MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government has allocated $3 billion to set up a three-year Artificial Intelligence (AI) Subsidy Scheme. Since its launch, projects from around 20 universities, institutions and companies have been approved for funding. Among these projects, researchers at the University of Hong Kong have developed generative AI for 3D scene generation by giving voice prompts. The technology can be applied across various industries for practical uses, such as presentations and design.
      
     News.gov.hk interviewed a researcher from the University of Hong Kong on the working principles and advantages of their AI initiative. A representative from Cyberport, which supplies computing power for organisations participating in the subsidy scheme through its supercomputing centre, also outlined their vision for strengthening Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem.
      
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature from today (January 4) in text and video format.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Starting from tomorrow, the service hours of the Police Force’s Tai Po fire casualty enquiry hotline, 1878 999, will be adjusted.

The new service hours will be 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

The force explained that the latest adjustment was made in view of public demand for the service.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 2) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Żagań District of the Lubuskie Region in Poland, and an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan respectively, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 870 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, about 1 540 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 219.73 million poultry eggs from Japan in the first nine months of last year.

     “The CFS has contacted the Polish and Japanese authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

To promote the development of the local artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, the Government has allocated $3 billion for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support eligible organisations such as local universities, research institutes and enterprises in leveraging the computing power of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) to achieve scientific breakthroughs. 

Popular applications

Projects from around 20 universities, institutions and companies have been approved for funding, with the average subsidy reaching 70% of the list price for the services.

Deployment of the AISC started in December of 2024 and its average utilisation rate has been nearly 80%.

The University of Hong Kong is one of the institutions participating in the programme.

Researchers at the university’s Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering have developed a generative AI capable of real-time 3D scene generation and rendering.

Concept shaping

The department’s Associate Professor Ngai Wong said this generative AI can turn concepts or product ideas into images, creating something from nothing.

“For example, if we do interior design, we do not need to physically build the interior or the model for it. We can just use a voice prompt to change the interior design into a different style.”

“Another big application scenario is in the gaming industry. So, I can create some fancy environment. I can just voice it out and then the AI model will generate and create that for me.”

The technology is suitable for various applications, ranging from professional industry presentations to video game design.

Mr Wong added that unlike many global AI initiatives, the department is focused on compressing these models. By making them compatible with low-end edge devices, such as mobile phones and desktop computers, the team aims to broaden the market reach.

Research empowerment

Cyberport said in order to speed up AI development in Hong Kong, a ready-to-use AI supercomputing centre could help to support all these projects.

“The reason is if every applicant has to purchase the Graphics Processing Unit resources and then host the resources and form an IT team to maintain it, it is actually not only a problem of cost and also a problem of time,” explained Cyberport Head of Business Development Crystal Fok.

“Cyberport aims to introduce more diverse types of AI models to enhance the AI ecosystem, enabling the technology to benefit society and assist various industries,” she added.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The 101 Senior Friendship Society of Australia hosted a luncheon today to celebrate Christmas and members’ birthdays. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu, accompanied by colleagues, attended the event today.
DG Wu expressed his sincere appreciation to President Hsieh Mei-Feng, all former presidents present, and overseas community affairs members for their long-standing support for TECO and Taiwan. DG Wu also extended his warm wishes to all the birthday celebrants for a happy birthday, and wished everyone a joyful Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police today (January 2) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tai Po.

     Chan Wai-yim, aged 70, went missing after she left a hospital on Chuen On Road on December 31, 2025. Staff of the hospital made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.65 metres tall and of thin build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short curly black hair. She was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved top, black checkered trousers and white socks without shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 5239 7701 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (January 2) that Miss Linda So Wai-sze, Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, will take up the post of Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, on January 5, 2026.

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, “Miss So is a seasoned Administrative Officer with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that she will continue to serve the community with professionalism in her new capacity.”

     A brief biographical note of Miss So is set out below:

Miss Linda So Wai-sze
—————————

     Miss So joined the Administrative Service in July 1996 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2024. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Home Affairs Branch, the former Constitutional Affairs Bureau, the former Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Education Bureau and the Chief Executive’s Office. She was Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport of the former Transport and Housing Bureau from July 2016 to September 2017, Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation from September 2017 to November 2022, and has been serving as Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, since December 2022.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Transport Department (TD) today (January 2) announced that auctions of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on January 17 (Saturday) and 18 (Sunday) in Meeting Room N101, L1, New Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
      
     “A total of 223 approved PVRMs will be put up for public sale at each auction. The lists of the marks have been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.
 
     The reserve price of each of these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
 
     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following points:
 
(1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after a successful bidding:
 
(i) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);
(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the purchaser is a body corporate); and
(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for the mark assignment can be completed. Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.
 
(2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted.
 
(3) A PVRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
 
(4) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations.
 
(5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed.
 
(6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for reallocation by the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
 
     “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.
 
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRMs, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     ​The Department of Health (DH) today (January 2) urged members of the public to support Cervical Cancer Awareness Month by adopting healthy lifestyles and taking effective precautionary measures against cervical cancer, including receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and undergoing regular cervical screening.

     “The Government attaches great importance to cancer prevention and control. We have consistently pursued the goal of ‘early prevention, early detection and early treatment’ through vaccination. The Cervical Screening Programme has been launched since 2004. HPV vaccination has been included under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP) since 2019, and a high vaccination rate of about 90 per cent has been maintained in recent years. This significantly lowers the risk of cervical cancer in Hong Kong females. The DH also launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme in December 2024, with over 48 000 doses administered so far. The Government will further expand cervical screening services to encourage more women to undergo screening and safeguard their health,” said Dr Edwin Tsui, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.

     The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) designated January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and motivate actions against cervical cancer, with the goal of eliminating this public health concern within the next century.

     In Hong Kong, cervical cancer was the seventh most common female cancer in 2023 and the ninth leading cause of cancer deaths among females. As most cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV, women are recommended to receive HPV vaccination before having sexual relations, undergo regular cervical screenings and practise safe sex (such as using condoms and avoiding multiple sexual partners) to prevent HPV infection. In addition, smoking should be avoided as it can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
 
HPV vaccination
——————–

     “HPV vaccination is among the most effective measures for cervical cancer prevention, especially for those who have never been exposed to HPV infection, i.e. before their first sexual encounter. Since the 2019/20 school year, the DH has been providing free HPV vaccinations to eligible Primary 5 schoolgirls under the HKCIP. The DH’s School Immunisation Teams provide the first dose of vaccine to Primary 5 female students at their schools, and the second dose will be given to them when they reach Primary 6 during the following school year. The second dose coverage rates of HPV vaccination for Primary 6 girls in the school year 2024/25 has reached 92 per cent,” Dr Tsui said.

     In December 2024, the DH launched a one-off HPV Vaccination Catch-up Programme, offering free catch-up vaccinations to female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination. Eligible persons only need to register with eHealth, and can schedule an appointment through the website or by calling 2855 1333 to receive a free HPV vaccination at Women Wellness Satellites (WWSs) or designated District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses (DHCEs) under the Primary Healthcare Commission of the Health Bureau. The programme is to last for about two years. Details can be found on the DH’s website.
 
Cervical screening
———————-

     Infection with HPV or early stages of cervical cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms. Therefore, women aged 25 to 64 who have had sexual experience should undergo regular cervical screenings. Members of the public can access information about cervical screenings via the DH website. The DH also regularly sends reminders to eligible women via the Cervical Screening Information System and the eHealth mobile app to schedule their screenings.

     Cervical screening services are available at Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) of the DH, WWSs, as well as through non-governmental organisations and private healthcare providers. Common screening methods include HPV testing and/or a cytology examination (also called a cervical smear or pap smear) performed by healthcare professionals. The WHO has also recommended vaginal self-sampling for HPV testing as another reliable method for cervical screening. Starting in 2024, the DH initiated HPV testing of self-collected samples at 11 MCHCs to study the feasibility and acceptability of vaginal HPV self-sampling locally. Moreover, HPV testing of self-collected samples is planned to be rolled out in WWSs in the first quarter of 2026. Details will be announced later on the WWS’s website.

     It is important to note that there is currently insufficient scientific evidence in Hong Kong or internationally to support the use of self-collected menstrual blood or urine samples for cervical screenings. The DH will continue to review the latest scientific evidence. 

     Women who wish to receive a cervical screening at MCHCs can schedule an appointment through the 24-hour hotline at 3166 6631, or contact WWSs via its website or 18 DHCs/DHCEs (website) for personalised primary healthcare services for women including cervical cancer screening. For further information on cervical cancer and screenings, please visit the DH’s website.
 
Life course preventive care plan
————————————–
 
     At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the life course preventive care plan. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages with reference to the latest evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals will collaborate to provide health advice and education on chronic diseases and cancer screening as well as healthy lifestyles according to age, sex and personal factors such as family history. The WWSs offer personalised primary healthcare services for women, including health assessments, individual consultations, cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, etc and will refer cases to family doctors for follow-ups when necessary.