Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EEB and its departments met with delegation from General Administration of Customs of People’s Republic of China
The delegation from the GACC was led by its Vice Minister, Mr Zhao Zenglian. Representatives of the EEB and its departments met with Mr Zhao and the Deputy Director General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the GACC, Mr Zhang Xiaohui, to review achievements of collaboration in cooperation areas of both sides, such as food safety, food trade between Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, inspection and quarantine, and enhancing efficiency in the clearance procedures. They also exchanged views on further deepening collaboration.
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, expressed gratitude for the GACC’s continuous support and for sending the delegation to Hong Kong to exchange views on areas of cooperation, with the aim of jointly driving forward the work on various fronts.
The GACC affirmed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s regulatory work on safeguarding food safety. The GACC also emphasised that it will continue to support the stability and safety of Hong Kong’s food supply, and will work together with the EEB to promote high-quality development of the food trade between Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.
During their visit to Hong Kong, the delegation from the GACC also visited the FEHD Headquarters, the Airport Food Inspection Office under the Centre for Food Safety, the Government Laboratory, the AFCD’s Animal Management and Animal Welfare Building Complex, and Wan Chai Market to learn about the work of the EEB and its departments.
Issued at HKT 21:45
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CHP investigates food poisoning cluster
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (November 21) investigating a food poisoning cluster affecting 13 persons. The CHP of the DH reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.
The cluster involved two males and 11 females aged between nine and 67. They developed abdominal pain, vomiting, fever and diarrhea about seven to 52 hours after consuming the takeaway lunch prepared by, No. 4A1 (Rear Portion), Tso Kung Street, Tsuen Wan in the New Territories on November 16.
Seven affected persons sought medical advice and two of them required hospitalisation. All of the affected individuals are currently in stable condition.
A preliminary investigation by the CHP revealed that the affected persons had consumed Siu Mei prepared by the concerned food factory, including BBQ pork rice and BBQ pork chicken rice. Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, including personnel of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) and the Environmental Hygiene Branch, conducted an investigation at the food factory. They examined the handling process and food hygiene, and collected food and environmental samples for testing. The CFS immediately instructed the premises concerned to immediately stop serving all incriminated food items, clean and disinfect the premises, and provide food safety and environmental hygiene education to the staff.
The investigation of the CHP and CFS is ongoing.
To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out, one should:
- Avoid eating raw seafood;
- Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters at a buffet;
- Choose pasteurised eggs, egg products or dried egg powder for dishes that often use undercooked eggs;
- Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
- Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
- Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
- Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
- Avoid patronising illegal food hawkers;
- Drink boiled water;
- Susceptible populations, including those with weakened immunity, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are at a higher risk of foodborne diseases, so they should not consume raw or undercooked foods;
- Refrain from trying to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
- Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.
Innovative technology and applications recognised with Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 was held this evening (November 21) with SmartMore Corporation Limited being presented the Award of the Year from the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan. After winning the Smart Business Grand Award with “SMore ViMo – AI Vision Model Development & Deployment Platform”, the SmartMore Corporation Limited also claimed the highest honour of this year’s competition.
Addressing the presentation ceremony, Mr Chan said, “The Hong Kong ICT Awards sets new benchmarks for excellence, inspires both seasoned professionals and budding talent to expand their imagination, push the boundaries of technology, and create innovative solutions to address society’s pain points and challenges.”
Noting that a Best Use of AI Award was featured again across all eight categories of this year’s Hong Kong ICT Awards, Mr Chan pointed out the growing importance of AI in every sector. He said that’s why the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has made AI a focus of its innovation and technology strategy, to develop it as a core industry, and to promote it as an enabler to upgrade traditional sectors.
The Hong Kong ICT Awards aims to recognise and promote outstanding local Information and Communications Technology ICT innovations and applications. It has been well-received as an annual flagship event of the local industry since its debut in 2006. In addition to encouraging and recognising local innovation, the Awards also serve as a springboard to help the winners and their products enter the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets.
Organised by the Digital Policy Office and supported by the collaborative efforts of eight Leading Organisers, the Steering Committee, the Standards Assurance Sub-committee, the Grand Judging Panel, the Marketing and Promotion Sub-Committee, judges, supporting organisations and industry associations, this year’s competition concluded successfully. The Chairman of the Grand Judging Panel and the President of Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Professor Paul Lam, congratulated the awardees and praised their outstanding innovative projects and ideas, which demonstrate excellence in enhancing the quality of life and delivering benefits to society.
Professor Lam said, “This year’s awardees have leveraged innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies, combined with industry expertise, to present practical and creative solutions for an array of commercial and social challenges. I look forward to witnessing the successful implementation of their ideas. I am confident that they will profoundly benefit both businesses and communities, creating a positive impact on society.”
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, presented trophies to the eight winners of Grand Awards at the ceremony to commend their outstanding performance. The awardees are:
| Award category (Leading Organiser) |
Grand Award winner (winning entry) |
| Digital Entertainment Award (Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association) |
Morph Workshop (Wind goes on) |
| FinTech Award (Institute of Financial Technologists of Asia) |
Finloop Finance Technology Holding Limited (All in one virtual asset (VA) Trading and RWA (Real World Asset) Solutions) |
| ICT Startup Award (Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association) |
Entoptica Limited (SLOPE device) |
| Smart Business Award (Hong Kong Computer Society) |
SmartMore Corporation Limited (SMore ViMo – AI Vision Model Development & Deployment Platform) |
| Smart Living Award (Hong Kong Information Technology Federation) |
MEGA Automation Ltd. (Smart Hostel & Facility Management System) |
| Smart Mobility Award (GS1 Hong Kong) |
Airport Authority Hong Kong (Hong Kong Air Import SmartCollect) |
| Smart People Award (The Hong Kong Council of Social Service) |
Ellen Li District Elderly Community Centre, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association/iASPEC Services Limited/the Hong Kong Pharmaceutical Care Foundation Limited/North District Hospital (Smart Hub: Telecare Project for Rural Villagers of North District) |
| Student Innovation Award (Hong Kong Education City) |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Chung Ho-chun)/the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Lee Pak-nin/Chu Wing-sze Nicola) (ArtInSight) |
Detailed information of the winners and the event are available on the website of the Hong Kong ICT Awards (www.hkictawards.hk).
HKSAR Government strongly condemns acts of uploading voters’ information
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKSAR Government strongly condemns acts of uploading voters’ information
The HKSAR Government strongly condemns the illegal act and solemnly reiterates that any attempt to disrupt or interfere with an election is a serious offence. If found, such act will not be tolerated and law enforcement action will be taken seriously. Members of the public are urged not to defy the law, otherwise they will need to face very serious consequences.
Issued at HKT 20:45
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Silver Summit fosters cross-sector collaboration in building silver economy ecosystem
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Silver Summit fosters cross-sector collaboration in building silver economy ecosystem
The Summit featured three plenary sessions, gathering experts and stakeholders from fields covering elderly care services, technological innovation, financial services, industrial development and public policy for discussions focusing on the five areas on building a silver-friendly society as proposed by the Working Group, namely, boosting “silver consumption”, developing “silver industry”, promoting “quality assurance of silver products”, enhancing “silver financial and security arrangements”, and unleashing “silver productivity”. It aimed to raise awareness of the business opportunities brought by the silver economy, and lead suppliers and service providers to grasp the opportunities in jointly building a vibrant gerontechnology economy ecosystem.
A spokesman for the CEDB said,
The spokesman added that the Government is sparing no efforts in implementing the various initiatives within the five areas. Regarding the initiatives spearheaded by the CEDB on promoting “silver consumption” and “quality assurance of silver products”, the General Requirements of Dysphagia Diet for Elderly (Care Food) jointly promoted by the HKCSS, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and partners from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao is officially included in the list of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Standards. The Government will continue to encourage other product and service providers to actively explore silver-friendly standards to improve the overall quality of silver products to attract consumption. At the same time, the Government will work closely with the industries to jointly promote the framework for “quality assurance of silver products” to protect the consumer rights and interests of the elderly, and encourage businesses to enhance brand reputation.
In addition, the Government will focus on gerontechnology to develop the “silver industry” and unleash “silver productivity”. Leveraging the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Government will continue to strengthen support for local research institutions and start-ups, providing them with ideal research platforms to enhance the competitiveness of the gerontechnology industry. The Government will also vigorously develop “silver financial and security arrangements”, promoting the integration of fintech and retirement financial planning to build a comprehensive financial protection system that meets the needs of the elderly and allows citizens to plan and retire at ease.
The spokesman emphasised that to fully develop the silver economy ecosystem, Hong Kong will actively embrace the vast hinterland of the GBA to focus on research and development and standards formulation, and make good use of the unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, serving as a “super-connector” between the national and global silver economy markets.
Issued at HKT 22:15
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ICT Awards ceremony held
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
A presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 was held today, with Financial Secretary Paul Chan presenting the Award of the Year to SmartMore Corporation Ltd.
The firm also took the Smart Business Grand Award with its “SMore ViMo – AI Vision Model Development & Deployment Platform”.
Highlighting that a Best Use of AI Award featured across all eight categories at this year’s awards, Mr Chan said the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) was growing in every sector.
“That’s why the Government has made AI a focus of its innovation and technology strategy, to develop it as a core industry, and promote it as an enabler to upgrade traditional sectors.”
The Hong Kong ICT Awards recognises and promotes outstanding local Information and Communications Technology innovations and applications.
Click here for details of the awardees.
Govt probes upload of voter info
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government today said that the personal particulars of some voters were found to have been uploaded to a social media platform, and that the Registration & Electoral Office has immediately referred the case to a law enforcement agency and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD).
Strongly condemning the illegal act, the Government said the law enforcement agency is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and will take decisive enforcement action as appropriate.
The Office of the PCPD is also conducting an investigation and the social media platform concerned has taken down the information in compliance with its request.
Stressing that any attempt to disrupt or interfere with an election is a serious offence, the Government said such acts will not be tolerated and that law enforcement action will be taken.
It urged people not to defy the law, adding that they will face very serious consequences for doing so.
Portable assistance scheme to launch
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Social Welfare Department today signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK) and the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (Asia) (ICBC (Asia)) to establish a collaborative arrangement for the cross-boundary disbursement of portable cash assistance.
Witnessing the signing, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said it formally established a partnership between the Government and the two banks to implement an initiative announced in the 2025 Policy Address to allow Hong Kong elderly recipients retiring in Guangdong and Fujian to receive cash assistance.
He thanked the BOCHK and the ICBC (Asia) for taking the initiative forward by lending their full support in terms of professional services and resources, and in realisation of corporate social responsibility.
He also thanked the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for its efforts and close co-ordination with the banking sector and regulatory authorities on the Mainland to facilitate the smooth launch of the new service.
Hong Kong elderly recipients of social security who are residing in Guangdong or Fujian can apply for portable cash assistance, including Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) under the “Portable CSSA Scheme”, as well as the Old Age Living Allowance and the Old Age Allowance under the Social Security Allowance Scheme’s “Guangdong Scheme” and “Fujian Scheme”.
Currently, the department deposits cash assistance into the Hong Kong bank accounts of recipients.
With the new service expected to officially launch in the middle of next year, Hong Kong elderly recipients of social security retiring in Guangdong or Fujian will be able to opt to receive portable cash assistance from the SWD directly through Mainland bank accounts with the Bank of China or the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme opens for applications; “Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: Parent-child code – 一步一成長(Chinese version only); Results of Primary One discretionary places to be released November 24
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 3
The Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES) is open for applications. Eligible students who intend to pursue their first year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies at world-renowned universities outside Hong Kong in the 2026/27 academic year (i.e. during the period from August 2026 to July 2027) may submit their applications via the online application system at the HKSES website (hkses.edb.gov.hk(i) have right of abode or right to land, or have entered Hong Kong on One-way Permits; and
(ii) have resided in Hong Kong continuously for three complete years immediately prior to the commencement of the academic programme outside Hong Kong.
Besides, for undergraduate programmes, only students receiving/received their formal school education in Hong Kong are eligible. This would cover all Hong Kong students who receive/received senior secondary education in Hong Kong, including those studying/studied local and non-local curricula in Hong Kong. For postgraduate programmes, students who have obtained their undergraduate qualifications either in or outside Hong Kong are eligible, provided that they meet the criteria set out in (i) and (ii) above.
The HKSES will adopt a merit-based approach to selection, targeting the best and most outstanding Hong Kong students who are admitted to world renowned universities and programmes. Selection will be based on the applicants’ academic achievements, and other attributes such as leadership qualities and potential, contribution and commitment to the Hong Kong, etc. The applicants’ plan to return to work and contribute to Hong Kong after completion of studies will also be considered in the selection process.
Awardees are required to complete their specific study programmes and undertake to return to Hong Kong upon graduation to work for at least two years or a period equivalent to the duration of receiving the scholarship, whichever is longer.
Awardees will receive a non-means-tested scholarship to cover their tuition fees, subject to a ceiling of HK$300,000 per annum. In addition, the HKSES will provide additional support to financially needy awardees during their studies. Awardees who have passed the means test will receive a bursary of up to HK$200,000 per student per annum, to cover their living and study-related expenses. The value of the award will be correspondingly reduced if an awardee also receives other awards to finance his/her same study overseas.
For more information about the scheme, please visit the HKSES website. For enquiries, please contact the HKSES Secretariat at 3509 7395 or via email at hkses@edb.gov.hk.
Two registered specialist contractors disciplined for offences relating to building works
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Registered Contractors’ Disciplinary Board (the Board) has completed disciplinary inquiries under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) on two fatal site incidents and decided that the two Registered Specialist Contractors (RSC) concerned should be disciplined for having been convicted by a court of offences relating to building works.
The Board’s written decisions and orders issued on November 10 were published in the Gazette today (November 21). Details are available at the following links:
Case 1: egazette.gld.gov.hk/pdf?type=egn&year=2025&volume=29&gno=47¬ice_no=7299&extra=0
Case 2: egazette.gld.gov.hk/pdf?type=egn&year=2025&volume=29&gno=47¬ice_no=7298&extra=0
The first case involved a fatal incident that occurred on October 19, 2021, at a construction site for foundation works in Shap Sze Heung, New Territories. While a team of workers was carrying out wire rope replacement work of a crawler-mounted crane, one of them was hit by a swinging wire rope and passed away later that day. The RSC was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violation of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (CSSR) and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation. The RSC was convicted and fined $37,000 at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts on June 24, 2022. In view of the convictions of the RSC, the Buildings Department (BD) notified the Board for its consideration of disciplinary action against the RSC under the provisions of section 13(1) of the BO.
Upon completion of the disciplinary inquiry, the Board ordered the RSC to be fined $220,000 and to pay a total of $50,300 being the costs of the Board and the BD for conducting the inquiry.
The second case involved a fatal incident that occurred on March 23, 2020, at a slope maintenance site in Yau Yat Chuen, Kowloon Tong. A worker, while carrying out slope maintenance work, fell from a height of about 3 metres from the top of a retaining wall to the ground. He sustained a serious head injury and passed away on the same day. The RSC was prosecuted by the LD for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and the CSSR. The RSC was convicted and fined $42,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on December 21, 2020. In view of the convictions of the RSC, the BD notified the Board for its consideration of disciplinary action against the RSC under the provisions of section 13(1) of the BO.
Upon completion of the disciplinary inquiry, the Board ordered the RSC to be fined $124,000 and to pay a total of $58,500 being the costs of the Board and the BD for conducting the inquiry.
A spokesperson for the BD reiterated that any registered contractor who contravenes the relevant provisions of the BO in carrying out building works, or is convicted by any court of an offence relating to building works, or has been negligent or has misconducted themselves in building works, will be subject to enforcement action including criminal prosecution and disciplinary action under the BO.