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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ2: Capacity Building Mileage Programme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong and a reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):

    Question:

    There are views that the Government should optimise the Capacity Building Mileage Programme (CBMP) to enhance women’s personal development skills and competitiveness. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the numbers of persons enrolling in CBMP courses and the amounts of bursary approved in each of the past three years, together with a breakdown by the five learning domains (i.e. Personal Development, Health and Care, Applied Science and Technology, Wisdom of Life, and Arts and Culture);

    (2) as it was stated at the meeting of the Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports of this Council on May 28 last year that the Women’s Commission would explore and study how to keep CBMP abreast of the times and benefit more women, of the concrete progress and proposed direction of the relevant work at present; and

    (3) whether it will consider exploring with the organisers of CBMP courses to refine the curriculum by incorporating more knowledge in areas such as e-commerce, community services, and public relations, and consolidating related courses for inclusion into the Qualifications Register, as well as providing more flexible funding arrangements, with a view to elevating women’s workplace skills and overall competitiveness; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    The Capacity Building Mileage Programme (CBMP) was launched by the Women’s Commission (WoC) in 2004 with the aim of encouraging women of different backgrounds and education levels to pursue self-development and lifelong learning by offering courses under different domains.

    My consolidated reply, in consultation with the Education Bureau, to the question raised by Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong is as follows:

    (1) In the past three programme years (i.e. 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24), the number of participants of the CBMP were approximately 4 000, 5 000, and 6 000 respectively. The amounts of bursary approved in each of the three programme years were approximately $120,000, $140,000 and $260,000 respectively. Detailed figures are at Annex.

    Regarding the five learning domains, since participants could enrol in more than one course within the same programme year, we are unable to provide the number of participants and the approved bursary amounts for each learning domain. In this regard, the breakdown of enrolment by the five learning domains of CBMP (i.e., Personal Development, Health and Care, Applied Science and Technology, Wisdom of Life and Arts and Culture) over the past 3 programme years are at Annex.

    (2) & (3) The Government attaches great importance to women’s contribution to the community and the work of supporting women. Through various initiatives, we aim to empower women and help them to excel in different arenas, including the workplace.

    At its inception, the CBMP was designed, in respond to the societal learning and employment landscape at that time, to enable women to enhance their personal capabilities by enroling in various types of courses during their spare time. The CBMP has been implemented for over 20 years and several developments have emerged across society, economy, workplace, education, technology, etc, such as artificial intelligence and mobile payments. As such, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the WoC launched the Women Empowerment Fund (WEF) in June 2023. With an annual funding of $20 million, WEF subsidises women’s groups and non-governmental organisations for implementing projects that promote women’s development. To date, the WEF approved over 280 projects, involving over $43 million in funding and engaging more than 170 organisations. Apart from courses, projects funded under WEF also include workshops, placement opportunities and community serving projects. This allows the funded organisations to flexibly utilise the funding and implement suitable activities based on social needs for women from different backgrounds and social strata. Since its establishment, the WEF has also supported projects related to workplace skills, e-commerce and communication skills. These include, for example, training programmes on job seeking skills for women looking for employment, courses on digital marketing and personal image enhancement. The WEF also runs the Programme on Women’s Participation in Community Services, which encourages women to plan and implement community service projects based on actual societal needs, such as preparing soft meals for the elderly, visiting residential care homes for persons with disabilities, and organising day camps for children with special educational needs, thereby promoting community care and inclusion.

    On the other hand, to promote women’s workplace development, we also launched the “She Inspires” Mentorship Programme this year. Under the programme, local female university students who aspire to pursue a career in the professional or business sectors will be matched with women leader mentors, and provided with relevant training and activities to help young women enhance their workplace skills and prepare them for entering the workforce, thereby improving women’s overall competitiveness in the long term.

    To better utilise government resources in promoting women’s development and training, the HYAB and the WoC are reviewing the future direction of the CBMP and related arrangements. This is to ensure the effective use of the Government’s financial resources and keep up with the times in promoting women’s development in all aspects. During the review, our principle is to maintain the usage of the existing resources while enhancing the synergy between various projects and societal sectors. We will announce the review results in due course.

    Qualifications Framework (QF) is a clear and well-defined seven-level hierarchy that serves to define clear and objective standards applicable to qualifications in the academic, vocational and professional as well as continuing education sectors; assure the quality of qualifications and the associated learning programmes available to learners; and assure relevancy of learning to industry needs. The Qualifications Register (QR) under the QF is a free-of-charge, open, centralised online database of quality assured qualifications recognised under the QF to facilitate the public search of the relevant qualifications. The Government welcomes course providers to register their accredited courses or qualifications on the QR in accordance with the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance (Cap. 592) and related quality assurance mechanism. Currently, there are 17 courses under the CBMP listed at Level 2 of the QF.

    The HYAB will continue to review various measures aimed at women’s development and, through collaboration with different stakeholders, flexibly utilise resources to continue promoting women’s development in all aspects.

    Ends/Wednesday, June 25, 2025
    Issued at HKT 15:00

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Geographical constituency boundaries for 2025 Legislative Council General Election

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Geographical constituency boundaries for 2025 Legislative Council General Election

    The Chief Executive in Council has accepted all the recommendations of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) regarding the boundaries and the names of geographical constituencies (GCs) for the eighth-term Legislative Council (LegCo) general election in 2025.

    A Government spokesman said today (June 25) that the decision of the Chief Executive in Council would be effected by way of the Declaration of Geographical Constituencies (Legislative Council) Order 2025, which will be published in the Gazette on Friday (June 27) and tabled at the LegCo on July 2 for negative vetting.

    The report of the EAC, submitted to the Chief Executive on June 13, was tabled at the LegCo today as required by law.

    The EAC recommended, with the exception to include the Loop in the only contiguous New Territories North (LC7) GC, to maintain the boundaries of the nine remaining GCs, and to retain the existing names and codes of the 10 GCs. The 10 GCs are Hong Kong Island East (LC1), Hong Kong Island West (LC2), Kowloon East (LC3), Kowloon West (LC4), Kowloon Central (LC5), New Territories South East (LC6), New Territories North (LC7), New Territories North West (LC8), New Territories South West (LC9), and New Territories North East (LC10).

    The EAC conducted a public consultation on its provisional recommendations on the GC boundaries from May 2 to 31 this year.

    “Before making its final recommendations, the EAC has given careful consideration to all the representations received. The EAC also examined the content of the representations having regard to the relevant statutory requirements and working principles,” the spokesman said.

    The EAC report is available for public viewing at the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of all District Offices, the Registration and Electoral Office, and major and district public libraries during ordinary business hours starting from today. The content of the report can also be viewed on the EAC’s website (www.eac.hk).

    Ends/Wednesday, June 25, 2025
    Issued at HKT 14:30

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Tackling very hot weather

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Lee Chun-keung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 25): Question: It has been reported that the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) recorded a high temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsius early this month, and according to HKO data, the average annual total number of very hot days observed since 2021 has exceeded 50, the highest figure since records began. Moreover, a study has predicted that extreme heat will occur more frequently in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the number of days on which various temporary night heat shelters (heat shelters) under the Home Affairs Department were open and the average number of occupants per night in the past year; whether the authorities have plans to open more heat shelters to meet public demand for sheltering from heat under very hot weather conditions; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; (2) as there are calls in the community urging the authorities to introduce additional heat relief measures for those living in various forms of inadequate housing, including subdivided units, cage homes and rooftop structures, whether the authorities have considered providing airconditioning subsidies and free cooling facilities (e.g. mist fans) to such households; if so, of the details; if not, 25/06/2025, 11:02 LCQ17: Tackling very hot weather https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202506/25/P2025062500358p.htm 1/4 the reasons for that; (3) whether it will study the use of brand new cooling technologies and renewable energy, drawing on foreign cities’ research experience and practices in cooling, so as to tackle the problem of very hot urban weather; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and (4) given that in the reply to a question from a Member of this Council on June 6, 2018, the Government indicated that it would introduce green design in government buildings, of the details of the introduction of green design in government buildings in the past three years (including whether it has used building materials that enable green cooling and how such designs have mitigated the urban heat island effect)? Reply: President, In consultation with the Development Bureau and the Home Affairs Department, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Lee Chun-keung is as follows: (1) From June to October 2024, the 19 temporary heat shelters under the Home Affairs Department were opened for 70 days, of which overnight service was provided on 66 nights. The average number of registered users per night across all shelters was 9. Based on the current usage, the existing arrangement of temporary heat shelters is sufficient to meet the demand. The Home Affairs Department will continue to monitor the service provision. (2) According to the Scheme of Control Agreements, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) and the Hongkong Electric Company 25/06/2025, 11:02 LCQ17: Tackling very hot weather https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202506/25/P2025062500358p.htm 2/4 Limited (HEC) (collectively referred to as the power companies) have offered discounts in the electricity bills to low consumption customers and customers in need under their energy saving rebate and concession tariff schemes to encourage energy saving and reduce the tariff expense of the relevant customers. In addition, the two companies have, through programmes under the respective Community Energy Saving Fund and Smart Power Care Fund, been assisting the disadvantaged, including the provision of cash subsidies to eligible grassroots families and household of sub-divided units. For instance, CLP allocated $50 million in 2025 to provide subsidies for the electricity bills of 70 000 grassroots families, while HEC allocated $1.2 million to provide subsidies for 1 200 household of sub-divided units over the same period. CLP also launched the Inverter Air Conditioner Replacement Subsidy Scheme, which involve the allocation of $5 million subsidies for elderly persons, low-income families and persons with disabilities to replace their window-type air conditioners with inverter air conditioner with Grade 1 energy label. It is estimated that around 1 200 families will benefit from the scheme. The Government will continue to encourage the power companies to provide assistance for customers in need having regard to the companies’ operating situations. (3) To promote the application of new cooling technology the Government collaborated with local universities for the trial application of Passive Radiative Cooling Paint (PRCP) to reduce solar heat gain and control temperature increase. PRCP uses nanomaterial technology to reflect incoming solar radiation and emit thermal radiation simultaneously, achieving effective cooling even under direct sunlight. The Government leads by example and 25/06/2025, 11:02 LCQ17: Tackling very hot weather https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202506/25/P2025062500358p.htm 3/4 encourages the private sector to jointly participate in promoting renewable energy. Some of the renewable energy systems could supply electricity required to buildings and, at the same time, provide a shading layer on the rooftop to help reduce the amount of heat absorbed by and released from the rooftop and hence the energy consumption of buildings. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is implementing the Pilot Scheme on Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) (the Pilot Scheme) at its headquarters. The objective is to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of BIPV from various aspects based on relevant data collected under the Pilot Scheme, such as the actual power generation efficiency and reduction in indoor energy consumption, etc. (4) The Government has been leading by example and has implemented a target-based green performance framework for the new and existing government buildings since 2009. We aim to attain a “Gold” rating or above under “BEAM Plus” for new government buildings with a construction floor area of more than 5 000 square metres in order to enhance the environmental objectives and requirements. Over 600 government buildings have already attained BEAM Plus Gold or above rating to date. The Government has also commenced the application of green cooling building materials, for example, the above-mentioned PRCP has been applied to the roof of Hong Kong Coliseum to lower the surface temperature of the roof. The Government will continue to explore new green building materials and innovations to combat extreme heat. Ends/Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Issued at HKT 14:15 NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Central Asia – 24-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Central Asia links the huge Asian continent with Europe. The EU recognises its strategic importance in trade and energy routes, as well as in resources such as gas, oil and minerals (particularly gold, uranium and all types of rare earths). In 2019, the EU updated its Central Asia strategy to focus on resilience (covering areas such as human rights, border security and the environment), prosperity (with a strong emphasis on connectivity) and regional cooperation. The first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, which took place in April 2025, represented a milestone and was an opportunity to upgrade relations to a strategic partnership, deepen trade and focus on energy economic cooperation, investment, high-quality connectivity, digitalisation, sustainable development and security cooperation (including hybrid threats). A EUR 12 billion investment package is planned through the Global Gateway, aimed at improving trade routes. It is a key opportunity for the EU to demonstrate its geopolitical interest in intensifying bilateral engagement and enhancing regional cooperation with Central Asia, to reduce its dependence on China and Russia in the context of global geopolitical changes. The summit also focused on climate action, human rights and strategic resources (including critical raw materials). In the light of the situation in Afghanistan, Central Asia has become crucial for security and stability. The January 2022 riots in Kazakhstan, which ended after the Collective Security Treaty Organization sent Russian-led troops, and the border clashes between Central Asian countries show the risk of instability in a region under Moscow’s influence. This influence in Central Asia is, however, weakening as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the concentration of troops at the front. This shift has created opportunities for Central Asian countries to emerge as more independent regional actors and has opened new avenues for partnership and cooperation with the EU in areas such as energy, raw materials and connectivity. However, Russia remains a key security provider in the region, with military facilities in three of the five Central Asian countries, and it controls two thirds of arms’ imports and supports the region’s governments. For trade and investment, the Chinese influence is growing with its Belt and Road Initiative. In response to the initiative, the EU has increased its engagement and investment in the region with the EU Global Gateway. Taking into account individual Member States’ assistance, the EU has become the largest donor in Central Asia, allocating over EUR 550 million to the Central Asia regional multiannual indicative programme for 2021-2027. The EU and Central Asia have taken important steps through the EU Global Gateway to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, aimed at creating a multimodal, modern and competitive route linking Europe and Central Asia. Parliament continues to highlight the importance of resp[…]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Santech Holdings Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Half of Fiscal Year 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Santech Holdings Ltd. (“Santech” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: STEC) today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2025 ended December 31, 2024.

    Santech is a Cayman Islands holding company operating through its subsidiaries in Hong Kong and United States, primarily focusing on exploring opportunities in consumer technology, consumer healthcare and enterprise technology.

    First Half of Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

    Continuing Operations

    Net revenues

    Total revenues from continuing operations in the six months ended December 31, 2024 decreased to nil from US$17.4 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to Company having completely exited from overseas wealth management and asset management businesses during the reporting period. All remaining revenues from our prior overseas wealth management and asset management businesses during the reporting period have been reclassified under discontinued operations.

    Operating Costs and Expenses

    Cost of compensation and benefits from continuing operations in the six months ended December 31, 2024 decreased to nil from US$13.2 million in the same period of 2023.

    Sales and marketing expenses from continuing operations decreased to nil from US$1.5 million in the same period of 2023.

    All direct costs of revenue from overseas wealth management and asset management during the reporting period have been reclassified under discontinued operations.

    General and administrative expenses from continuing operations in the six months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by 4.3% to US$2.4 million from US$2.5 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to ongoing cost cutting and restructuring.

    Other expenses, net from continuing operations in the six months ended December 31, 2024 were US$0.2 million, primarily due to the losses on early termination of operating lease.

    Discontinued Operations

    Results of discontinued operations are as follows:

               
      Six Months Ended December 31, 2023
    		   Two Months Ended August 31, 2024
      (US$’000)   (US$’000)
           
    Discontinued operations      
           
    Net revenues      
    Wealth management 2,442     11  
    Asset management 1,788     1,170  
    Total net revenues 4,230     1,181  
           
    Operating cost and expenses      
    Compensation and benefits 1,358     602  
    Sales and marketing expenses 315     –  
    General and administrative expenses 656     266  
    Asset impairment loss 2,158     –  
    Total operating cost and expenses 4,487     868  
           
    (Loss)/income from operations (257 )   313  
           
    Other expense, net (4 )   (1 )
           
    Income/(loss) before income tax expense (261 )   312  
    Income tax (expense)/credit (145 )   (29 )
    Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations (406 )   283  
           
    Gain on disposal of subsidiaries from discontinued operations, net –     138  
           
    (Loss)/income for the year from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (406 )   421  
           

    In August 2024, the Company completely exited from its historical businesses in overseas wealth management and asset management and disposed of certain subsidiaries in Hong Kong, namely, Haiyin Insurance (Hong Kong) Co., Limited and Hywin International Insurance Broker Limited for nil consideration, and Haiyin International Asset Management Limited and Hywin Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited for US$0.6 million to a third party. The disposal was completed on August 31, 2024. After the disposals, the Company no longer holds any financial services licenses or houses any personnel licensed to provide financial services in Hong Kong.

    Net revenues

    Total revenues from discontinued operations in the two months ended August 31, 2024 decreased by 72.1% to US$1.2 million from US$4.2 million in the six months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to cessation of operations in wealth management and asset management.

    Operating Costs and Expenses

    Cost of compensation and benefits from discontinued operations in the two months ended August 31, 2024 decreased by 55.7% to US$0.6 million from US$1.4 million, in line with the decreases in transaction value of wealth management and asset management businesses.

    Sales and marketing expenses decreased to nil from US$0.3 million in the six months ended December 31, 2023, due to discontinuation of sales and marketing activities.

    General and administrative expenses from discontinued operations in the two months ended August 31, 2024 decreased by 59.5% to US$0.3 million from US$0.7 million in the six months ended December 31, 2023.

    Asset impairment loss from discontinued operations in the six months ended December 31, 2023 represented impairment losses due to impairment of assets held in the PRC, and impairment of intangible assets including software and licenses due to disruption to our brand and our licensed financial services operations in Hong Kong.

    Loss from disposal of subsidiaries under discontinued operations

      Wealth management business   Asset management business   Total
      (US$’000)   (US$’000)   (US$’000)
               
    Considerations received –     641     641  
    Less: Net assets disposed of (134 )   (369 )   (503 )
               
    (Loss)/gain from disposal of subsidiaries (134 )   272     138  
     
     

    About Santech Holdings Limited
    Santech Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: STEC) is a technology-focused company. The Company historically served a large number of high net-worth clients in China and Hong Kong in wealth management, asset management and health management, and accumulated a large customer base. The Company has since exited or disposed of its historical businesses in financial services, and is actively exploring innovative new opportunities in technology verticals, including and not limited to consumer technologies and enterprise technologies. For more information, please visit https://ir.santechholdings.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “is/are likely to,” “could” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    Investor Contact:
    Santech Holdings Limited
    Email: ir@santechholdings.com

    SANTECH HOLDINGS LTD.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
     
      June 30,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2024
      (US$’000)   (US$’000)
    Assets      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents 15,184     11,233  
    Deposits, prepayments and other current assets 320     72  
    Total current assets 15,504     11,305  
           
    Property and equipment, net 3     4  
    Right-of-use asset 1,235     –  
    Total non-current assets 1,238     4  
           
    Total Assets 16,742     11,309  
           
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ equity      
    Current liabilities:      
    Commission payable 859     –  
    Income tax payable 91     –  
    Due to related parties 11,488     11,062  
    Other payables and accrued liabilities 433     7  
    Lease liability 1,059     –  
    Total current liabilities 13,930     11,069  
           
    Lease liability 250     –  
    Total non-current liabilities 250     –  
           
    Total Liabilities 14,180     11,069  
           
    Shareholders’ Equity:      
    Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 56,000,000* shares (28,000,000 ADS) as of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024, respectively) 6     6  
    Additional paid-in capital 33,256     33,256  
    Accumulated deficit (30,700 )   (33,022 )
    Total shareholders’ equity 2,562     240  
           
    Total Liabilities and shareholders’ equity 16,742     11,309  
     
    SANTECH HOLDINGS LTD.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
    (In thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise stated)
             
    Six Months Ended December 31,  
    2023   2024
      (US$’000)   (US$’000)
           
    Continuing operations      
           
    Net revenues      
    Insurance referral 17,351     –  
    Total net revenues 17,351     –  
           
    Operating cost and expenses      
    Compensation and benefits 13,210     –  
    Share-based compensation expense 102     –  
    Sales and marketing expenses 1,512     –  
    General and administrative expenses 2,469     2,364  
    Total operating cost and expenses 17,293     2,364  
           
    Income/(loss) from operations 58     (2,364 )
    Other income/(expenses)      
    Interest expense, net (63 )   (17 )
    Other income/(expense), net 72     (245 )
    Total other income/(expense), net 9     (262 )
           
    Income/(loss) before income tax expense 67     (2,626 )
    Income tax (expense)/credit –     (117 )
    Net income/(loss) from continuing operations 67     (2,743 )
           
    Discontinued operations      
           
    (Loss)/income for the year from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (406 )   421  
           
    Net loss and comprehensive loss for the period (339 )   (2,322 )
           
    (Loss)/income per share      
    From continuing and discontinued operations      
    Ordinary share – Basic (0.01 )   (0.04 )
    Ordinary share – Diluted (0.01 )   (0.04 )
    ADS – Basic (0.01 )   (0.08 )
    ADS – Diluted (0.01 )   (0.08 )
           
    From continuing operations      
    Ordinary share – Basic 0.00     (0.05 )
    Ordinary share – Diluted 0.00     (0.05 )
    ADS – Basic 0.00     (0.10 )
    ADS – Diluted 0.00     (0.10 )
           
           
    From continuing and discontinued operations      
    Ordinary share – Basic (0.01 )   0.01  
    Ordinary share – Diluted (0.01 )   0.01  
    ADS – Basic (0.01 )   0.02  
    ADS – Diluted (0.01 )   0.02  
           
    Weighted average number outstanding:      
    Ordinary share – Basic 56,000,000     56,000,000  
    Ordinary share – Diluted 56,000,000     56,000,000  
    ADS – Basic 28,000,000     28,000,000  
    ADS – Diluted 28,000,000     28,000,000  
     
    SANTECH HOLDINGS LTD.
    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    (In thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise stated)
                                 
      Ordinary shares   Additional
    paid-in
    capital    		   Accumulated
    deficit    		   Total
    Shareholders’
    equity
                             
      Number of ordinary shares   Amount                  
            (US$’000)   (US$’000)   (US$’000)   (US$’000)
                 
                                 
    Balance as of June 30, 2024 56,000,000     6     33,256     (30,700 )   2,562  
     
    Net loss for the period –     –     –     (2,322 )   (2,322 )
     
    Balance as of December 31, 2024 56,000,000     6     33,256     (33,022 )   240  
     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: IgniteX Sponsors Taiwan Blockchain Hackathon, Empowering Next Generation of Web3 Innovators

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC IgniteX, successfully concluded its Silver Partnership sponsorship of Taiwan’s premier Blockchain Hackathon series with Demo Day on June 22, 2025.

    Four-Week Innovation Program

    The comprehensive hackathon program brought together Taiwan’s brightest blockchain developers across four sessions from June 8-22. The series included an opening ceremony on June 8th, intensive development sessions on June 10th and 18th, and concluded with Demo Day and expert panel discussion on June 22.

    Strategic Partnership Impact

    As a Silver Sponsor, IgniteX achieved significant brand visibility throughout the event series. The partnership included strategic booth presence and comprehensive integration across university blockchain communities, local DAOs, and social channels. Leo, MEXC Traditional Chinese Market Business Head, delivered a keynote presentation introducing IgniteX services and participated as a featured panelist during Demo Day. His engagement included sharing insights on blockchain innovation trends and facilitating discussions with finalist teams and industry experts about the future of decentralized technologies.

    Expanding Educational Partnerships in Taiwan

    This hackathon sponsorship builds upon MEXC’s broader commitment to Taiwan’s blockchain education ecosystem. MEXC has established collaborative partnerships with leading Taiwanese universities, including National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT), to foster fintech and blockchain education innovation. The company’s educational initiatives extend beyond traditional sponsorship to include direct industry mentorship and curriculum development support.

    Fostering Web3 Innovation and Strategic Vision

    “This hackathon represents IgniteX’s commitment to fostering blockchain innovation in Taiwan’s vibrant tech ecosystem,” said Leo, MEXC Traditional Chinese Market Business Head. “By supporting these talented developers and entrepreneurs, we’re helping build the foundation for the next generation of Web3 applications and services.”

    IgniteX’s educational investment reinforces its commitment to integrating blockchain education with hands-on development experience. The company provides participants with exposure to development tools, industry best practices, and direct feedback from experienced practitioners within the MEXC ecosystem.

    This sponsorship has sparked discussions about establishing regular blockchain innovation events in Taiwan and potentially creating ongoing partnership programs with academic institutions. MEXC’s investment in Taiwan’s blockchain community contributes to the region’s growing reputation as a blockchain-friendly jurisdiction with strong technical talent, supporting the company’s broader goals of expanding its presence in Asia while identifying and nurturing emerging blockchain talent.

    About MEXC IgniteX
    MEXC IgniteX is a comprehensive Web3 innovation platform providing cutting-edge services for blockchain developers, entrepreneurs, and enterprises. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, MEXC IgniteX drives adoption and innovation across the global blockchain ecosystem.

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4bef5682-2ec8-44e8-94ac-0eb7fbd5eea3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of Morocco

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of Morocco, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, in Rabat, on 25 June 2025. They discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in areas such as the creative industries and cultural heritage, media and information, and youth development, among others.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cybersecurity Service Providers Connect Programme briefing webinar for service providers held today

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Cybersecurity Service Providers Connect Programme briefing webinar for service providers held today 
         The programme aims to strengthen the connection between cybersecurity service providers and local businesses and organisations, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to assist in sourcing suitable cybersecurity solutions. After categorisation and vetting, the HKCERT will put the information of service providers meeting predefined requirements on a dedicated website to facilitate SMEs in sourcing and procuring suitable cybersecurity services. The related solutions mainly cover four service areas: Internet Security Solution, Cybersecurity Assessment Service, Managed Security and Incident Response Service, and Cybersecurity Training Service. Meanwhile, the programme also includes the provision of a cybersecurity resource hub, offering guidance on cybersecurity solutions and references for best practices in cybersecurity for SMEs.
     
         In addition to the programme, the DPO has also partnered with the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited to launch the free and integrated security service “Cybersec One” in March 2025, helping participating organisations identify website vulnerabilities, conduct risk assessments, and provide solutions to empower local secondary schools and primary schools, non-governmental organisations and SMEs to strengthen their cybersecurity resilience in all dimensions. The DPO will continue to safeguard cybersecurity in Hong Kong through fostering industry collaboration and uniting diverse stakeholders, thus promoting the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s digital economy.
    Issued at HKT 17:55

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Immigration Dept to revise fees

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today announced that from September 8 the Immigration Department will revise fees for some services, including the issuance of visas/entry permits and travel documents, as well as despatch services for delivery of travel documents to places outside Hong Kong.

    The Government sets and reviews various fees and charges according to “cost recovery” and “user pays” principles, and fees charged should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of providing the goods or services.

    In view of this, fees for the services concerned will be increased by 3% to 51% with the aim of achieving full cost recovery gradually. The fees will have little impact on most people’s daily expenses and have limited impact on general business activities.

    The department’s measures are being enacted to control the cost of providing the services.

    Proposed legislative amendments relating to the fee revisions will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 2. The revisions will take effect after completion of the necessary legislative procedures.

    Click here for details of the fee revisions.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Returning to Iranian sites is top priority: IAEA chief

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday his top priority is getting his inspectors back to Iran’s nuclear facilities to assess the impact of U.S. and Israeli military strikes and verify its stocks of enriched uranium.

    “This is the number 1 priority,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Grossi told a news conference at an Austrian security cabinet meeting. He is seeking his inspectors’ return to Iranian sites including the three plants where it was enriching uranium until Israel launched strikes on June 13.

    Asked if Iran had informed him of the status of its stocks of enriched uranium, particularly its uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to weapons grade, he pointed to a letter he received from Iran on June 13, saying Iran would take “special measures” to protect its nuclear materials and equipment.

    “They did not get into details as to what that meant but clearly that was the implicit meaning of that. We can imagine this material is there,” Grossi said, suggesting much of that material had survived the attacks.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ5: Family offices

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ5: Family offices 
    Question:
     
         According to a consultancy study commissioned by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), it was estimated that around 2 700 single family offices were operating in Hong Kong as at end-2023. However, it has recently been reported that quite a number of “fake family offices” have emerged in the market and some of them may even be involved in money laundering or illegal fund-raising activities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will consider drawing up a clear official definition and establishing a regulatory regime for family offices, and stepping up regulation through legislation or administrative measures to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes; if so, of the specific details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) whether it has developed corresponding monitoring mechanisms or regulatory measures when considering enhancing the preferential tax regimes for family offices and funds, so as to prevent the relevant regimes from being abused as tax avoidance tools; if so, of the specific details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) whether it has plans to provide more systematic training and accreditation schemes for professional talents to meet the demand from family offices for multi-disciplinary professionals, and whether it will regularly assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the policies relating to family offices, including market responses, economic contributions and potential risks; if so, of the specific details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         As an international financial centre and the freest economy in the world, Hong Kong maintains an open market environment. Meanwhile, we also attach great importance to safeguarding the integrity of our financial systems by implementing international standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing to deter and detect inward and outward flows of illicit funds.
     
         In consultation with Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy (HKAWL), my reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
     
    (1) The Government welcomes all lawful and rule-compliant family offices (FOs) to set up in Hong Kong and respects the private financial arrangement of single FOs. Regarding the regulation of investment activities of FOs, the licensing regime under the Securities and Futures Ordinance is activity-based. Generally speaking, a single FO refers to an arrangement established by members of a single family to manage the family’s assets, investments, and long-term interests. A single FO is required to apply for a licence under the Securities and Futures Ordinance if it carries on a business of regulated activity in Hong Kong, for example, providing asset and wealth management services to clients other than members of the relevant family, and to fulfil relevant code of conduct and statutory requirements applicable to licensed corporations. The above requirements are also applicable to investment companies or multi-FOs. To facilitate the industry’s understanding of the regulatory regime in Hong Kong, the SFC has issued circular on the licensing obligations of FOs and quick reference guides to provide additional guidance.
     
         In addition, professionals of various sectors providing services concerned to FOs will conduct necessary due diligence in compliance with the statutory requirements and relevant guidelines. Among others, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615) provides that financial institutions (including banks, SFC-licensed corporations, insurance companies, money services operators, etc.) and designated non-financial businesses and professions (including solicitors, accountants, estate agents, and trust or company service providers) shall conduct customer due diligence, including identifying and verifying the identity of beneficial owners, continuously monitoring the business relationships with customers, as well as maintaining records. When service providers identify any suspicious transactions, they are also under the legal obligation to report to law enforcement agencies.
     
         Our systems and measures for combating money laundering and terrorist financing have all along adhere to international standards and best practices. We will closely monitor the risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as the developments in international standards, and will keep our systems and measures under constant review so as to safeguard the integrity and stability of Hong Kong’s financial system.
     
    (2) Family-owned investment holding vehicles (FIHVs) managed by single FOs in Hong Kong fulfilling the minimum asset threshold of HK$240 million and substantial activities requirement can enjoy profits tax exemption for qualifying transactions. Currently, a series of anti-avoidance measures have been put in place for the preferential tax regimes for single FOs and funds. For example, a business undertaking for general commercial or industrial purpose is not eligible for tax concessions with a view to avoiding abuse. The tax regimes also contain the anti-round tripping provisions to prevent abuse or round-tripping by resident persons to take advantage of the profits tax exemption via a fund or FIHV. Meanwhile, the general anti-avoidance provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO) are also applicable to the preferential tax regimes for single FOs and funds. Through these provisions, the IRD can address any artificial or fictitious transaction, disposition that is not in fact given effect to and transaction entered into for the sole or dominant purpose of enabling a person to obtain a tax benefit.
     
         To attract more FOs and high-net-worth individuals to choose Hong Kong as a destination for wealth management, we will enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single FOs and carried interest, including expanding the scope of “fund” under the tax exemption regime, increasing the types of qualifying transactions eligible for tax concessions for funds and single FOs, enhancing the tax concession arrangement on the distribution of carried interest by private equity funds, etc.
     
         The Government also proposes to introduce a tax reporting mechanism under the enhanced tax regime for funds to ensure that the funds and special purpose entities meet the relevant tax exemption conditions under the IRO. The Government will continue to closely communicate with the industry on formulating the details of the tax reporting regime, and minimise the compliance burden on funds and special purpose entities under the tax reporting regime.
     
    (3) The Government is committed to expanding the talent pool for wealth management and FOs to support the long-term development of the industry. We have since 2016 implemented the Pilot Programme to Enhance Talent Training for the Asset and Wealth Management Sector to nurture more industry talents. To date, over 4 700 applications for reimbursement of professional training course fees have been approved, and the Programme has provided internship opportunities for over 920 tertiary students, supporting the industry to offer more professional training and learning opportunities, thereby enhancing the professional standards of practitioners. Besides, we have included “management professionals in asset and wealth management (WAM)” and “professionals in compliance in WAM” under the Talent List since 2018 and 2021 respectively, so as to facilitate high-quality talents in these professions to pursue development in Hong Kong.
     
         The Government has also established the HKAWL in 2023 to provide a platform for collaboration, networking, knowledge sharing and talent development, and to provide relevant training for asset owners, wealth inheritors and the FO sector. In 2024-25, the HKAWL organised, co-organised, and participated in over 20 events, enabling asset owners, wealth inheritors and FO practitioners to engage in discussions and exchanges. These events brought together over 3 100 participants.
     
         The Government will maintain close communication with FOs to understand their needs, evaluate the effectiveness of relevant policies and introduce enhancements in a timely manner. For example, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) has been well-received by the industry since its launch. As of end-May this year, the New CIES has received over 1 370 applications. The current applications are expected to bring an investment amount of over HK$41 billion into Hong Kong. The Government has also implemented enhancement measures with effect from March 1 this year, allowing investment under the New CIES to be made through an eligible private company wholly owned by the applicant, creating synergy with the tax concession regime for FOs.
     
         According to the research findings of the consultant commissioned by InvestHK and publicised in March 2024, there were around 2 700 single FOs operating in Hong Kong as of end-2023. The number is expected to exceed 3 000 in the near future. Separately, since its establishment in June 2021 up to end-May this year, the dedicated FamilyOfficeHK team of InvestHK has assisted over 190 FOs to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, and around 150 FOs have indicated that they are preparing or have decided to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong. The performance indicator to attract no less than 200 FOs to establish or expand their operations in Hong Kong by end-2025 as set out in the 2022 Policy Address is likely to be achieved.
     
         Thank you, President.
    Issued at HKT 14:58

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ20: Members of government advisory and statutory bodies

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    ​Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip and a written reply by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
     
    Question:

    There are views that the current practice of the Government repeatedly appointing the same group of individuals to its advisory and statutory bodies (ASBs) has failed to engage new members, including foreign nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents. This approach runs counter to the principle stated by the State President in 2022 at the meeting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that everyone in Hong Kong who genuinely supports the principle of “one country, two systems”, loves Hong Kong, and abides by the Basic Law and the laws of the special administrative region, can do his or her bit for the region’s development. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the respective numbers of non-official members serving on various government ASBs in each of the past 10 years, together with a breakdown by ASB;
     
    (2) of (i) the number of non-official members appointed by the Government in each of the past 10 years and, among them, the respective numbers of those who were (ii) re-appointed and (iii) appointed for the first time;

    (3) of the respective numbers of (i) foreign nationals being Hong Kong permanent residents, (ii) ethnic minorities holding Chinese nationality, and (iii) other foreign nationals being non-Hong Kong permanent residents who were appointed by the Government as non-official members of ASBs in each of the past 10 years, together with a breakdown by the ASB to which they belonged;
     
    (4) as there are views that foreign nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents have unique advantages (e.g. enhancing the Government’s understanding of the Islamic culture so as to attract Islamic tourists to visit Hong Kong, etc.) in assisting the Government in taking forward policy initiatives under specific portfolios, but such persons are often excluded from the lists of candidates for non-official members due to their illiteracy in Chinese, what specific measures the Government has put in place to enhance the participation of such persons in ASBs;

    (5) given that the Government has all along been adopting the “six-year rule” (i.e. a non-official member should not serve on the same ASB in the same capacity for more than six consecutive or cumulative years) and the “six-board rule” (i.e. a non-official member should not serve on more than six ASBs at any one time), so as to ensure a reasonable turnover of members and distribution of work, yet as at June 30 last year, 12 non-official members have been appointed to more than six ASBs and 227 non-official members have served in the same capacity of an ASB for over six years, of (i) the average number of ASBs to which such persons have been appointed as non-official members, (ii) the highest number of appointment as non-official members made to such persons, (iii) the average duration of such persons serving in the same capacity in an ASB, and (iv) the maximum duration of such persons serving in the same capacity in an ASB; whether the Government has assessed if the appointments concerned have violated the six-year rule; and
     
    (6) given that in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on 3 July, 2024, the Government indicated that some non-official members also possessed experiences in other professional areas and these diverse experiences enhanced and broadened the discussion at ASBs, but there were views that these diverse experiences might constitute potential conflicts of interest, how the Government ensures that the business undertaken by such persons in their professional areas does not constitute a direct conflict of interest with the duties of the relevant ASBs when appointing non-official members to ASBs?

    Reply:
     
    President,

    Advisory and statutory bodies (ASBs), being an integral part of public administration, play a significant role in assisting the Government in the consultation with stakeholders, formulation of policy objectives and performance of functions. There are currently 525 ASBs in Hong Kong, including advisory boards and committees, appeal boards, public bodies and regulatory bodies, etc.
     
    In response to the question raised by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip, the reply is as follows:
     
    (1) From 2015 to 2024, the number of non-official members appointed by the Government to ASBs is as follows:
     

    Year Number of Appointed Non-official Members
    (by post)
    2015 6 433
    2016 6 407
    2017 6 653
    2018 6 939
    2019 7 030
    2020 7 135
    2021 7 195
    2022 7 099
    2023 7 281
    2024 7 480

    Note: Figures for 2015 to 2023 are as of December 31, and the figure for 2024 is as of June 30.

    ​Given that the functions or work of individual ASBs may be dissolved, merged or reorganised in response to the development needs of different policy areas, the number of ASBs varies each year. Besides, the scope of functions of some ASBs may be adjusted, making it difficult to ensure that long-term comparisons based on individual ASBs could accurately reflect the overall changes in the Government’s appointment of non-official members. In light of the above, the number of non-official members by ASBs since the current term of the Government from 2022 to 2024 is provided (at Annexes 1 to 3) for more timely reference.

    (2)  Furthermore, as the composition and appointment of members of individual ASBs are taken care of by the respective bureaux and departments (B/Ds), we do not compile and maintain breakdown figures for non-official members reappointed and those newly appointed.
     
    (3) The Central Personality Index maintained by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) contains personal information of most members of ASBs. Since personal information is voluntarily provided by individual members and we do not mandatorily require them to provide nationality details, the HYAB is unable to provide figures on the nationality and ethnicity of non-official members of ASBs.

    (4) The basic principle of the appointments of individuals by the Government as non-official members to ASBs is “merits”, so as to ensure that the appointed members are the most suitable candidates who are capable of meeting the specific requirements of the ASBs and will actively participate in their work. When making an appointment, the relevant B/Ds will take into account the candidate’s ability, expertise, experience, integrity and commitment to public service, with due regard to the functions and nature of the business of the ASB concerned. For statutory bodies, it is also necessary to take into account the relevant statutory requirements. Since the objectives, functions and nature of individual ASBs are different, the respective B/Ds are responsible for taking care of the composition, operation and appointment of members of respective ASBs. In addition to taking into account the operational needs of the ASBs under their purview, B/Ds will also consider appointing individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including Hong Kong permanent residents of foreign nationalities, ethnic minorities, or those familiar with Islamic culture, to ensure that the ASBs can effectively fulfil their duties while providing opportunities for individuals from different sectors of the community to participate in public service.

    (5) According to relevant government guidelines, under the principle of appointment based on “merits”, B/Ds should, as far as possible, avoid non-official members to serve on more than six ASBs at any one time, or to serve in the same ASB for more than six years whether continuously or cumulatively in the same capacity, so as to ensure a reasonable distribution of workload and turnover of membership. Generally, B/Ds will adhere to these guidelines as far as possible when making appointments. However, there are instances where, based on actual needs, individuals may serve on more than six committees or have their terms extended beyond six years. As at June 30, 2024, 12 non-official members who were appointed to more than six ASBs served in approximately seven ASBs on average, with the highest number of appointments being eight ASBs. As for 227 non-official members who had served in the same capacity in ASBs for more than six years, the average tenure in the same capacity is 8.5 years, with the longest tenure being 37 years. It is worth noting that the appointment arrangement is based on the background of the establishment of relevant statutory body, which is related to commemorating the late husband of the member, representing a special exception.
     
    (6) The Government has established a mechanism for handling situations involving conflicts of interest which may be faced by members of ASBs. While some statutory bodies have a declaration of interest system which is specified in their enabling legislation, two different systems for declaring interests, namely a “one-tier reporting system” and a “two-tier reporting system” are in place for ASBs. Under the “one-tier reporting system”, it is the responsibility of each member to judge and decide whether he/she should declare his/her interests, and members should declare interests in the meetings of the boards or committees during which the matters concerned are discussed and determined. For the “two-tier reporting system”, members should declare their interests on appointment to those boards and committees, in addition to the declaration of interests in meetings. Such declarations should be recorded. The B/Ds concerned should decide which system of declaration of interests is to be adopted having regard to the terms of reference of the ASBs concerned.
     
    The HYAB has issued guidelines on declaration of interests on the recommendation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption for adoption by ASBs, and reminds B/Ds now and then that it is necessary to introduce a system of declaration of interests for each of the ASBs under their purview and to review from time to time the systems of declaration of interests adopted by the bodies concerned, in order to ensure that the systems meet their needs.
     
    Appointing individuals of different professional areas to various ASBs under the principle of merits has, over the years, provided the Government with valuable insights in formulating various policies and measures, which have proven effective in practice. We believe that the aforementioned mechanism can effectively address actual or potential conflict of interest.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector to benefit from Mainland’s expedited patent pre-examination service starting June 30

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector to benefit from Mainland’s expedited patent pre-examination service starting June 30 
         Under the enhanced measure, Hong Kong’s I&T sector (including innovative entities such as enterprises, higher education institutions and research institutions) seeking patent protection on the Mainland may submit patent pre-examination requests to the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Protection Center if they meet the relevant criteria (e.g. the inventions in their applications fall within the specified industry sectors). Upon passing the pre-examination, their patent applications can enter the expedited examination channel of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), significantly shortening the period of examination.
     
         The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, said, “This cross-boundary facilitation measure for patent applications can effectively accelerate the legal protection and commercialisation of research outcomes in the vast Mainland market by Hong Kong’s I&T sector. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government expresses its gratitude to the CNIPA for supporting Hong Kong in the advancement of I&T and IP trading, which enables Hong Kong to seize the opportunities brought by the national development of new quality productive forces and contribute to the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”
     
         For details of the measures, please refer to the Intellectual Property Department’s website 
         The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality jointly promulgated the 16 Co-operation Measures in February 2023, aiming to advance IP development in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, foster cross-boundary IP and innovation, exchange and co-operation, and support Hong Kong’s development into a regional IP trading centre.
    Issued at HKT 17:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ10: Promoting the development of the popular artistic toy industry

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Jeffrey Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
     
    Question:
     
    It has been reported that in recent years, the popular artistic toy industry and the “goods economy” (i.e. economic activities relating to intellectual property (IP) peripheral products of animation, comics, games, idols, etc) have expanded rapidly worldwide. Last year, the global market of “blind boxes” (i.e. sealed boxes whose IP peripheral products are not made known to consumers in advance) reached US$14.5 billion (approximately HK$113.1 billion), with some IP merchandise created by Hong Kong designers generating hundreds of millions of dollars in value in the international market. However, there are views that the popular artistic toy industrial chain in Hong Kong is not yet mature and requires precise policy support. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has compiled statistics for the period between 2022 and 2024 on (i) the number of companies registered in Hong Kong that were involved in the design, production or sale of popular artistic toys, (ii) the contribution of the popular artistic toy industry to Gross Domestic Product, (iii) the number of professional practitioners in the popular artistic toy industry, and (iv) among the projects approved under the Government’s funding schemes or funds for driving the development of the cultural and creative industries (e.g. the CreateSmart Initiative), the proportion of projects related to the popular artistic toy industry and the total amount of funding involved; if such data is unavailable, whether the Government will review if this emerging industry is outside the scope of the existing policy;
     
    (2) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of registrations filed with the Intellectual Property Department by local designers for artistic toy character designs from 2022 to 2024, and the number of cases in which Hong Kong enterprises have successfully turned local IP into mass-produced merchandise;
     
    (3) of the number of pop-up stores or exhibitions relating to the theme of popular artistic toys that were approved to be held in public venues (e.g. the West Kowloon Cultural District and galleries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department) in the past year, and the average duration of such exhibitions;
     
    (4) among the events supported by the Mega Events Coordination Group last year, of the proportion of mega events that had the theme of popular artistic toys (e.g. designers’ autograph and sale sessions and blind box bazaars), as well as the data on the number of people who attended such events; and
     
    (5) as the Financial Secretary pointed out earlier on in a blog post that some IP with Hong Kong elements created by Hong Kong designers has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in value, and there are views that this reflects that the calibre of the local creative industry is of an international standard, whether the Government has formulated specific measures to assist in the development of the industrialisation of Hong Kong’s IP and to promote the maximisation of the value of local IP; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    Art toy refers to toys designed by designers and artists, and infused with rich cultural connotations and fashionable creativity. It can be traced back to figures in the 1960s of the 20th century which were mostly derivative models of anime characters for the purposes of appreciation and collection. Noting the emergence and development of art toy in recent years which bring in opportunities for the creative industries in Hong Kong, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) has been actively supporting projects related to Hong Kong’s art toy industry, including setting up Hong Kong pavilions at exhibitions in the Mainland and overseas to support the industry in the promotion of art toys originated in Hong Kong.

    My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Jeffrey Lam’s question, in consultation with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD), is as follows:
     
    (1) The cultural and creative industries (CCI) form an integral part of creating a diversified economy in Hong Kong. CCI covers the design sector whereas art toy design is grouped under this sector. According to the C&SD’s latest statistics, the value added by the design sector reached over $4.2 billion in 2023, accounting for over 0.1% of Gross Domestic Product in Hong Kong, and 3.1% of that of CCI. The number of establishments and practitioners engaged in the design sector were around 7 490 and 18 650 respectively.
     
    From 2022 till now, the CCIDA funded and fostered eight Hong Kong art toy-related projects through the CreateSmart Initiative (CSI). Overseas projects included driving the industry to participate in “Promote Hong Kong Designer Toys through Thailand Exhibitions”, “Promote Hong Kong Designer Toys through Thailand Toy Expo 2024”, “Promote Hong Kong Art Toys through Indonesia Exhibition 2024” and “Promote Hong Kong Art Toys through Thailand Toy Expo 2025”. These four projects facilitated over 20 business deals and more than 370 business enquiries and contacts, and ideal selling records were made for individual participating designers. For example, a Hong Kong art toy designer sold art toys of over $0.5 million and successfully reached out an Indonesian toy agent to expand his retail business in Indonesia. In the Mainland, the CSI funded the industry to participate in “Hong Kong Creative Pavilion@China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Expo and Trade Fair plus Hong Kong@Shenzhen Cultural Industry Expo”, “Hong Kong Creative Pavilion@2024 Hangzhou Cultural & Creative Industry Expo”, “China International Cartoon & Animation Festival (Hangzhou)” and “China International Animation Copyright Fair (Dongguan)”. The CCIDA set up Hong Kong pavilions in these exhibitions to promote Hong Kong’s art toy, animation, game and related industries. These four Hong Kong pavilions attracted a total of over 160 000 participants, reaching out over 1 300 business deals and more than 120 business enquiries and contacts. The eight projects obtained about $38 million of the CSI funding.

    In fact, Hong Kong creators made great achievements in the global art toy industries in recent years. Their art toy characters designed and the products generated by their intellectual properties (IPs) successfully occupy a remarkable market share in markets of Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. Among them, Hong Kong renowned designers Lung Ka-sing and Kenny Wong created iconic art toy products, making great profits for the art toy industries. Lung also won an illustration award in Belgium, being the first Chinese designer to win this prize. Besides, Wong’s designs have collaborations with various international trendy brands for rolling out IP products.
     
    (2) According to the IPD, the Locarno classification published by the World Intellectual Property Organization is the system adopted for classifying articles under the local registered designs system. There is no specific class for “artistic toy characters”, which are instead classified under Class 21 (sub-class 01) – “games and toys”. The numbers of applications and registrations under this sub-class from 2022 to 2024 are as follows:
     

      2022 2023 2024
    Number of applications
    (Number of designs involved (Note 1))    		 31
    (66)    		 39
    (79)    		 59
    (82)
    Number of registrations (Note 2) 78 76 41

    Note 1: Each design application may contain one or more designs.
    Note 2: Since it takes time to process applications, the number of registrations shown may not equal to the number of applications received in a particular year.
     
    Other than obtaining protection for the design of an article under the registered designs system, the same may also be considered as a sign for registration under the trade marks system, or as an original artistic work protected by the copyright system (registration not required). Rights holders need to consider their overall IP protection and utilisation strategy, as well as the relevant legal requirements.

    Over the years, there have been numerous examples of Hong Kong businesses transforming local cultural and creative IPs into mass-produced products. This may be done by various ways such as sales and licensing, and it also depends on the types of IPs being utilised. The Government does not have statistics in this regard.
     
    (3) and (4) Different types of mega events in Hong Kong cover various areas, among which many of the events with profound IP elements are well received by the public. Events in 2024 include “100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS” Tour, Pokémon GO City Safari, PANDA GO! FEST HK, ComplexCon Hong Kong, Hypefest Hong Kong, and the annual Ani-com & Games Hong Kong that gathers animation, comics and figurines, etc. The CSTB supported these activities in different ways. As an estimate, these events attracted over five millions of participants.
     
    In 2024, there were nine art toy-related projects exhibited in venues of the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Their average exhibition period was about 17 days. In addition, there were lots of activities relating to the theme of art toy held in different government and private venues (such as shopping malls).
     
    (5) The Government has been promoting the development of the trading and commercialisation of local IPs, including various measures related to CCI.
     
    In strengthening IP protection, the copyright system is an essential component of the IP regime, offering protection for original works including those in the literary and artistic fields, and is crucial to the development of the local creative industries and a knowledge-based economy. The Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 came into effect in May 2023 to enhance copyright protection in the digital environment. The IPD is also conducting a comprehensive review of the local registered design system and plans to launch a public consultation within this year to ensure that the system remains up-to-date, aligns with current international standards, and meets the needs of Hong Kong’s future economic development. Besides, the CCIDA is actively supporting cultural IP projects (including those related to art toy mentioned above) through the CSI, and driving applicants to make applications for IP protection for their cultural and creative products, formulate IP agreements and manage IP portfolios, etc. so as to assist creators in exploring business opportunities.

    In enhancing capacity building, the IPD has in recent years provided more comprehensive and in-depth IP training courses and practical workshops for practitioners across various sectors, including those in the cultural and creative industries, with a target to benefit 5 000 practitioners across different industries within the current term of the Government. Besides, in collaboration with the Law Society of Hong Kong, the IPD has been providing free IP consultation services for small and medium enterprises through practising lawyers on a pro bono basis.

    On promotion effort, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) continues to enrich large-scale activities such as the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Hong Kong Book Fair in order to support local original works to exploit the Mainland and international markets. The CCIDA has also funded the HKTDC to enhance the Asia IP Exchange portal, adding a database for arts, cultural and creative IPs to facilitate potential buyers in searching for relevant information, and introducing more elements of market transaction, such as business matching events, market information and professional service packages on IP trading to foster cross-sectoral collaboration. The CCIDA will facilitate more registration of local and non-local cultural and creative products on the Asia IP Exchange portal to promote the transactions of cultural IPs. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ8: White Form Secondary Market Scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Gary Zhang and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Housing, Mr Victor Tai, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):

    Question: (2) of the percentage of completed transactions under WSM in the total number of flats with premium unpaid in the HOS Secondary Market in each of the past 10 years (set out in a table);

    (3) of the number of Certificate of Availability for Sale issued by the HA, and the actual transaction volume of Green Form and White Form flats in the HOS Secondary Market in each of the past 10 years (set out in a table);

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Immigration Department to revise fees

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Immigration Department to revise fees 
         “The Government sets and reviews various fees and charges according to the ‘cost recovery’ and ‘user pays’ principles, while fees charged by the Government should in general be set at levels adequate to recover the full cost of providing the goods or services,” the spokesman said.
     
         The latest costing review showed that the fees payable for services including the issuing of visas/entry permits and travel documents and despatch services for delivering travel documents to places outside Hong Kong are not adequate to recover the full cost of providing those services.
     
         “Taking into consideration that it is impractical to recover the full cost of all fees in one go, the fees of the services concerned will be increased by 3 per cent to 51 per cent with a view to achieving full cost recovery gradually. The fees will have little impact on the daily lives of most people and limited impact on general business activities,” the spokesman added.
     
         The Immigration Department regularly reviews the arrangements for handling various types of applications and services with a view to improving the cost-effectiveness as well as the quality of services. Measures are in place to control the cost of providing the services.
     
         The proposed legislative amendments related to the fee revisions will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 2 this year. The fee revisions will take effect after completion of the necessary legislative procedures. A table setting out the existing and revised fees is in the Annex.
    Issued at HKT 16:00

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government welcomes passage of Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Government welcomed the passage of the Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council today (June 25), which aims to enhance the regulatory and quality assurance mechanisms of self-financing post-secondary institutions, with a view to facilitating the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector.

    The Bill amends the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320). Its three key features are: (i) reforming the regulatory regime for the self-financing post-secondary education sector to improve governance, ensuring the quality, transparency and accountability of self-financing institutions; (ii) removing barriers suitably, including rationalising the arrangements for self-financing institutions to award degrees, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness; and (iii) forging a unified regulatory framework to promote coherence in quality assurance, governance, positioning and overall co-ordination.

    The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, “Self-financing post-secondary institutions form an integral part of the post-secondary education sector in Hong Kong. The Government has long supported the parallel development of the self-financing and publicly funded post-secondary education sectors. The passage of the Bill signifies an important milestone for the development of the self-financing sector. We envisage that the enhanced regulatory framework can further support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of the self-financing sector, with a view to harnessing its advantages in terms of flexibility and diversity to cultivate talent for the country and Hong Kong, and make more proactive contributions towards Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub and building China into a leading country in education.”

    The Post Secondary Colleges (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be gazetted on July 4. Save for clauses relating to the delegation of authority to approve the award of degrees from the Chief Executive in Council to the Secretary for Education, which will come into operation on August 1, 2025, the commencement date of the other major provisions will be August 1, 2026. For relevant institutions that are not currently registered under Cap. 320, there will be a transitional period of around three years, until July 31, 2028, to complete the registration procedures. 

    The Education Bureau, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, will continue to maintain close liaison with self-financing institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of the enhanced regulatory framework and relevant transitional arrangements.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Extension of e-Channel service to holders of People’s Republic of China electronic passport

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Extension of e-Channel service to holders of People’s Republic of China electronic passport ​     Eligible PRC passport holders can use the e-Channel service when entering Hong Kong without prior enrolment for e-Channel service via face recognition technology. The new arrangement does not apply to PRC passport holders entering Hong Kong on the strength of ‘Entry Permit for Hong Kong’ issued by the overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions. They will continue to complete arrival clearance at immigration counters.

    ​     The ImmD has always been committed to serving the public and striving for innovation by enhancing the clearance efficiency of the e-Channels and expanding the service target group so that more visitors can use the e-Channels for self-service immigration clearance, thereby providing them with a more convenient and efficient immigration experience.Issued at HKT 12:58

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Public toilet projects in Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ14: Public toilet projects in Hong Kong 
    Question:
     
         It has been learnt that, in recent years, the Government has been actively promoting construction of public toilets (including refurbishment or facelifting) projects in Hong Kong, with the aim of improving the quality of public sanitary facilities. According to the information provided by the Government in reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2025-2026, the Enhanced Public Toilet Refurbishment Programme for that financial year covers 110 public toilets and involves a total project estimate of about $460 million. According to the Government’s paper submitted to the Panel on Development of this Council regarding funding for the Capital Works Reserve Fund for 2025-2026, the total budget for the four public toilet projects in Lei Yue Mun (Ling Nam Sun Tsuen) in Kwun Tong, Ha Ma Tseuk Leng in North District, Ha Tsuen Shi Vegetable Market Office in Yuen Long, and Fraser Village in Yuen Long, is as high as about $87 million. In particular, the reprovisioning of Lei Yue Mun (Ling Nam San Tsuen) public toilet in Kwun Tong has been budgeted at about $38 million. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the reasons why the project estimates of the above four public toilets are higher than those of public toilets in general;
     
    (2) of the overall planning for public toilet projects in Hong Kong; the factors considered by the authorities when deciding to commence the public toilet projects (including the requirements for male-to-female toilet compartment ratio, site selection criteria, pedestrian flow density and district distribution ratios);
     
    (3) it has been learnt that at the end of 2023, the proportion of female population in Hong Kong is about 54.5 per cent, which is nine per cent higher than the male population, but the existing supply of female toilets often falls short of demand, resulting in females often having to wait for a long time for their turn to use them, whether the authorities will consider adjusting the male-to-female toilet compartment ratio and increasing the number of female toilet compartments in planning for public toilet projects; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) whether the authorities have compiled statistics and assessed the demand for the use of public toilets, the actual utilisation rates and the public satisfaction levels, etc, at various tourist attractions and border control points; if it has compiled such statistics, of the details;
     
    (5) of the distribution of the proportions of the various expenditures (e.g. design, salaries of works personnel and construction costs) in the project estimates for all public toilet projects in Hong Kong at present; and
     
    (6) whether the authorities have a dedicated department responsible for monitoring and managing the progress of public toilet projects, as well as providing temporary public toilet services while the works are in progress; if so, whether they will announce the details of the progress of the relevant works in a timely manner?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Government departments including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Home Affairs Department, respectively plan and manage toilets facilities provided for public use (public toilet) under their purview. The Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) carries out the design, construction and refurbishment of public toilets in accordance with the public service standards for public toilets as specified by the client departments.
     
         Having consulted the Development Bureau (DEVB), the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Security Bureau, our reply to the question raised by the Hon Maggie Chan is as follows:
     
    (1) When the ArchSD designs and constructs new public toilets, as well as reprovisions and refurbishes existing public toilets, it will devise project details by taking into account factors including relevant departments’ requirements, design standards of existing public toilets, conditions of facilities, utilisation rates, legal requirements, sewage facilities and provision of barrier-free facilities; and ensures the project complies with the “no-frills” principle. In compiling the project estimates, the ArchSD will make reference to the costs of projects of similar scale in the past and the prevailing returned tender prices; with provisions for consultants’ fees and contingencies.
     
         Regarding the four public toilet works project mentioned in the question, the ArchSD stated that the construction floor area of the Reprovisioning of Lei Yue Mun (Ling Nam Sun Tsuen) Public Toilet is the largest among projects on public toilets in recent years. Besides, given that public toilet is highly utilised and locates at a tourist spot, the design of the reprovisioning works focused on enhancing the quality of the facilities and the user experience of the tourists, including the provision of additional universal toilets, the adoption of a people-oriented design with the provision of more spacious interior than other common public toilets, and the implementation of smart toilet system to enhance hygiene and management. In addition, the congested underground pipelines and high groundwater level in the vicinity have made the construction much more complex and hence increased the costs. The ArchSD has adopted a number of design enhancement and works solutions to minimise construction costs and risks as far as practicable, such as relocating the underground equipment to above ground to reduce the extent of excavation.
     
         As for the proposed Improvement to Ha Ma Tseuk Leng Public Toilet in North District, Improvement to Ha Tsuen Shi Vegetable Market Office Public Toilet in Yuen Long and Improvement to Fraser Village Public Toilet in Yuen Long, given they are located in rural areas with no public drainage system in the proximity and lack of proper roads for delivery of construction materials, the project costs are expected to be higher. The ArchSD is still reviewing the estimates of these three proposed projects, and will evaluate their cost effectiveness, endeavours to seek feasible options to lower construction cost.
     
    (2) When planning for the provision of public toilets, the Government will consider various factors, including the number of existing nearby public toilets (including public toilets managed by government departments and public toilet facilities in private premises like shopping arcades), utilisation rates, land requirements, feasibility (for example water and electricity supply, and sewage treatment, etc), as well as the opinions and requests of nearby residents, local community and District Councils.
     
    (3) Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations (Cap. 123I) provides for the statutory standard for ratio of male to female (1:1.5) in the provision of sanitary fitments in newly introduced public places (for example sports stadia, shopping arcades and department stores) in private buildings.
     
         As for public toilets managed by government departments, relevant departments will consider actual conditions of individual public toilets, including the location and size of the public toilet, as well as users’ needs and stakeholders’ views, and increases the female ratio of sanitary fitments when needed.
     
    (4) Public toilets at tourists attractions and boundary control points (BCPs) are individually or jointly managed by different government departments (including the FEHD, the LCSD, the AFCD, the Government Property Agency, and departments relevant to the BCPs), or delegated third parties (for example the MTR Corporation Limited). Government departments respectively monitors the usage of public toilets under their management, and will suitably follow up as necessary, including adjusting the inspection and cleaning frequencies. Departments have not maintained relevant statistics.
     
    (5) The DEVB stated that the scope of works, site location, site constraints and construction methods vary for each public toilet improvement, refurbishment, enhancement or reprovisioning project. The design and construction of each project will be appropriately adjusted to suit its unique characteristics. As such, construction cost and proportion of expenses such as labour, machinery, materials and consultancy fees, vary. The ArchSD generally will reserve approximately 10 per cent of the cost in the budget of each project as contingency, so to address needs for unforeseen adjustments.
     
    (6) When the ArchSD constructs, refurbishes or enhances public toilets for government departments, it carries out regular inspections, manages the progress of projects, and also provides temporary toilet facilities for public toilets affected by the construction works having considered relevant departments’ requirements.
    Issued at HKT 12:45

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ13: Cross-boundary public transport services

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):

    Question:
    (1) of the respective design flows, including passenger and vehicular flows, and actual flows (set out by weekdays and holidays) of various land boundary control points (BCPs) (excluding rail-based ones) at present (set out in a table);

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKMCA launches “Panda Mode ON!” public education campaign

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

         HKMC Annuity Limited (HKMCA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, announced today (June 25) the launch of a six-month “Panda Mode ON!” public education campaign, which uses the joyful, worry-free lifestyle of pandas as a metaphor to showcase retirement financial planning concepts and encourage retirees to achieve a stable and prosperous “Panda Mode” retirement through the creation of a lifelong income stream.
     
    The HKMCA is launching a series of promotional activities including television commercials, outdoor, online and social media advertising across multi-media channels starting this month. Public education and outreach activities will also be held across Hong Kong, including a booth at the “10th Golden Age Expo and Summit 2025”, five “Well-Planned for Life. Stable for Life” roving exhibitions at the Ocean Park Hong Kong and major shopping malls in various districts, together with a promotional truck and information panels, to help promote the importance of retirement financial planning. For details of the outreach activities, please refer to the annex.
      
    To reinforce public understanding of the HKMC Annuity Plan (Plan) and longevity risk management, the HKMCA is also expanding the “Mr. Well-Planned” series. In addition to utilising relatable day-to-day scenarios to highlight the key features of the Plan through television commercials, a new “Answer with One Click” webpage (www.hkmca.hk/eng/QnA) has been launched to provide the public with a convenient way to access answers to frequently asked questions.
     
    For more information, please visit the HKMCA website (www.hkmca.hk) or the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HKMCAnnuity). For enquiries, please call the HKMCA customer service hotline at (852) 2512 5000.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Occupational therapists and physiotherapists participating in primary healthcare programmes must be enlisted in Primary Care Directory and join eHealth from July 2

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau announced today (June 25) that, starting from July 2, occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) participating in government-subsidised primary healthcare programmes (including the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme, and the allied health services of the Chronic Disease Co-care Pilot Scheme and District Health Centres) must first be enlisted in the Primary Care Directory (PCD) and join eHealth. To allow sufficient time for the professions to complete the enrolment process, a two-month grace period until September 1 will be provided. The PHC Commission encourages OTs and PTs to register as early as possible, so that they can continue to provide relevant government-subsidised services to members of the public.

    The Primary Healthcare Blueprint recommended expanding the PCD to cover more healthcare professionals and developing sub-directories for allied health professionals, including OTs and PTs, with a view to ensuring their participation in continuing medical education or continuing professional development programmes relevant to their disciplines, thereby enhancing the quality of primary healthcare services. In addition, the Blueprint recommended requiring all primary healthcare service providers to use eHealth to promote continuity of healthcare services and cross-sector collaboration.

    To minimise the impact on citizens enjoying the subsidised services concerned, the PHC Commission has maintained close communication with the OT and PT professions through different channels since March to introduce them to the details of the new requirements and assist them in enlisting in the PCD and/or joining eHealth. Those OTs and PTs currently participating in relevant government-subsidised programmes but who are yet to be enlisted in the PCD and join eHealth by the end of the grace period (i.e. from September 2 onwards) will no longer be able to offer those government-subsidised primary healthcare services to their patients.

    Members of the public may enquire with their OTs or PTs or visit the PCD website (apps.pcdirectory.gov.hk/Public/EN) to confirm whether they are enlisted in the PCD, to ensure that they can continue receiving the relevant subsidised services from the same OT or PT after the grace period.

    The PCD is a web-based database containing practice information and professional qualifications of primary healthcare service providers in the community. It enables members of the public to look for service providers’ information, such as their practice addresses, telephone numbers, consultation hours, and service provisions, as well as their participation in various government-subsidised programmes, and to choose a suitable primary healthcare service provider according to their personal needs. Subsequent to the establishment of sub-directories for OTs and PTs, the Government will continue to develop sub-directories for other healthcare professionals in phases, with a view to promoting multidisciplinary collaboration in providing comprehensive primary healthcare services to members of the public.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Enhancing Cantonese proficiency of non-ethnic Chinese

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ21: Enhancing Cantonese proficiency of non-ethnic Chinese 
    Question:
     
    It has been learnt that with the continuous increase in the Cantonese proficiency requirements for job seekers in various trades and industries in Hong Kong, quite a number of non-ethnic Chinese people face difficulties in securing employment due to the language barrier, and in particular, the limited availability of Cantonese courses is further restricting their learning channels. Some self-financing programmes offered by higher education institutions have been cancelled one after another due to under-enrolment, hindering non-ethnic Chinese people from enhancing their language proficiency and integrating into the community. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will communicate with the universities funded by the University Grants Committee to encourage them to offer more Cantonese courses (such as those similar to the courses offered by the Yale-China Chinese Language Academy of the Chinese University of Hong Kong), particularly those designed specifically for non-ethnic Chinese people; if so, of the details (e.g. the estimated cost of the courses); if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) whether it has plans to collaborate with self-financing institutions and other educational institutions to offer more Cantonese learning courses targeting non-ethnic Chinese people, so as to enhance their language proficiency and employment competitiveness; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (3) whether it will consider setting up dedicated scholarships or subsidy schemes to encourage and assist non-ethnic Chinese people in enrolling in the relevant courses offered by various major Cantonese learning centres in Hong Kong; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) whether it will consider launching summer Cantonese courses for non-ethnic Chinese youths, with a tailored design for the contents and mode of teaching and learning of such courses, so as to enhance their language proficiency and social confidence; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (5) whether the Government has conducted any study or assessment in the past five years to analyse the actual Cantonese proficiency levels required by different industries in Hong Kong of their employees, as well as the impact on the employment of non-ethnic Chinese people; if so, of the findings of the relevant studies or assessments; if not, whether it will consider conducting relevant studies, so as to facilitate the formulation of corresponding policies?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Government has all along been committed to building a harmonious, inclusive and caring society for ethnic minorities and non-Chinese speakers to enjoy equal opportunities and integrate into the community. Different bureaux and departments of the Government all encourage and support non-Chinese young people to equip themselves for future employment. Regarding the question raised by the Hon Dominic Lee, the consolidated reply after consultation with relevant bureaux and departments is as follows:
     
    Support for non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students
     
    The Education Bureau (EDB) actively assists NCS students in adapting to the local education system at an early stage, encouraging them to make full use of their studies in primary and secondary schools to learn Chinese and integrate into the community. The EDB is committed to enhancing students’ proficiency in biliteracy and trilingualism (written Chinese and English; spoken Cantonese, Putonghua, and English) at both the primary and secondary levels. All eligible children (including NCS students) enjoy equal access to publicly-funded kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. The EDB also encourages parents of NCS students to arrange for their children to study in local kindergartens for early exposure to and learning of the Chinese language. In the 2024/25 academic year, more than 70 per cent of publicly-funded kindergartens, primary and secondary schools admitted NCS students. The EDB has also adopted a multi-pronged approach in providing NCS students with all-encompassing learning support from pre-primary to secondary levels.
     
    At the post-secondary education level, to develop more internationalised campuses and promote cultural integration on campuses, the EDB encourages the University Grants Committee-funded universities to step up their support for students from different backgrounds, including offering appropriate courses and workshops to non-local students who wish to learn Chinese/Cantonese. Additionally, the Vocational Training Council is committed to supporting NCS students in pursuing its vocational and professional education and training programmes, helping them enhance their Chinese language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for both daily communication and workplace contexts.
     
    Support for school leavers and working individuals
     
    The Government promotes lifelong learning and is committed to enhancing the overall quality of the manpower. At present, many operators in Hong Kong offer a wide range of self-financing programmes to meet the continuing education needs of different individuals. As at June 2025, on the Qualifications Register under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (QF), based on registered course titles searches, there are around 100 Cantonese language educational courses targeting non-Chinese speakers, involving 22 course providers, covering QF Levels 1 to 4. Among them, there are part-time certificate courses on vocational Cantonese offered by the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) for non-Chinese speakers. NCS school leavers and working individuals may pursue relevant courses based on their personal interests and circumstances.
     
    Moreover, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) provides subsidies for non-school-attending ethnic minorities enrolled in dedicated language courses of the ERB, targetting members of low-income families with an attendance rate of 80 per cent or above. The HAD also provides funding to non-governmental organisations to organise language classes at the Support Service Centres for Ethnic Minorities and in the community to help ethnic minorities meet their basic daily needs.

         On the other hand, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research has launched the Vocational Chinese Language Programme for NCS School Leavers initiative, inviting post-secondary institutions/training providers to develop and deliver vocational Chinese courses that are recognised under the QF. Upon completing the courses and meeting the attendance or assessment requirements, learners may receive up to 85 per cent tuition fee reimbursement. Over the past five years, an average of 200 NCS school leavers have benefited annually.
     
    The Government will continue to review the implementation of the different measures to better support the employment and learning needs of ethnic minorities and facilitate their integration into the community.
    Issued at HKT 14:45

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ1: Eradicating youth consumption of “space oil drug”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ1: Eradicating youth consumption of “space oil drug” 
    Question:
     
         The Government statistics show that 128 young people aged under 21 were reported to have consumed “space oil drug” in the first quarter of this year, accounting for over 67 per cent of all reported cases. The youngest among them was just 12 years old. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of cases of young people possessing and consuming “space oil drug” received by the authorities in the past three years; the specific measures in place to assist them in drug treatment and rehabilitation, and the total number of young people who have quit “space oil drug” with such assistance to date;
     
    (2) whether it will establish a regular mechanism for primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to handle cases of young people consuming “space oil drug”, while strengthening training for frontline personnel, including teachers and social workers, in order to enhance their ability to identify, handle, and prevent cases of students consuming “space oil drug”; and
     
    (3) given that the Government launched the Healthy School Programme some years ago to establish a healthy and drug-free culture in schools by organising personal growth activities and voluntary school drug testing, whether the authorities will step up the promotion of this programme in primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, so that teachers and social workers can have opportunities to identify those young people who consume “space oil drug” at an early stage and provide them with immediate and appropriate assistance?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government attaches great importance to combating the emerging “space oil drug” problem. A number of targeted measures have been launched on multiple fronts to curb the use of “space oil drug”, which often illegally contains the anesthetic etomidate. Among these measures, we have already listed etomidate and its three analogues as dangerous drugs through legislation, and have recently proposed listing other analogues as dangerous drugs as well. Since the listing of etomidate as a dangerous drug on February 14, 2025, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have successfully stopped the supply of more than 220 000 drug-filled cartridges by the end of last month with a total of 405 persons arrested. Among those arrested, 153 were involved in trafficking dangerous drugs, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the arrests. Apart from legislation and law enforcement, the Government has also launched a number of publicity programmes to educate the public to stay away from “space oil drug” and raise awareness among young people of its serious harm.
     
         In consultation with the Education Bureau (EDB), replies to each of the Member’s questions are as follows:
     
    (1) The “space oil drug” has been gradually on the rise since 2023. From 2023 to May 31, 2025, the LEAs arrested a total of 566 persons for unlawful possession of etomidate, and among them, 134 persons or about 20 per cent were young people aged below 21. Regarding the number of abusers, data from the Central Registry of Drug Abuse show that from 2023 to May 31, 2025, there were 493 recorded “space oil drug” abusers, of whom 356 persons, or about 70 per cent, were young people aged below 21. These young people are being followed up by relevant drug treatment institutions or outreaching social work teams with a view to helping them to quit drugs. Indeed, drug treatment and rehabilitation services are an integral part of the Government’s anti-drug strategy. For young people addicted to “space oil drug”, drug treatment and rehabilitation agencies (e.g. Counselling Centres for Psychotropic Substance Abusers (CCPSAs)) provide education programmes, vocational training, and counselling on careers and studies, tailored to their personal growth stages, learning needs and interests. Anti-drug workers also provide young people with essential emotional support and mental health counselling.
     
    (2) Schools are key partners in the Government’s anti-drug efforts. The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau (SB), in collaboration with the EDB, has established a regular mechanism for all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to handle drug-related incidents, including cases involving the use of “space oil drug”. The EDB has also issued guidelines to schools in this regard. To assist schools in handling such cases, the ND of the SB has been working with non-governmental organisations to provide anti-drug professional training for frontline staff, including teachers and social workers, to enhance their capacity in identifying, handling and preventing “space oil drug” abuse cases among students.
     
    (3) After years of implementation, the Healthy School Programme spearheaded by the ND has been proven capable of strengthening students’ resolve to stay away from drugs, thereby fostering an anti-drug culture in schools. In light of the latest drug scene, the ND plans to include etomidate testing in its voluntary school drug testing, targeting its introduction within the next school year. The ND has also required schools to incorporate knowledge on the prevention of “space oil drug” into the activities organised under the Programme, including understanding the harm of “space oil drug”, the serious consequences of committing relevant offences, and the skills to refuse “space oil drug”. While promoting the Healthy School Programme, the ND is also implementing the Beat Drugs with Sports Programme to help young people stay away from “space oil drug” and other drugs through sports activities. About 60 per cent of all secondary schools in Hong Kong have participated in these two anti-drug programmes.
     
         Apart from the Healthy School Programme and the Beat Drugs with Sports Programme just mentioned, the ND has been promoting a healthy and drug‑free school culture through enhanced cross‑disciplinary and cross‑sectoral collaboration with various anti-drug service units and welfare service units. This collaboration provides teachers and social workers with opportunities to identify young people who have taken “space oil drug” at an early stage, and offer timely and appropriate assistance. In this regard, the ND arranges for the CCPSAs to reach out to schools and organise anti-drug school talks, including providing training for teachers and social workers, and educating students about the harm of “space oil drug”. Since 2024, over 170 schools with a total of 38 000 students, teachers and social workers have participated in these talks. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre will also organise a new round of interactive activities in July 2025 for candidates of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination and senior secondary school students. These activities aim to provide students with a stress-relieving occasion and reinforce their resistance against “space oil drug”. The ND also conducts free drama tours for schools to educate upper primary students in an interactive manner on the harm of “space oil drug”. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Police Force has staged a new play, “Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre – A Space Study Adventure”, to safeguard schools from the emerging “space oil drug”. Finally, on parental education, the ND works closely with the Committee on Home-School Co-operation and the Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations in various districts to provide parents and young people with timely and appropriate assistance related to “space oil drug”. 
     
         President, the Government has taken various measures to curb “space oil drug”. We have strategies in place to address the situation, ranging from legislation and law enforcement to treatment and rehabilitation. We will humbly listen to the views of the community, adjust our strategies as situation changes, and proactively adopt innovative and targeted approaches to combat drug harm together with the public.
     
         Thank you, President.
    Issued at HKT 14:35

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Improve the accessibility of West Kowloon Cultural District

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​Following is a question by the Hon Yiu Pak-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):
     
    Question:

    There are views that the road ancillary facilities and experience of walking to the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) are not satisfactory at present, and during festivals, holidays and large-scale activities, congestion often occurs on the roads in the vicinity. On improving the accessibility of the WKCD, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) as it has been reported that the southern landing facility of the WKCD is expected to come into operation in the fourth quarter of this year, of the specific timetable; of the specific measures in place to expedite the development of waterborne transport there, and whether it has studied developing the area into one of the distribution points for marine tours;

    (2) as some members of the public and tourists have reflected that the current experience of walking from the Xiqu Centre along Austin Road West to the area around the M+ is not satisfactory, whether the authorities will consider prioritising the creation of a pleasant harbourfront promenade from the Xiqu Centre to the WKCD to facilitate access of members of the public and tourists to the area; and

    (3) as there are views that the existing road design of Museum Drive outside the Hong Kong Palace Museum is unsatisfactory and prone to causing traffic congestion, and the authorities are conducting a road network study in the vicinity of Museum Drive, including a study on the construction of additional slip road exits to the West Kowloon Expressway, of the details of the study and whether the relevant works can commence as soon as possible?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD or the District) is an important strategic cultural infrastructure investment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The WKCD is not only a popular choice for local residents to participate in cultural activities, but also one of the must-visit cultural and creative attractions welcomed by tourists.
     
    The Government and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) have always attached great importance to the accessibility of West Kowloon. Currently, there are many public transport services and routes to the WKCD, including the MTR, seven franchised bus routes, five green minibus (GMB) routes as well as Water Taxis.
     
    When large-scale activities such as fireworks displays are held at the WKCD or in its vicinity, the WKCDA will closely liaise with the Police and Transport Department (TD). The Police will implement temporary traffic management measures, including road closures, as needed within the WKCD and its vicinity whereas the TD will co-ordinate with public transport services providers to increase their services. Visitors can walk to the two MTR stations (i.e. Kowloon Station and Austin Station) or nearby places to access public transports when roads in the vicinity are still closed after the activities. During major festivals in the past two years, the said arrangements have been working smoothly.
     
    Having consulted the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the WKCDA, my reply to the question raised by the Hon Yiu Pak-leung is set out below:
     
    (1) The Southern Landing Facility (SLF) located opposite to M+ is expected to complete and open in quarter four of this year (2025). By then, the existing berthing point of Water Taxi at the New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter will be relocated to this new landing facility. The WKCDA is also liaisng with the TD in actively exploring the introduction of a new ferry route between the WKCD and Central, so as to fully utilise the new landing facility for further improving waterborne transport to and from the WKCD.
     
    The SLF is a public landing facility. The WKCDA is currently formulating the future arrangements for the use of the SLF, including reservation arrangements for berthing public vessels other than Water Taxi, and will maintain close communication with the tourism industry and relevant Government departments to explore ways to maximise the utilisation of the SLF.
     
    (2) The WKCD is situated on a 40-hectare site next to the High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, the MTR Tuen Ma Line Austin Station as well as the Tung Chung Line Kowloon Station. Citizens and visitors can choose to use the nearest MTR station according to the different arts and cultural facilities in the District they want to visit.
     
    Taking M+ as an example, visitors can use the MTR Kowloon Station and walk about 10 minutes via Elements Shopping Mall and the Art Square Bridge to reach it. As for the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), visitors can go for Exit E of the MTR Kowloon Station, walk via Nga Cheung Road and the pedestrian footbridge of the former toll plaza of the Western Harbour Crossing to enter the WKCD West Gate, and then walk along the District’s roads to reach the HKPM in 15 minutes. Visitors going to the Xiqu Centre can use the Austin Road Pedestrian Linkage System at Exit E of the MTR Austin Station to reach the destination within 5 minutes on foot.
     
    The development of the WKCD has always adopted the “City Park” design concept. The planning fundamental of the WKCD is pedestrian-oriented with emphasis on its connectivity, encouraging visitors to walk to and from different arts and cultural facilities within the District. For instance, from M+ to the HKPM, visitors can walk for about 10 minutes through the Art Park or along the WKCD Promenade, both of which are places where citizens and tourists love to linger. As for going from Xiqu Centre to M+, since there are still works in progress in the relevant waterfront and Austin Road West section, we recommend citizens to take about 15 to 20 minutes to walk via Austin Station, High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, Elements, and the Artist Square Bridge at this stage.
     
    If visitors choose to travel between the WKCD and the High Speed Rail Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and MTR Austin Station by public transport, they can take the GMB Route CX1, or take the Kowloon Motor Bus Route W4 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
     
    (3) The Government and the WKCDA have been exploring various options for improving the road network of the WKCD, including the addition of an exit from Museum Drive to the West Kowloon Highway to improve vehicular accessibility of the northern part of the WKCD. The Government will continue to study with the WKCDA in this regard to meet the development needs of the WKCD.

    Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland-Hong Kong Green Energy Matchmaking Event promotes development of green maritime fuel supply chain

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Mainland-Hong Kong Green Energy Matchmaking Event organised by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and co-organised by the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province was held today (June 25) simultaneously in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Event aims to provide a collaborative platform for relevant suppliers and companies with demand to catalyse a comprehensive green maritime fuel supply chain and trade.
     
         The Event is supported by the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, the Commercial Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), as well as a number of relevant organisations, associations and enterprises from Hong Kong and the Mainland. More than 200 representatives from various enterprises, including those from Hong Kong companies with demand for green maritime fuels and relevant fuel suppliers from the Mainland, gathered in the two venues to exchange views and discuss collaborations in relation to fuel off-take and to sign relevant Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
     
         The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, said at the Hong Kong venue, “Hong Kong and the Mainland share the same roots and are closely connected, with strong complementarity in the development of green maritime fuels. The Mainland’s core strength lies in the production of green fuels, while Hong Kong, as the southern gate of Mainland China and an international financial, trading and maritime centre, is not only home to a large number of international shipping enterprises, but also enjoys advantages such as free flow of capital, a financial and legal system that is in line with the rest of the world, and a trade settlement mechanism that allows immediate payment settlements. In addition, Hong Kong is the top bunkering centre in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the second largest in the whole of China and ranks seventh globally. By adopting the ‘north-to-south sales’ model, under which the high-quality green maritime fuels produced on the Mainland can be exported to the world through Hong Kong’s international trading gateway, we will open up new ‘blue ocean’ opportunities for enterprises from the two places.
     
         “Today’s Event demonstrates the impactful materialisation of the target of the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering promulgated by the HKSAR Government in November last year. We will develop Hong Kong into the preferred green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre in the region. We have clearly set out in the Action Plan that we will establish a collaborative platform and provide facilitation measures for stakeholders engaged in green maritime fuel bunkering and related businesses, to help establish an efficient supply chain and trading channels. Today’s first-of-a-kind Event provides a high-quality and efficient networking platform for the supply and demand sides of green maritime fuels, to help Hong Kong and the Mainland to jointly build a green maritime fuel supply chain.”
     
         The signing of nine MOUs by various parties was witnessed by Ms Chan and representatives of relevant enterprises at the Hong Kong venue, and the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Chang Hui; Deputy Director-General of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce Mr Zeng Huacheng; the Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Zhou Qiang; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province Mr Sun Bin; member of the Legislative Council Mr Frankie Yick; the Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development, Miss Amy Chan, and representatives of various attending enterprises at the Shenzhen venue. Among them, the TLB signed MOUs with the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters, a representative industry organisation; Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical Co Ltd, a bunkering service provider; CIMC Enric Holdings Limited and the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, green methanol producers, to collaborate on promoting the development of green maritime fuel-related businesses and establishing a market for the trade of green maritime fuels, etc, with a view to integrating the needs of Hong Kong with the capabilities of industry, and further promoting the development of Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering and trading centre, thereby achieving mutually beneficial co-operation. In addition, the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited and the Pacific Basin Shipping Limited signed an MOU at the Hong Kong venue on their preliminary intent for business collaboration on green maritime fuels, which is a solid step forward for the development of a green maritime fuel trading centre in Hong Kong.
     
         In addition, Miss Chan briefed representatives of the attending enterprises on the direction and latest progress of the development of green maritime fuel bunkering and trading in Hong Kong at the Shenzhen venue, including announcing that the Marine Department will gazette the Code of Practice for Methanol Bunkering within this month, and launch the Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering Incentive Scheme which will offer incentives of up to $1 million per enterprise to pioneer enterprises that provide and engage in green maritime fuel bunkering in Hong Kong, for bunkering operations for specific fuels in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Third application announced under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme supported by Vetting Committee and enhancement measure launched for New Industrialisation Funding Scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Third application announced under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme supported by Vetting Committee and enhancement measure launched for New Industrialisation Funding Scheme 
    At the same time, to further support enterprises in adopting smart manufacturing and to seize market opportunities, the ITC has introduced an enhancement to the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS). For NIFS applications seeking funding support of no more than $2.8 million, they will be processed according to the newly established streamlined procedures to speed up the process of approving NIFS applications.
     
    The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, “The Government actively promotes the development of new industrialisation through the NIAS and the NIFS, injecting new impetus into Hong Kong’s economy. We are pleased that enterprises are making use of the funding support from these two schemes to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Funded enterprises will bring to Hong Kong the relevant technologies and expertise of product manufacturing, driving the development of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation and diversified economy.”
     
    The Government launched the NIAS in September 2024. The NIAS provides funding support on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) and contributing no less than $200 million to setting up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. For each project, the minimum total project cost is $300 million. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government encourages enterprises with approved projects under the NIAS to carry out research or increase their scale of research in Hong Kong by providing additional funding for them to engage research talent, as well as facilitating such enterprises in employing non-local talent required for setting up or operating the new production facilities in Hong Kong.
     
    The NIFS aims to subsidise manufacturers on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong. The funding ceiling for each project is one-third of the total project cost or $15 million, whichever is lower. Each enterprise can carry out up to three projects concurrently to receive a maximum total funding of up to $45 million under the NIFS.
     
    The NIAS and the NIFS are open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hkIssued at HKT 11:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Technology Voucher Programme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ22: Technology Voucher Programme 
    Question:
     
         The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) launched the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) in 2016 to subsidise enterprises in using technological services on a matching basis to enhance their productivity. It has been reported that since the launch of TVP, a total of nearly 35 000 projects involving a total of over $6.2 billion of public funding have been approved. However, suspected abuse cases have been found in a number of projects, including: (i) individuals with the same name registering with different companies and repeatedly applying for subsidies for the research and development of the same projects, (ii) nearly 2 000 projects and over 1 000 projects being approved with the same funding amount (accurate to one decimal place and some economists have described the figures as rather “statistically odd”), (iii) some applicant companies are suspected of having no actual operational activity or having already closed down, and (iv) there are doubts about the time taken to complete the development of the approved projects (e.g. $180,000 was granted to a company that updated its website and developed its mobile phone application in a speedy manner within two days; there was also a case in which a company developed an “Intelligent Anatomical Model Measurement System” in 27 days and was granted $480,000), etc. This has aroused suspicion that there are loopholes in the monitoring of TVP. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether the authorities have conducted random checks for subsidised projects granted under TVP in the past three years; if so, of the number and content of the random checks conducted and, among them, the respective numbers of applications suspected and confirmed to be abusive; if not, whether it will expeditiously activate the investigations in the light of the aforesaid media reports;
     
    (2) in respect of each application involving abuse of public subsidies or even fraud under TVP, of the follow-up actions actually taken by the authorities and the respective amounts of subsidies successfully and unsuccessfully recovered in such cases;
     
    (3) as the aforesaid reports have pointed out that some companies funded under TVP closed down shortly after receiving grants, of the measures put in place by the authorities to eradicate this situation; whether enterprises receiving approved grants will be required to regularly submit data on the use of technology projects/systems for monitoring purposes; and
     
    (4) whether the authorities will conduct a comprehensive review of TVP’s effectiveness since its implementation; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether they have assessed the actual increase in productivity, competitiveness and entrepreneurial return achieved by enterprises that applied for subsidies after upgrading their technological level?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In response to the Hon Paul Tse’s question, our consolidated reply is as follows:
     
         The Government ceased accepting new applications for the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) after December 31, 2024. To ensure proper use of public funds, the Hong Kong Productivity Council as the TVP Secretariat (the Secretariat) has been rigorously reviewing the applications, final project reports and supplementary information submitted by the applicants, and conducting random on-site checks on individual projects in order to ensure that the applications are eligible for funding and that the project deliverables conform to relevant requirements. When submitting TVP applications, every applicant must provide documentary evidence proving its substantive business operations in Hong Kong. Relevant documents include information on business operations, financial operations and employment. If any suspicious cases are identified, Innovation and Technology Commission will immediately withhold processing the relevant cases, cease disbursing any payments, and refer them to law enforcement agencies for follow-up. 
     
         After rigorous review by the Secretariat, each eligible TVP application will be assessed based on individual merits and considered on a case-by-case basis. According to the TVP Guidance Notes, the TVP Committee/the Secretariat will assess whether the project budget is reasonable by making reference to market prices of the technologies as known to them. If a project is worthy of support in principle but the project budget is higher than the estimated price, the Secretariat will, on a modular basis, adjust the level of funding with reference to the project cost approved by the TVP Committee. Therefore, projects/technological solutions of similar nature and scale (e.g. Enterprise Resource Planning System) will have the same approved amounts after the aforementioned adjustments. In addition, since the amount of funding is calculated on the basis of the funding ratio, there may be odd cents after the calculation.
     
         TVP has established rigorous checking mechanism to verify whether the approved projects are implemented. Applicants are required to implement the project in accordance with the approved application and funding agreement, and submit a final project report to the Secretariat upon completion of the project, together with evidence of deliverables (such as hardware photos and system screen captures), copy of invoice(s) and corresponding receipt(s) in relation to the payment for each expenditure item, an audited statement of income and expenditure for the project from an independent auditor (if the approved funding exceeds HK$50,000)/a final income and expenditure statement prepared by the applicant (if the approved funding is HK$50,000 or below). The Secretariat will also conduct random on-site checks on individual projects, requiring applicants to demonstrate the developed technological solutions on the spot so as to verify whether they comply with the requirements of the approved application and the TVP. Taking the cases with “progress issues” mentioned by media report and quoted in the question as an example, the final reports failed to pass the Secretariat’s assessment and no funding was disbursed.
     
         According to the TVP funding agreement, applicants are required to keep the relevant hardware and software for at least one year after project completion, and keep a proper and separate set of books and records for the project for seven years after project completion for checking. The Secretariat will conduct random checks on applicants to see if they comply with the relevant requirements.  
     
         In the past three years, the Secretariat has conducted random on-site checks on 1 860 projects and referred 15 suspicious cases to law enforcement agencies for follow-up. The Secretariat will recover the funding from applicants convicted in the cases. As the investigations/judicial proceedings by the law enforcement agencies are still ongoing, we have no record of funding recovery for the time being.
     
         To assess the effectiveness of the TVP on the funded enterprises/organisations, we require enterprises/organisations to submit evaluation reports six months after project completion on whether the project could achieve the objectives of improving productivity, or upgrading or transforming their business processes. As at end-2024, 8 587 of the funded enterprises/organisations with completed projects had submitted evaluation reports to the Secretariat. Ninety-nine per cent of them were of the view that the projects were conducive to enhancing their competitiveness. Specific benefits include saving manpower, time and/or cost, increasing revenue, and upgrading/transforming/streamlining business processes.
     
         The Government conducted a fundamental review on the TVP in 2024 and considered that the programme has achieved its original intent. In recent years, the Government has continued to strengthen support measures for different industries, and many bureaux and departments have introduced more targeted funding schemes dedicated to the specific conditions or operational needs of individual industries. It was therefore decided that TVP would cease accepting new applications after December 31, 2024.
     
    The Secretariat will continue to review and enhance the vetting procedures of TVP so as to process the outstanding cases. In view of the large number of applications received before the deadline on December 31, 2024, the Secretariat has adopted a stringent vetting approach, requiring applicants to provide documents to prove that they have substantive business operations, the procurement procedures meet the requirements, and the budget and other details of the proposed technological solutions are reasonable and realistic. The Secretariat will continue to rigorously review the documents submitted by applicants for each application to ensure proper use of public funds.
    Issued at HKT 11:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ19: Preventing dog excreta from fouling public places and streets

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Judy Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):

    Question:

    At present, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department have both drawn up guidelines for people walking dogs on cleaning up dog excreta in public places and on streets. However, there are views that the cleaning methods set out in such guidelines are inadequate. For example, people walking dogs are advised to use paper to wrap up dog faeces and deposit it in rubbish bins or dog excreta collection bins, and rinse the floor with water only, which are all ineffective in cleaning up dog excreta and removing its lingering odour, thereby affecting the cityscape. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the number of cases and total amount of fines imposed in each of the past three years for allowing dogs to foul (i) the streets or public places with faeces, and (ii) the common parts of buildings with excreta;
     
    (2) of the number of surprise inspections conducted by the authorities in each of the past three years to address the issue of dogs excreting indiscriminately (broken down by the 18 districts across the territory);
     
    (3) given that the existing legislation does not impose penalties on people walking dogs who allow their dogs to urinate and foul the streets, whether the Government has plans to amend the legislation to impose regulation; and
     
    (4) whether the authorities have plans to update the guidelines on cleaning up dog excreta (e.g. instructing people walking dogs to use cleaning agents with deodorising and stain-removing properties to rinse the areas where their dogs excrete); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,

    Under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap. 132BK), a person who allows his dog to cause fouling by depositing faeces in the common parts of a building or in any street or public place is liable on a first conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and on each subsequent conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000; and a person who allows his dog to cause fouling by depositing urine in the common parts of a building is liable on a first conviction to a maximum fine of $5,000 and on each subsequent conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000. Moreover, under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570), any person allowing dogs to foul the streets or public places with faeces is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000.

    The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) have provided the public with guidelines on prevention of fouling of places by dog excreta, advising dog walkers to take enough paper to wrap up the faeces and place it into the dog excreta collection bin, and bring sufficient clean water to rinse the spot where the dog has urinated in order to maintain environmental hygiene.

    My reply to the question raised by the Hon Judy Chan is as follows:

    (1) The number of cases in which the FEHD took enforcement actions against fouling of streets or public places by dog faeces, as well as the total amount of fines imposed between 2022 and 2024 are as follows:
     

      2022 2023 2024
    Number of cases 16 19 24
    Total amount of fines imposed on cases handled ($) 22,500 33,000 70,000*

    *The significant increase in fines was mainly due to the increase in the amount of fixed penalty for fouling of street by dog faeces from $1,500 to $3,000 with effect from October 22, 2023.

    Having considered its enforcement priorities and resource deployment, the FEHD focuses its enforcement efforts against cleanliness offences in streets and public places, while the management and hygiene problems of the common parts of buildings are generally followed up by owners or management companies. The FEHD does not maintain records of enforcement against dogs fouling the common parts of buildings with excreta between 2022 and 2024.

    (2) The numbers of blitz operations conducted by the FEHD in the 18 districts across the territory in response to dog fouling between 2022 and 2024 are as follows:
     

    District 2022 2023 2024
    Central and Western 10 12 14
    Wan Chai 17 15 23
    Eastern 12 10 17
    Southern 10 11 9
    Islands 4 15 8
    Yau Tsim Mong 22 30 28
    Sham Shui Po 11 13 18
    Kowloon City 14 16 16
    Wong Tai Sin 30 24 28
    Kwun Tong 24 24 26
    Kwai Tsing 12 10 10
    Tsuen Wan 15 12 18
    Tuen Mun 20 19 20
    Yuen Long 15 12 16
    North 8 8 10
    Tai Po 12 12 12
    Sha Tin 8 10 12
    Sai Kung 12 12 12
    Total 256 265 297

    The AFCD and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) also conduct enforcement operations at their respective sites from time to time, addressing various irregularities such as dogs fouling. The AFCD and the LCSD do not maintain specific figures on enforcement actions solely targeting dog fouling issues.

    (3) In general, rinsing the spot where the dog has urinated with sufficient clean water is enough to clean the spot properly and avoid causing environmental hygiene problems. Considering the habits of dogs marking their territory with urine and urinating outdoors, as well as the fact that using sufficient clean water is enough for cleaning, the Government currently has no plans to amend the legislation to regulate dog urination in streets or public places.

    The Government will continue to promote the message of “be a responsible pet owner” to the public and educate dog walkers to properly clean up after their dogs through various channels, including posters, pamphlets, thematic websites and roving exhibitions, so as to maintain environmental hygiene.

    (4) The guidelines issued by the FEHD and the AFCD have clearly required dog walkers to clean up after their dogs by properly wrapping up the faeces with sufficient paper or cleaning urine with sufficient clean water. As regards the requirement for dog walkers to use cleaning agents, we have to consider the impact on the public and the environment, such as whether the cleaning agents may cause pedestrians to slip and whether the discharge of cleaning agents into stormwater drains may cause pollution. The Government will continue its promotional and educational efforts so that dog walkers will follow the guidelines and properly dispose of the droppings of their dogs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ16: Manpower of lifeguard

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ16: Manpower of lifeguard 
    Question:
     
    It is learnt that, due to the shortage of lifeguard manpower, some gazetted beaches managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) have been unable to provide lifeguard services during the swimming season. This includes Cheung Sha Beach on Lantau Island (comprising Upper Cheung Sha Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach), which the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) recommends on its website as an ideal location for water sports. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) which gazetted beaches under the LCSD’s management were unable to provide lifesaving services for the entire swimming season over the past three years due to a shortage of lifeguard manpower, together with a tabulated breakdown by the 18 districts in Hong Kong;
     
    (2) given that the LCSD provides lifesaving services at its gazetted beaches daily from 9am to 6pm during the swimming season (i.e. from April to October), which of these beaches were unexpectedly closed for half a day or longer last year due to insufficient lifeguard manpower, together with the total number of closure days for each of such beaches;
     
    (3) given that, in the face of the lifeguard manpower shortage, the LCSD has been outsourcing lifesaving and first aid services at public swimming pools on a trial basis since September 2024, whether the Government has studied the possibility of outsourcing the operation of beaches with greater potential for water sports development to private organisations, including the provision of water sports facilities, beach umbrellas for hire, as well as life-saving and first-aid services; if such studies have been conducted, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (4) whether the authorities will co-ordinate their efforts more effectively to prevent the temporary closure of beaches recommended by the HKTB due to a shortage of lifeguard manpower (for example, Cheung Sha Beach has been unable to provide lifeguard services for the past two swimming seasons), so as to avoid an adverse impact on visitors’ experiences?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has all along adopted a multi-pronged approach to increase and stabilise the manpower supply of lifeguards, including implementing various measures proactively such as increasing the salaries of seasonal lifeguards and enhancing the flexibility of recruitment process. During the swimming season (i.e. from April to October every year), in addition to civil service lifeguards, the LCSD will employ seasonal lifeguards to assist in providing lifesaving services as well as deploy serving lifeguards and other resources flexibly to maintain services at the 42 gazetted beaches as far as practicable.
     
    My reply to the Hon Chan Hok-fung’s questions are set out below:
     
    (1) During the period from 2022 to 2024, the gazetted beaches where lifesaving services were not available for the entire swimming season due to a shortage of lifeguards are listed at Annex. Members of the public, however, can still enjoy sunbathing and use other facilities at these gazetted beaches.
     
    (2) In 2024, no gazetted beaches were temporarily closed for half day or more due to a shortage of lifeguards.
     
    (3) In September 2024, the LCSD launched a two-year programme of outsourcing the lifesaving and first aid services at six public swimming pools on a trial basis. This is one of the measures to increase and stabilise the supply of lifeguards. The programme has run for around nine months, during which the service contractor has been providing stable services. The LCSD will continue to review and evaluate the implementation of the programme.
     
    At present, over half of the 42 gazetted beaches managed by the LCSD are already equipped with facilities operated commercially by enterprises or organisations, including light refreshment kiosks, fast food kiosks, restaurants and canoe training centres. These operators currently provide sale or rental services (including rental of sun umbrellas, beach chairs and lifebuoys) for the convenience of swimmers. As for the feasibility of outsourcing the lifesaving and first aid services, the LCSD will take into account a basket of factors, including the outcome and experience of the outsourced lifesaving and first aid services mentioned above, the usage patterns of the public at beaches and the safety of swimmers. The LCSD will continue to actively engage with all stakeholders to jointly provide leisure experiences of better quality for the general public.
     
    (4) When deciding which gazetted beaches to be provided with full lifesaving services, the LCSD will consider multiple factors, including the number of swimmers, the ancillary facilities in the vicinity of beaches as well as the views and demand of the District Councils and local communities.
     
    As for those beaches where full lifesaving services are yet to be provided temporarily, members of the public and tourists can still enjoy a variety of leisure activities there, such as strolling, sand-sculpting and sunbathing. They can also use facilities such as light refreshment kiosks, barbecue pits, playgrounds and beach volleyball courts.
     
    The LCSD will continue to monitor the situation of the beaches, and maintain close communication and co-ordination with relevant stakeholders (including the Hong Kong Tourism Board) to make appropriate arrangements for the general public and tourists.
    Issued at HKT 11:05

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