MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The launch event of the low-altitude economy “Regulatory Sandbox X” was held today (November 24), with an aim to further promoting the development of low-altitude economy in Hong Kong and exploring innovative applications. The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Victor Liu; the Executive Director of Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Mr Mohamed Butt, and the Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, Mr Edmond Lai, officiated at the event.

     Speaking at the event, Ms Chan said, “the low-altitude economy ‘Regulatory Sandbox X’ announced by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, in his 2025 Policy Address in September this year was launched today. As an advanced version of “Regulatory Sandbox”, “X” represents “extended” and “extra”. The goal of “Regulatory Sandbox X” is to handle more complex scenarios, such as cross-boundary low altitude drones, unconventional aircraft designed for passenger-carrying, and integrated operation platforms. Projects under the low-altitude economy “Regulatory Sandbox” launched in March have been progressively implemented, injecting smart vitality and creating new prospects for Hong Kong. We will continue to engage with the industry and gather diverse perspectives to enable the drafting of the Action Plan on Developing Low-Altitude Economy by the end of next year. This will establish the foundational infrastructure for the top-level design of the entire low-latitude economy, providing the industry with a clear and forward-looking trajectory.”

     The HKPC is a technical partner of the “Regulatory Sandbox” launched by the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy. At the event, the Chief Digital Officer, Mr Edmond Lai, stated that the HKPC has been actively contributing to and advancing innovation and practical implementation in Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy sector. With “Regulatory Sandbox X” focusing on more complex and technologically advanced application scenarios, the HKPC will continue to serve as a technical partner, striving for R&D in forward-looking areas such as new materials, new energy, and advanced traffic management systems, to support the industry in strengthening technical standards and application capabilities, fostering the adoption of innovative solutions in real-world environments.

     In the first batch of “Regulatory Sandbox”, 38 projects were selected, with 29 projects already implemented, covering a wide range of fields and application scenarios, including emergency and rescue, logistics and distribution, inspections and safety maintenance, surveillance, and low-altitude infrastructure, injecting new smart dynamics into the city. “Regulatory Sandbox X” will bring new elements of “extra”, “extended” and “collaboration”, and raise the work on developing low-altitude economy to the next level.

     On the same day, the Project Facilitation Task Force (the Task Force) under the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy provided a detailed briefing to nearly 200 industry professionals on the content and application details of “Regulatory Sandbox X”. The Task Force and the government-appointed partners will continue to actively assist in advancing the “Regulatory Sandbox X” pilot projects. The first phase of applications, primarily focuses on unmanned aircraft system traffic management system demonstrations, will commence from today until January 9, 2026. For more details, please refer to the website of the low-altitude economy “Regulatory Sandbox X” of the Transport and Logistics Bureau (www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/highlights/transport/low-altitude.html).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

      Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Hong Kong Design Institute under the Vocational Training Council, the “4th Hong Kong Denim Festival – Denim Artistry” (Hong Kong Denim Festival) kicked off today (November 24) with the Denim Delight Party, presenting a denim fashion show infused with live music performances against the magnificent night view of Victoria Harbour as the backdrop.
      
     As one of the major programmes of the second edition of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest, the Hong Kong Denim Festival runs from today to December 11, promoting the unique appeal of denim culture through a series of activities including denim art exhibitions, denim apparel retail showcases, workshops and talks.
      
     Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, said this year’s Hong Kong Denim Festival showcases a vibrant array of denim works, guiding audiences to appreciate the timeless artistic charm and exquisite craftsmanship of denim, as well as demonstrating its boundless possibilities in fashion and beyond.
      
     The Denim Delight Party featured creations by Hong Kong-founded fashion brands and innovative designs by eight emerging local denim artists through blending denim culture and music.
      
     For details of the “4th Hong Kong Denim Festival – Dnim Artistry”, please refer to the official social media channels. For more information on the Hong Kong Fashion Fest, please visit www.hongkongfashionfest.com.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of the HKGX 2025 IBF World Championships today (November 24):

His Excellency Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah (President of the International Bowling Federation), Mr Timothy Fok (President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China), Ms Vivien Lau (Chairman of the Hong Kong, China Tenpin Bowling Congress), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

Good evening, everyone. A very warm welcome to the opening ceremony of the HKGX 2025 IBF World Championships, especially our friends who have travelled from abroad. Welcome.  
      
It is a tremendous honour for Hong Kong to host this prestigious event for the first time. Following the success of January’s IBF World Cup and IBF Para Bowling World Championships, we are once again privileged to welcome the world’s bowling elites to our city. Over fifty of the world’s top men’s and women’s teams will compete across four events, showcasing the finely-honed skills and profound perseverance that have brought them here. The stage is set for an unforgettable display of athletic excellence. 

My sincere gratitude goes to the Hong Kong, China Tenpin Bowling Congress for their meticulous organisation and unwavering dedication to promoting tenpin bowling as an elite sport in Hong Kong. I would also like to thank the title sponsor, the Hong Kong Gold Exchange, alongside all other sponsors, partners and volunteers. Your concerted support has been indispensable in making the world-class event a reality.

As we celebrate the passion of this World Championships, let us also take this opportunity to embrace the spirit of active participation in our community. With the 2025 Legislative Council General Election approaching, I strongly encourage every registered voter in Hong Kong to fulfil their civic duty and cast their vote on December 7. Together, let us elect patriotic, capable and visionary legislators who will contribute to the continuous prosperity of Hong Kong.

Before I close, I wish the World Championships a resounding success, and to all bowlers, the very best of luck. May you bowl with precision, passion, and the true spirit of sportsmanship. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today held the first of two seminars on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee at the Central Government Offices.

 

The CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office have invited two members of the central authorities’ publicity delegation to speak in Hong Kong about the session’s spirit.

 

The two delegates are President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Hou Jianguo, and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial & Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the CPC Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs Zhu Weidong.

 

Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and Zhou Ji, who is Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, delivered speeches at the seminar.

 

Mr Hou and Mr Zhu both gave presentations on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session and the key aspects of the “Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development”. They also responded to questions raised by participants. Mr Lee delivered concluding remarks.

 

Mr Lee said the Fourth Plenary Session was an important meeting convened at a critical juncture, occurring after the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and during the preparatory period for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

 

“Studying and implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee well is a major task for us,” he said.

 

Highlighting that the world is undergoing accelerated transformations unseen in a century, he said such transformations often come with opportunities. He said the CPC Central Committee’s Recommendations focus on high-quality development, achieving self-reliance and strength in science and technology through the cultivation of new quality productive forces, and promoting high-level opening up, all of which brings historical opportunities for Hong Kong.

 

“We must gain a deep understanding of the guiding ideology, major principles, as well as the objectives and tasks, for the economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, assist Hong Kong in solidly advancing various measures for its economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, actively align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, comprehensively promote the development of finance and innovation and technology as dual engines, engage in broader and closer exchanges and co-operation around the globe, and actively integrate into and serve the overall strategy of national development.”

 

In his address, Mr Zhou said that the first seminar held by the central authorities’ publicity delegates was deliberately targeted at the Hong Kong SAR’s governance team, demonstrating the central government’s high regard for the Chief Executive and his team, its deep concern for Hong Kong, and its strong support for the city’s development.

 

He highlighted that the Fourth Plenary Session comprises top-level, strategic plans for the country’s development over the next five years, and also provides clear guidance for Hong Kong’s economic and social development.

 

He expressed his belief that the seminar would strengthen Hong Kong’s confidence in benefitting from the achievements of national development, allow it to better recognise opportunities from the current situation, grasp more accurately the content of the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, fully leverage the institutional strengths of “one country, two systems” and the unique advantages of connecting the Mainland and the world, promote Hong Kong’s fuller integration into and service to China’s overall national development, and continue to open up new horizons for high-quality development.

 

Mr Zhu provided a systematic and in-depth interpretation of the significance of the Fourth Plenary Session, tasks for national economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year period, and the guiding principles and main objectives for the nation’s economic and social development.

 

He elaborated on the seven major objectives to be prioritised during the 15th Five-Year period, namely significant achievements in high-quality development; substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; fresh breakthroughs in further deepening comprehensive reforms; notable cultural and ethical progress across society; further improvements in quality of life; major new strides in advancing the “Beautiful China Initiative”; and further advances in strengthening the national security shield.

 

He stressed that the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will inject strong development momentum into Hong Kong, and that Hong Kong should better integrate into the overall national development and participate in national strategies such as the development of the Greater Bay Area.

 

Mr Hou introduced the major measures to advance Chinese modernisation during the 15th Five-Year period. These include building a modernised industrial system; achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology; building a robust domestic market; moving faster to develop a high-standard socialist market economy; promoting high-standard opening up; accelerating agricultural and rural modernisation; promoting co-ordinated regional development; fostering a thriving socialist culture; working harder to ensure and improve public well-being; accelerating the green transition in all areas of economic and social development; modernising China’s national security system and capacity; and promoting high-quality modernisation in the field of national defence and the armed forces.

 

With regard to plans set out in the Recommendations regarding scientific and technological innovation and Hong Kong’s development as an innovation hub, he suggested that the city leverage its own strengths and advantages, strengthen forward-looking and pioneering basic research, expand the development application scenarios, and establish itself as a hub for high-calibre talent and as an open platform for global scientific and technological co-operation.

 

About 500 people attended today’s seminar. They included principal officials of the Hong Kong SAR Government, as well as representatives of the Executive Council, the Legislative Council and the Judiciary, and heads of major statutory bodies.

 

The Hong Kong SAR Government will hold a second seminar on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee tomorrow at 9.30am. Arrangements have been made for Radio Television Hong Kong and the government website to broadcast the seminar live in full for citizens to listen and watch.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A torch relay will be held in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou and Shenzhen this Saturday ahead of the official opening of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) on December 8, with 50 torchbearers taking part in the exercise.

 

With 50 torchbearers taking part in each of the four cities, there will be a total of 200. Shenzhen will hold a torch relay launching ceremony at 9am on Saturday. Ceremonies will be held in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou at 9.30am, and the four relays will start simultaneously.

 

The total route length of the Hong Kong relay is approximately 9 kilometres.

 

Starting from the Central Government Offices in Tamar, it will pass through the Central & Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, the Monument in Commemoration of the Return of Hong Kong to China, and Golden Bauhinia Square.

 

Torchbearers will carry the torch across Victoria Harbour by Star Ferry before it continues along its Tsim Sha Tsui route. This will run from the Star Ferry Bus Terminus on Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, passing by the Cultural Centre and the Museum of Art.

 

Torchbearers will then take an open-top bus to the bus terminal at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP). After entering the KTSP, the torch will pass by the bronze statue at the main entrance of the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. It will be passed along the running track, before the last torchbearer lights the cauldron, at which point a closing ceremony will take place.

 

Representatives of the four cities will return the individual flames to Guangzhou after the torch relay. A flame-gathering ceremony will be held at around 5pm in the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, ahead of the lighting of the main torch for the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.

 

To facilitate the relay in Hong Kong, special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A launch event was held today for the low-altitude economy “Regulatory Sandbox X” initiative, with Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan and Director-General of Civil Aviation Victor Liu officiating.

 

The initiative will promote the development of Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy and support the the exploration of innovative applications.

 

Speaking at the event, Ms Chan highlighted that the initiative was announced in September by Chief Executive John Lee, in his 2025 Policy Address.

 

She explained that the “X” in “Regulatory Sandbox X” represents “extended” and “extra”, and that the scheme will facilitate complex low-altitude applications, such as cross-boundary drones, unconventional passenger aircraft, and integrated operation platforms.

 

In addition, she mentioned that low-altitude projects launched in March have already unleashed vitality into the sector and created new prospects for Hong Kong.

 

Ms Chan said: “We will continue to engage with the industry and gather diverse perspectives to enable the drafting of the Action Plan on Developing Low-Altitude Economy by the end of next year. This will establish the foundational infrastructure for the top-level design of the entire low-latitude economy, providing the industry with a clear and forward-looking trajectory.”

 

The first batch of 38 “Regulatory Sandbox X” projects includes 29 projects that have already been implemented. They span a wide range of fields and application scenarios, including emergency and rescue, logistics and distribution, inspections and safety maintenance, surveillance, and low-altitude infrastructure.

 

Also today, the Project Facilitation Task Force under the Working Group on Developing Low-altitude Economy provided a detailed briefing on the “Regulatory Sandbox X” to nearly 200 industry professionals.

 

Applications are open from today until January 9, with an emphasis on unmanned aircraft system traffic management system demonstrations.

 

Click here for more details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A flag presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Delegation to the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) of the People’s Republic of China was held at the Tiu Keng Leng Sports Centre this afternoon.

Chief Executive John Lee officiated at the ceremony and presented the Hong Kong SAR regional flag to Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism and Head of the Hong Kong SAR Delegation Rosanna Law.

Addressing the event, Miss Law said that this marks Hong Kong SAR’s eighth time participating in the NGD and its sixth time participating in the NSOG.

She highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR Delegation captured 17 medals, comprising 10 gold, one silver and six bronze, at the last NGD, and 42 medals, comprising 25 gold, nine silver and eight bronze, at the last NSOG. The Hong Kong, China Delegation also won three gold, four silver and one bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

She added that these outstanding results not only prove the exceptionally high standard of Hong Kong athletes, but also demonstrate the Hong Kong SAR Government’s consistent efforts to strengthen policy support and resource allocation for sports development, ensuring that Hong Kong nurtures world-class athletes.

The Hong Kong delegation participating in this year’s NGD and NSOG is the largest to date. It comprises over 280 athletes, supported by about 140 team officials and medical personnel. They will take part in 14 competition events and four mass participation events in the NGD, as well as seven events in the NSOG.

This year’s NGD and NSOG will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau from December 8 to 15.

Click here for details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan accompanied members of the central authorities’ publicity delegation on a visit to the Northern Metropolis this afternoon.

 

The delegation members were President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Hou Jianguo and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial & Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs, the Communist Party of China (CPC), Zhu Weidong.

 

They were visiting Hong Kong to speak about the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC.

 

The two delegates first visited the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (NDA), where they were briefed on the progress of planning and construction for the NDA and the whole Northern Metropolis.

 

The NDA is the first such area in the Northern Metropolis to enter its construction phase. The delegation visited the site office to conduct an on-site inspection of construction there.

 

They then visited the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, which will open officially in December. They toured the wet laboratory facilities and accommodation for talent in the Hong Kong Park.

 

They also exchanged views with members of enterprises specialising in life and health technology, artificial intelligence and robotics, which have already settled in the park. They were briefed on the park’s operations and future development.

 

The delegation members highlighted that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee outlined key initiatives to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and expressed hope that people can grasp opportunities to help implement the 15th Five-Year Plan by leveraging Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages and vital functions of enjoying the motherland’s strong support while being closely connected to the world.

 

They said that will speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis and accelerate Hong Kong’s development as an international innovation and technology centre, as well as its integration into and contribution to the broader national development landscape.

 

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, and others accompanied the delegates during their tour.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

In considering whether to issue orders under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) prohibiting the operation of the “Hong Kong Parliament” and the “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union” in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Secretary for Security today issued written notices to the two organisations. The notices allow them to make representations before such orders are made.

 

The Security Bureau said that pursuant to section 60(1) of the SNSO, if the Secretary for Security reasonably believes that it is necessary for the purposes of safeguarding national security to prohibit the operation of an organisation in the Hong Kong SAR, the Secretary for Security may, by way of an order published in the Government Gazette, prohibit the organisation’s operation.

 

Having carefully considered all relevant information, the Secretary for Security takes the preliminary view that there are reasonable grounds to believe that it will be necessary to prohibit the operation of the two organisations in the Hong Kong SAR. As such, the two organisations are allowed to make representations, in accordance with section 60(4) of the SNSO, before a final decision is made.

 

The bureau stated that the two organisations in question aim to subvert state power. Their objectives include promoting “self-determination”, making a “Hong Kong Constitution”, and overthrowing or undermining the basic system or authority of the People’s Republic of China or the authority of the Hong Kong SAR.

 

Acts specified as offences in sections 62 to 65 of the SNSO include acting as an officer-bearer or a member of a prohibited organisation; participating in any activity or meeting of a prohibited organisation; inciting any other person to become a member of a prohibited organisation; and giving aid of any kind to or procuring any subscription or aid for a prohibited organisation. Those who commit such offences are liable to a fine of $1,000,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.

 

The bureau reiterated that endangering national security is a very serious offence, and that acts or activities which do so may lead to extremely grave consequences.

 

It said the Hong Kong SAR Government will always resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, the SNSO and other relevant laws designed to safeguard national security in order to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law. It added that this includes prohibiting the operation of organisations that engage in activities endangering national security in the Hong Kong SAR.

Source:

Ou te muai faatalofa atu I le paia ua afifio mai I lenei afiafi e molimauina lenei faamoemoe taua.

O le taoa ota ia paia ma sa aua e le Gafataulimaina ese matou leoa

Ae o le a faga tonu ia le malama ma tautino le solo a le tamaloa e tusa o le faamoemoe o lenei afiafi ma o le a faaogaina ai le gagana faaperetania mo le faafaigofie ona malamalama ai tatou malo ma pa’aga ua tatou faatasi.

A pleasant good evening,

Distinguished and invited guests

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Talofa, Talofa, Talofa lava.

To say it’s a pleasure to deliver the keynote address at the Finals of the 23rd International Siva Afi Competition tonight is an understatement for me personally because of my personal ties to the Tourism Sector and Tourism Industry.

I grew up surrounded by tourism, visitors from overseas and as a witness to my mother Taulesulu Malifa’s commitment to serve our country through her Oceania Travel Agency.

Those were hard days but my mother never gave up and provided a life of opportunities. As always she prevailed and here I am, a humble and privileged to serve our country as your Minister of Tourism… Thank you mum…

Thank you, Faafetai tele lava Leota Lene and Mrs Claire Leota for this opportunity of a lifetime to finally acknowledge my mother……. and her beloved Tourism Industry. There shared role to build our Tourism Industry to where it is today.

For everyone’s information, Tourism revenues is among the top revenue earners for our country.

From July 2024 to June 2025, Tourism revenues injected close to $650 million tala into our economy.

That achievement came from the commitment, the vision and sacrifices by dedicated business minds like Leota and Claire who have worked together with our business Sector and Government for the country to reap the fruits of their hard labour.

Let us give glory to the Good Lord, as he continues to bless our Beautiful Samoa.

The Government through the Samoa Tourism Authority has supported various local programmes to help sustain businesses, and promote their products and services for the local market.

With that tremendous support we have seen our very own people invest in their own tourism businesses and it is a positive step towards paving the way to success.

The Tourism Industry has created initiatives of events and activities and one of the ongoing initiatives is what we are witnessing here tonight, the 23rd International Siva Afi Competition. It’s the second longest International Siva Afi Competition in the World.

While on the local front, the International Siva Afi Competition continues to be a major event in supporting our Teuila Festival and international events, through sustaining the talents of our youth over these many years.

Unique to Samoa, Fire knife dancing is a tradition rooted in our culture, and a means of maintaining Samoan identity with other cultures.

It has promoted Samoa throughout the world, and has blessed many families with their talented sons and daughters securing work opportunities to continually perform and entertain overseas.

And the Leotas are in that group of elite agents securing contracts overseas for our Samoan siva afi performers.

A fire knife dancer from Samoa is currently ranked in the top 6 after this year’s World Fire Knife Championships.

Students and graduates from the Matautu Siva Afi School of Learning are now performing world-wide, in Hawaii, the United States and Hong Kong…as flag bearers and traditional performing art Ambassadors of our Samoa.

Without a doubt, Siva Afi is definitely playing its part in preserving and promoting Samoan performing arts, and recognized as a leader in our tourism industry.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Ministers of Cabinets, Government and Samoa we commend Siva Afi for its life time commitment to the Samoan performing art of fire knife dancing.

And I personally congratulate Leota Lene and Mrs Claire Leota

Wishing all the competitors the very best tonight, with well wishes for an even bigger event next year for your 24th year of celebration.

The Finale for the 23rd International Siva Afi Competition 2025 is officially opened.

SOIFUA MA IA MANUIA.

November 24, 2025