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Policy Address 2025: Hetao Cooperation Park layout to be finalised as Hong Kong aims to speed up area development
- 2025-09-17
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: WANG Ludan、Li ZhongyiEdited by: YANG Haicen
- 2025-09-17
Hong Kong hopes to speed up the development of a newly constructed park on the border that is cooperatively managed by Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as part of the government’s focus on innovation and technology, said John Lee Ka-chiu in today's Policy Address. The park’s layout has yet to be finalised even as the first batch of enterprises has already taken up residence in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. “We will finalise the Park’s overall layout and consider offering workspaces flexibly to companies under the ‘moving in while construction is underway’ approach; that will enable them to move in earlier without having to wait for the completion of the entire park's construction,” said Lee. The new tenants include companies and talents specializing in life and health technology, microelectronics, new energy, AI and other pillar industries. This is connected to the government’s broader plan to develop Hong Kong into a global AI hub. The second phase of construction, which includes another five buildings in addition to the current three, will be completed progressively from 2027, Lee said. According to reports from Chinese state media, companies including The Hong Kong and China Gas Company, RoadAGI, Ping An Technology, and Siemens Energy have established a presence in the park. The Cooperation Zone will be used as a dedicated hub for cutting-edge research in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, applied mathematics and new materials. Earlier this year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted in the 2025 budget plan that the government has earmarked HK$3.7 billion for the Hetao Innovation Zone, supporting the first-phase construction of infrastructure and public facilities, as it is one of the key projects in the Northern Metropolis development strategy. Chan estimated that upon the full completion of Hong Kong Park, it will contribute approximately HK$52 billion annually …
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers Policy Address 2025
- 2025-09-17
- Politics
- The Young Reporter
- By: SIU Tsz HangEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-09-17
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced his fourth policy address at 11am today. As in the case in the past three years, Lee continues to stick with green as the theme colour. His policy address mainly focuses on several areas such as promoting patriotic education, setting up an accountability system for senior civil servants to enhance governance, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, improving innovation and technology industry’s development, reforming the economy and healthcare system. This year, his address lasted 174 minutes, which is his second longest in history, followed by the longest record of 202 minutes in 2023.
Policy Address 2025: Government to support low-altitude economy with new action plan
- 2025-09-17
- By: LAU Ka Yan、CHAN Hiu YingEdited by: NG Natasha Goa Sheng
- 2025-09-17
Hong Kong will create more legislation promoting the low-altitude economy, mostly focused on drone activities, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in the policy address this morning. Potential activities in airspace under 1,000 metres include drone rescues, surveys and deliveries. Food delivery platform Keeta launched drone food delivery in a small area in the New Territories in June. Keeta, along with SF Express and Lalamove, were some of the first applicants to apply for drone activities in March. Improving civil aviation legislation and regulatory framework, promoting infrastructure facilities, organising more talent trainings, enhancing the application system and developing low-altitude economy insurance products were all mentioned in the policy address this year. More complex government plans will establish air route networks, satellite positioning, three-dimensional spatial data systems and a smart and traffic-management system for low-altitude passenger aircrafts, Lee said. “With countless islands in the city, it is a perfect scenario to apply passenger-carrying aircraft,” said Huang Hailong, assistant professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and leader of the university research group on autonomous technology. “For people living on the islands who have urgent medical needs, using drones to access hospitals is more convenient and cost-effective than ships and helicopters.” “In the meantime, the government should establish clear regulations including administrative penalties to curb illegal flights, considering safety should be the first priority in developing the low-altitude economy,” said Huang. He said third-party insurance similar to car insurance can be introduced. “Low-altitude technology can also be applied to sectors including express delivery, emergency rescue and construction monitoring in the future,” said Zhang Feiyang, Research Manager of Our Hong Kong Foundation and one of the authors of the organisation’s policy recommendation report to the government regarding low-altitude economy. “To serve as a global role …
Brisbane’s West End celebrates Kurilpa Derby with parade and festivities
- 2025-09-17
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHAU Wing YauEdited by: CHAN Wing Yiu
- 2025-09-17
BRISBANE, Australia — The 2025 Kurilpa Derby took place on 14 September, continuing an 18-year tradition in the West End suburb in Brisbane, Australia. The word “Kurilpa” means “home of the water rat”, showing the West End suburb’s history as a natural habitat for water rats and a place where First Nations people once lived. The West End Community Association organises the parade annually in recognition of Indigenous heritage and celebrates the community’s spirit. Participants decorated their wheels in various creative styles and dressed up for the parade. A series of activities following the Kurilpa Derby parade, including a doggy fashion parade, Samba performance and live music. Follow the link below to watch the full reel: https://youtube.com/shorts/vOYWsjYb81Q?si=i10rLg1kZpImBD-d
Live: Policy Address 2025
- 2025-09-17
- By: MA Tsz Chiu Oscar、ZHANG YipingEdited by: MA Tsz Chiu Oscar、ZHANG Yiping
- 2025-09-17
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is announcing his fourth policy address at 11am today. As in the past three years, Lee continues to stick with green as the theme colour. TYR reporters will be covering today’s policy address live. Stay tuned for more. 1:54 PM Lee concludes this year’s Policy Address, the second longest in history at 174 minutes. 1:53 PM Lee emphasised that ethnic minorities are important members of the Hong Kong community, and the Home Affairs Department will set up one additional care team each to serve the Northern and Island Districts. The government will also establish a Youth Network and a Women's Network at the 10 Support Service Centres for ethnic minorities to organise activities. An additional Interpretation and Translation Service Centre will be established in December. 1:51 PM The additional tax exemption for newborns is set to be extended from the first year to the first two years of the child's life. The tax exemption for parents with newborns will double from HK$130,000 to HK$260,000. The policy is implemented to encourage childbirth. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the total fertility rate in 2024 is 841 births per 1,000 women, lower than the government wants. 1:47 PM Lee just passed the 2 hour 45 min mark, making this his longest policy address yet. 1:35 PM The government will introduce a licensing scheme that permits dogs to enter designated restaurants. Approved eateries will display clear signage indicating that customers are allowed to bring dogs inside. According to government statistics, the total number of pets in Hong Kong exceeds 400,000, which has generated significant consumer spending. The government supports the business sector in launching various pet-friendly activities and spaces to create new consumption scenarios. 1:32 PM Victoria Harbour, Mirs Bay, and …
Policy Address 2025: Hong Kong develops tourism economy to revitalise retail industry
- 2025-09-17
- Business
- By: Wang Yunqi、LO Shing Kwan、Zhou XinyingEdited by: Yichun Fang、BO Chuxuan
- 2025-09-17
The Hong Kong government plans to unveil the “ Tourism Everywhere” strategy, combining local characteristics with international elements, to develop the tourism economy, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during his Policy Address Speech on Wednesday. The tourism economy strategy encompasses a diverse portfolio of targeted initiatives, with yacht economy, horse racing tourism, cruise tourism, and eco-experiences included. These efforts of the government in tourism strategy aim to attract high-spending visitor segments, boost consumption, and drive growth across the retail, F&B, and hospitality sectors, according to Colliers, a global real estate and investment management consultancy, in a comment after the speech was delivered. “As of August this year, the overall visitor arrivals had reached 33.2 million, a significant increase of 12% over the same period last year", said Lee. Sophia Lam, a member of the Southern District Council, which is home to tourist attractions like Ocean Park and Repulse Bay, said the aim of promoting tourism by leveraging local culture is to boost the retail economy and stimulate consumer spending. According to the release from the Census and Statistics Department, the provisional estimate for total retail sales value was HK$214.8 billion for the first seven months of 2025, a decrease of 2.6% compared to the sum of the first 7 months in 2024. The government shows that from January 2023 to July 2025, the number of visitor arrivals in Hong Kong increased significantly, while the retail sales slightly declined during the same period. After the epidemic, Hong Kong's tourism industry gradually recovered, with the number of visitors to Hong Kong in the first seven months of 2025 reaching about 28 million. Chen Sihao, a professor of the Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance at Hong Kong Baptist University, explained that the depreciation of the RMB has dampened mainland tourists’ enthusiasm …
Sawed-Off Horns: The Rhino’s Trade-Off for Survival in South Africa
- 2025-09-16
- By: Dake Liu、Wenhui Li、Ruqing Chen、Wing Yan ChanEdited by: Robin Ewing
- 2025-09-16
This project is part of an independent reporting trip by HKBU journalism students to South Africa this summer to explore animal conservation efforts in the lead up to World Rhino Day on Sept 22. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa -- Beneath the harsh African sun this August, the rhino pauses at the edge of a watering hole. Its body is a marvel of strength—thick, leathery hide folded like ancient parchment, dotted with ticks and patches of dried mud that crack when it shifts its weight. Its legs, short but sturdy as tree trunks, carry it forward with a slow, deliberate gait. But as our gaze moved to its face, we were startled to see only a stunted remnant of its rhino horn. On a safari in Krueger National Park in South Africa, we turned to the guide with questions. Had the horn been poached? No, the guide told us. It was the national park itself that chopped off the rhino's horn. This measure, known as dehorning, aims to protect these creatures from poachers that hunt and kill them for their horns. South Africa, home to nearly 70% of Africa’s remaining rhinos, remains the epicenter of a violent and escalating poaching war. At least 2,212 rhinos have been killed for their horns since 2020, according to data from Kreuger National Park. Rhino horns are highly valued in wildlife black markets for their use in traditional Chinese medicine and as status symbols in Asia, such as Vietnam. The South African government, which manages Kruger National Park, has adopted rhino dehorning as its key anti-poaching strategy. And while this has proven effective, poachers have recently started targeting even dehorned rhinos for their remaining stump. And some recent studies have found that rhinos are negatively impacted by the loss of their horns, bringing the …
Nepali people protest and pay tribute at Copenhagen’s City Hall and Nepal Embassy
- 2025-09-13
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: LEUNG Chi NgaiEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-09-13
Flowers, candles, and handwritten cardboard signs sat on the stairs of a public square in the city centre of Copenhagen to commemorate more than 50 Nepali protesters who died protesting against the government in Nepal on Monday and Tuesday. Hundreds of Nepalis living in Copenhagen gathered at the City Hall Square on Tuesday evening, said Jyotindra Thapa Ais, 29, a Nepali living in Copenhagen who attended the gathering. On Wednesday morning, 23 Nepalis gathered again outside the Nepal Embassy to protest Nepal government policies, youth unemployment and a lack of opportunities and to pay tribute to the dead protesters. The protest, which started against a social media ban in Nepal, has escalated into a deadly conflict involving tens of thousands of mostly young people taking to the streets of Kathmandu. More than 50 Nepali protesters, mainly students and young people, have died from clashes with security forces and police, according to the BBC. The Nepali Supreme Court, parliament and other major government buildings were set on fire. Houses that belong to government officials were raided by demonstrators. The dissent has created a power vacuum in the Nepali government, as the prime minister, ministers and high-ranking members of political parties resigned. Bel Gurung, 50, from Nepal who lives in Copenhagen, said he initiated the two events in Copenhagen on Tuesday morning, after hearing requests from Nepalis in Copenhagen to raise their voices. “No corruption, no violence, no injustice” were the key messages Gurung and other protesters spread, he said. “When you speak a voice, the true voice, it doesn't matter how loud or how small it was. That spread all over the world to the right people, to the right country,” he said. Jyotindra said: “Today was just for the death of the students, and we were not focusing on other …
Music, beer, and sweat: Copenhagen metro turns into a dancefloor for locals
- 2025-09-10
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: LEUNG Chi NgaiEdited by: AO Wei Ying Vinci
- 2025-09-10
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Hundreds of revelers danced to electronic music with beer in an hours-long metro party in Denmark’s capital of Copenhagen on Sept. 7. The rave took place in a running metro train circulating the Copenhagen City Circle Line from 8:30pm to 11pm, with people joining or leaving at any station. Four music artists played live techno music, with big speakers installed in each car. Some party-goers brought beer along with them on the train. Metro staff regulated the flow of passengers at the gates to prevent overcrowding. Augustinas, 20, from Lithuania, said he has a broad interest in different music genres and is a fan of Peachlyfe, one of the DJs at the event. “I just want to have a great time. I want to dance. I want to listen to some good stuff,” he said before entering the metro party. The metro party is one of the events of the 2025 Strøm Festival, an annual festival since 2006 that promotes electronic music to both Danes and international audiences. Around one-fifth of Nordic listeners chose “dance & electronic” as their favourite music genres, according to a 2020 study by YouGov, an international market research and data analytics firm. “We often present electronic music in unconventional settings: urban spaces, nature and other unexpected places where audiences do not typically expect to encounter electronic music,” said a spokesperson for the non-profit Strøm, which organizes the festival, in an email interview. Theo Pallesen, 21, a Danish local resident, found himself passing through one extra station due to the crowds. “I was at the right station and tried to squeeze off and suddenly the door shut and then I was stuck just right in the middle of the party, where people were jumping, sweating and drinking alcohol,” he said.
Hong Kong’s first hot air balloons festival deflates as balloon rides cancelled
- 2025-09-06
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: SIU Tsz Hang、CHENG Tsz Sen SeanEdited by: LAI Uen Ling
- 2025-09-06
The opening of Hong Kong’s first hot air balloon festival was marked by disappointment as the planned balloon ride was cancelled. Scheduled from September 4 to 7, the festival initially promised “Tethered Ride Experience” allows guests to enjoy views on hot air balloons. The government said it declined to issue the permit for the experience due to safety concerns. Follow the link below to watch the full reel: https://youtube.com/shorts/DAos7mQwVMI?si=pSBmlk8bXAsWvRC1