Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ could undergo testing next typhoon season: Eric Chan

🔮 ExclusiveHong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ could undergo testing next typhoon season: Eric Chan

🔮 How to zoom through new Huanggang Port crossing at Hong Kong’s border Here is your guide to registration, clearance and transport at revamped crossing opening on Monday, promising five-minute processing times The Huanggang Port will open on Monday after more than six years of redevelopment and rounds of preparatory drills.

🔮 Travellers must use authorised buses, taxis at Huanggang Port, Hong Kong authorities say Residents must use licensed taxi fleets as other ride-hailing vehicles cannot enter port’s designated pickup and drop-off areas Travellers heading to and from the revamped Huanggang Port must use authorised public transport services only, including pre-booked licensed taxi fleets, as other ride-hailing services would not be available inside the boundary control area, according to the Hong Kong government. At a press conference on Wednesday, transport officials also urged travellers not to rush to use the new port in the initial phase of its operations.

🔮 “We expect that as we gradually enter the three-year grace period, as people become familiar with the certification process and find suitable renovation companies and professionals to handle it, the certification numbers will rise.”

🔮 Hong Kong crowds brave the heat to secure spots for National Day fireworks About 260,000 people are expected to watch the 23-minute spectacle over Victoria Harbour with many arriving hours early despite the sweltering heat Hongkongers and tourists have packed promenades on both sides of Victoria Harbour hours before Thursday’s National Day fireworks, braving the scorching heat. By mid-afternoon, photography enthusiasts, tourists and residents had claimed spots along the harbour, settling in for the hours-long wait with umbrellas, folding chairs and picnic mats. Authorities expected the 23-minute extravaganza to draw 260,000 people. With the sun beating down, revellers braved the heat to secure the best views of the display, which was due to start at 8pm.

🔮 City leader also calls on journalists to remain alert to ‘hidden dangers’ that could disrupt society Hong Kong’s media should eliminate falsehoods and expand their global reach, the chief executive has said, urging news workers to serve as “spokespeople” for good stories about mainland China and Hong Kong.

🔮 Authorities may appeal engineer’s non-custodial sentence in Queen Mary Hospital lift case

🔮 Top official to pick lead department in complex 1823 cases ‘If every department has a similar share of the responsibility, we will operate a roster system like the chief executive mentioned,’ Warner Cheuk says A top official will determine where responsibility lies when a public complaint spans multiple departments under a new handling mechanism for the 1823 hotline, set to be implemented early next year. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Monday that he would ensure a “very fair” distribution of responsibility when assigning complaints that implicated more than one government department.

🔮 “First, we must grow the overall economy so that everyone benefits, but as the pie grows bigger, there are indeed certain groups that may need extra help.”

🔮 Hong Kong to recruit AI chief by mid-2027, with confidence in local talent pool Post will pay up to HK$278,200 per month, authorities reveal, adding they also understand public concerns over bolstering cybercrime laws Hong Kong will begin recruitment for an artificial intelligence (AI) commissioner in the second quarter of next year to assist in drafting policies for the technology and risk governance, with authorities confident the city does not lack suitable talent.

🔮 ExclusiveHong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ could undergo testing next typhoon season: Eric Chan

🔮 Hong Kong and Shenzhen confirm Huanggang Port to open on Monday Authorities say new border crossing will commence operations at 6.30am on October 12 as sole 24-hour checkpoint The revamped Huanggang border crossing between Hong Kong and Shenzhen will open on Monday, after both sides confirmed the facility was ready for service.

🔮 John Lee urges public to tune in to Legco debate on city’s 5-year plan, policy address Hong Kong legislature set to discuss concept and details of city’s first five-year blueprint and latest policy address from Wednesday to Friday Hong Kong’s leader has urged residents to pay close attention to a coming three-day debate on the city’s inaugural five-year plan and latest policy address in the legislature.

🔮 Hong Kong leader pledges tougher rules, penalties to deter construction violations John Lee has asked Development Bureau to monitor One Stanley probe and enhance regulatory oversight ‘as a whole’ to uphold city’s building standards Hong Kong will strengthen its regulatory regime and impose stiffer penalties to ensure strong deterrence against building violations, the city leader has pledged, following a series of substandard construction scandals including the latest controversy involving a luxury residential development in Stanley.

🔮 Fedrick Ma Si-hang, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, also said on Monday that the city’s economy would benefit from improving China–US ties.

🔮 Finance chief says amount raised already surpassed whole of 2025, while HKIC’s CEO says over 30 portfolio firms set to list in city later this year Funds raised through initial public offerings in Hong Kong more than doubled year on year to over HK$388 billion (US$49.4 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, already surpassing the total amount for the whole of last year, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po. Adding to the positive outlook, Clara Chan Ka-chai, CEO of the government-owned Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), noted on Sunday that more than 30 of its portfolio firms were preparing to apply for Hong Kong listings this year.

🔮 They also said that legislation was needed to define liability boundaries, which could bolster business and public confidence in expanding its adoption.

🔮 Hong Kong to raise helpers’ monthly minimum wage to HK$5,220 Government says current minimum wage of HK$5,100 to be increased by 2.35 per cent, but food allowance will be unchanged The government announced on Friday that the current minimum wage of HK$5,100 for foreign domestic helpers, or FDHs, would be increased by 2.35 per cent, and the adjusted salary would apply to all such contracts signed on or after Saturday. While most employers provided free food to their helpers, they could choose to pay a food allowance in lieu, with this amount to remain unchanged at no less than HK$1,236 per month, authorities added.

🔮 FlyTaxi is second local taxi app to cease operations after being acquired by US-based ride-hailing giant, following HKTaxi last year Online ride-hailing giant Uber will close a second Hong Kong metered taxi platform that it acquired by the end of this year, just over six months after it bought out the business. Uber said on Friday that it would fully integrate the services on FlyTaxi into its own platform by the end of the year, saying it aimed to provide “optimal” support for drivers and users. “As part of this integration, the stand-alone FlyTaxi app will [be shut down].

🔮 Over 11,000 applicants for new Hong Kong taxi, ride-hailing test Transport chief says response has exceeded government’s expectations and authorities will arrange for applicants to take test within two months More than 11,000 residents have applied to take the joint examination for taxi and ride-hailing car driver permits, exceeding the Hong Kong government’s expectations, the city’s transport minister has said.