MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 today (November 21):

Professor Paul Lam (Chairman of the Grand Judging Panel of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 and the President of Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Professor Paul Lam),  (the Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Wan Ning), Professor Sun Dong (Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I’m pleased to join you once again for the annual HKICT Awards Presentation Ceremony.

Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of innovators whose contributions in ICT are making a real difference for us, across the Government, public sectors, businesses and the society at large.

These pioneers have made public services better and more accessible, enhanced business competitiveness, and driven breakthroughs in various areas ranging from digital entertainment and fintech to smart business and smart mobility. Their efforts are delivering benefits to our community.

In just a few minutes, we will honour these outstanding achievers. But the significance of the Hong Kong ICT Awards extends far beyond recognition. It 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.

This year, once again, a “Best Use of AI Award” is featured across all eight categories, highlighting AI’s growing importance in every sector. Indeed, few forces today are as transformative as AI. That’s why the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government has made AI a focus of our innovation and technology strategy, to develop it as a core industry, and to promote it as an enabler to upgrade traditional sectors.

Our approach is built on six key pillars: computing power, algorithms, data, real-world application scenarios, capital and talent. Together, a vibrant and interconnected ecosystem will be formed to enable AI applications to scale and deliver maximum impact.

Hong Kong, together with the Greater Bay Area, holds a unique strength: it is where high-end manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge AI innovation simultaneously reside. This is an advantage not even possessed by Silicon Valley. It means that AI solutions developed in the GBA can be tested, applied and validated seamlessly in real-world industrial settings.

Ladies and gentlemen, our innovation and technology ecosystem is thriving. The Northern Metropolis is fast emerging as a major hub for the I&T sector, and we are expediting its development. Just yesterday, we released the Conceptual Outline for the Innovation and Technology Industry in San Tin Technopole, with specific initiatives to unleash its full potential. Meanwhile, the development of a data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge is also progressing, with tendering for advanced computing power facilities already launched in October.

To the students and young innovators among us: innovation and technology is a career worth pursuing, not only for the opportunities it offers, but also for the impact you can make. It is a force for good, capable of transforming lives, economies and societies. The most rewarding moments often come when your ideas make a real difference for the world.

Now, Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem is more vibrant than ever. We are home to over 4,700 startups, rising by 40 per cent compared to five years ago. Many are residing in Science Park and Cyberport, which provide them with incubation, funding and market development support. From digital entertainment and fintech to smart mobility and smart living, innovators and startups in Hong Kong are thriving not only locally, but are also making their mark across regional and global markets.

I’m very pleased that you are part of this exciting journey. The opportunities ahead are boundless for you to seize.

Finally, allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the organisers of the event, and to the distinguished judges who have so generously contributed their time and expertise.

Congratulations once again to all the award winners. Your achievements inspire us all, and you are at a new starting point to make an even greater impact for the good of humanity.

Before I close, allow me to remind everyone of an important upcoming event -December 7, the Legislative Council Election. By casting your vote, we together will help shape a more prosperous future for Hong Kong.

I wish you good health and continued success, and a most enjoyable evening. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government today (November 21) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Central African Republic) Regulation 2020 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today.
 
     “The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Central African Republic) Regulation 2020 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2789 in respect of the Central African Republic,” a Government spokesman said.
 
     The amendments renew the arms-related sanctions, travel ban and financial sanctions.
 
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government today (November 21) gazetted the United Nations Sanctions (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Regulation 2019 (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation), which came into operation today.

     “The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Regulation 2019 to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2783 in respect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” a Government spokesman said.

     The amendments renew the arms embargo, travel ban and financial sanctions.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The results of Primary One discretionary places for September 2026 will be released next Monday (November 24) by all government and aided primary schools.
 
     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (November 21), “There are 37 581 children applying for discretionary places in government and aided primary schools this year, of whom 19 656 will be offered a place in these schools. Among them, a total of 9 477 children are applicants with sibling(s) studying or with parent(s) working in the schools that they have applied to, whereas the remaining 10 179 are selected according to the Points System.”
 
     Parents who have already activated their POA e-platform (ePOA) account are reminded to check the results via the ePOA from 10am next Monday. Parents can also bring the parent’s copy of the paper Application Form for Primary One Admission (POA) and check the results of their discretionary place application between 9am and 5pm on that day at the school to which they have applied. 
 
     Parents whose children have been offered a discretionary place are advised to note carefully the registration arrangements of the schools concerned and the documents required for registration, such as the parent’s copy of the paper Application Form for POA or the electronic application record in the ePOA, as well as the specified number of photographs of their children. They should register their children next Wednesday (November 26) or Thursday (November 27) at the school to which they have applied during school hours. 

     “Parents who cannot register for their child on the above dates should notify the person-in-charge of the school in advance to make alternative arrangements. Otherwise, they will be deemed to have given up their discretionary place,” the spokesman said.

     Under the POA System, each government or aided primary school may make use of about 50 per cent of its total Primary One places as discretionary places. The remaining approximately 50 per cent of the total places will be reserved for Central Allocation at a later stage.
 
     “Parents of applicant children who have failed to secure a discretionary place or who have opted for Central Allocation only will be informed by the EDB in writing in mid-January 2026 to make choices of schools for Central Allocation via ePOA from January 19 to 25 or at a designated Central Allocation Centre on January 24 or 25. We encourage parents to register with ‘iAM Smart+’ (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/reg.html) as early as possible and activate their ePOA account using ‘iAM Smart+’ for more convenient and faster electronic services. 
 
     “For applications for participation in POA 2026 made after January 25, parents are required to approach the School Places Allocation Section of the EDB to complete the necessary procedures. The EDB will separately arrange a Primary One place for the applicant children in June 2026,” the spokesman said.
 
     “Parents should note that once their children have been allocated a Primary One place, they cannot take part in the POA System again in the future,” he added.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the International Summit of AI for Science “Empowering Breakthroughs at the Intersection of AI and Science” today (November 21):

Professor Liu (Director General of the Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Liu Weidong), Professor Boey (President and University Distinguished Professor of the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Freddy Boey), Professor Luo (Co-Chair of the International Summit of AI for Science 2025, Professor of the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Luo Jiebo), Professor Ma (Co-Chair of the International Summit of AI for Science 2025, Director of the Hong Kong Institute of AI for Science of the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Ma Weiying), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to join you all today at the International Summit of AI for Science 2025, cohosted by the Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the City University of Hong Kong.

     The theme of today – “Empowering Breakthroughs at the Intersection of AI and Science” – underscores the pivotal role of AI as a catalyst for innovation and technology (I&T) development. From life sciences to material sciences, AI is accelerating discovery. It is not merely a tool but a transformative force that reshapes the very paradigms of scientific research and technological revolution, as well as industry transformation. Today’s summit is a collective exploration of how AI can define the boundaries of human knowledge.

     Hong Kong is proud to stand at the forefront of this transformation. The Hong Kong SAR Government has identified AI as a key industry for future growth and has set out clear goals for the development of AI. With a focus on “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach”, we introduce multidimensional policies to promote the development of AI in Hong Kong, in line with the national “AI+” initiative and consistent with the global development path of AI.

     Amongst others, InnoHK is a major government I&T initiative to foster global research collaboration. The InnoHK platform has successfully established collaborations with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes. On the AI and robotics side, we have so far brought together a total of 16 R&D (research and development) centres and laboratories and over 1 700 leading research talents locally and globally to drive breakthroughs in robotics and enhance Hong Kong’s AI capabilities. We are delighted that the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics established by the Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences also participated in this important initiative, with a focus on innovative integration of AI and life sciences. Besides, we are working on the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute in 2026, which will facilitate upstream AI R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes, as well as expansion of application scenarios.

     According to the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong ranked fourth globally, rising three spots from the previous year. The new ranking is based on improvements in “technology”, “knowledge”, and “future readiness”, with the city achieving the top global spot in “technological framework” and “adaptive attitudes”. This achievement reaffirms our progress in developing Hong Kong into a global digital hub. 

     We are excited to learn that the International Summit of AI for Science is a platform that connects Hong Kong with top international research talent to promote global collaboration and exchange among scientists. Many brilliant minds from all over the world have come together today to share their expertise across various fields and exchange ideas on AI. In this connection, I congratulate the Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the City University of Hong Kong for organising this Summit.

     Last but not least, may I invite all voters to cast your votes in the upcoming Legislative Council election on December 7. This is important for Hong Kong. I wish today’s event every success. Thank you.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology:
 
     The Council on Human Reproductive Technology (Council) today (November 21) issued a notice in the Gazette notifying the publication of the amended Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology and Embryo Research (Code), requiring licensed centres to provide those storing their gametes or embryos for own use with additional counselling services.
 
     The Human Reproductive Technology (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation) will come into effect on December 1, removing the statutory storage periods of gametes and embryos for own use under the Human Reproductive Technology (Licensing) Regulation (Cap. 561A) to enable members of the public to make their own decisions on the storage duration of their gametes or embryos depending on their health and other conditions, with a view to better realising reproductive autonomy.
 
     In connection with the Amendment Regulation, the Council amended the Code, requiring persons who have stored their gametes or embryos for their own use for five years or more to receive additional counselling services before storage can be extended. During counselling, licensed centres are required to provide information regarding the medical risks associated with the relevant procedures and risks of pregnancy at an advanced maternal age, etc. There will be a one-year grace period for the relevant arrangements, whereby persons concerned only need to complete the counselling services and procedures of extension of storage within one year after the commencement of the amended Code, or before their first storage extension, whichever is later. The amended Code would come into effect on the same day (December 1) as the Amendment Regulation.
 
     The amended Code is available on the website of the Council (www.chrt.org.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) today (November 21) said that it has reviewed about 83 000 proposals received from March 17 to May 31 objecting to the 2025-26 new rateable values and issued Notices of Decision (Form R22A) in respect of these objections in phases. 

A spokesman for the RVD said, “Anyone who lodged an objection during the above period and has yet to receive a Notice of Decision by November 30 should contact the RVD’s Customer Service Officer at enquiries@rvd.gov.hk or 2150 8833.”

Any changes in rateable values resulting from the RVD’s decisions on the objections will date back to April 1 this year, and adjustments will be made in subsequent demands.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (November 21) the sale of Tsing Yi Town Lot No. 203 at No. 183 Tsing Yi Road West, Tsing Yi, New Territories, for conversion to a fast charging station (FCS) for electric vehicles (EVs) through public tendering. The tender invitation will close on January 30, 2026.
 
A spokesperson for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said, “To promote the green transformation of vehicles and to achieve zero vehicular emissions and carbon neutrality before 2050, the Government announced that there would be no new registration of fuel-propelled private cars (including hybrid vehicles) in 2035 or earlier. To cope with the rapid demand for charging facilities with the increase of EVs, the Government has expedited the expansion of the charging network for different types of EVs (including commercial EVs). The Government also sold through open tender three petrol filling station (PFS) sites in Kowloon Bay, Fo Tan and Tai Po for FCS purposes. The Government will, subject to actual market needs, select suitable PFS sites for conversion into FCSs in a timely manner. In addition, the area for retail use in the site of this sale is larger than that of a conventional PFS, allowing operators more flexibility to use such area to meet the needs of EV drivers.”
 
Tsing Yi Town Lot No. 203 has a site area of 1 973.9 square metres and is designated for EV FCS purposes. Land sale documents, including the forms of tender, tender notice, conditions of sale and sale plan of the lot, are now available on the Lands Department (LandsD) website (www.landsd.gov.hk) for downloading. The sale plan is available for inspection by the public from today until the close of the tender. The sale plan in hard copy form may also be purchased from today until the close of the tender at the Survey and Mapping Office of the LandsD, 6/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. The particulars of the tender have also been gazetted today.
 
The spokesperson continued, “In order to encourage owners of taxis and public light buses to expedite the adoption of electric taxis (e-taxis) and electric public light buses (e-PLBs), and by reference to the current arrangement of dedicated liquefied petroleum gas filling stations, a charging ceiling price mechanism will be established for e-taxis and e-PLBs at designated FCSs. The operators of designated FCSs cannot charge a price that is higher than the ceiling price to be announced by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on a monthly basis. The charging price for other EVs will be determined by the market. For details about the calculation of charging ceiling prices for e-taxis and e-PLBs, please refer to the EEB website (www.eeb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/en/node78/Ceiling_price_calculation_e.pdf).”
 
Details of the charging ceiling price will be posted at designated FCSs when they are in operation and announced regularly on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk) to enable trade practitioners to monitor the changes in charging prices.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Police yesterday (November 20) reclassified an industrial accident happened in Ngau Tau Kok on February 20, 2024, as manslaughter.

     At 4.56pm on February 20, 2024, Police received a report that a large-scale scaffolding had collapsed at a construction site on Shing Fu Lane. Two female workers, aged 68 and 54, were rushed to United Christian Hospital in unconscious state and were certified dead on the same day. Other three workers, one man and two women, aged between 45 and 63, were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in conscious state.
 
     Upon further investigation, Police reclassified the case as manslaughter. A 48-year-old male foreman and a 58-year-old male worker were arrested yesterday (November 20) in Ngau Tau Kok and Tseung Kwan O respectively. Both arrestees have been jointly charged with two counts of manslaughter. The case will be mentioned at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts this morning (November 21).

     Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon East is under way.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in November, covering 13 survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central and Western	Sai Wan	0.0%	N/A
Wan Chai	Tin Hau	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Kowloon Bay	0.0%	N/A
Yuen Long	Tin Shui Wai	0.0%	N/A

 

District	Survey Area	November 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Eastern	Chai Wan West	0.9%	1.0
	North Point	1.9%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Diamond Hill	0.9%	1.0
Kwun Tong	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	0.9%	1.0
Sha Tin	Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan	0.0%	N/A
North	Fanling	0.0%	N/A
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun West	4.2%	1.3
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan Town	1.7%	1.0
Kwai Tsing	Tsing Yi North	3.7%	1.0

Among the fourth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering four survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering nine survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.

The FEHD has so far released four batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 35 survey areas. Among these 35 survey areas, 27 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Eight other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises; 
• remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources; 
• check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water; 
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days; 
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD is disseminating the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).