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Policy Address 2023: Hong Kong's newborn support initiatives for housing fall short of expectations
- 2023-10-25
- Society
- By: KONG Tsz YuenEdited by: Kei Tung LAM
- 2023-10-25
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s policy speech included a cash bonus for newborn babies and measures to put families with newborn children at the front of the queue for public housing as part of his campaign to reverse Hong Kong’s falling birth rate. Lee announced the Hong Kong government will launch the new Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme and Families with Newborns Allocation Priority Scheme, giving parents of newborn children a one-year reduction in public housing waiting time and reservation of priority flats for families with children under three. The Flat Selection Priority Scheme will reserve 10% of flats for newborn families while at the same time, the Allocation Priority Scheme will reduce the public rental housing waiting time by one year from next April. The scheme does not cover single elderly individuals, non-permanent residents, and families already with children, Sze Lai Shan, Deputy director for the Society for Community Organization said. "We have consistently communicated to the housing department that families with young children should be given priority due to their children's physical needs. They require adequate space, a regular table, and other essentials that their current homes cannot provide," Sze added. Despite these appeals, the government has not implemented these changes. "I have been living in a subdivided flat with less than 200 square feet, along with my four family members, and waiting for public housing for 11 years," Lau said. She said the government should support families like hers who already have children. Besides the housing measures, Lee also offered a one-time cash bonus of $20,000 for babies born today or after in Hong Kong to HKPR parents. According to the United Nations Population Fund, Hong Kong has the lowest fertility rate in the world, with a fertility rate of 0.8, lower than South Korea's 0.9 …
Policy Address 2023: HK$10 billion boost for innovation and technology development
- 2023-10-25
- Society
- By: Tsz Wing CHAN、Bella DingEdited by: Bella Ding
- 2023-10-25
Chief Executive John Lee announced a HK$10 billion investment today, continuing his ambition to develop the city into a centre for international innovation and technology. The new Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme aims to promote the downstream development of enterprises in the fields of life and health technologies, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing, and new energy technologies. These areas account for over 50% of all start-up industries. There are now 3,985 start-up companies, a 52% jump compared to 2018, according to Start Me Up, a team under InvestHK to help overseas start-ups enter the city. Hong Kong has topped the Emerging Ecosystems ranking in Asia and ranked second worldwide in 2023. The funding support for the set-up of production facilities will follow the matching basis of one government to two companies, subject to a funding ceiling of HK$200 million. “I firmly believe that these stakeholders will remain at the forefront of shaping and advancing the future of the fintech industry,” said Phoebe Kwok, Head of Partnership of AllStarsWomen DAO’s Asia Pacific Chapter, a global community empowering women in fintech, AI and Web3 field. “But I anticipate that the overall development for the fintech industry will also require further regulatory frameworks to support,” she added. The government is still considering the feasibility of enterprises employing non-local technical personnel more flexibly and easing the restriction on subsidised research talent headcount this year. No detailed policy has been announced yet. Compared to last year, the government also doubled the financial input to HK$16 million into nurturing talents and commercialising Research and Development outcomes through its Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme. Each R&D program submitted by eight UGC-funded universities will be capped at HK$100 million. Funding will be provided to support a minimum of 100 university research teams with the potential to become …
Policy Address 2023: Hong Kong to encourage elite athlete development, promote sporting events to public
- 2023-10-25
- Society
- By: Yau To LUMEdited by: Kin Hou POON、Tsz Yin HO
- 2023-10-25
In his 2023 Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee aims to continue to foster sports growth in Hong Kong by supporting elite sports, improving professionalism, and promoting sports in the community to develop the city as a centre for key international sporting events, as well as expanding the sports sector. To achieve the vision, Lee said that a new Hong Kong Sport Institute building will be completed in mid-2024, providing advanced training facilities for elite athletes. “In the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou, Hong Kong won a record high of 53 medals, and the government will continue to promote sports development in Hong Kong,” Lee said. Lee also stated that he would like to popularise sporting events among the general public in order to improve the city's overall sports growth. Cheng Tsz-lam, 26, a member of Hong Kong’s women’s kabaddi team, said the facilities could help the elite athletes who played minor sports. “Minor sports players who cannot find a place with the correct size requirement for training can use the new training facilities that will be built in the coming years as a place for daily training," Cheng said. Lee also said the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau will continue implementing the 10-year development blueprint for sports and recreation facilities, which provide sports and recreation facilities such as sports centres, grounds, and parks, including a swimming pool suitable for hosting international competitions and an arena with fencing training and competition facilities. The government will also cooperate with the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China in 2024 to offer coaches more professional training and internship opportunities. Cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing, 22, who won a silver medal in this year’s Asian Games, thinks there is an alternative way to enhance professionalism. “If they can invite foreign teams or …
Policy Address 2023: Hong Kong halves the buyer stamp duty for the first time
- 2023-10-25
- Society
- By: Junzhe JIANG、Lisheng CHENGEdited by: Zimo ZHONG
- 2023-10-25
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that the buyer stamp duty is halved and published the stamp duty suspension arrangement with immediate effect for incoming talents on Wednesday to boost the local property market in his latest policy address. The Hong Kong government will cut the current buyer stamp duty in half to 7.5% and will postpone levying double stamp duties for incoming talents who have not yet become Hong Kong permanent residents. Meanwhile, the applicable period of special stamp duty will be shortened from three years to two years, meaning property owners will no longer pay the 10% special stamp duty if they choose to resell the property after two years of acquisition. “Compared with last year’s policy, these new policies are more direct to property buyers,” said Martin Wong, head of research and consultancy for Knightfrank, a global property consultancy based in Hong Kong. John Lee published the Proposed Refund Mechanism for non-local residents to attract talent in his 2022 policy address with the condition that the double stamp duties will be refunded if non-permanent residents buy their new property after Oct. 19, 2022. Terence Li, senior principal account manager of Centaline Property, said: “30% stamp duties are always too high for non-local buyers, and last year’s policy is not that attractive as it’s hard for those non-local residents to reach the seven-year mark.” The price of properties in Hong Kong dropped 15.2%, and the trading amount of primary and secondary markets dropped 39% in 2022 compared with 2021, according to the Rating and Valuation Bureau of Hong Kong. From 2009 to 2016, a series of measures were introduced with the intention of reducing speculative demand and restraining the surging home prices that had surged after the conclusion of the SARS outbreak in July 2003. The special …
Canada's Leylah Fernandez wins the Hong Kong Tennis Open Title 2023
- 2023-10-21
- Society
- By: Jemima BadajosEdited by: Rajnandini PANDEY
- 2023-10-21
The 6th Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open concluded on Sunday with 21-year-old Leylah Fernandez from Canada taking her first title of the 2023 season at the women’s singles, beating Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova.
Kulturnatten's 30th Anniversary: A Night of Light and Culture in Copenhagen 13/10/2023
- 2023-10-20
- Society
- By: Tsz Yau CHANEdited by: Wisha LIMBU
- 2023-10-20
Copenhagen's annual Culture Night, known as "Kulturnatten," dazzled the central city with lights, music, and a resilient spirit despite challenging weather conditions. The 30th Anniversary of this celebration had an impressive turnout of over 63,000 attendees. All cultural night events required a Culture Pass at a cost of 110 Danish Krone (HK$121) from either a mobile app or through 7-Eleven stores. The Culture Pass covered free transportation on trains, buses and the Metro in selected city areas from 4 am to 4 pm during the event. The charming streets of Copenhagen were transformed into a vibrant tapestry of culture. Museums, city halls, and churches which normally closed at night were all lit with majestic light shows. Reflecting on the event's growth since 1993, Marie Myschetzky, Secretariat manager for Kulturnatten, noted the remarkable expansion from 45 events in the first year to over 200 high-quality special events after 30 years. Myscheytzky emphasised the event’s role in making culture and the city accessible to everyone. "New generations are invited behind the scenes of the city, and spaces are created for delving into history and contemporary topics in an exciting way," she said. As night fell, the once-silent library underwent a magical transformation into a mysterious maze adorned with lasers and music, concealing treasures of acorns. Kathrine, 41, and her son Cal, 3 visited the Norrebro Library and went on a treasure hunt in the Labyrinth of books and shelves. Young detectives like Cal eagerly embarked on a quest to discover hidden acorns. Upon finding them, Cal skillfully assembled them into figurines using sticks and glue. “The Culture Night event is really good for family activities. Cal gets to visit places that are usually closed at this time,” said Kathrine. “When I was young, I would go to other ball parties at Culture …
Digital Art Fair 2023 highlights AI-generated art on nostalgic theme
- 2023-10-19
- Society
- By: Juncong SHUAI、Junzhe JIANGEdited by: Bella Ding
- 2023-10-19
The 2023 Asia edition of the Digital Art Fair kicked off with nostalgia at K11 Art & Cultural Centre today, highlighting AI-generated art. It is the first post-pandemic digital art fair in Hong Kong with a special exhibition zone dedicated to AI-generated art. “AI can unlock the creativity of artists,” said Jessica Marinaro, senior director at digital artwork market, MakersPlace, “Artists can train AI to be an expert in their work and be prompted like ‘if you were me, what would you do next’.” The Red Prayer of Park Young Sook’s Moon Jar I & II is the result of collaboration between new media artist, Ming Shiu and her AI partner Genesis Kai. They used traditional Korean Joseon ceramics to explore interaction with Asia’s diverse cultures. “We artists have also been super nostalgic but we will use the tools of the future,” said Herman Rahman, Co-Curator and Fair Manager of Art & Technology. Take Your Time, a site-specific and multi-sensory installation, was created by Hong Kong artist, Jonathan Jay Lee under the inspiration of old neon lights in this city. The artwork is meant to showcase and preserve the cultural heritage of Hong Kong utilising digital technology, according to Digital Art Fair. Echoing a theme of nostalgia but beyond generative arts, digital artist Henry Chu launched Rainfall Piano this year, which is made of just LED lights, screens and stones. “I was driven by technology to showcase something new because it could easily attract people’s eyeballs and earn quick money,” said Chu, “But I want to go back to the purity of art…many artists are focusing on the origin of the art after the pandemic.” This year’s fair also includes four other sections: the immersive zone filled with 3D animations, the Inspire Zone of web3 technologies, the Prestige Zone displaying …
Hong Kong FIA World RX Finale to be held next month
- 2023-10-18
- Society
- By: Yau To LUMEdited by: Ka Ki FUNG
- 2023-10-18
Hong Kong will be hosting the FIA World Rallycross Championship Finale for the first time at the Central Harbourfront Event Space from 10-12 November . It is the city’s first motorsport race since the Formula-E race was held in 2019 and the first-ever World Rallycross city race. The season finale is certified by the Hong Kong SAR government as a Major Sports Event, also known as the “M” Mark Event. It is also the first international all-electric motorsport competition in the Asia-Pacific region. Leslie Wong, CEO of World RX Hong Kong Management Limited, expressed his gratitude for the contribution from the government. “The support from the government is really strong in which they are responding with whatever they can to help organize this championship,” Wong said in a press conference. Wong added that the season finale would lead to the development of a track in Hong Kong to nurture local competitive drivers. "I would say hopefully the path or the future development of motorsports is that we will have our own permanent racecourse in Hong Kong, but it will be a long way, and I hope this is the first step towards it," he said. The circuit in Hong Kong would be around 1.2 km long, composed of 37% alternating gravel and 63% asphalt sections, the latter of which will be all closed public roads. Klara Andersson started her competitive career in 2021 and is the only woman among ten drivers competing in the finale next month. “This will be the first city centre race, I think it's really inspiring and also the first time for an all-electric motorsport competition to be held in Asia Pacific. It's a lot of excitement and I really think that we will put on a good show,” she said. The young driver also recommends …
Young adults play hide-and-seek with modern technology twist
- 2023-10-16
- Society
- By: Lisheng CHENGEdited by: Yixin Gao
- 2023-10-16
Hong Kong's first urban “cat-and-mouse” game took place at Kowloon Walled City Park on Oct 15, where 40 people engaged in an exciting chase through sharing satellite positioning. The game was created and initiated by the HKGo organization, a business that has organized more than 100 outdoor and indoor activities that participants pay to play. The game is the company’s first outdoor game combined with modern techonology. The game is a combination of hide-and-seek and tag with players divided into cats and mice. The cats hunt the mice and gain bracelets when a mouse is hit with an inflatable stick. The game is played until all the mice have been converted to cats. Players must stay within the boundary of the park. The cat with the most bracelets and the last surviving mouse are crowned kings. Players pay HK$48 to join the game and kings win HK$88 each. Players share their real-time positions with the satellite positioning function of Gaode Map, a map app. Bruce Shen, 28, one of the organizers, said the hide-and-seek aspect is not new, but adding the satellite positioning technology escalates the excitement and challenge level of the game. Shen, also a founding member of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Association, and his business partner, Michael Hua, 29, studied information technology. They aspire to combine traditional games and outdoor activities with new information technologies to bring a fresher experience to young adults. “Seeing the cat only ten meters away from me on the map without knowing the exact spot was a nerve-wracking moment,” said Clara Chen, 23, a mouse player. Yiqi Chan, 22, a cat player, united with other cats and discussed plans to catch mice. His partner distracted the mice from the front while he climbed up the hill from the back to chase …
28-year-old university student arrested for suspected sexual assault and voyeuristic acts at multiple university orientation camps
- 2023-09-07
- Society
- By: Ngai Fung NGEdited by: Aruzhan ZEINULLA
- 2023-09-07
The police announced yesterday the arrest of a 28-year-old student from the Education University of Hong Kong on allegations of sexual assault and voyeurism during six different university orientation camps. Basil Tang, an assistant police commander of the Hong Kong police force, said in a press briefing, that four female students reported being victims of the suspect’s illicit behavior. The suspect, identified as a top-up degree student at Education University, is believed to have sexually assaulted an 18-year-old freshman during a joint orientation camp hosted by the Hong Kong Red Cross in mid-July. However, the suspect's alleged criminal conduct did not cease there. In mid-August, a month after the first reported incident, he was accused of raping a 19-year-old female student when driving her home from a university camp. In the same camp, an 18-year-old female student alleges she was indecently assaulted by the same individual. Further allegations involve the suspect reportedly observing a 22-year-old female student while she was showering during a joint photography and engineering orientation camp in late August. Assistant Commander Tang also revealed that the suspect had previously been arrested in early July for a sexual assault case unrelated to university orientation camps. These distressing incidents have raised significant concerns and prompted attention from the academic community and beyond. Ahead of the weekly Executive Council gathering, Hong Kong's leader John Lee commented on the recent sexual assault cases within university camps, stating, “If such behavior does not breach the law but is in conflict with campus regulation, schools have a responsibility to ensure discipline.” According to data provided by the Hong Kong Police Force, there were 20 reported rape cases in 2022, and 21 in 2023. As the new academic year begins, universities, including Hong Kong Baptist University, actively promote student participation in various society-organized …