election Committee subsectors (ECSSs), were released today.
The Registration & Electoral Office stated that the final register for GCs lists 4,116,965 electors. The final register for FCs contains 182,359 individual electors and 8,489 corporate electors, representing a total of 190,848 electors.
Meanwhile, the final register for ECSSs contains 3,448 individual voters and 5,894 corporate voters, totalling 9,342 voters.
Relevant statistics have been uploaded to the voter registration website. Electors and voters may check their registration particulars through the website or through the “iAM Smart” mobile application.
Notices regarding the inspection of the 2026 final registers were published in the Government Gazette today. In accordance with the law, a copy of the final registers containing entries relating to individuals may only be shown in line with statutory requirements and made available for inspection by specified persons.
A copy of the final registers containing exclusively corporate or body entries may be inspected by the general public.
8 unattended dogs captured
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) captured a total of eight unattended dogs during a five-day operation following a suspected fatal dog attack on Pok Wai South Road in Yuen Long on September 19. The operation was conducted in collaboration with Police.
The captured dogs have been transferred to the AFCD’s Animal Management Centre for detention and observation. Among the animals, three were found to be implanted with microchips, though their licences had expired.
Following an initial investigation, the AFCD has instituted a prosecution against the registered keeper of one dog for failing to hold a valid licence and failing to keep the animal under proper control in a public place. The AFCD highlighted that it is making every effort to investigate the remaining cases and is co-operating with Police to help establish the facts of the incident.
Separately, a frontline AFCD staff member sustained a dog bite to the hand while performing duties on September 23. His condition remains stable after treatment, and he is currently under observation in hospital.
Regarding the handling of unattended dogs, the AFCD noted it will continue to arrange targeted capture and enforcement operations at locations with serious stray problems using a risk-based approach.
The AFCD also solemnly clarified that rumours alleging it engages in “convenience culling” or euthanises animals fours days after intake are untrue. It pointed out that the statutory four-day period is simply the timeframe required by law for the AFCD to make enquiries and locate keepers.
Following any capture, staff check whether the dogs are microchipped and licensed to contact keepers and cross-reference lost-and-found records. If a keeper cannot be traced, staff and veterinary officers at the Animal Management Centres will continue to patiently observe the animals.
To prevent public safety risks, the AFCD emphasised that it will not release dogs back into the community, stressing that sterilisation alone cannot eliminate the risks associated with unowned and uncontrolled dogs in a high-density urban environment.
Instead, the AFCD manages stray animals using a multi-pronged approach in line with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health. This strategy includes collaborating with animal welfare organisations to promote sterilisation and adoption, alongside continuous public education on responsible pet ownership.
Record single-day medal haul for HK
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law congratulated all medal winners today as the Hong Kong, China Delegation secured seven medals, marking its highest single-day haul since the opening of this year’s Asian Games.
In the day’s events, rower Chiu Hin-chun captured gold in the Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls. The delegation also added four silver medals, won by wushu athlete Leung Yu-hong in the Men’s 60kg Sanda, rower Winnie Hung in the Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls, rowers Cheung Yuen-shan and Leung Wing-wun in the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls, and swimmer Siobhan Haughey in the Women’s 50m Freestyle.
In addition, rowers Chan Tik-lun and Lam San-tung won a bronze medal in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls, while fencer Fong Hoi-sun also grabbed a bronze in Men’s Épée Individual.
Miss Law noted that many athletes surpassed themselves in competitions, achieving personal bests in their athletic careers.
“The rowing team enjoyed a massive haul where Chiu Hin-chun, Winne Hung, Cheung Yuen-shan, Leung Wing-wun, Chan Tik-lun and Lam San-tung outperformed their rivals to secure one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal for the team in a single day, achieving excellent results.
“Chiu Hin-chun won his first-ever gold medal in his third participation at the Asian Games.
“For wushu, Leung Yu-hong achieved the best-ever result for the Hong Kong team in Men’s 60kg Sanda at the Asian Games.
“Siobhan Haughey continued her stellar performance, bringing her total medal count for this year’s Asian Games to four medals, including the silver medal won today.
“Fong Hoi-sun achieved his best result across four times of participation in the Asian Games by winning a bronze medal in Men’s Épée Individual,” Miss Law added.
Keynote speech by SITI at Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Vienna (English only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the keynote speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Vienna, Austria, today (September 24, Vienna time):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you all today at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference here in Vienna—a city that has always known how to hold tradition and innovation in the same hand.
We meet at a moment of accelerating digital transformation, as the world moves towards an AI-driven future. Amidst this global shift, Hong Kong has elevated AI into one of our core industries and is emerging as one of the most dynamic international I&T (innovation and technology) centres. Today, I am here not only to share our progress, but also to invite Austria to shape the next chapter with us.
AI as a pressing priority: a foundation for partnership
Like Austria, we see AI as a critical driver for economic competitiveness, research excellence, and public service modernisation. With the guiding principle of “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach”, the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government is steering Hong Kong towards “industries for AI” and “AI for industries”.
This strategy rests on Hong Kong’s solid research foundation: Three Hong Kong universities ranked among the world’s top 30 in data science and AI. We have also recently established Hong Kong AI Research and Development (R&D) Institute to spearhead Hong Kong’s innovative R&D as well as the industry application of AI.
Through our flagship R&D initiative, InnoHK, we have co-operated with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes across 12 economies, including Oxford, Stanford and EPFL. On this platform, the AIR@InnoHK research cluster specifically supports R&D in AI. Through collaborating with leading R&D institutions throughout the world and gathering global AI talents on the same platform, we hope to drive advancements in AI and robotics technologies, and further develop academic research outcome into ready-for-use technologies for the industry.
Foundational research aside, we are also mindful of the importance of popularisation of AI across all sectors of society. To this end, the HKSAR Government also set aside resources to empower enterprises, industry players as well as the general public to enhance their professional competitiveness and daily living convenience through responsible application of AI.
Computing power is key to accelerating AI development. The Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, now under full-speed construction, will provide 180 000 PFLOPS (peta-floating point operations per second) computing power by 2032, a 36-fold increase from today’s capacity. This will lay a solid foundation for a sustainable AI future and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an advanced data and computing hub in the Asia Pacific and in particular the Greater Bay Area.
A trusted gateway: linking global innovation to the Greater Bay Area
Talking about the Greater Bay Area, may I also share with you Hong Kong’s unique role in linking up global innovation with the vast market opportunities in this Area which has a population of 88 million and annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of RMB 15 trillion (approximately €1.97 trillion). Hong Kong is a highly open economy underpinned by a robust legal framework, a simple and low tax regime, strong IP protection, ease of capital raising, and world-class logistics. For many years, Hong Kong has been ranked the freest economy in the world. Through Hong Kong, European companies can reach not only the Greater Bay Area, but also ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the broader Asia-Pacific. This is why many overseas partners see Hong Kong as a strategic anchor in such an increasingly complex global landscape.
We are backing this role with ambitious I&T infrastructure. The Hetao Hong Kong Park, opened last December, is designed to be a world-class I&T hub connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, offering seamless cross-border access of crucial I&T elements such as data, joint laboratories, and preferential policies for global talent and enterprises. As a natural extension of the Hetao, the San Tin Technopole serve as Hong Kong’s flagship I&T industrial base, spanning prototyping, pilot production and mass production. Together, these two sites form a bridge linking global tech talents and enterprises with the Greater Bay Area’s market and comprehensive supply chain.
None of the above works without talents. Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, supported by internationally acclaimed and award-winning experts, and a growing pool of global tech talents. To further attract world-class talent, we also launched the Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme, enabling universities to recruit top international scientific researchers to lead frontier research in Hong Kong. We warmly welcome scientists and researchers from all over the world to join us on this meaningful journey.
Measuring up: Hong Kong’s track record in the global rankings
Our innovation momentum is reflected in global benchmarks. Hong Kong ranked second globally in the 2026 IMD (International Institute for Management Development) World Competitiveness Yearbook and fourth in the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking. With such a favourable climate, the number of start-ups has grown by 40 per cent in five years to a record high of 5 200 and we have witnessed the birth of 20 unicorns. This year, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster is once again ranked number one in the world by the World Intellectual Property Organisation—a clear signal of the cluster’s world-class capability, resilience, and sustained innovation.
Looking ahead: a shared agenda for innovation
Hong Kong and Austria are separated by thousands of kilometres. Yet, I believe we are closely aligned as we both see AI not as a race to be won alone, but as an opportunity to be seized together. Following the release of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address last week, our commitment to accelerating AI adoption, promoting industry upgrade while regulating AI ethics is firmer than ever. Hong Kong stands ready to act as a bridge—connecting East with West, research with industry, and challenges today with opportunities ahead. Let us take this forward hand in hand and work towards a future where innovation is open, inclusive and beneficial to the humankind. Thank you.
Issued at HKT 22:00
Local woman convicted and jailed 63 months for illegal export and possession of pharmaceutical products and money laundering
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Local woman convicted and jailed 63 months for illegal export and possession of pharmaceutical products and money laundering (with photo)
Between September and October 2021, Hong Kong Customs seized approximately 1.6 million tablets of controlled pharmaceutical products, some of which were found to be counterfeit, with an estimated market value of about $55 million, at Hong Kong International Airport, an industrial unit in Hung Hom, and a logistics service centre in Sheung Wan. Subsequent investigation revealed that the woman had recruited individuals to pack and post the pharmaceutical products, and had rented an industrial unit to facilitate the operation of the offences.
The woman received bank transfers and cash deposits from unidentifiable sources through her personal bank accounts, laundering a total of $15 million in crime proceeds. Furthermore, her personal accounts were utilised to support the syndicate’s operations, including payments for the individuals for packing and delivery of the pharmaceutical products and payments of the postage fees for the parcels.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of illegal exports of controlled pharmaceutical products and counterfeit goods, as well as money laundering offences.
Additionally, the prosecution applied to the court under the OSCO for a Confiscation Order against the woman’s frozen assets totalling approximately $470,000.
Under the IEO, any person who exports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid export licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the PPO, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the TDO, any person who imports, exports, sells, or possesses for sale counterfeit goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.
Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned ordinances to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:45
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SCST congratulates Chiu Hin-chun, Leung Yu-hong, Winne Hung, Cheung Yuen-shan, Leung Wing-wun, Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Chan Tik-lun, Lam San-tung and Fong Hoi-sun on winning medals in Asian Games
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SCST congratulates Chiu Hin-chun, Leung Yu-hong, Winne Hung, Cheung Yuen-shan, Leung Wing-wun, Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Chan Tik-lun, Lam San-tung and Fong Hoi-sun on winning medals in Asian Games
Miss Law also extended her congratulations to wushu athlete Leung Yu-hong for winning a silver medal in Men’s 60kg Sanda; rowing athlete Winne Hung for winning a silver medal in Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls; rowing athletes Cheung Yuen-shan and Leung Wing-wun for winning a silver medal in Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls; swimming athlete Siobhan Bernadette Haughey for winning a silver medal in Women’s 50m Freestyle; rowing athletes Chan Tik-lun and Lam San-tung for winning a bronze medal in Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls; and fencing athlete Fong Hoi-sun for winning a bronze medal in Men’s Épée Individual.
Miss Law said, “Today marks the day on which the Hong Kong, China Delegation has secured the highest number of medals in a single day since the opening of this year’s Asian Games. Many athletes surpassed themselves in competitions, achieving personal bests in their athletic career. The rowing team enjoyed a massive haul where Chiu Hin-chun, Winne Hung, Cheung Yuen-shan, Leung Wing-wun, Chan Tik-lun and Lam San-tung outperformed their rivals to secure one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal for the team in a single day, achieving excellent results. Chiu Hin-chun won his first-ever gold medal in his third participation at the Asian Games. For wushu, Leung Yu-hong achieved the best-ever result for the Hong Kong team in Men’s 60kg Sanda at the Asian Games. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey continued her stellar performance, bringing her total medal count for this year’s Asian Games to four medals, including the silver medal won today. Fong Hoi-sun achieved his best result across four times of participation in the Asian Games by winning a bronze medal in Men’s Épée Individual. Let us join together in applauding their efforts.”
The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won twenty-three medals, namely four gold, ten silver and nine bronze, at the Asian Games. The seven medals won today are as follows:
Gold medal
—————
Rowing: Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls
Chiu Hin-chun
Silver medals
—————
Wushu: Men’s 60kg Sanda
Leung Yu-hong
Rowing: Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls
Winne Hung
Rowing: Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls
Cheung Yuen-shan, Leung Wing-wun
Swimming: Women’s 50m Freestyle
Siobhan Bernadette Haughey
Bronze medals
—————
Rowing: Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls
Chan Tik-lun, Lam San-tung
Fencing: Men’s Épée Individual
Fong Hoi-sun
Issued at HKT 23:17
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