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The Observatory issued the first black rainstorm warning signal of the year at 8.35pm on Monday as heavy rain lashed Hong Kong. It replaced the red rainstorm warning signal that had been in place for 45 minutes. The black rainstorm warning means heavy rain exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour has fallen or is expected to fall generally over the city, and is likely to continue. The Observatory said Sha Tin is particularly hard hit by heavy downpours, with hourly rainfall expected to exceed 100 millimetres that may cause serious flooding. The forecaster said areas of intense thundery showers associated with a trough of low pressure are affecting Hong Kong, urging members of the public to stay alert. It also warned that violent gusts may continue to affect the SAR. The Hospital Authority said non-emergency outpatient clinic services have been suspended because of the bad weather. It also said accident and emergency services at public hospitals remain normal. The Social Welfare Department said all units providing specific services will remain open during their normal operating hours. These include child care centres, services under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, after-school care programmes for pre-primary or primary school children, elderly services centres, day pre-school rehabilitation services units and day rehabilitation units. The black rainstorm warning was in effect for an hour before it was replaced by the red rainstorm warning. _____________________________ Last updated: 2026-06-08 HKT 21:39 Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

Southbound cars scheme opens for five more GBA cities

The government on Monday announced plans to expand a scheme that allows Guangdong residents to drive to Hong Kong to eventually cover the entire province. Starting July 25, five more Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities – Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, Huizhou and Zhaoqing – will be included in the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” arrangement, allowing approved vehicles entry into Hong Kong. Under the newly launched “Park & Visit” service, motorists from the province can leave their vehicles in automated car parks at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and then enter urban areas in the SAR with local public transport. Applications open at 9am on July 16. Motorists can also apply for the existing “Park & Fly” service, under which they can park their vehicles and transfer directly to an overseas flight at Hong Kong International Airport without having to go through SAR immigration. This expansion means the southbound travel scheme will now cover nine mainland GBA cities. Officials said the target is to expand the scheme to all 21 Guangdong cities by the first quarter of next year. The daily quota of cars permitted to enter Hong Kong urban areas under the scheme will be doubled to 200, also starting July 25, but their stay will still be limited to three days. Officials stressed that the scheme has been operating in a smooth and orderly manner since its inception half a year ago. As of the end of last month, about 8,400 applications for entry into Hong Kong urban areas had been approved, with a total of 6,700 bookings made. Officials stressed that they had taken into account port operations, overall road traffic conditions, user feedback and public adaptation before making the expansion decision. In a statement, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan expressed gratitude to her Guangdong counterparts and the central government for facilitating the expansion of the scheme. “The SAR government will continue to take forward the southbound travel scheme, enabling the inflow of additional tourists from more mainland cities ... to help drive Hong Kong's economic growth, and promote the integrated development of Guangdong and Hong Kong to a new level," she said. The chairman of the Legislative Council's transport panel, Ben Chan, welcomed the decision to expand the scheme to cover more GBA cities. However, he said improvements can be made before expanding the scheme to the whole of Guangdong. “These factors include our city’s development, and whether there is an explicit growth in the number of parking spaces," Ben Chan said. "On the other hand, regarding our border checkpoint facilities, there are constant traffic jams at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, especially during peak seasons. These facilities all need improvement.” Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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IT/기술

Committee formed to drive AI boost: FS

Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Sunday said a committee dedicated to artificial intelligence development in Hong Kong would hold its first meeting this month. Writing in his weekly blog, Chan said the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy consists of experts, academics and business representatives. It will study the use of AI in life and health science, embodied AI as well as AI application strategies in various aspects such as transport, culture and sustainable development, he said. Chan also said the government had allocated HK$50 million to launch AI training for all, including courses on AI application, lectures and competitions. He said over 200 events were expected to be hosted in two years, benefiting some 50,000 people. Chan went on to say that the form of AI training would be diversified to meet the needs of different groups. “For example, training for students can place more emphasis on encouraging practical application,” he said. “To help the elderly gain a basic understanding of AI so that they can better use the tool and avoid being scammed, we will first offer training for the community and students and let them become ambassadors for seniors’ AI learning.” The FS also said a mainland firm working on embodied AI would launch a robot retail store at the Hung Hom harbourfront soon, with a robot store manager serving customers in multiple languages around the clock. “A person-in-charge told us they chose Hong Kong as the first stop for their retail stores to go global because of the city’s international platform, open atmosphere for new technologies and visibility of innovation and technology projects,” Chan said. “International capital continues to pay attention to and be optimistic about our country’s leading advantages in several emerging industries. The Hong Kong market, as an important international financing centre for these companies, also enhances the city’s attractiveness to start-ups and technology companies.” Chan added that the SAR has been promoting AI development at full speed over the past few years. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

Airport chief welcomes direct flights to Central Asia

Airport Authority chairman Fred Lam on Sunday said Hong Kong's expansion into Central Asia would open up new passenger markets and provide an alternative route for cargo coming to and from Europe, with direct flights between the SAR and the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan set to launch in the first quarter of next year. Lam's comments on Commercial Radio came just days after Chief Executive John Lee wrapped up his visit to Central Asia during which he signed multiple agreements in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He pointed out that 13 percent of Hong Kong's cargo flows to and from Europe currently pass through the Middle East, but the ongoing war against Iran and US tariffs have disrupted supply chains. Additional routes via Central Asia could strengthen Hong Kong's position as a key aviation hub linking Asia and Europe, he said. Lam also noted that Hong Kong International Airport handled 61 million passengers last year while traffic in the first four months of this year rose by 13 percent. He was confident the airport could reach 70 million passengers for the full year. Lam added the airport aimed to attract more travellers from the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and increase transit traffic while creating a "frictionless border" for GBA passengers. This, he said, could encourage transfer passengers to come back to Hong Kong as tourists. Lam also said operations at the newly reopened Terminal 2 have been smooth. "We commissioned the T2 departure facility last week and so far and it has processed 40,000 passengers with 300 flights. We're very happy with the whole process, it's turned out to be very smooth." "The process will complete by Wednesday this week. By then, every day we would have about 110 flights per day with around 20,000 passengers. "We'll continue to monitor that. We believe that this new facility would help to provide an even better service to our passengers," he said. Regarding the 11 Skies Mall development, Lam said it is scheduled for full completion in 2028. While discussions with the developer are ongoing, he said the project is part of the airport city's development blueprint and was confident in its long-term potential. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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IT/기술

Tech MoUs highlight last day of CE's Central Asia trip

Chief Executive John Lee announced a series of innovation and technology agreements with Uzbekistan, following a visit to the Central Asian nation’s flagship IT hub on Friday. Writing on his social media, Lee detailed the delegation’s visit to Uzbekistan IT Park, a national special economic zone in Tashkent, where they met with Ayubkhon Sultanov, Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies. He said the IT Park serves as a core engine for Uzbekistan’s digital economic transformation, offering tax incentives and rental concessions and facilitating visa arrangements to attract tech enterprises and talent. The park, he said, is central to implementing the “Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy” and the country’s national AI Strategy. The CE noted that while Uzbekistan is accelerating its economic transformation and I&T development, Hong Kong — as an international financial centre — is actively building itself into a global innovation hub. “Leveraging its world-class financing platform, professional services and unique bridging role connecting the mainland and international markets, Hong Kong is highly complementary to Uzbekistan’s development,” the CE wrote. Both places, he added, are important partners within the Belt and Road Initiative and can strengthen exchanges of development experience. Lee said senior executives from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Cyberport and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with IT Park during the visit. The agreements aim to establish platforms for startup incubation, acceleration programmes and cross-border market access. Under the deals, Uzbekistan’s I&T companies would gain a strategic gateway into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and global markets, while Hong Kong enterprises would be able to tap into Uzbekistan’s young IT talent pool for software development and innovative collaborations. “Going forward, we can further synergise the innovation and technology ecosystems of both sides, explore collaborative projects and achieve complementary advantages and win-win partnerships,” the CE said. Lee concludes his Central Asia trip on Friday. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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스포츠

Roberto Losada to lead HK, China football squad

Spaniard Roberto Losada has officially been appointed as the new head coach of the SAR football team, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) announced on Friday. The 49-year-old took charge of the SAR squad as interim boss in December, following the departure of former head coach Ashley Westwood. Over the past six months, Losada led the team through their final AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against India, as well as the annual Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup. Losada's official appointment comes as the SAR squad take on Mongolia in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium on Friday. HKFA’s chairman Eric Fok said the association had high hopes for Losada. “We hope the new head coach will bring a clear direction to the team, including establishing a clear style of play, strengthening tactical organisation and improving in-game stability and discipline. We also hope that under the coach's guidance, team cohesion will be strengthened and our players will achieve a higher level of performance,” he said. Losada, who has lived in Hong Kong for 16 years and won three Coach of the Year awards while managing local Premier League club Eastern, said he would give more chances to local young players. “We are going to try to make our squad a little bit more dynamic, a little bit more young. We are not going to have too many naturalised players in the coming three, four years coming in for the squad, so we have to start to trust our young boys,” he said. “Our players that have been working hard to get into the squad, and they deserve the chance. We're going to do it a little bit steady and smooth, try to put some young boys coming up, integrate them in the team with the seniors that we have, and try in a couple of years to have a very competitive squad." A former professional player himself, Losada scored 27 goals in 113 appearances in Spain’s La Liga and won a Hong Kong Footballer of the Year award while playing with local Premier League club Kitchee. Meanwhile, the HKFA also announced that Hong Kong is set to host Division 2 of the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup across the months of September and October. The new tournament features a two-tier format, with Indonesia hosting the top-flight Division 1, and Hong Kong staging the second division, which will see six participating teams. Fok pointed out that the event would be the first time Hong Kong hosted a Fifa-sanctioned international football tournament, saying this is of great significance to football development in the SAR. “They are not just ordinary international friendly matches as the teams will need to compete continuously in a short period of time, facing different opponents under pressure and goals to achieve,” he said. Fok added that since the event is scheduled during the Fifa International Match Calendar, he believes the participating teams would send more complete lineups, further raising the level of competition. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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문화/연예

HK, Uzbek museums plan co-curated exhibitions in 2028

Hong Kong Palace Museum and the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan have begun discussions on co-curating exhibitions in late 2028, with plans to bring each other's collections to Hong Kong and Tashkent, according to Hong Kong Palace Museum director Louis Ng. Speaking during Chief Executive John Lee’s visit to Central Asia, Ng said the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, covering cooperation in research, exhibitions, education and talent training. Ng added that preliminary talks on the exhibition exchange have already taken place. “We will bring collections from the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan to Hong Kong,” he said. “On the other hand, we will bring our collections from the Hong Kong Palace Museum – including our ancient gold artefacts and textiles – to exhibit here in Uzbekistan.” He said the timeline is still subject to further negotiations between the two museum teams and depends on their respective schedules, as well as any other exhibition commitments for the Uzbek artefacts. Ng described Uzbekistan as an ancient civilisation and a “cultural hub” along the historic Silk Road and said the collaboration aims to bring Central Asian history to Hong Kong audiences. “We hope to take this opportunity to present the history of Central Asia, the history of Uzbekistan and the history of the Silk Road through an exhibition in Hong Kong,” he said. He also emphasised that the initiative supports both the Belt and Road Initiative and Hong Kong’s development into a centre for Chinese and international cultural and artistic exchanges. He said this marks the first time a Hong Kong museum has cooperated with a Central Asian counterpart. “Central Asian museums don’t know much about Hong Kong’s museums either,” Ng said, adding that he has invited Uzbek museum directors to visit Hong Kong in the coming year to share experiences and expertise. “Together, we can advance the development of our respective cultural and museum sectors more prosperously,” Ng said. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

'Incentives needed to boost tourism to Central Asia'

Direct flights and longer visa-free access for travellers will help unleash the potential of tourism across Central Asia, industry representatives said as Chief Executive John Lee concludes his visit to the landlocked region on Friday. SAR passport holders can travel to both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan visa-free, but the length of stay per visit is "borderline", according to Sunny Yip, director of Hong Kong travel agency Goldjoy Travel. Currently, Hong Kong permanent residents can stay in Kazakhstan up to 14 days each time, and 10 days in Uzbekistan. "These countries have a great deal of historical sites. From one site to another takes half a day or more by road," Yip said in an interview with RTHK. "If the countries could consider having 30 days visa-free, which is quite common for Hong Kong travellers to other countries, it would be very advantageous." But he said the real game-changer would be the introduction of direct flights. Hong Kong has never had direct air services to Uzbekistan, while Air Astana, Kazakhstan's flag carrier, used to operate flights between the SAR and Almaty before Covid. Lee on Tuesday announced that a Hong Kong carrier will start operating services to Almaty from the first quarter of 2027, with more details to follow. Sardor Nuritdinov, general director of Marco Polo Central Asia Travel in Uzbekistan, explained the importance of direct flights. "Most number of people travelling to Uzbekistan [from Hong Kong], they are 65-plus-year-old elderly people. For them, the biggest issue for them is the flight time and extra hassle in getting to the destination," he said. "If there is a direct flight ... it will at least increase the number of travellers to Uzbekistan in the first year already at least 10 times than what is right now." Yip said Hong Kong businesses can also actively participate in the development of tourism-related industries in Central Asia. "I would expect our chief executive to encourage more Hong Kong investment into hotel sectors," he said. "The airports are relatively basic. Development will be important to increase capacity." Nuritdinov agreed, noting that while Tashkent has no shortage of five-star hotels, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara lack premium accommodation. "Travellers from Hong Kong, they prefer more comfort compared to what can be offered in Uzbekistan at the moment in terms of accommodation," he said. With China emerging as a major market, Nuritdinov said Putonghua-speaking local guides remain scarce. "The local universities are also starting to think we need to add Chinese language as a course to the classes in the university," he said. "But I think it's a long way ahead. I'm thinking like five, 10 years ahead." Despite these challenges, both Nuritdinov and Yip see enormous potential in the region's tourism industry. Instability in the Middle East, they say, could also drive tourists to Central Asia. Nuritdinov recommended immersive experiences beyond historical sites, be it cooking Kazakhstan's national dish plov with a local family, silk embroidery workshops or dance lessons. Edited by Raymond Yeung

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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정치

HK firms will welcome direct Almaty flights: lawmaker

Lawmaker Jonathan Lamport said on Thursday that he believes the planned resumption of direct flights between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan will greatly benefit SAR businesses hoping to tap into the emerging markets of Central Asia. Cathay Pacific earlier announced it will launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, from the first quarter of next year. In an interview with RTHK, Lamport said quicker journeys between the two places will make all the difference to businesses. "For business people, usually when we travel for business, it's not like for holidays and so we won't take a very long time; especially for people in Hong Kong, they like to take three-day, two-night trips, or even a day trip," he said. Lamport also called on SAR authorities to task an economic and trade office (ETO) with helping facilitate business with Central Asia. "An ETO can help build local connections. But I think currently as we also have an ETO in Dubai, maybe they can set up a subsidiary group there to help handle the issues in Central Asia," he said. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

'Direct flight to Central Asia could lift HK tourism'

The executive director of the Travel Industry Council Fanny Yeung said on Wednesday she believes the planned launch of a direct flight linking Hong Kong and Kazakhstan would further boost the city's tourism industry. Her remarks came as Cathay Pacific announced it would start operating the route to Kazakhstan's biggest city, Almaty, in the first quarter of next year, significantly cutting the travel time between the two places. Speaking at a press conference on the upcoming International Travel Expo (ITE), Yeung said the council is pleased to learn about the flight arrangements to tap into the Central Asian market as the region is relatively unexplored. "We found that the tourism resources [there] are very, very interesting and the scenery is beautiful as well, so definitely it will attract Hong Kong people," she said, adding that the council had led a delegation to the region in 2024. "Prior to Covid, we [actually] had direct flights to Kazakhstan, but since Covid [they] stopped and didn't reopen again. I am quite positive that it will help us to explore this new destination for Hong Kong residents once the direct flight is available," she told reporters. Regarding the the SAR's tourism outlook, Yeung said she is confident that Hong Kong could welcome about 53 million visitors this year, despite risks arising from the Iran war that has reduced demand from long-haul markets. "We have less tourists from the long-haul markets, but on the other hand, Hong Kong is also very attractive to mainlanders," she said. Asia's annual flagship travel fair ITE is set to return to Hong Kong from June 11 to 14 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event is expected to attract over 500 exhibitors from 66 countries and regions, including newcomers Uganda, Mongolia, and Peru. Edited by Aaron Tam

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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정치

Education MoUs boost HK-Kazakhstan ties: CE

Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday said memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between education institutions in Hong Kong and Kazakhstan lay the foundation for further cooperation between the two sides in the long run. He witnessed the exchange of MoUs between Nazarbayev University and Education University of Hong Kong as well as the Hong Kong Polytechnic University during a visit to the institution in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on the final day of his trip to the Central Asia country. “These agreements will deepen academic and research collaboration. They will strengthen people-to-people ties between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan,” Lee said in a speech. “This growing network of institutional partnerships is precisely how we build enduring foundations for long-term cooperation and mutual rewards." The CE noted that some 500 students from Kazakhstan are currently studying in universities in Hong Kong, and he invited more people from the country to pursue career opportunities in the SAR. “The Kazakh community in Hong Kong is growing, and I invite you to look to Hong Kong for your future. To students here, we welcome talented youth and entrepreneurs with open arms. The opportunities are wide open too.” Lee also pointed out that Nazarbayev University was where President Xi Jinping first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative back in 2013. "Since its inception, the Belt and Road has developed a comprehensive framework for global partnership. It's anchored in policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, free and unfettered trade, financial integration, and critically, people-to-people bonds. More than a decade on, the foundations laid here are delivering rewarding results," he said. Professor Waqar Ahmad, president of Nazarbayev University, said his institution, which opened in 2010, has a lot to learn from universities in the SAR. Last year, Nazarbayev University launched a partnership with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to establish a joint Bachelor of Business Administration programme under which students spend two years at each institution. “One of the inspiring examples for us is the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,” Ahmad said. “35-year-old doesn't behave like a 35-year-old institution, behaves like a fantastic, mature institution which competes with universities which are 200, 300, 400 years old, fantastic in everything that it does, and that's the kind of inspiration that we get excited by. “We are a university which is still in the making. You've got well-established universities with a global reputation. We need to learn from you to get there.” Before the exchange ceremony, Lee and his delegation toured the university and visited its teaching facilities on artificial intelligence, new materials and energy technologies. Lee will head to Uzbekistan on Wednesday afternoon to continue his trip in Central Asia. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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사회

Child neglect case 'mind-boggling': lawmaker

A lawmaker on Wednesday called a controversial child neglect case "mind-boggling", saying he couldn't understand how the parents would leave their newborn without a birth certificate or any medical records. The parents were arrested on Tuesday after the case went viral online as they refused DNA testing to prove their relationship with the baby following a home birth. Speaking on an RTHK programme, Peter Koon, who chairs Legco's social welfare panel, says the baby's safety is what matters most – and a court could issue a protection order if the parents are found unfit to care for him. "Following the issuance of a child protection order, the baby could be sent to a facility that specialises in caring for newborns," he said. "As for who becomes the guardian, that really depends on the court's order. But theoretically, temporary guardianship could be granted to the Director of Social Welfare." Speaking on the same programme, Patrick Ip, a paediatrics professor at the University of Hong Kong, said he's worried about the baby's health. "This case makes me uneasy. The parents had two other children — neither went smoothly. One of them died young. Was there a problem with the way they cared for them?" he questioned. "For this newborn without a birth certificate, there's no way to get proper vaccinations or health monitoring. This is very far from ideal." The Social Welfare Department said it is seeking a protection order for the infant from the court, adding it will come up with a plan that puts the baby's health and interests first. Edited by Tony Sabine

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

TDC chair eyes Uzbekistan opportunities in next stop

With the chief executive and his delegation wrapping up the Kazakhstan leg of his Central Asia mission, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) chairman Frederick Ma said he now turns his focus to Uzbekistan, expressing strong expectations for reciprocal deals and new collaboration models during the upcoming visit. Ma described the Kazakhstan stop as “very meaningful,” noting it's the birthplace of the New Silk Road where President Xi Jinping first announced the Belt and Road Initiative at a landmark speech delivered at Nazarbayev University in 2013. He also pointed to the signing of 43 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and the launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty next year, saying the visit had opened “a lot more doors for Hong Kong and Chinese mainland businesses.” Turning to Uzbekistan, the TDC chief outlined clear goals for the next leg. “We will meet again many government officials as well as entrepreneurs in that country,” he said, noting that Uzbek senior leaders had visited Hong Kong a few weeks ago. “This is a very good way to reciprocate their visit.” While Ma did not disclose specific MoUs being pursued for Uzbekistan, he confirmed he was looking forward to the trip – his first to the country, compared with three previous visits to Kazakhstan. On potential collaboration models, Ma pointed to growing financial linkages with Central Asia. He revealed that at least one portfolio company of the region’s sovereign fund is expected to list in Hong Kong, following in the footsteps of Kazakh entities using Hong Kong’s bond and equity markets. A mining company dual-listed in Hong Kong and Astana last year, he added. The Uzbekistan visit is set to build on this momentum, with Ma signaling that the TDC sees Central Asia as a long-term engagement priority. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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정치

HK, Kazakhstan forge 'hub-to-hub' partnership: CE

Chief Executive John Lee has proposed a strategic “hub-to-hub” cooperation model with Kazakhstan, aiming to link the Central Asian nation’s regional reach with Hong Kong’s access to Asian markets. The proposal came during the second day of Lee’s visit to the country. Meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Lee highlighted the growing economic weight between the two sides. He noted that Hong Kong was Kazakhstan’s 10th-largest net investor globally and the fourth-biggest in Asia at the start of this year. Lee said Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. He proposed that Kazakhstan serve as Hong Kong’s gateway to the Central Asian market, while Hong Kong would act as Kazakhstan’s springboard into East and Southeast Asia. The visit has already yielded significant commercial and diplomatic momentum, with Lee announcing that Hong Kong and Kazakhstan have agreed to accelerate exploratory discussions on a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. During a meeting with Nurlan Zhakupov, CEO of Kazakhstan’s national sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, Lee described Hong Kong as a stable and secure investment haven. He noted that the city ranked first globally in funds raised through initial public offerings in the first quarter of this year, positioning it as an ideal listing destination for the fund’s diverse portfolio of assets. He encouraged projects under the fund to list in the city to diversify investment risk. Earlier on Tuesday, the CE visited Baiterek National Investment Holding, a key financial operator of the Kazakh government. He encouraged the company to leverage Hong Kong’s financial system and professional services for cooperation in infrastructure financing, bonds and green finance. Lee extended an invitation for the firm to explore development potential in the Northern Metropolis. He also held talks with Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev on deepening bilateral trade, logistics and financial technology cooperation. Lee emphasised Hong Kong’s status as the world’s fifth-largest merchandise trading entity and its commitment to free trade and multilateralism. He suggested that as Kazakhstan works to expand its role as a regional trading hub through digital commerce and market modernisation, the SAR could serve as a critical gateway for Kazakh enterprises looking to enter the mainland and broader Asian markets. The chief executive is scheduled to continue his visit in Kazakhstan on Wednesday before heading to Uzbekistan on the second leg of his tour. Edited by Edmond Fong

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

HKTDC seals three agreements in Kazakhstan

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) on Tuesday signed memorandums of understanding with three organisations in Kazakhstan. The individual agreements were made with Atameken, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan; Satbayev University, a leading technical university in Almaty; and the Association of Consulting and Trading Companies. Chief Executive John Lee and Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin witnessed the exchange of documents at a luncheon. Zhumangarin said he is confident that the partnership between the two sides will deepen in the future. “Overall, the visit of the esteemed John Lee and the entire delegation is a practical confirmation of mutual trust, business interests and readiness to move towards the implementation of concrete projects,” he said. “I am confident that today's meeting will become an important step towards launching new joint projects, attracting investments and expanding business ties.” Several business entities among the delegation also signed individual memorandums of understanding with their counterparts in Kazakhstan, covering sectors such as finance, asset management, aviation, media, agriculture and new energy. A number of the agreements were signed by state-backed investment bank China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC) as well as their Kazakh partners, including one with the Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna. The Hong Kong Airport Authority and Cathay Pacific also secured operational agreements with Almaty International Airport. Cathay announced that it plans to operate three direct flights per week connecting Hong Kong to Almaty, starting in the first quarter of next year. The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce also secured deals. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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기타

Direct flights from HK to Kazakhstan set for next year

Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the city’s push to deepen connectivity with Central Asia is already bearing fruit, as he announced progress on direct flights to Kazakhstan alongside moves to make visa arrangements more convenient for travellers. Speaking to reporters in Astana during his first official visit to Central Asia, Lee said a Hong Kong-based airline will begin direct flights to Kazakhstan's biggest city Almaty in the first quarter of next year, significantly cutting travel time between the two places. He added that the new route will also provide access to other Central Asian, Eastern European and Caucasus regional destinations. In a statement, the SAR's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific announced plans to launch direct flights to Almaty in the first quarter of 2027. "The airline plans to operate three flights per week using an Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft, which will be the only direct service linking Hong Kong and Kazakhstan," the airline said. Alongside the aviation breakthrough, Lee confirmed that the SAR is working to substantially extend visa-free access for Hongkongers in Central Asia. The SAR already has visa-free arrangements with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, allowing stays of between 10 and 30 days. But Lee said his target is to extend the visa-free period to 30 days for all three nations. "We and the Kazakh government both agree that this is definitely one of our goals. We have already exchanged some further information with the two governments, and everyone is working hard to work toward this target," he said. "We hope that by this year, we can reach the best arrangement." He added that Uzbekistan has also signalled its agreement to the proposal following communications before the delegation's departure, Lee added. Once agreements with these countries are finalised, the SAR government will seek to facilitate easier entry for the remaining two Central Asian countries. On Wednesday, Lee is scheduled to visit Astana's Nazarbayev University, where President Xi Jinping first proposed the concept of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013. The chief executive said Hong Kong and Kazakhstan can enhance collaboration on education. "The Education University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, they will be developing a working relationship with the Nazarbayev University, to further expand the collaboration between the higher education institutions of the two places," he said. Lee will conclude his stay in Kazakhstan on Wednesday before travelling to Uzbekistan, describing the Astana leg alone as a significant breakthrough – with 43 memoranda of understanding in areas such as economic and trade cooperation, investment, and green finance expected to be signed in the country. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

RTHK News (Hong Kong)

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MOUs signed during Lee's visit to Kazakhstan

Chief Executive John Lee on Monday witnessed the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding on his first full day of visit to Kazakhstan. The MOUs were signed during Lee's tour of the Astana Hub – Kazakhstan’s premier technology and innovation park – and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). These included an agreement between Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Office and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development; separate deals between the Astana Hub and Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park; as well as an agreement between InvestHK and the AIFC. The chief executive met with Deputy Kazakh Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev at the Astana Hub. Noting that 2026 has been designated Kazakhstan’s “Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence,” Lee described the Astana Hub as a regional innovation cluster and invited Kazakh tech firms to consider setting up operations in Hong Kong. He outlined Hong Kong’s own I&T ambitions, pointing to global digital competitiveness rankings and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster. The CE highlighted infrastructure projects in the Northern Metropolis that aim to deepen industry-research integration. Lee also visited the AIFC where he met with its governor, Renat Bekturov. The day was packed with other high-level meetings and site visits as Hong Kong pushes to deepen economic, financial and innovation ties with Central Asia. Lee met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who reiterated Kazakhstan's role as a gateway on the Belt and Road and stressed Hong Kong’s ability to connect the mainland with global markets. Noting that Kazakhstan is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, the chief executive emphasised mutual opportunities stemming from the country’s push to diversify its economy. Lee also held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, where the two sides exchanged views on deepening economic cooperation. Joining the chief executive's delegation is a Henan firm that specialises in mining development and trading of mineral products and is among the mainland enterprises seeking closer ties with Kazakhstan. Speaking at an exchange session, Henan Yudi Technology Group chairman and party committee secretary Yu Jiyun said his company has taken part in geological exploration projects in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and it wants to further boost cooperation with Kazakhstan because it doesn't have mining rights there. "Kazakhstan has rich mineral resources and offers vast development opportunities. Also, Kazakhstan is closely connected with China’s Xinjiang. Cooperation between the two sides offers natural geographical advantages." Edited by Edmond Fong

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Towngas in talks with govt to raise gas prices

Towngas on Monday said it is in discussions with the government to raise gas fees due to the latest energy price spikes caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Peter Wong, the managing director of Hong Kong's sole gas provider, told a press conference that the prices of naphtha, which accounts for about 40 percent of the raw materials for producing gas, has doubled since the start of the year. "We are currently under pressure to raise charges and we're in close communication with the government over the extent of the price increase. It's also because of the rise in energy prices and inflation," he said. "As to when a decision will be made, It's up to the government. But if we look back to two years ago, our previous price increase was implemented on August 1," he added. Wong, however, did not give a timeline on when the prices would go up. He noted that the firm has so far saved more than HK$20 billion on fuel costs for local customers because of its long-term "take or pay" contract with a supplier in Australia to secure natural gas. Under their 25-year agreement, signed in 2006, the Australian firm would supply natural gas to Towngas for fixed prices during the period. Towngas has also started negotiations with the Australian supplier over the new prices of their contract as the current one is set to expire in 2031, but "it's difficult to assess the new pricing", Wong said. Separately, he forecast that the city's total gas consumption would decline by three percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, partly because of the high temperatures that has reduced residential demand. But he added that the decline is likely to be smaller for the full year, pointing to a recent increase in gas consumption in the hotel and catering sectors. Meanwhile, Wong expressed optimism over the Northern Metropolis development, noting the company is laying pipelines to meet the demand of the expected additional 1.5 million residents and commercial users there. Edited by Aaron Tam

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High value placed on Central Asia trip: CE

Chief Executive John Lee began his first day of activities in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on Monday. In the morning, a group photo was taken of the delegation, which was described as the largest of its kind in the current term of the SAR government. The photo included Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung, Financial Services Secretary Christopher Hui, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau and around 70 business representatives from Hong Kong and the mainland. Speaking to the delegation, Lee said Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan authorities attach great importance to the visit. Lee said he would meet senior officials of the two countries. He stressed the importance of teamwork and urged delegation members to stay energetic and keep their spirits high to deliver good results on the trip. In a social media post, Lee also said the 70-strong delegation brings together industry elites from various sectors in Hong Kong and the mainland. “We will jointly explore the vast potential of Central Asia, gain in-depth insights into this vibrant emerging market, exchange ideas through cross-sectoral interactions, and achieve win-win outcomes through complementary strengths,” he said. Lee added that the visit would boost long-term economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong, the mainland and Central Asia. Lee will stay in Kazakhstan until Wednesday before heading to Uzbekistan. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

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Economy shows resilience as AI electronic exports boom

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Monday Hong Kong’s economy remained resilient when it moved into the second quarter. This, he said, followed robust growth of 5.9 percent in gross domestic product in the first quarter. Speaking at a meeting of the Legislative Council’s financial affairs panel, Chan said the SAR saw year-on-year growth in merchandise exports of nearly 43 percent in April, driven by export of AI-related electronics products. The city also welcomed more tourists in April and during the Labour Day Golden Week holiday, in addition to seeing improvements in the labour market. However, Chan warned of uncertainties brought about by the Middle East stalemate. "Although the conflict has limited impact on Hong Kong’s economy, it has pushed up international oil prices and inflation pressure," he said. "The ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran is not on solid ground. If tensions escalate again, it is expected to exacerbate volatility in global financial markets, weaken external demand and pose downside risks to global and local economic outlook. "But strong global demand for advanced electronics and AI-related products is expected to help boost exports." Chan also said Hong Kong exports of services would remain robust with tourism booming, cross-border financial activities thriving and demand for business services remaining stable. He also urged the retail and catering sectors to transform themselves to match new consumption trends. "Consumption patterns have changed and people’s expectations are different from before," Chan said. "As a result, some of the big traditional restaurants may find it difficult to survive in the current environment if they continue with their past practices," he said. "At the same time, however, there are distinctive shops and cafes opening up in many districts, and some of them are doing well. Therefore, we encourage the industry to transform." Chan said the government would offer assistance in funding and training to aid in the sectors' transformation. Edited by Thomas McAlinden

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