Rachel Yeung is currently employed as an Assistant Quantity Survey Officer at a construction company. Her role, which she says is mainly clerical and desk-based, is focused on handling contracts.

Recounting her entry into the construction industry, she explained that she was laid off from a trading company a few years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraged by friends who worked in construction, she saw the opportunity to make a career change and enrolled in an Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying at the Institute of Construction.

Unique strengths

“Previously, I thought the construction industry only involved engineering, which I perceived as a male-dominated field,” she reflected. “However, after entering, I have discovered many female colleagues – in quantity surveying, in engineering teams, and even among architects – and this number is likely to continue growing.”

Elaborating on the attributes women bring to bear, she added: “Women in the industry demonstrate remarkable patience and meticulousness in handling paperwork. Given that construction involves not only hands-on work but also managing numerous backup documents, women truly excel in this area.”

Rachel’s perspective is shared by Nicole Chan, who is currently studying a building services supervision course. She believes that men and women each possess unique strengths.

“I think the biggest difference between women and men lies in physical strength” she said. “While women may be slightly less physically strong, I maintain a regular exercise routine. Additionally, women often excel in attentiveness and the ability to notice specific details. This creates a wonderful balance, with each gender complementing the other perfectly.”

In recent years, there has been a clear uptick in the numbers of women entering the construction industry. According to figures from the Census & Statistics Department, in the fourth quarter of 2025 women accounted for approximately 13% of those employed in construction, up from under 8% two decades ago.

Industrial transformation

Construction Industry Council Executive Director Albert Cheng commented that the construction industry has shifted away from being primarily focused on manual work and labour-intensive jobs.

“In the past, working on-site required a lot of strength and effort. Now we apply a lot of technologies so the workers do not need to spend a lot of effort. Some of the trade now, the workers need only to control robotics, and maybe use some technologies, like building information modelling or artificial intelligence for site management and control. I think because of a change of the nature of the work, a lot of females would like to join this industry.”

He also highlighted the rising proportion of female students attending the Institute of Construction. This grew from 11% of the total number of students in the 2024-25 academic year to about 17% in the current academic year. Last year, the institute launched a flexible training course that better enables students to balance family and career development. With over 150 female applicants enrolling in the course, this is helping to inject new energy into the industry.

Step into Casa Sierra and discover a space where elderly-friendly design features are everywhere.

More than just a splash of colour, the mailboxes feature high-contrast designs and big numbers specifically crafted for easy reading. Beyond their vibrant appearance, they also hide thoughtful, age-friendly details.

For an elderly resident living on the 8th floor, for instance, a distinct light-blue colour serves as an intuitive guide. Whether they are collecting mail or returning home, these vivid cues let residents know they are in the right place.

With Hong Kong’s population ageing, the Government has been encouraging "ageing in place". The Development Bureau has joined hands with the Green Building Council and the BEAM Society to launch a voluntary Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme, encouraging the industry to adopt the scheme’s recommended best practices.

Casa Sierra, the Housing Society's dedicated rehousing estate in Fanling, is the first building project to obtain the certification.

Thoughtful details

Inside the residential units, light switches are installed between 1 to 1.3m above floor level, making them more accessible for the elderly. Bathrooms feature slip-resistant floor finishes. Faucets and doors avoid round knobs, opting for easy-to-use lever-type handles instead.

Housing Society Assistant Director (Project Management) Vincent Wong explained: "This type of handle reduces twisting of the hand, making it more convenient for older people with reduced finger and forearm strength.”

An “integrated care link system” provides a vital link in the event of an emergency.

Age-friendly design is also reflected in public areas. When heading out, elderly residents benefit from lifts equipped with seating and an audio system. Backlit control buttons are installed at specified heights, while major access routes feature minimised thresholds and steps to ensure a smooth, barrier-free journey. Outdoor areas also offer sufficient seating and senior-friendly fitness equipment.

Planning ahead

Mr Wong said the Housing Society incorporated a wide range of elderly-friendly design elements in the planning stage of Casa Sierra, including 15 specific features that adopt the recommended best practices for elderly-friendly building design.

"The Housing Society has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in developing housing for older people. Based on that experience, as well as residents’ habits and feedback, we have continually refined the elderly-friendly design elements in our flats," he said. "As residents grow older and their physical needs change, a flat that supports day-to-day living can help promote ageing in place."

Completed last July, the estate is now welcoming new residents. It provides about 1,200 rental and subsidised sale flats, as well as 261 elderly units under the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme.

In addition to the recommended best practices, the Housing Society has added other elderly-friendly features to some flats, such as a storage rack for canes, umbrellas and keys, and extra clothes-drying rails in bathrooms.

Voluntary certification

The Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme applies to both new and existing buildings. Applicants must adopt at least 10 recommended best practices. Once the project passes assessment by the BEAM Society, it is eligible for certification by the Green Building Council. 

Ho Chi-shing, BEAM Society Chief Executive Officer, said the recommended best practices draw on international standards while taking into account Hong Kong’s living environment and the practical needs of older people.

"For instance, many elderly have weaker eyesight, so colours and contrast need to be more distinct to help them differentiate. They are also more prone to falls, so design must consider whether there are sufficient handrails.”

He added that the Beam Society assesses applications based on objective evidence. Applicants should submit layout plans and photos to demonstrate that their applications meet the standards for elderly-friendly building design. Their designs should be practical and made with suitable materials.

To date, the BEAM Society has received applications from five residential projects.

By achieving certification, these developments may meet one of the "specific standards" required for the Buildings Department to grant gross floor area concessions.

In the run up to the Lunar New Year, the familiar rhythmic thudding of dough echoes through the tranquil lanes of Sheung Shui Wai.

The sound can be traced to a workshop tucked behind the Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall - a declared monument - where a group of village women gather around a long wooden table to make rice cookies using traditional methods.

“Be gentle. If you press too hard, the cookies will not be light and crisp,” explained Ms Yau.

With deft hands, the women press rice flour into wooden moulds, add a layer of peanut and sugar filling, then cover it with more flour. After brushing off the excess, they strike the moulds with wooden hammers to compact the cookies, then release them with a tap.

Once shaped, the cookies are lined up and placed in the oven - within 10 minutes, trays of golden, fragrant rice cookies emerge, fresh and ready to serve.

Centennial customs

Roughly the size of a palm, rice cookies are rich in rural sentiment and local flavour, carrying the cultural legacy of Hong Kong’s walled villages.

Liu Chiu-wa, an indigenous New Territories villager in his 60s, recalled the history of this traditional delicacy.

Mr Liu said the five great clans in the New Territories have long produced rice cookies annually in the run-up to the Lunar New Year. The custom dates back to the agricultural era, when farm work eased after the autumn harvest and villagers turned to preparing festive foods - with rice cookies being a must-have.

“We press lucky sayings into the cookies, wishing for abundance, peace and a good year ahead.”

In times past, he said, every household would bake rice cookies as part of their New Year traditions, both as gifts and for their own table.

Pursuing perfection

The ingredients for rice cookies are simple - just white rice, peanuts, white sugar and slab brown sugar - but every step of the process, from roasting the rice to shaping the cookies, requires precision.

First, white rice is pan-roasted in a wok until golden and brittle, then cooled and finely ground into flour. This is mixed with brown sugar syrup to form a dough.

Mr Liu explained that the dough must meet a certain standard: it should hold together in the palm, yet fall apart with a gentle touch.

For the filling, peanuts are roasted, skinned, ground and mixed with white sugar.

Mr Liu reflected that in the past, techniques were simpler and measurements imprecise, so the cookies came out dense.

“We had to wrap them in a tea towel and break them with a metal bar. Bite too hard, and you could chip a tooth.”

Thanks to years of refinement by villagers, today’s rice cookies are lighter and crispier, bursting with peanut fragrance.

In 2024, the Rice Cookie Making Technique was officially integrated into the city’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Inventory.

Preserving culture

Leisure & Cultural Services Department Assistant Curator I Coral So said families in walled villages across the New Territories who gather to make rice cookies before the Lunar New Year serve an important social function by strengthening community ties.

“The technique meets the ICH Inventory’s assessment criteria - it is passed down through generations and provides a sense of identity within the community.”

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Office, which sits in the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, organised the "Wandering around Sheung Shui Wai - Rice Cookie & Sweet Potato Cake Workshop & Guided Tour" in January.

Mr Liu personally led participants on a walk through Sheung Shui Wai, introducing local customs and related intangible cultural heritage items, such as the Spring & Autumn Ancestral Worship of Clans and the Lantern Lighting Ritual.

The workshop also included live demonstrations of traditional rice cookie and sweet potato cake recipes, allowing participants to savour the authentic flavours of local village cuisine.

Meanwhile, the office runs a variety of educational activities and fun days, including the “Fun in ICH“ Series and the “Meet the Masters!“ Series, aimed at helping the public explore different aspects of Hong Kong’s heritage.

The office will stage “Hong Kong ICH Month 2026” from May 30 to June 30, inviting locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in events and tours that showcase traditional craftsmanship in local communities. Across various districts, weekend carnivals for all ages will also be held throughout June.

The Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy opened last month, with its first batch of 29 trainees hailing from the Mainland, Macau, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam.

The academy offers a Certificate in Safe & Effective Control Tactics course. Pitched at Level 3 under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework, it teaches frontline law enforcement officers to apply self-defence and control techniques that minimise harm.

Designed by the Correctional Services Department, the course incorporates various martial arts styles, including a set of drills known as the Tai Chi Safe Defensive Techniques.

Progressive methods

The department believes that tai chi techniques, known for their gentleness, can effectively reduce the risk of injury to both law enforcement personnel and individuals being restrained.

In order to make learning tai chi moves easier for those without prior experience, the instructors break them down into small steps and adopt a progressive teaching method.

Participants in last month’s course gave enthusiastic feedback. Kim Yoon-gwan, a trainee from the Republic of Korea, found the tai chi element both challenging and interesting, while Von Angelo D Gripal, a trainee from the Philippines, described it as “a wonderful addition to our knowledge” and said he would take what he had learnt home to his colleagues.  

The course also gave participants the chance to apply their learning to various scenarios. For example, during one tactical session, they teamed up to control an uncooperative person in custody.

Immersive training

Located at the former Cape Collinson Correctional Institution, the academy offers a wide range of training facilities and an authentic correctional environment that enables an immersive training experience.

Instructors for the academy are selected from the department’s Regional Response Team. All have undergone overseas training, while some hold internationally recognised certifications.

The department has established an advisory group that includes experts from various professions such as sports medicine and science, Chinese medicine, and physiotherapy. They offer opinions and suggestions to improve course content and enhance the overall effectiveness and safety of the tactical training delivered.

The academy also plans to introduce instructor courses in the future, enabling graduates to provide relevant training to other personnel after returning to their respective organisations.

Mr Lui has been divorced for three years and is raising two children on his own. Both children have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and his son also suffers from dyslexia. Mr Lui quit his job to focus entirely on their daily care, but the immense pressure he faced took its toll and in a moment of distress, he resorted to physically disciplining his daughter.

“At first, I did not know they had attention deficit issues, and I felt quite helpless,” Mr Lui explained.

“That day, I had arranged a school activity for my daughter, so I woke her up at around 7am. But even after calling her, she kept dragging her feet.

“We were already running late and I did not want her to miss the activity, so in a moment of anger, I hit her with a clothes hanger. Looking back now, I know hitting her at that moment was completely pointless.”

Immediate guidance

After the Social Welfare Department’s Family & Child Protective Services Unit intervened, Mr Lui’s daughter was sent to stay with an emergency foster family, while he received counselling and other forms of support.

In order to strengthen assistance for families facing parenting difficulties or potential risks of child abuse, the department funded non-governmental organisations to establish six Child Protection Support Service Teams in March last year. The teams comprise professionals including social workers, psychologists and nurses, and handle cases referred by the department. By the end of September last year, they had handled 428 family cases.

Social Welfare Department Family & Child Protective Services Unit (Sha Tin) Social Work Officer Natalie Cheung explained that the services provided by the teams cover a wide range of needs, including home visitation support services, various group and training programmes, as well as family enrichment activities. The teams also accompany parents and their children to follow-up medical appointments when needed.

She highlighted that home visitation support is a key component of the service.

“While counselling usually takes place in an office setting, parents may not always find it easy to apply what they have learned at home. The teams can visit families to demonstrate and observe interactions on the spot, providing timely guidance.”

Rebuilding relationships

The support team taught Mr Lui appropriate ways to interact with his children. After six months of effort, his daughter was able to move back home. Team members also visited the family to help them declutter their living space together.

“I feel I am no longer on my own. Their support gave me the motivation to move forward,” Mr Lui revealed. “I understand my children better now and have learned how to communicate with them more effectively. As communication improves, our relationship becomes more comfortable for everyone.”

Strengthened measures

According to figures from the department, the number of newly registered child protection cases has shown a continuous increase over the past five years, from 940 cases in 2020 to 1,504 in 2024. In the first three quarters of 2025, 1,022 cases were recorded.

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance came into effect on January 20. Under the ordinance, 25 categories of specified professionals including social workers, teachers, doctors and clinical psychologists are required to make a report as soon as possible, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has suffered serious harm or faces a real risk of serious harm.

Social Welfare Department Family & Child Welfare Branch Chief Social Work Officer (Domestic Violence) Dora Yuen outlined that the Government has put in place a number of support measures in tandem with the ordinance.

“The manpower of the Family & Child Protective Services Unit has been increased, enabling the unit to receive and handle new reports more effectively.

“We have also introduced a new service, the Child Protection Support Service, to follow up on cases involving abused children and their families.”

She added that to support those children in need of residential care services, the Government will continue to allocate more resources to increase residential places, including setting up two new residential child care centres in Tuen Mun and Kwun Tong. Providing an additional 96 places, these two centres are expected to offer emergency residential care support for about 380 young children each year.

Located on an artificial island near Shek Kwu Chau, the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase I, I·PARK1, represents a significant step forward in Hong Kong’s sustainable waste management strategy. As the city’s first waste‑to‑energy plant designed specifically to tackle municipal solid waste, I·PARK1 plays a key role in reducing reliance on landfills while producing energy.

I·PARK1 comprises three incineration modules. The first module has commenced trial operations, while the remaining two modules will progressively begin system testing and trial operations in the first quarter of 2026. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to process up to 3,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day and generate about 480 million kilowatt‑hours of surplus electricity annually for the city’s existing power grid, enough to meet the needs of 100,000 households.

Minimising waste

Municipal solid waste collected from across the city is first compacted and sealed in containers before being transported by vessels to I·PARK1. Upon arrival, the containers are unloaded at the berth and transferred by dedicated trailers to the processing building, where the waste is tipped into a bunker inside the tipping hall. Both the tipping hall and the waste bunker are maintained under negative pressure to prevent odour leakage.

From there, an overhead crane hoists the waste and feeds it into an incineration furnace. During the process, the waste is gradually pushed forward by a moving grate to ensure optimal combustion, while the heat energy generated is used to produce electricity.

Environmental Protection Department Senior Environmental Protection Officer (Infrastructure Development) Christopher Chan explained that waste inside the specially designed incinerator is combusted at temperatures exceeding 850 degrees Celsius. The flue gas produced must remain at this temperature for at least two seconds, ensuring complete combustion. Combined with high turbulence flow technology, this process guarantees the waste is completely combusted and organic pollutants, including dioxins, are thoroughly destroyed.

Sustainable measures

Mr Chan added that I·PARK1 is equipped with a highly efficient air pollution control system to treat all flue gas emissions. The system is designed to ensure compliance with the stringent emission limits set out in the Specified Process Licence issued under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance. The contractor is required to continuously monitor flue gas emissions with online monitoring equipment. The environmental monitoring data will then be verified and made available to the public through a dedicated website, as required by the Environmental Permit and the contract.

I·PARK1 will also provide education and leisure facilities to the public. While introducing the latest waste-to-energy technology in the environmental education centre, interactive exhibits will offer information about Hong Kong’s waste management and resource recovery efforts. Visits to the environmental education facilities will be ready for advance booking once I·PARK1 is fully operational.

The Environmental Protection Department is pressing ahead with the development of I·PARK2 at Tsang Tsui in Tuen Mun. Together with ongoing efforts in waste reduction, recycling and resource circulation, the Government believes that these initiatives will help Hong Kong move closer to its long‑term goals of achieving zero waste landfilling and carbon neutrality.

Since opening late last month, the Eastern Section of the East Coast Boardwalk, at North Point, has been a popular draw among members of the public eager to enjoy the harbourfront.

The East Coast Boardwalk is located under the Island Eastern Corridor, a major expressway along the north shore of Hong Kong Island. As with the Western Section, the Eastern Section is designated as a “Harbourfront Shared Space”, meaning it can be put to flexible use.

Civil Engineering & Development Department Senior Engineer Terence Yeung explained that besides functioning as a dedicated walkway for pedestrians, it offers a number of special features, including an “experiential” glass observatory deck that gives visitors direct views of the harbour beneath the boardwalk.

Near Tin Chiu Street, a pet-friendly area invites visitors and their leashed pets to relax and play. In addition, several multi-functional open spaces are available for hosting exhibitions, art displays and community activities upon application.

Challenges overcome

The East Coast Boardwalk’s construction involved multiple challenges, including restricted headroom under the Island Eastern Corridor, narrow waterways and a lack of land access for transportation.

The project team adopted various strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Mr Yeung said: “On one hand, we utilised the existing foundations of the Island Eastern Corridor, with an aim to reduce the number of marine piles to be constructed.

“On the other hand, we transported the prefabricated deck segments to the site by barge, and flexibly used different methods to install the deck segments one by one accurately. The average weight of the deck segments is about 350 tonnes.”

Harbourfront vision

One kilometre in length, the addition of the Eastern Section marks the East Coast Boardwalk’s completion. The walkway now stretches along 13km from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan.

Harbourfront Commission Chairman Ivan Ho said this “last kilometre” fulfills a core aim of enhancing harbourfront areas, allowing them to become an attractive, vibrant, accessible and sustainable asset for the people of Hong Kong to enjoy.

Looking ahead, the Harbourfront Commission will continue to develop and enhance harbourfront areas along both sides of Victoria Harbour, especially on the Kowloon side.

Mr Ho outlined that several harbourfront venues in Kowloon are under development, including a promenade in front of the Kai Tak New Acute Hospital and a character-filled event space at the Former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier.

“The pedestrian walkway next to the public cargo working area in Yau Ma Tei is also expected to be completed this year, linking the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Tai Kok Tsui area.

“We will continue to work towards the goal of extending the promenade length on both sides of Victoria Harbour to 34km by 2028.”

As the sun rises over Victoria Harbour, the city starts its day with people filling Lugard Road – jogging, walking dogs or strolling with friends.

An elderly woman who visits the Hong Kong Trail occasionally, remarked that it was a pleasant trail that was even suitable for dog walking.

“Hong Kong is a real treasure. In just 10 to 30 minutes by car, you can reach many hiking trails. So we really should cherish what we have.”

Singaporean film director Jack Neo recently led over 100 visitors to the trail for some morning exercise. He said the group was in high spirits and amazed by the landscape.

“The scenery in Singapore is very different from here – this is a mountain. We just looked down and suddenly realised how stunning the view is.”

With stops planned in Guangzhou and Shenzhen during their five-day trip, Mr Neo said he hopes to return to Hong Kong in the future to explore its countryside further.

Natural gem
Lugard Road is just the beginning of a greater natural treasure – the Hong Kong Trail.

Spanning about 50km, the trail begins at the western end of Hong Kong Island, winding eastward. It is the most hiker-friendly of the four long-distance trails managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department. Starting at Victoria Peak, it crosses the island’s hills and ends at Tai Long Wan.

The trail is divided into eight sections, with Lugard Road forming part of Section 1.

Eric Lam, Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (Hong Kong) at the department, grew up hiking the trail with his father and has since covered every section.

He said the trail offers a rich variety of scenic spots – ranging from the Peak and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir to Jardine’s Lookout, Mount Butler, the Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs and Dragon’s Back – offering a real mix of vistas.

In addition to its diverse landscapes, the trail also boasts rich habitats.

“Woodlands, streams and reservoirs support a wide range of wildlife, including species with high conservation value – like the Hong Kong Camellia and Primrose, both first discovered on the island,” Mr Lam added.

Witnessing history
The Hong Kong Trail is also packed with historical and cultural elements.

Hikers can encounter significant sites along the route, including Hong Kong’s first reservoir – Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, completed in 1863 – and several declared monuments related to the city’s early waterworks system.

Wartime relics such as Second World War-era air raid shelters and pillboxes, alongside early 1900s markers like the Kwan Tai Lo Milestone and the Tai Tam Obelisk, are also visible along the trail.

In April 1985, the Hong Kong Trail was officially inaugurated at Tai Fung Au, which also marks the start of Section 6. Many hikers still pause to take photographs at the memorial plaque.

Tai Fung Au has been there from the very beginning, even remnants of the former Taikoo company town – including the now-demolished Taikoo Sanitarium and the world’s first passenger cable car. The remaining stone, brick and concrete foundations have faded into the landscape, standing as silent witnesses to the passage of time.

Hiking challenge
To encourage the public to explore the Hong Kong Trail, the department launched the "Unlocking Hong Kong Trail" hiking challenge, setting up eight checkpoints – one for each trail section. Each checkpoint features an e-badge inspired by the section’s landmarks and biodiversity, allowing hikers to check in and take part in a “treasure hunt”.

Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (Education) Francis Tsang explained that participants should register on the event website, then hike to the eight checkpoints. Once there, they scan a QR code and answer a fun fact question to unlock an e-badge.

“Once they have unlocked all eight checkpoints within the event period – by February 28  – they can redeem a set of souvenirs on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last,” Ms Tsang noted.

Since the challenge was launched in November 2025, over 7,400 people had signed up, with around 1,800 successfully unlocking all checkpoints as of the end of last year.

She advised participants to plan based on fitness and experience, hike in groups, and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Earlier, the department launched a series of activities encouraging public involvement in trail upkeep, including restoring erosion-prone sections to ensure hikers can safely and comfortably enjoy nature.

"Four Peaks" Tourism
Last year, the Government introduced the “Four Peaks” tourism initiative, covering Tai Mo Shan, Lantau Peak, Sai Kung Hoi and Victoria Peak, which overlaps with Section 1 of the Hong Kong Trail.

The department is phasing in the initiative, upgrading trails and facilities near High West, and working with nearby stakeholders to design themed green tourism routes linking the Peak Tram, landmarks and specialty cuisines.

The tourism routes, along with facility upgrades and green tourism products are expected to be in place by late 2026.

Autonomous driving technology is advancing rapidly, with the potential to boost traffic efficiency and improve road safety. To promote the technology in Hong Kong, the Transport Department has issued six autonomous vehicle pilot licences since 2024, allowing operators to conduct road tests in designated areas.

The first licence was granted to an intelligent driving technology company with more than a decade of experience in autonomous driving research and development. The firm has deployed its technology in 22 cities, spanning the Mainland and the United Arab Emirates.

Since receiving its licence in November 2024, the company has been testing across North Lantau, Cyberport and the Kai Tak Development Area. By utilising vehicle-mounted sensors, the company has collected data over more than 80,000km of safe driving.

Last month, the company began conducting cross-district tests in Kwun Tong and Kowloon City. Despite the high density of both vehicles and pedestrians in urban areas, the autonomous vehicles have maintained steady speeds, signalled and overtaken safely, and have even made smooth U-turns on narrow roads with the help of algorithms.

During the tests, a driver remains onboard as a backup operator, only taking control of the vehicle when necessary. The vehicles have typically operated with the driver's hands off the wheel during routine travel.

System optimisation

The company’s Hong Kong Project Development Manager Nick Lau explained that as one of the most densely networked cities in the world, Hong Kong has complex and dynamic road conditions. The system has been optimised to comply with local traffic rules.

"Hong Kong is a right-hand-drive market. Our system has to fine-tune driving actions like stopping, overtaking and picking lanes so the vehicles handle right-side driving accurately. Second, there are conventional and spiral roundabouts in Hong Kong, which are different from those in other places. With strict traffic guidelines in play, our system has to learn these details to avoid any risks or violations,” he said.

Mr Lau also highlighted the challenges posed by unique traffic signals and temporary signs, such as hand-operated “Stop” and “Go” ones, which make recognition more difficult.

"We are continuing to fine-tune our machine-learning models to improve precision in these situations," he added.

Technological advancements

Transport Department Electrical & Mechanical Engineer (Autonomous Vehicle) Ken Tang said that testing has progressed smoothly, with all vehicles maintaining stable performance.

Among the trials, the tests in North Lantau have achieved significant technological progress in four key areas: scaling the trials from a single vehicle to 10 vehicles operating simultaneously; designated passenger-carrying trials; expanded test area; and higher speeds.

"Trial routes for autonomous vehicles have steadily expanded, progressing beyond Airport Island to more complex highways and diverse communities. As the autonomous driving system has improved, vehicle speeds have gradually increased up to 50km per hour, depending on the posted speed limits of the relevant test sections," he said.

The Transport Department has issued six pilot licences, covering 62 autonomous private cars and light buses being tested in various trial areas.

This year, it will progressively implement driverless operation of autonomous vehicles using only remote backup operators.

Based on the regular reports submitted by autonomous vehicle pilot operators, the department said it will review testing performance and safety, and require operators to conduct strict vehicle inspections to ensure the tests are performed in a safe and orderly manner.

To promote the development of the local artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, the Government has allocated $3 billion for the launch of a three-year AI Subsidy Scheme to support eligible organisations such as local universities, research institutes and enterprises in leveraging the computing power of Cyberport’s AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) to achieve scientific breakthroughs. 

Popular applications

Projects from around 20 universities, institutions and companies have been approved for funding, with the average subsidy reaching 70% of the list price for the services.

Deployment of the AISC started in December of 2024 and its average utilisation rate has been nearly 80%.

The University of Hong Kong is one of the institutions participating in the programme.

Researchers at the university’s Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering have developed a generative AI capable of real-time 3D scene generation and rendering.

Concept shaping

The department’s Associate Professor Ngai Wong said this generative AI can turn concepts or product ideas into images, creating something from nothing.

“For example, if we do interior design, we do not need to physically build the interior or the model for it. We can just use a voice prompt to change the interior design into a different style.”

“Another big application scenario is in the gaming industry. So, I can create some fancy environment. I can just voice it out and then the AI model will generate and create that for me.”

The technology is suitable for various applications, ranging from professional industry presentations to video game design.

Mr Wong added that unlike many global AI initiatives, the department is focused on compressing these models. By making them compatible with low-end edge devices, such as mobile phones and desktop computers, the team aims to broaden the market reach.

Research empowerment

Cyberport said in order to speed up AI development in Hong Kong, a ready-to-use AI supercomputing centre could help to support all these projects.

“The reason is if every applicant has to purchase the Graphics Processing Unit resources and then host the resources and form an IT team to maintain it, it is actually not only a problem of cost and also a problem of time,” explained Cyberport Head of Business Development Crystal Fok.

“Cyberport aims to introduce more diverse types of AI models to enhance the AI ecosystem, enabling the technology to benefit society and assist various industries,” she added.

Imagine being able to step back in time to a 1950s grocery store where the product packaging is full of nostalgic charm, pastries are priced at just $0.68 and you can purchase a mooncake for $2.

A local bakery group has turned this into reality by opening an experience centre at its Tai Po factory, replicating its first store on Shanghai Street. It was built in support of the Government's “Industrial Brand Tourism” project and took about six months to set up.

Memorable experience

In early December, the experience centre welcomed its first tour group. The docent explained the various exhibits in the centre, such as simulating baking pastries using an oil drum during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, and sharing the story of the group’s transformation from a grocery store to a bakery.

Tourists also experienced stir-frying lotus seed paste and felt the weight of traditional wedding cakes as well as became pastry chefs by making almond cakes during the tour. 

“Today, experiencing making almond cakes was really good and meaningful. If I visit Hong Kong again, I will definitely participate in similar activities,” tourist Ms Zhang said.

Another tourist Mr Lin remarked: “We usually travel to see the sights, but we rarely visit factories. This was our first time doing that, and I found it really interesting.”

Promoting craftmanship

Kee Wah Bakery Executive Director Karlson Wong said that through “Industrial Brand Tourism”, more people will get to know the brand and the traditional pastries of Hong Kong.

“It is a great opportunity and another platform for us to help tell that story and engage with more tourists that are visiting Hong Kong,” he explained. “Our vision for the company is for the world to know and to love our Hong Kong traditional pastry and confectionery products. Our hope is that our Hong Kong's own traditional products can also spread to all corners of the world.”

Economy boost

The “Industrial Brand Tourism” project is implemented by the Travel Industry Council to showcase the city’s industrial brand stories through tours organised by the travel trade, creating hotspots for visitors to tour, experience and shop. The council believes the project embodies the Government’s goal of “tourism is everywhere” and helps tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong.

The council’s Executive Director Fanny Yeung pointed out that the tours include a shopping component, allowing visitors to purchase exclusive products available only at the factory, which contributes to boosting the local economy.

She added that while tourists come to Hong Kong to experience “Industrial Brand Tourism”, they will also visit the traditional sightseeing spots. This helps to prolong their stay in Hong Kong.

Currently, brands including Yakult, Kee Wah and Lee Kum Kee are participating in the project. Ms Yeung revealed that the trial phase will continue until March next year, with the possibility of more brands being introduced by then.

Seventy-year-old Mr Lau has been experiencing difficulty walking ever since he suffered a stroke last year. After having another stroke earlier this year, he is currently participating in the Pok Oi Hospital “Jockey Club Smart Geriatric Day Hospital Project”, which enables patients to undergo physiotherapy and occupational therapy at home or in their residential care homes for the elderly as part of their rehabilitation.

“I do exercises in the morning and afternoon,” he said. “I am quite hardworking because I want to recover soon. I have made progress with some of the activities, such as the dressing exercise, which trains my hand to lift higher. I used to feel pain when moving my right hand, but now I do not.”

He was also enthusiastic about a hiking routine that has enhanced his mobility. “At first, I needed to rest partway through, but now I can complete the entire route at once.”

Greater convenience

The programme allows elderly residents to undergo rehabilitation in familiar surroundings without the need for lengthy and tiring hospital trips. Lydia Au, a manager at the care home where Mr Lau resides, said the initiative helps residents to stay active and engaged during recovery.

“With the tablet provided by the hospital, they can now do the exercises any time they want and complete them on their own, which builds their confidence and sense of achievement. The programme was launched after an assessment confirmed our care home environment was suitable.”

Smart technologies

Pok Oi Hospital launched the “Jockey Club Smart Geriatric Day Hospital Project” with $14 million in funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, after being included on the Chief Executive’s Community Project List.

The funding supports the adoption of a smart training model that incorporates virtual reality, augmented reality and tele-rehabilitation technologies at the facility’s geriatric day hospital. The approach allows patients to train remotely without the need for frequent hospital visits.

Patients’ performance data are uploaded to a digital platform, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor progress and design personalised rehabilitation plans. Since the project was launched last year, approximately 350 patients have benefited, with the number of patients treated increasing by more than 20% year on year.

Fewer visits

Pok Oi Hospital Chief of Service of Department of Medicine & Geriatrics Dr Tony Chan said the programme mainly benefits elderly patients who experience mobility issues after hospitalisation.

“Our target patients include those recovering from stroke, hip fracture or dementia because they all require very intensive training.”

Previously, patients would undergo on-site training twice weekly for eight weeks, for a total of 16 hospital sessions. Under the new arrangement, they now only need to visit the hospital once a week from the fifth week onwards.

“Through these exercises, we hope to help them improve their mobility and cardiopulmonary function, as well as restore their ability to carry out daily activities independently.”

To make rehabilitation more enjoyable, cultural elements have been integrated into the exercises. “For example, some games feature mahjong or cartoon backgrounds of the Big Buddha on Lantau Island and the Tsing Ma Bridge to make the training sessions more interesting and engaging for elderly participants.”

Positive results
To evaluate the programme’s effectiveness, Pok Oi Hospital has collaborated with Lingnan University on a comprehensive study. Explaining its findings, Lingnan University School of Graduates Studies Senior Lecturer Chloe Siu said innovative tele-rehabilitation training achieves better results than traditional methods in several aspects.

“Older adults who joined the six-metre walking test walked significantly faster than those undergoing conventional therapy,” she said. In occupational therapy, meanwhile, patients showed clear improvements in hand fine motor functions and cognitive functions, as well as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.

The Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) is set to open on December 21, slashing the journey time from Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Bay from approximately 30 minutes during peak hours to around five minutes.

The section spans 4.7km, including 3.9km of three-lane, two-way tunnel, and will connect the Kai Tak Development Area and Kowloon Bay in East Kowloon to the Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon.

Highways Department Senior Engineer (Central Kowloon Route) Yanis Poon described the new road as an important corridor that will enhance the overall transportation network across the whole of Kowloon.

While many vehicular tunnels cross mountains and seas, the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) is an underground tunnel that passes through Central Kowloon, one of Hong Kong’s most densely populated urban areas. The project therefore demanded meticulous route planning and the ability to surmount numerous challenges.

Engineering ingenuity

Construction of a 370-metre-long underwater tunnel connecting Ma Tau Kok and Kai Tak involved adopting a temporary reclamation construction method – and the restoration of the original seabed post-construction demonstrates the Government’s commitment to minimising environmental impacts.

Meanwhile, the tunnel between Ma Tau Kok and Yau Ma Tei, measuring 2.8km, was constructed using the drill-and-blast method, with some 2,400 blasts being executed. It was essential during these works to ensure that the approximately 240 buildings above and near the tunnel, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, remained unaffected.

Ms Poon stated: “We have strictly controlled the timing of tunnel blasting. For instance, near the hospital area, blasting was limited to specific 15-minute intervals each day to ensure the medical equipment was not affected.”

She added: “As the tunnel passes extremely close to the MTR lines, with a minimum distance of only 3m, we switched to the drill-and-break method at the intersection point to ensure railway operations were unaffected.”

Another challenge came with the construction of a 400-metre-long tunnel under Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei, the route of which overlapped with the existing Gascoigne Road Flyover. The project team had to relocate the flyover and demolish the Yau Ma Tei Car Park Building to construct the tunnel while maintaining the traffic flow during the entire construction period.

“To address this complex task, the team executed demolition and relocation in phases to maintain road user safety throughout construction,” Ms Poon explained.

Smart solutions

Given the project's scale, the Highways Department leveraged a range of innovative technology to enhance safety and efficiency. This includes implementing a Smart Site Management Hub (SSMH) that allows site activity to be monitored via cameras, Internet of Things sensors, water level sensors and other instruments. This platform enables project personnel to access real-time information.

“During Black Rainstorm warnings or when Typhoon Signal No. 10 was issued this year, we utilised the SSMH to monitor site conditions,” Ms Poon said. “Fortunately, we did not observe any flooding in our tunnel during these adverse weather events. It is a good opportunity to prove that our flood control system is effective.”

The department also deployed a Smart Over-Height Vehicle Detection System, which utilises detection cameras, light detection and ranging technology, and artificial intelligence. It identifies and stops vehicles that are over-height in order to prevent collisions with bridges under construction.

In a bustling city like Hong Kong, waiting for traffic lights to change to green is an inevitable part of life, especially when in a hurry.

Balancing needs
To optimise green light time allocation to pedestrians and vehicles, the Transport Department has adopted the Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System.

The system uses sensors installed at junctions and employs artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse pedestrian and vehicular flows in real time across different time periods and directions.

It then computes and optimises the green light time allocation to pedestrians and vehicles, effectively balancing the needs of all road users and reducing congestion and delay.

The system was first tested at selected independent signalised junctions.

When sensors pick up the signal where people are waiting to cross the road, the waiting light will activate automatically. Upon receiving this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts traffic signals based on actual conditions. This includes extending the pedestrian crossing signal duration and reallocating green time for vehicles immediately after pedestrians clear the road.

The system also effectively improves traffic efficiency. For example, at a T-junction, if there is no vehicle present on one of the arms, the system can skip the green light for that arm. As a result, the waiting time for vehicles using other arms can be reduced.

Encouraging results

The department rolled out another trial of the Real-time Adaptive Traffic Signal System at eight linked signalised junctions in Tung Chung in 2022.

The system collects and analyses the overall traffic conditions to compute the optimal signal times for the area.

For example, when the sensors detect a surge in traffic from Kowloon towards Tung Chung Town Centre or Hong Kong International Airport, the system will link up relevant junctions and keep the traffic lights green to accelerate traffic flow.

Data shows that the average delay for vehicles to cross the junctions is reduced by about 5% to 10% by using the system.

Traffic efficiency
Transport Department Chief Engineer (Traffic Control) Gordon Kwok noted that Tung Chung is an ideal area for testing the performance of the system at linked signalised junctions. Following the successful trial, the department plans to pilot the system at other busy linked signalised junctions, such as those in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.

Concurrently, to further promote smart transport and efficient traffic management, the department is extending the system to about 50 suitable independent signalised junctions across the city.

“We expect to start the installation in phases from 2026. The project is expected to be completed in 2027,” Mr Kwok added.

Leveraging technology

By utilising AI, the system improves traffic management efficiency, thereby facilitating commuting. It also earned the department the Certificate of Merit in the Smart Transport category at this year’s Hong Kong ICT Awards.

The department aims to boost the development of smart mobility. It established a testing platform in the Tung Chung trial which is open for companies to test their algorithms and technologies.

Additionally, the department maintains exchanges with local innovation and technology companies, academics and Mainland enterprises, with a view to introducing more suitable technologies in Hong Kong in the future.

Alongside the Government’s push to develop Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy, drone sports have been gaining in popularity.

Secondary 2 student Lawrence Tong is a devotee of drone soccer who already has rich drone experience under his belt. He recently joined four teammates to compete in a five-a-side drone soccer tournament at Cyberport.

“I enjoy drone soccer because it helps me improve communication and teamwork, as well as my problem-solving and observation skills,” he said.

The team-based aerial sport involves pilots manoeuvring drones encased in spherical shields. Some pilots act as defenders and others as strikers, and the aim is to score by flying through the opponent’s goal hoop, which is suspended in the air.

Lawrence began learning to programme drones in Primary 1, and was introduced to drone soccer by his extracurricular activity teacher in Primary 4. Now captain of his school’s drone club, he is proficient in everything from drone maintenance to piloting and in-game tactical adaptation.

Drone dream
At the tournament, Lawrence analysed the opposing teams before each match and adjusted the drone setups. In between matches, he checked for damage and had to perform quick repairs, such as replacing broken propellers.

He emphasised that teamwork is the key to success in the game, explaining that if a defensive player is knocked out by an opponent, other pilots must quickly shift positions to cover.

Though his team trailed early on in the competition, they eventually found their rhythm and secured fourth place.

Looking ahead, Lawrence said he would like to study drone-related subjects if he gets the chance.

“For now, I will prioritise my studies while continuing to develop my interests. But if I could pursue a career in this field in the future, that would be a dream come true.”

Nurturing talent
The tournament was hosted by the DNT FPV Drone Association Hong Kong, China, and drew participants from both secondary and primary schools across Hong Kong, as well as other cities in the Greater Bay Area.

The association’s chairman Sky Yeung highlighted that everything about the event – from the competition rules and drone specifications to the size of the goal hoop – aligned with the standards followed by the 15th National Games, currently underway in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong. For the first time, the roster of mass participation events at the games includes an aircraft modelling competition, featuring drone soccer, drone racing and indoor radio-controlled air combat.

He added that the Cyberport tournament also aimed to give more young people a taste of drone sports and build their problem-solving capabilities.

“For different drones, how to gain the balance, how to have a longer flight time – these all are related to aerodynamics and also the drone technology.

“So the students need to know how to control the drone manually. They need to modify the drone – for example, the flight time, battery lifetime, ESC (electronic speed controller), and PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative control).”

He added that these skills have practical applications beyond the context of sports – from search and rescue operations to cargo lifting and pipe inspections.

Currently, the drone association provides drone-related courses and activities to around 150 local schools.

Mr Yeung believes that Hong Kong youths have immense potential when it comes to innovation and creativity, and that nurturing young drone sports talent can contribute to the city’s low-altitude economy in the future.

Dedicated facility

Drone sports encompasses a wide variety of formats besides soccer – drone racing, for example, involves pilots flying high-speed drones through obstacle courses.

Racing drones, also known as FPV (first-person view) drones, stream live video from an onboard camera to a pilot’s goggles and can reach speeds of up to 300km per hour. Accordingly, they require venues with high safety standards, and – as Mr Yeung explained – until recently this meant participants often had to travel to other cities in the Greater Bay Area in order to train.

That changed, however, with the opening of Hong Kong’s first drone sports centre at Cyberport in October. The drone association now makes use of this enclosed and safe environment to conduct drone training and explore real-world applications.

Cyberport Management Company Head of Engineering Services Eddie Lok reported that the facility has received a keen response in terms of bookings from drone sports enthusiasts and training providers, and has already hosted a fun day in addition to training sessions.

“With drone sports now featured in both the National Games and the World Games, Cyberport plans to host cross-boundary matches involving Chinese Mainland teams, and even bring international tournaments to Hong Kong in order to promote drone sports on a global scale.”

With the construction of Cyberport 5 set to be completed next month, Mr Lok added that Cyberport will continue to support the Government’s development of Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy and invest in facilities based on industry needs.

For the Trunk Road T2 & Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel project, the Civil Engineering & Development Department has applied innovative technologies including an autonomous air-ground co-operative tunnel inspector and a drilling robot.

Efficiency boost

Giving rein to the synergy of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and total-station positioning techniques, the autonomous air-ground co-operative tunnel inspector can automatically carry out all necessary tunnel inspections, covering tunnel linings and various tunnel internal structures in a safer, more efficient and cost-effective manner.

Consultancy company Senior Resident Engineer Albert Sung explained that the system is equipped with ultra-high-definition cameras to automatically capture images of the tunnel’s internal structures.

“The aerial drone focuses on the upper half of the tunnel, while the unmanned ground vehicle focuses on the lower half, enabling 360-degree full coverage of the tunnel. These images are transmitted in real time to the AI module on the unmanned ground vehicle for defect detection.

“It can instantly and accurately detect millimetre-level defects and generate electronic reports. The entire process is 23 times faster than conventional methods and reduces inspection costs by 50%.”

The system was co-developed by the Civil Engineering & Development Department, a consultancy firm and the Hong Kong Productivity Council and has obtained three patents as well as receiving multiple local and international innovation awards, including 2025 Gold Edison Award.

Rapid robots

In addition, the tunnel project employs an automatic drilling robot that improves efficiency by reducing time and labour costs.

Civil Engineering & Development Department Engineer Kelvin Ma explained that, in the past, before constructing the corbel for overhead ventilation duct slabs inside a tunnel, workers had to repeatedly carry out tasks such as chiselling the concrete surface, and positioning, drilling and installing anchor bolts, while working on elevated platforms.

“The Trunk Road T2 project has introduced an automatic drilling robot. Using laser scanning technology for precise positioning, the robot performs accurate drilling and anchor bolts installation on tunnel walls and ceilings while simultaneously extracting dust generated during the process.

“Compared to traditional methods, which involve manual lifting and installation, the adoption of the Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing and drilling robot has reduced onsite labour requirements by 60% and shortened the associated construction time by 40%.”

Tech application

With the rapid development of robotics technology, the Development Bureau is encouraging the application of construction robots in all public works projects.

Development Bureau Chief Assistant Secretary Felix Poon stressed that the bureau prioritises the promotion of highly-effective construction robots that demonstrate high cost-effectiveness, scalability and necessity for onsite construction.

“We first pilot construction robots for different tasks in some public works projects. Based on the outcomes of the trials, we mandate their application for suitable public works projects.

“In addition, the Government provides subsidies to the private construction sector. This measure gradually establishes a robust ecosystem for the development of construction robots.”

Mr Poon added that the bureau will soon implement a policy requiring suitable construction robots to be adopted in all public works projects, with the aim of enhancing the overall quality, safety and productivity of construction projects.

Hong Kong has placed significant emphasis on smart transformation and development in recent years – and its efforts have not gone unrecognised. Published recently, the Polytechnic University’s 2025 Smart City Index ranked Hong Kong in eighth position among 73 global cities.

The study analyses smart city development across different cities, with reference to six key dimensions: citizens, environment, social landscape, economy, infrastructure and governance.

Top-ranking city 

On governance, Hong Kong performs particularly strongly in terms of smart city policy and plans, as well as its development of e-government initiatives, ranking number one in these areas.

Additionally, in the area of data transparency, Hong Kong leads on willingness to develop open data and the diversity of its open data categories.

Polytechnic University Smart Cities Research Institute Director John Shi is responsible for the Smart City Index. Commenting on Hong Kong’s high ranking, he said: “This is truly an outstanding achievement – a reflection of Hong Kong’s position as one of the leading smart cities globally.”

According to Mr Shi, Hong Kong’s top strength is its economy: he praised the city’s robust business environment, high-tech supporting systems and overall value.

He also pointed to its good governance, highlighting the city’s advances in e-governance, data openness and initiatives such as the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure Portal, which facilitates data sharing among the public and private sectors. In addition, he said the city’s education, research and innovation sectors are vital elements that support its ongoing development as a smart city.

Enhanced efficiency 

Among the various smart city measures rolled out by the Government, the one most widely accessed by residents is the one-stop personalised digital services platform “iAM Smart”.

Since its launch, over 3.8 million users have registered for iAM Smart, and an average day now involves more than 180,000 interactions with the platform. 

iAM Smart accounts are currently available in two versions: iAM Smart and iAM Smart+. The latter version offers the advantage of a digital signature function. In recent months, new features have been introduced to enhance user convenience. This includes instant bill viewing and expanded support for digital documentation. 

More functions 

Digital Policy Office Senior Systems Manager Ray Cheung said that by downloading the latest version of the iAM Smart app, users can easily check their water bill balances issued by the Water Supplies Department, view speed post bills from Hong Kong Post and make payments using the Faster Payment System.

He stressed that iAM Smart is a key digital infrastructure component, and a key initiative for driving the full digitalisation of online government services and accelerating smart government development.

The Digital Policy Office has in fact been working closely with bureaus and departments to achieve the goal of a single portal for online government services. Moreover, it has been collaborating with the governments of Guangdong Province and Shenzhen to drive the Cross-boundary Public Services initiative, so that residents can access different government services from either side of the boundary.  

Mrs Lee, 74, and her 84-year-old husband are a doubleton elderly household relying on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. Earlier this year, Mrs Lee underwent knee replacement surgery and received respite services at a care home. Dependent on a wheelchair, she requires regular hospital visits for follow-up care and physiotherapy, posing logistical and financial challenges.

“At first, I could not find anyone to help me and I was struggling financially,” Mrs Lee explained.

“My relatives and friends were busy working, while my husband, being elderly, was unable to help either. For the care home to accompany me to medical consultations, it would cost $600 per day for just five hours, plus $100 for each additional hour. I was at a complete loss as to what to do.”

Timely support

Mrs Lee’s physiotherapy is essential to prevent her from losing her mobility.

Fortunately, a relative recommended the Designated Hotline for Carer Support, 182 183, offering a glimmer of hope to the couple.

“I felt anxious and did not know where to turn," Mr Lee recounted. "I shared my situation with my sister, and she mentioned that a friend had told her about a service that could help. She gave me the phone number and encouraged me to call for assistance.”

A social worker from the hotline arranged an outreach visit, assessed the couple’s situation and approved subsidies to cover respite care and related expenses. They also organised for Mrs Lee to be escorted to appointments, and facilitated a referral for Integrated Home Care Services to ensure ongoing assistance.

Courageous step

Launched by the Social Welfare Department in 2023, the Carer Hotline operates around the clock and is staffed by social workers, who provide consultation, counselling and assistance in matching respite services. By the end of September this year, the hotline had received over 119,000 calls and referred more than 2,200 cases to relevant social welfare service units for follow-up.

Designated Hotline for Carer Support Supervisor Venus Ho said callers often begin by asking about specific services, such as meal delivery or care homes.

“We do not just provide information, we dig deeper to understand why they need these services,” she explained. “Many worry about being a burden to others, feel embarrassed about their family circumstances or believe they should be able to manage on their own.

“Many carers are reluctant to take a step back because they fear their families might misunderstand and think they have abandoned their caregiving duties. We hope they realise that the hotline acts like a relay baton, so when they are exhausted and feel they cannot go on, they can pass the baton to us. We will walk alongside them, giving them space to rest and recharge so they can return to their caregiving responsibilities with renewed energy.”

Ms Ho emphasised that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a positive and courageous step.

Enhanced care

Social Welfare Department Chief Social Work Officer (Rehabilitation & Medical Social Services) Kelvin Tam outlined that the department promotes respite services through the Carer Hotline and District Services & Community Care Teams (Care Teams), encouraging carers to call the hotline for matching of respite services. Transportation subsidies are also available to make it easier for elderly residents and persons with disabilities to utilise respite services.

To build confidence and familiarity, the Social Welfare Department encourages local service units to organise visits and experiential programmes so that care recipients can adapt to respite environments in advance.

“Many service users who participated in these programmes have expressed that respite services truly provide carers with a break, and they now understand that these services are not only for emergencies.”

The department has also launched the first phase of the Carer Support Data Platform, initially connecting its data with that of the Hospital Authority and the Housing Authority. In July, two pilot programmes commenced involving those bodies.

By the end of September, the department had received hospital admission notifications for 885 high-risk carer cases from the Hospital Authority, two of which were confirmed as needing emergency support.

As part of the pilot programme, jointly conducted by the Social Welfare Department and the Housing Authority, Care Teams have visited over 10,000 high-risk elderly and carer households, and have referred more than 640 cases to social welfare service units.

Whether at busy intersections or tranquil street corners, Hong Kong has silent sentinels safeguarding citizens.

Through the SmartView initiative, the Police Force has to date installed more than 4,500 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in public places with high crime rates and pedestrian flows, aiding crime prevention and detection.

Since its launch, SmartView has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness, assisting the force in detecting more than 480 criminal cases and leading to the arrests of more than 840 individuals.

Emergency relief

Besides combating crime, SmartView has been invaluable during typhoons and extreme weather conditions.

It provides real-time monitoring of high-risk locations such as areas vulnerable to flooding and public transport interchanges, allowing Police to put precautionary arrangements in place.  

For example, during the recent Super Typhoon Ragasa, Police closely monitored the storm’s impact on the city from their Command & Control Centre, located at Wan Chai Police Headquarters.

Operations Wing Senior Superintendent of Police Leung Ming-leung explained that during the post-typhoon recovery phase, Police used SmartView’s cameras to assess the road conditions on major routes and at public transport hubs. This enabled them to quickly deploy personnel and resources, helping the community restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.

“We also shared the SmartView video feeds with the Drainage Services Department to assist them in monitoring flooding conditions in the city,” he added.

The force hopes that as SmartView continues to develop and improve, footage can be shared with other government departments at times of need in the future.

Enhancing efficiency

In addition, the force is committed to leveraging other innovations to enhance the efficiency of SmartView. This includes introducing automatic number plate recognition technology in July.

This new function has strengthened the force's capabilities in dealing with suspicious and wanted vehicles.

SmartView also supports people-counting technology, which employs a large language model to provide precise estimates. Police have deployed this function at multiple large-scale events, including the recent National Day fireworks display, where it was found to be highly effective.

Expanding coverage

As a city-wide initiative under the steer of the Task Force on District Governance, SmartView cameras are mainly installed on lampposts, smart lampposts and government buildings. Starting from late July this year, the force has also mounted cameras on Police vehicles as mobile CCTV units.

The force is now looking to expand its range of installation platforms, and will install the first traffic light-mounted camera before the end of this year.

To further enhance the efficiency and coverage of SmartView, it also plans to gradually integrate CCTV cameras installed by other government departments and public organisations, such as those at the Kai Tak Sports Park.

To date, over 5,000 such cameras have been connected to SmartView.

In terms of collaboration with other departments, the force's target for this year is to integrate cameras from 10 public housing estates managed by the Housing Department, three cross-harbour tunnels managed by the Transport Department, seven venues related to the National Games that are managed by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, and four immigration control points.

The bustling kitchen of Kowloon Hospital serves approximately 1,400 inpatients per meal.

The menus are designed to take into consideration not only taste and texture but the nutritional needs and swallowing abilities of the patients.

All-encompassing menu

In addition to providing meals for inpatients at Kowloon Hospital, the kitchen also supplies catering services to two nearby facilities: the Buddhist Hospital and the Eye Hospital.

Hospital Authority Kowloon Central Cluster Catering Manager Cora Wong explained that the kitchen’s menu is designed to meet the diverse clinical needs of patients.

“We have a four-week cycle menu that takes care of the nutrient content and also the texture requirement of the patients. We also pay extra attention to the food allergy and the food preference issue of the patients.”

Taste variety

The main kitchen prepares approximately 1,400 meals per mealtime for the inpatients of the three hospitals, serving around 4,200 meals daily.

“To cater for patients with a different therapeutic diet and different texture, we have to prepare 13 different dishes for the entree, including 10 different vegetables and 15 kinds of starchy foods to make the meals for the patients. So, it would be around more than 200 combinations.”

While the chefs are preparing the meals, other staff sort the cooked items, placing them into containers then distributing different dishes onto trays according to each patient's meal ticket before loading them onto meal trolleys for delivery to inpatients at Kowloon Hospital and to the other two hospitals.

Sustainable changes

This year marks Kowloon Hospital‘s 100th anniversary. Ms Wong, who joined the hospital in 2018, has witnessed the evolution of catering services over the years.

She noted that the kitchen previously prepared meals in "family-style" i.e. cooking in bulk and serving directly to the wards, often including congee or minced meat for patients with special dietary needs.

Today, meal plans for diabetics, and high-protein or low-salt options have been introduced to meet different medical requirements. Additionally, various textures, such as minced and pureed diets, are provided to accommodate the clinical conditions of different patients.

To enhance dietary quality, the hospital gathers patient feedback on meals and replaces 20% of the menu annually to maintain variety. However, before any menu changes, professional input has been sought from various departments, including nutritionists and speech therapists.

Dietary assessments

Speech therapists will assess the food texture, size and the patient's oral function, co-ordination, swallowing ability and mental state necessary for managing the new dish. Based on this evaluation, they will recommend appropriate diet types that can include the new dish.

During festive periods, the hospital prepares special dishes for inpatients, which also require assessment by speech therapists.

Kowloon Hospital Speech Therapist Himmy Chow cited an example of one festive meal: “The custard bun we prepared for our Mid-Autumn Festival requires a certain level of chewing and oromotor co-ordination, therefore it is only suitable for patients who are on regular diets and soft diets.

“And for the sago pudding, it is softer in texture and requires less chewing, therefore in addition to regular and soft diets, it can also be included in shredded, minced and smooth soft diets.”