Hong Kong boasts record highs in both the number of startups locally and the size of their employees in 2024, showed the latest official statistics.
The number of startups in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) hit 4,694 in 2024, up 10 percent year on year and approximately 40 percent more than that in 2020, the HKSAR government has announced.
In 2024, the combined workforce of these startups was nearing 18,000, up 7 percent year on year and an increase of around 65 percent over 2020.
According to Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) data, the sectors with the largest increases included "health and medical" as well as "sustainable and green technology," underscoring the effectiveness of the government's investments in innovation and green energy.
Hong Kong records historic high number of startups
A wildfire that engulfed part of a forest in Shantou City of south China's Guangdong Province on Sunday has been extinguished after 17 hours of concerted efforts by multiple departments including emergency response, firefighting and public security units.
Villagers living at the foot of Xianglu Mountain were the first to notice the fire erupting on its slopes.
"It looked far away and I thought it was just someone burning garbage," recalled one villager.
Upon discovering the fire, local authorities immediately organized personnel to combat the flames, with mobilization of over 200 rescuers from surrounding areas to assist in the firefighting efforts.
"We were divided into two to three groups, with one conducting regular firefighting and another using water pumps to extinguish the fire," said one rescuer.
Given the rapid spread of the fire, local officials also called in aerial support with helicopters to aid in extinguishing the blaze. Furthermore, many personnel organized by local grassroots departments were actively involved in the firefighting efforts.
By 06:00 on Monday, the wildfire was finally extinguished without causing any casualties. The dry climate in winter increases the risk of forest fire in the region. However, the cause of the forest fire is still under investigation.
Wildfire extinguished in south China's Guangdong after 17 hours of efforts
