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Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Security Bureau’s Narcotics Division has written to schools to confirm the inclusion of etomidate in voluntary drug testing under the Healthy School Programme in the 2025-26 school year.

The Narcotics Division today met non-governmental organisations that administer the drug tests to work out details of etomidate testing under the programme.

Procedures for etomidate testing will follow that of other drugs, under which participating schools can opt for rapid urine tests or hair tests, and testing will only be conducted after receiving a student’s consent.

Personal data collected during voluntary testing are protected under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. The testing procedures and implementation details are contained in the updated “Reference Protocol for the School Drug Testing Scheme“.

The Healthy School Programme, supported by the Beat Drugs Fund, comprises diversified personal growth activities and voluntary school drug testing for students to enhance their resolve to stay away from drugs and encourage those in need to seek help.

More than half of Hong Kong’s secondary schools take part in the programme. Apart from etomidate, voluntary school testing covers drugs including ketamine, ecstasy, methylamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine.

Comprehensive support is incorporated into the programme, including counselling, treatment, rehabilitation and referral services to handle and follow up on relevant cases.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) yesterday, on the occasion of 90 days before the 15th National Games (NG), reported to Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong on the preparatory work for the information technology (IT) infrastructure of the Hong Kong competition region for the 15th NG, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games.

 

With the goal of achieving “zero cybersecurity risk and zero interruption to the operation of events”, the DPO stressed that it will fully support the secure and stable operation of the relevant information systems, ensuring the smooth operation of the games.

 

It also emphasised that it has been providing IT support to the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) in planning and building the core IT systems and network infrastructure.

 

Starting from August, the DPO will launch multiple rounds of joint system testing and live exercises with its Guangdong and Macau counterparts to ensure seamless system connectivity, smooth network operation and steady data flow across the three places.

 

Additionally, it will enhance cross-boundary co-ordination and emergency response capabilities in system operations and cybersecurity.

 

After Prof Sun was briefed on the progress in system development, cybersecurity protection and contingency exercises during a meeting with the DPO, he pointed out that the application of innovation and technology is key to raising the operational standards of large-scale sports events in the face of increasingly severe cybersecurity challenges.

 

Moreover, he encouraged the team to press ahead with the goal, in particular refining various contingency plans, to provide stable, efficient and secure technical support to the games.

 

Commissioner for Digital Policy Tony Wong said that drawing on the experiences of the Asian Games and the Asian Winter Games, the IT infrastructure adopts the principle of “respond instantly, recover rapidly” and combines multi-layered cybersecurity protection and monitoring with a comprehensive contingency plan to ensure zero interruption to the games.

 

The development of the relevant IT systems was completed in June, and work including high-intensity stress tests, security tests, red team exercises and emergency response drills is underway to ensure the safe and smooth operation of the systems, he added.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today arrived in Auckland, where he met representatives of the business sector, including the wine trade, as he continued a visit to New Zealand. 

At a lunch meeting with representatives of the industry body New Zealand Winegrowers, Mr Yau learnt about developments in the local wine industry, and discussed ways of enhancing collaboration between Hong Kong and New Zealand with regard to wine and liquor.

He briefed the representatives on Hong Kong’s advantages as a wine and liquor trading hub, and its recent reduction of liquor duty to encourage the trade and auctions of high-end liquor.

The commerce chief said that thanks to Hong Kong’s strategic location and unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, the city is the best two-way platform for New Zealand’s wine and liquor trade to tap into the fast-growing Mainland and wider Asian markets.

In the afternoon, Mr Yau met representatives of the New Zealand China Council and the Auckland Business Chamber respectively. He updated them on developments in Hong Kong, including the Northern Metropolis development, and initiatives to attract enterprises and investment around the globe.

The two sides also exchanged views on forging greater business co-operation between Hong Kong and New Zealand, and using Hong Kong as a gateway to explore the vast Greater Bay Area market.

In the evening, Mr Yau attended a Hong Kong Dinner co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade office, Sydney and the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association.

Speaking at the dinner, Mr Yau said the synergy between Hong Kong’s service-oriented economy and New Zealand’s world-renowned expertise in food and agriculture presents opportunities that go far beyond simple imports and exports, and that the two-way relationship will continue to evolve and thrive.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, led a delegation to Singapore to commence their visit today (August 12). He met with the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Cao Zhongming, and engaged in discussions with the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS).

During the meeting with Mr Cao, Professor Lo introduced him to the latest healthcare developments in Hong Kong. Professor Lo said, “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is pressing ahead with the healthcare reform and incorporating the concept of co-ordinated development of healthcare services, healthcare protection and drugs into the reform framework to tie in with the national healthcare reform direction.

     “On healthcare services, we are committed to advancing the primary healthcare development, as well as reforming the governance and structure of the Hospital Authority (HA) to enhance the quality and efficiency of public healthcare services. On drugs, we have put forward the vision of moving towards ‘primary evaluation’ through reforming the approval and registration mechanism for drugs and medical devices. To this end, we have implemented the ‘1+’ mechanism for approval of new drugs and enhanced the arrangements for introduction and procurement of drugs and medical devices for public healthcare. As for healthcare protection, the Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform jointly announced by the Health Bureau and the HA in March this year will not only restructure the subsidisation levels for various services in a precise manner but will also enhance healthcare protection, thereby providing Hong Kong citizens with a larger, more stable, thicker and denser public healthcare safety net.”

The delegation then met with the CRIS. Professor Lo said, “The Chief Executive announced relevant strategies to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub in his 2023 and 2024 Policy Addresses. The HKSAR Government will leverage the advantages of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and jointly establish a one-stop clinical trial collaboration platform through the synergistic collaboration between the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute located in the Hong Kong Park and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center located in the Shenzhen Park. Furthermore, the HKSAR Government will establish the Real-World Study and Application Centre by the end of this year to provide real-world data support for the approval of drugs and medical devices. The Government will also establish the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of 2026 and implement ‘primary evaluation’ for new drug registration in phases beginning next year.”

Members of the delegation include the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, and Deputy Secretary for Health Ms Elaine Mak. They will continue their visit to Singapore tomorrow.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today concluded his trip to Chengdu which covered a visit to a university, a youth programme dinner and meeting welfare officials.

Mr Sun began his visit yesterday at Sichuan University to meet its Vice President Prof Zhao Changsheng to exchange views on deepening talent co-operation.

The labour and welfare chief stated that the Government is actively building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.

Since Sichuan University was included in the aggregate list of eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme last November, over 800 graduates from the university have been approved to come to Hong Kong under the scheme.

Mr Sun welcomed Mainland youths to pursue career development in Hong Kong through suitable talent admission schemes.

In the evening, he attended the welcome dinner of the Sichuan Study & Exchange Tour under the Strive & Rise Programme to show support for the participating mentees.

Apart from expressing gratitude to the Sichuan Provincial Government for the full support of the visit, Mr Sun thanked the co-organiser and sponsor for their support which included funding for the implementation of the third cohort of the programme and the Sichuan Study & Exchange Tour, and arranging for staff to participate as mentors, which broadened the mentees’ horizons, enriched their knowledge, and boosted their confidence.

At the dinner, Mr Sun also engaged in dialogues with mentees, where they shared their insights on life and work. 

He also listened to the sharing of mentees on their experiences and insights gained during their engagement in the programme.

They were encouraged to fully embrace the exchange opportunity and to draw knowledge across various fields within Sichuan’s culture, technology and history.

Mr Sun assured them that such experiences would serve as a valuable asset in their future growth, thereby strengthening their sense of identity and pride towards the motherland.

This morning, he first called on Deputy Director General of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Civil Affairs Li Lian to exchange views on policies covering social welfare, child protection and elderly care services, to establish a foundation for interaction.

Mr Sun later called on Director-General of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Human Resources & Social Security Liu Huiying, and held discussions covering labour, talent and social security policies between the two places to explore further collaboration opportunities.

He will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In response to Taiwan transition into a super-aged society, the Department of Industrial Technology under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) set up a pavilion for age-friendly technology at the second “Healthy Ageing Tech Show,” where the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), and Food Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) jointly presented 25 innovations to meet the needs of the elderly, covering oral care, smart meals, wearable devices, and physiological sensors, providing comprehensive care solutions tailored for actual needs in everyday life.

Director Chao-Chung Kuo of the Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) emphasized that the exhibition is not just about scientific and technological achievements, but also systematic solutions for the problems elderly people encounter in everyday life. The integration of corporate resources and industry chain matching brings technology from the laboratory into the community and households to realize healthy aging, responding to the core needs of the elderly to “eat well, stay warm, and sleep soundly.”

Having a Good Appetite and Being Able to Swallow-Thoughtful Care from Mouth to Table

The MIRDC has developed an “intelligent solution for oral care and swallowing empowerment” that combines AI and contactless detection to provide dental plaque detection, cleaning guidance, swallowing training, and game-based rehabilitation to increase willingness for self-care. The solution has been transferred to Formosa Heavy Industries and Formosa Biomedical Technology, and combined the resources of Colgate and BSSOTA Information for application in long-term care institutions, winning the 2025 “Top Ten Age-Friendly Technologies Award.”

The FIRDI launched “Easy-to-Chew, Easy-to-Swallow Age-Friendly Meals,” which use a patented process to soften meat, mushrooms, and other ingredients, preserving their original appearance while improving palatability. Combined with commercial sterilization and quality monitoring technology, they can be stored at room temperature and eaten immediately after opening. The technology has been transferred to Chi Mei Frozen Food and the products are already available in the market.

Staying Warm Without Overheating – Functional Winter Textiles

The TTRI developed the “knitted stretchable heated vest,” which is a lightweight stretchable vest that allows the wearer to control the temperature. It is easy to put on and take off, and provides warmth without restricting movement. The technology has been transferred to Pailung Machinery Mill to establish a high-end woven fabric production line. It is manufactured by Juno Sweater and distributed by Chieftex.

Sleeping Soundly with Nighttime Protection – Contactless Smart Sleep Monitoring

The ITRI developed the “iSleePad Smart Sleeping Pad,” which features built-in contactless radar sensors that can instantly detect heartbeat, breathing, and leaving the bed, issuing alerts when abnormalities occur to protect users throughout the night. YunTai Innovation Technology is currently working with distributors, has completed trial production and verification, and will expand into the home and long-term care markets.

In addition to the technologies above, the pavilion also displays innovative technologies, such as hearing aids, assistive devices for rehabilitation, oral care equipment, and cognitive training tools, showing that technology can also be a thoughtful tool for understanding and keeping the elderly company, helping them to take care of themselves, and improve their quality of life and sense of interaction with others.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region