MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Lightshadow”, “Twilight”, “Contribute”, “Rally”, “Puncture”, a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department codenamed “Flabbergast”, and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” from September 18 to yesterday (September 24). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, construction sites and warehouses, etc. Twelve suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and three women, aged 33 to 60. Among them, two men and one woman were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment. A man aged 38 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
 
     An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.” 
 
     The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years.”
 
     The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
 
     According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
 
     Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
 
     For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the “Online Reporting of Immigration Offences” form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

The Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Professor James Tang, led a delegation to the United Kingdom (UK), Austria and Switzerland from September 7 (Glasgow time) to 19 (Zurich time) to proactively promote “Study in Hong Kong” as well as Hong Kong’s post-secondary education internationally with a view to driving the city to develop into an international hub for post-secondary education.

Along with the delegation from all eight UGC-funded universities under the aegis of the Heads of Universities Committee’s Standing Committee on Internationalisation (HUCOMSCI), Professor Tang attended the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference and Exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland. With funding support from the UGC, the HUCOMSCI set up a Hong Kong Pavilion and hosted a dinner reception for around 200 representatives of over 130 partner institutions from 32 countries to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. The event provided an opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s international and diverse higher education environment and vibrant exchanges and collaborations with partners around the world.

Speaking at a dedicated session during the EAIE Conference and Exhibition, Professor Tang highlighted that Hong Kong, with its outstanding academic achievements, broad international outlook and innovative research capabilities, as well as the city’s vibrant and liveable environment, is a most attractive destination for outstanding students and top-tier scholars from around the world to pursue their aspirations there. He also shared the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s vision for the future of Hong Kong’s higher education through the promotion of innovative education technology, the implementation of measures to attract and nurture talent, and the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

Professor Tang said, “The land area and projected population of the Northern Metropolis will account for about one-third of Hong Kong’s total. The development of the NMUT is the Government’s flagship initiative in consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international education hub and fostering the integrated development of education, technology and talent in support of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The UGC fully supports Hong Kong’s institutions in leveraging the NMUT as a strategic focal point to expand capacity and enhance quality, and warmly welcomes the international academic community to join hands with Hong Kong universities to take part in these ambitious developments at the NMUT.” During the conference, Professor Tang attended bilateral meetings with representatives from 20 organisations of over 10 countries and regions to exchange views on the latest developments in the higher education sector globally and explore the potential for closer collaboration with institutions from around the world.

Professor Tang then continued his visit, meeting with senior management and leading scholars from prominent higher education and research funding institutions in the UK, Austria and Switzerland to exchange views on the latest development trends in higher education and research. He underscored the worldwide recognition of the remarkable research achievements of Hong Kong’s higher education sector and highlighted the support provided by the Research Grants Council under the UGC for world-class and cutting-edge research projects through various funding schemes and working in collaboration with domestic and foreign research funding agencies both nationally and internationally.

The UGC welcomes the announcement of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address which have set out a clear direction for the Government’s dedication to fostering high-quality development, nurturing talent, advancing research and innovation, and strengthening Hong Kong’s distinctive strengths as an international hub for post-secondary education and high-calibre talent. By harnessing the development opportunities of the NMUT, the UGC will continue to work hand in hand with the eight UGC-funded universities, steadfastly cultivating talent, advancing research excellence, enhancing knowledge transfer, and deepening international engagement and cross‑sector collaboration.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     In anticipation of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays on the Golden Week of the Chinese Mainland, the Department of Health (DH) today (September 25) announced that it has stepped up inspections of Authorized Sellers of Poisons (ASPs), commonly known as pharmacies, and Listed Sellers of Poisons (LSPs), commonly known as medicine companies, focusing on tourist areas to monitor their compliance with relevant laws and codes of practice. These inspections form part of the DH’s routine year-round enforcement efforts. In the first half of 2026, around 5 800 such inspections were conducted. In response to the increased visitor numbers and business activities during the Mainland’s Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, the DH will step up inspections to crack down on any violations to protect public health.
 
Stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal use of pharmacy logo
————————————————————————-
     To address the illegal use of pharmacy logos and titles by shops, the DH reminded the public, including tourists, that they can refer to the attached pharmacy logo (see Annex 1) to verify whether a shop is a registered pharmacy when purchasing medicines in Hong Kong.
 
     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), only LSPs can conduct the retail business of selling poisons listed in Part 2 of the Poisons List and sell only common drugs, such as cold and flu medicines. Such vendors do not have a registered duty pharmacist in the shop and cannot use the abovementioned pharmacy logo or title. Displaying a pharmacy logo in the prescribed form, or a logo resembling the prescribed form, at a premises other than a registered pharmacy, or using the Chinese term “藥房” or terms such as “pharmacy”, “dispensary” or “drug-store” in connection with any business engaged in the retail sale of poisons, constitutes an offence. Furthermore, illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons, or illegal sale of Part 2 poisons, is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
 
     Over the past 12 months (between September 2025 and to August 2026), 10 limited companies, two company directors and two retail proprietors, none of which were operating unregistered pharmacies, were convicted of displaying logos on their premises that resembled the pharmacy logo in the prescribed form. They were fined amounts ranging from $800 to $32,000. During the same period, 23 limited companies and 11 individuals were convicted of illegal sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. They were fined amounts ranging from $500 to $12,000 and sentenced to imprisonment ranging from one to two months.
 
The DH reminded the public that illegal sale of medicines controlled under the Ordinance, regardless of the sales channel, including online sales platforms, instant messaging applications or social media, incurs criminal liability. Members of the public should not risk breaking the law.
 
Points to note when purchasing medicines
———————————————–
  The DH reminded members of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products carry a Hong Kong registration number on their packaging. Registered pharmaceutical products are labelled with a number in the format of “HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed. Members of the public should not self-purchase, or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources, as this poses health risks. Besides the lack of a doctor’s assessment of an individual’s health condition, it is difficult to ascertain the legitimate source of the drugs. It is also impossible to know whether the drugs were properly stored during transportation (especially for drugs requiring cold-chain storage). This leaves their safety, quality and efficacy unguaranteed.

To help the public identify registered pharmacies, the DH has formulated a label (Annex 2) for identification of ASPs. The labels have been sent to each registered pharmacy for display at a conspicuous place on their premises. Members of the public and tourists can also download the eHealth app from the website (app.ehealth.gov.hk) and use the “Licence Scanner” on its homepage to scan the QR code displayed at the pharmacy. For registered pharmacies, the message “This is a QR Code issued for licensed pharmacy” will be shown, alongside details of that particular registered pharmacy.
 
     Members of the public can also visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for names and addresses of all licensees including ASPs.
 
     In addition, to help Mainland visitors distinguish between pharmacies in Hong Kong, the DH has provided relevant information on its social media and official WeChat account regarding important points to note when purchasing medicines in Hong Kong. The DH has also distributed relevant information including “three Steps to Buying Medicine Wisely” to relevant tourism authorities which include the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to strengthen public awareness.
 
     For more information on the safety of buying and safe use of medicines, please visit the website of the DH’s Drug Office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

     Pursuant to the Government’s initiative to bolster STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education at the primary and secondary school levels, as well as to step up efforts in identifying and nurturing local STEAM talent, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of public lectures from October to November 2026. Various topics including cultural preservation with AI, online pricing, children education, artificial intelligence (AI), and universe exploration, etc, will be covered. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.
 
The first lecture titled “Digital Society: Cultural Preservation and Online Pricing” will be held on October 4 (Sunday). The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:

Time: 3pm to 5pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Live broadcast: YouTube channel of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (www.youtube.com/channel/UCJUipdvSACZjO1ldoO3YQBA)
 
Session 1: “Preserving Endangered Culture with AI”
———————————————————————————————–
Can AI help us read old books and archives? This lecture, presented by Assistant Professor in the Division of Humanities at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor Michael Chung, will introduce a project that uses AI to recognise Manchu, an important language of Qing dynasty history that few people can read today. Through this example, the talk explains how AI can help preserve endangered scripts, make rare historical materials more accessible to the academia and the public, and bring the past closer to the public.
 
Session 2: “Online Prices”
———————————————————————————————–
This lecture, presented by Assistant Professor in the Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Justin Leung, will share the analysis of an extensive set of high-frequency data from a major online shopping website in Hong Kong in order to understand how sellers set prices across a broad range of products. This lecture will discuss how sellers react to short-term, intra-week fluctuations in demand, and their response to the launch of consumption voucher initiatives, etc.

The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge from Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions and raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.
 
For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). Additionally, members of the public can register for the RGC’s email subscription service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe to receive regular updates.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region