Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster named top innovation hub | The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ranked the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster number one in its Global Innovation Index 2025, marking its first time at the top of the list after being in second place for five consecutive years. The cluster recorded 2,292 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, 3,775 scientific articles, and 135 venture capital deals per million inhabitants over the last five years. At the launch event, Financial Secretary Paul Chan highlighted Hong Kong’s unique strengths in technology, capital and talent, noting its world-class universities, innovation focus and role as Asia’s premier financial centre, attracting global enterprises and talent and support business growth through deep capital markets and close collaboration within the Greater Bay Area. Earlier in the day, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WIPO to contribute leading intellectual property (IP) judgments from the city’s Judiciary to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database, showcasing the city’s legal expertise to the global IP community. | | | Hong Kong Ballet captivates New York with “The Butterfly Lovers” | Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) captivated New York with the US premiere of its award-winning production “The Butterfly Lovers” at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center. Performing four sold-out shows on August 22-24, the company impressed the audience with lush choreography, poignant storytelling and striking stage design that blended Chinese tradition with contemporary ballet, marking the triumphant return of the HKB to the New York stage since 2023. At the opening night reception (Aug 22), Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) Maisie Ho said the company reflected Hong Kong’s vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle, global outlook, and rich cultural diversity, exemplifying the vital role the city plays as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Led by Artistic Director Septime Webre, this reimagination of the classic folktale was choreographed by Ricky Hu and Mai Jingwen. It featured stunning set and costume designs by Academy Award winner Tim Yip, and a sweeping original score performed live by New York City Ballet Orchestra, led by resident conductor of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Lio Kuokman. | | |
| Tennis ace Coleman Wong makes historic US Open milestone | Hong Kong tennis star Coleman Wong made history at the US Open by becoming the first player from Hong Kong in the Open era to win a Grand Slam main draw match and advance to the top 32. The 21-year-old shone in his main draw debut, defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic of the US in straight sets. He then secured a hard-fought victory over Australia’s Adam Walton, firing 21 aces to reach the third round. There, he took world No. 13 Andrey Rublev to a thrilling five-set battle - delivering 25 aces and claiming the first and fourth sets before narrowly falling 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6. Following his US Open breakthrough, Wong’s world ranking has risen to 146. He will have a chance to face Rublev again next month on home ground at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Kai Tak. (Photo credit: ArcK Photography) | | Visually impaired erhu artist named Danny Awards winner | Hong Kong erhu artist Yang Enhua has been named as one of the Top 10 winners at the 6th Danny Awards, an international music competition hosted by Daniel’s Music Foundation (DMF) that celebrates the talents of musicians with disabilities. The visually impaired artist received the international recognition for his performance of “The Cat and the Mouse”, a contemporary piece by Chinese composer Cao Tianli that vividly fuses Chinese and Western musical elements. He will perform live at the award ceremony at the Town Hall in New York on Oct 25, which will be live-streamed worldwide. Finalists will also receive honorariums, mentorship, and international networking opportunities. DMF supports artist development, with some past finalists collaborating with record labels, and participating in GRAMMY-affiliated events. Yang was invited to perform in New York at the Spring Reception hosted by the New York ETO in February. | |
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| HKEX posts record half-yearly profit | Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) posted its best-ever half-yearly revenue and profit, reflecting robust market sentiment during the period, as well as the success of its diversification push and focused strategic development. Trading volumes in the cash market, derivatives market and Stock Connect all reached record half-yearly highs, with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange regaining its position as the world’s No.1 IPO venue by funds raised, with 44 listings raised HK$109.4 billion (US$14 billion). The bourse also made progress in diversifying its product ecosystem, enhancing the listing framework and breaking new ground in the commodities business, helping to maintain the city’s solid status as a leading financial hub. | | Hong Kong committed to lead fintech innovation | At the Fintech Forum 2025 (Aug 28), Financial Secretary Paul Chan outlined Hong Kong’s strategic vision to lead in financial innovation, emphasising the government’s “pro-innovation, pro-tech” stance. He highlighted the city’s use of regulatory sandboxes and initiatives like Project Ensemble to foster innovation in areas such as blockchain, tokenised assets, and generative AI. He also highlighted the dual role of financial regulators, as supervisors to ensure regulatory compliance and enablers to shape the future of finance. He reaffirmed Hong Kong’s strengths as Asia’s premier financial hub, including its deep market liquidity, global connectivity, and world-class expertise. On digital assets, he reiterated a “same activity, same risk, same regulation” approach, focusing on real-world applications, ecosystem growth, and investor protection. He also discussed AI’s growing role in finance and reaffirmed the government’s support for responsible AI development. With over 1,100 fintech firms, Hong Kong aims to serve as a launchpad for regional and global expansion, reinforcing its position as a global fintech leader. | |
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| AI development prioritised as core industry | Hong Kong is committed to prioritising artificial intelligence (AI) as a core industry for future development, a key driver in upgrading industries and sectors and become a global AI centre, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan at the AI Global Talents Connect (Aug 26), hosted by Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) and Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI). He said Hong Kong will introduce mechanisms for cross-boundary flow of data from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong for research and development purposes, under clear safeguards and robust data-security protocols. He added Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute, set to launch next year, will focus on transforming research into real-world applications across sectors such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and education. To boost visibility and foster collaboration, Hong Kong Qingyuan Club, one of BAAI's most important interdisciplinary initiatives, was launched to foster a Hong Kong-based, globally connected, cross-sector collaborative ecosystem for innovation and technology talents. | | SJ touts HK's global role in curbing corruption | Secretary for Justice (SJ) Paul Lam expressed confidence that Hong Kong’s fight against corruption will go from strength to strength, citing the city’s anti-corruption culture, comprehensive legal framework as well as independent enforcement and judiciary, under the “one country, two systems” principle. Delivering remarks at the World Justice Project conference “Absence of Corruption - A Key Requirement for the Rule of Law”, co-organised with the Hong Kong Bar Association, Mr Lam highlighted Hong Kong’s status as one of the least corrupt places in the world. He also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to deepen international cooperation in the fight against corruption, noting that in the past decade, the Department of Justice has processed over 2,800 mutual legal assistance requests and more than 40 surrender cases that concern offences covered by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. | |
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| Hong Kong Sevens returns to Kai Tak Stadium in April 2026 | Hong Kong will host the first of three World Championship rounds of the top tier of the new three-division global Sevens model, from Apr 17 – 19, 2026 at Kai Tak Stadium. Marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic tournament, the three-day Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2026 will feature the best 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams. The revamped series features six regular-season rounds leading into a three-event HSBC SVNS World Championship. The combined results of the three World Championship rounds will determine the teams lining for the 2027 top tier. | | |
The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the HKSAR. It provides the guarantees to maintain our existing way of life, including socio-economic development, the rights and duties of Hong Kong people, the rule of law and other areas. The Basic Law was put into effect on July 1, 1997.
Q: Is Chinese the only official language allowed under the Basic Law?
A: No, in addition to Chinese, English is also an official language used by the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary of the HKSAR. (BL Article 9)
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