Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Brussels ETO supports Hong Kong artist in presenting art installation at Visualia Festival of Light in Pula, Croatia
He concluded by inviting the audience to take part in the annual festival, Art March Hong Kong, which brings together the global art community, including leading art fairs, galleries, museums, cultural institutions, collectors and creative practitioners from around the world, with events taking place across the city every March.Issued at HKT 20:40
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SLW attends 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, attended the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM) in Nanjing today (September 21), during which he delivered speeches at the meeting.
The HRDMM has adopted the theme “Modernizing Human Resources Development for A Stronger Asia-Pacific Community”, which echoes the theme of this year’s APEC China “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”. Addressing the morning session, themed “Promoting High-quality and Full Employment and Employment-Friendly Economic Development”, Mr Sun stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) is paying close attention to the employment situation of young people amidst the wave of AI. The Government is planning a multipronged strategy and formulating appropriate measures to assist more young people in securing on-the-job training opportunities and work experience. He mentioned that the 30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme announced by the Chief Executive in the 2026 Policy Address, aims at encouraging employers to provide more opportunities suitable for young people entering the workforce and to facilitate young people’s access to employment information and support services.
Speaking during the first session of the afternoon meeting, themed “Investing in People and Enhancing Vocational Skills Training”, Mr Sun said to address the challenges of an ageing population and AI transformation in Hong Kong society, the HKSARG will continue to invest resources in education and skills upgrading. One of the measures is the upgrading of the Employees Retraining Board to the Upskill Hong Kong, which comprises plans to launch in the first half of 2027 an 18-month AI upskilling campaign, including a free online training course for all with a focus on the workplace application of AI.
The HKSARG will continue to promote lifelong learning and skills enhancement for all, providing various types of skill-based training courses, including AI applications, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the local workforce and support Hong Kong’s economic development.
The theme of the second session was “Strengthening and Optimising Social Security Systems for Efficiency, Adaptability and Accountability”. Mr Sun briefed the participants regarding the social security system for the elderly introduced by the HKSARG. He mentioned that the Government encouraged active ageing and lifelong education, thereby providing opportunities for the elderly by engaging them in the community. The Government’s view is that by shifting from welfare to empowerment, Hong Kong could seek to turn the challenge of longevity into shared opportunities.
Following the meeting, Mr Sun met with the Director-General of Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Jiangsu Province, Mr Zhu Congming, in the evening to exchange views on promoting talent exchanges and co-operation in human resources services between the two places. The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan, also joined the visit.
Upon his arrival in Nanjing on the evening of September 19, Mr Sun attended the opening ceremony of the International (Jiangsu) Conference on the Development of Human Resources Services yesterday morning (September 20). In his address at the ceremony, he said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan elevates AI to a strategic level, clearly calling for the comprehensive implementation of the “AI+” initiative to empower all industries in every aspect through AI. The HKSARG has just unveiled Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, formally designating AI as a core strategic industry for driving Hong Kong’s transformation, aligning with the national development strategy and establishing Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. The HKSARG will enrich the Talent List to include more talent categories relating to AI applications, with a view to specifically attracting high-calibre AI technology and industry professionals from both home and abroad.
In the afternoon, Mr Sun also attended a talent entrepreneurship seminar organised by the HKTE in Nanjing, where he met and exchanged views with representatives of local enterprises and individuals interested in moving to Hong Kong. In his speech, Mr Sun highlighted the latest results of Hong Kong’s various talent admission schemes and encouraged entrepreneurs in Nanjing and other Mainland cities to make good use of Hong Kong’s strengths as an international platform for finance, professional services, and innovation and technology to bring innovative ideas, competitive industries and mature business models to Hong Kong and share the opportunities arising from the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Sun will travel to Shanghai tomorrow (September 22) to continue his visit.
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigars
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigars
Customs officers intercepted two Spanish female passengers, one 31 years old and the other 28 years old, arriving in Hong Kong from Cuba via Panama and the Netherlands, at Hong Kong International Airport on September 18 and seized about 55 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars, with an estimated market value of about $3.9 million and a duty potential of about $230,000 from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigars are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigars commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:55
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SCST congratulates Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Ian Ho, Cade Cameron Wright, Oscar Louis Coggins, Bailee Briana Brown, Robin Bent Edvin Thomas Elg, Wong Cheuk-lee and Howard Hung on winning medals in Asian Games
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SCST congratulates Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Ian Ho, Cade Cameron Wright, Oscar Louis Coggins, Bailee Briana Brown, Robin Bent Edvin Thomas Elg, Wong Cheuk-lee and Howard Hung on winning medals in Asian Games—————
Swimming: Women’s 200m Freestyle
Siobhan Bernadette HaugheyLydia Sham—————
Swimming: Men’s 50m Freestyle
Ian Ho—————
Triathlon: Mixed Relay
Oscar Louis Coggins, Cade Cameron Wright, Bailee Briana Brown, Robin Bent Edvin Thomas Elg Wong Cheuk-leeHoward Hung
Issued at HKT 21:40
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HKSAR Government welcomes the establishment of Accession Working Group under Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government welcomes the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to approve the establishment of an Accession Working Group (AWG) today (September 21) to commence the accession process for respective applicant economies including Hong Kong.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said, “The decision concerned is a pivotal step forward in enlarging the membership of RCEP. Hong Kong will actively cooperate and take part in the work of the AWG, including the relevant accession negotiations with RCEP members, with a view to completing all the required procedures as soon as possible”.
He reiterated Hong Kong’s full readiness for early accession to RCEP, leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths to contribute significantly to both RCEP and the promotion of regional economic integration. At the same time, Hong Kong’s accession will help consolidate and enhance its status as an international trade centre, generating synergies and creating a win-win outcome.
Mr Yau thanked in particular the Central People’s Government, including the Ministry of Commerce, for their strong and enduring support of Hong Kong’s early accession. He also expressed appreciation to RCEP members, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in support of the establishment of the AWG. During his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou in May 2026 and his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August 2026, Mr Yau met many of the Ministers respectively to solicit support for Hong Kong.
The HKSAR Government will continue to work closely with the RCEP Support Unit and maintain close liaison with all stakeholders of RCEP members to foster favourable conditions for early accession of Hong Kong to RCEP.
The other applicant economies being admitted to the AWG are Bangladesh, Chile and Sri Lanka.
RCEP is the world’s largest free trade agreement. Its fifteen member economies include the Chinese Mainland, the ten member states of the ASEAN (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam), Australia, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand. RCEP entered into force on January 1, 2022. The HKSAR Government submitted Hong Kong’s accession request within the same month, being the first among the applicant economies.
Ready-to-eat raw oyster sample detected with excessive E. coli
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Ready-to-eat raw oyster sample detected with excessive E. coliBrand name: American Pearl
Place of origin: US
Importer: Caves Asia Company Limited
Date of harvesting: September 14, 2026
“The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample at the import level for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the most probable number of E. coli in the sample was at a level of 790 per 100 grams. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if the most probable number of E. coli in live or raw bivalve molluscs intended for direct consumption exceeds the level of 700 per 100g, the sample is considered unsatisfactory,” a spokesman for the CFS said.Issued at HKT 20:00
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CHP investigates probable case of botulism
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP investigates probable case of botulism
Epidemiological investigations are still ongoing.
In Hong Kong, botulinum toxin injections should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should verify the doctor’s full name against the list of registered doctors
Due to weakening of associated muscles and the fact that botulinum toxin may spread and affect other areas beyond the injection site, affected patients may experience drooping eyelids, double or blurred vision, problems with chewing, hoarseness, or even difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing, which may happen hours, days or weeks after the injection. The public may visit the DH’s webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty servicesIssued at HKT 19:45
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Siobhan Haughey grabs HK’s 2nd gold
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law today congratulated swimmer Siobhan Haughey on winning another gold medal for the Hong Kong, China Delegation in the Women’s 200m Freestyle at the 20th Asian Games.
“Siobhan has demonstrated extraordinary strength, successfully defending her title and bringing glory to Hong Kong, making all Hong Kong citizens thrilled,” Miss Law said.
She also congratulated other athletes who won medals in various events today.
Noting that swimmer Ian Ho won a silver medal in Men’s 50m Freestyle, Miss Law said he showed tremendous fighting spirit.
Triathletes Cade Wright, Oscar Coggins, Bailee Brown and Robin Elg won a bronze medal in the mixed relay, marking the third consecutive medal for the delegation in this event at the Asian Games.
Miss Law noted that this was an encouraging result.
Additionally, karatekas Wong Cheuk-lee and Howard Hung both won bronze medals in the Women’s Kumite -68kg and the Men’s Individual Kata respectively.
Miss Law commended both of them for delivering outstanding performances and playing to their full potential.
The delegation won six medals today, including one by Wushu athlete Lydia Sham who bagged the first gold in Women’s Changquan.
RCEP working group hailed
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)’s approval today of the establishment of an Accession Working Group (AWG) to start the accession process for respective applicant economies including Hong Kong.
Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said today that the decision is a pivotal step forward in enlarging the membership of RCEP.
He added that Hong Kong will actively co-operate and take part in the AWG’s work, including the relevant accession negotiations with RCEP members, with a view to completing all the required procedures as soon as possible.
Mr Yau thanked in particular the Central People’s Government, including the Ministry of Commerce, for their strong and enduring support for Hong Kong’s early accession.
He also expressed appreciation to RCEP members, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for their support of the AWG’s establishment.
Mr Yau said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to work closely with the RCEP Support Unit, and maintain close liaison with all stakeholders of RCEP members to foster favourable conditions for Hong Kong’s early accession to RCEP.
The other applicant economies admitted to the AWG are Bangladesh, Chile and Sri Lanka.
Youth teams received by state leader
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The “‘Salute to the National Flag’ Hong Kong & Macau Youth Flag-Raising Teams’ Beijing Visit Delegation”, led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, was received today by Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang at the Great Hall of the People.
Mr Chan expressed deep gratitude to Mr Ding for personally guiding the Hong Kong and Macau youths, and even more so to the nation for providing this valuable opportunity for students to take part in the solemn flag‑raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square and experience the historical culture and development achievements of the capital.
The Chief Secretary said this was a rare and profound patriotic education experience. During the solemn flag‑raising ceremony, students felt the dignity of the national flag and anthem up close, deepening their understanding of the symbolic meaning of the flag, as well as the national situation and development.
Through a rich itinerary of visits, the students also gained a genuine appreciation of the challenges and accomplishments of the nation’s journey from history to rejuvenation, further strengthening their national identity, their sense of national pride, affection for and sense of belonging to it.
Mr Chan emphasised that the trip was of great significance for promoting patriotic education in Hong Kong’s primary and secondary schools.
In addition to textbook learning, he explained, bringing students to the sites of national history and culture allows them to experience emotions firsthand and deepen their understanding through real stories, which greatly contributes to patriotic education.
Mr Chan said the delegation’s itinerary organically integrated national flag education, history education, cultural education and national development education, making patriotism more concrete, vivid and powerful in the hearts of students, guiding them to consciously safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and aspiring to become a new generation that loves the country and Hong Kong, and is willing to take responsibility.