Hong Kong Showcases Comic Talent at Ani-Com & Games 2025 with International Conference and Pavilion Events.

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency supports industry in participating in Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong and hosting International Comic Artist Conference

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau supported the industry in organising the "HK Comics Support Programme" (HKCSP) pavilion at Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong 2025 (ACGHK) and hosting the 20th International Comic Artist Conference (the conference). Through a series of annual comic events, the initiatives showcased the creative talent and outstanding works of Hong Kong comic artists. These efforts not only presented local comic artists' excellent creations to both international and local audiences, but also fostered exchange and collaboration between the Hong Kong comic industry and its international counterparts.

The HKCSP pavilion was successfully held from July 25 to 29, attracting an enthusiastic response with approximately 60 000 visitors recorded over the five-day exhibition period. Meanwhile, the conference, themed "The New Global Wave of Comics: Resonating with the New Generation" took place from July 24 to 25, bringing together representatives from 11 countries or regions to engage in in-depth discussions on topics including creativity, market trends, industry development, and publishing strategies.

Acting Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mrs Lowell Cho, said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been continuously nurturing local comic artists and supporting the sustainable growth of Hong Kong comic enterprises through the "CreateSmart Initiative" (CSI) funding, with a view to consolidating Hong Kong's position as a hub for the creative industry in Asia and promoting Hong Kong comics on the global radar.

The fourth edition of HKCSP is one of the flagship projects under the CSI. It aims to discover and nurture emerging local comic talents while promoting the development of original comics in Hong Kong. This year, 16 selected local enterprises showcased their newly published original comic works with the support of the CSI at the HKCSP pavilion. The lead artists were also present to interact and engage with readers on-site.

Since the launch of HKCSP, including the past three editions, the programme has successfully published 63 original comic works and secured over 30 licensing agreements for foreign-language editions, effectively expanding into overseas markets. Several emerging comic artists who participated in the programme, including Chivas Leung (1st HKCSP), Man Tsang (1st HKCSP), Pen So (1st and 3rd HKCSP), and Bonnie Pang (2nd HKCSP), won prestigious international awards or garnered attention from international publishers through their creations under the programme. Their success in entering the global market underscored the international competitiveness of Hong Kong comics. Among the emerging comic artists, Pen So, with the Gold Award- winning work from 3rd HKCSP "Dali Libreria", won the Grand Publishing Award of the Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards 2025, and alongside Man Tsang and Kwong Chi Kit (1st and 2nd HKCSP), was invited to represent Hong Kong at the International Comic Artist Conference to share their creative insights.

Hong Kong returned as host of the International Comic Artist Conference, following its hosting of the 14th edition of the conference in 2013, signifying the importance and influence of the local comic industry on the international stage. The conference featured the "International Comics Exhibition" in the ACGHK, showcasing over 400 outstanding original works from 12 countries or regions. Visitors had the opportunity to appreciate a diverse range of classic and emerging comic works from around the world, thereby further promoting the exchange of the global comics culture.

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency supports industry in participating in Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong and hosting International Comic Artist Conference Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency supports industry in participating in Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong and hosting International Comic Artist Conference Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency supports industry in participating in Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong and hosting International Comic Artist Conference Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency supports industry in participating in Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong and hosting International Comic Artist Conference Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases