Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 to be gazetted tomorrow
The Government will gazette the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 tomorrow (September 5), with an aim of introducing a regulatory regime for ride-hailing services to safeguard the public's travel safety.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said today (September 4), "The current-term Government is determined to reform personalised point-to-point transport services. In addition to actively introducing various measures to enhance taxi services over the past few years, the Government proposes to introduce a clear legislative framework to regulate ride-hailing services, demonstrating our resolution to address the long-standing controversy."
"In devising the regulatory framework, the Government has prioritised public safety and interests, and listened carefully to the views of various stakeholders with a view to achieving the objective of 'people-oriented and safe travel'. Our aim is to provide the public with more safe, legally compliant and diverse travel options, while ensuring the healthy and orderly development of the overall point-to-point transport service industry and creating a healthy competitive environment. This will help bring new vitality to the industry and achieve a win-win outcome for all parties. Moreover, the Government also proposes introducing new measures to combat illegal activities of carrying passengers for hire or reward," the spokesperson added.
Under the proposed regulatory regime, platforms, vehicles and drivers providing ride-hailing services must obtain appropriate licences/permits and meet the licence/permit conditions imposed by the Transport Department. The Government will set entry thresholds (including being a company registered in Hong Kong, operational experience, proof of financial capacity, capital investment, and directors' qualifications) for platforms applying for operation. Platforms must also maintain appropriate and efficient services and conduct due diligence on their vehicles and drivers. Regarding ride-hailing vehicles, the Government proposes that vehicles must be registered in the name of an individual and can only be operated by their registered owners. Also, ride-hailing vehicles must hold appropriate third-party risk insurance and display identification markings as required for identification purposes. For ride-hailing vehicle drivers, the Government proposes that applicants must meet a series of conditions and complete a specified test. These conditions include being at least 21 years of age, holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card, and having no serious traffic conviction records within the five years preceding the application date.
The spokesperson said, "In July this year, the Government consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport on the legislative proposals for the regulatory framework. Members unanimously supported the Government's proposal to regulate platforms, vehicles and drivers providing ride-hailing services. They also endorsed the Government's approach to first introduce amendments to the principal legislation into the LegCo to establish matters of principle and handle other technical details in the next stage through subsidiary legislation or licence/permit conditions, with a view to expediting the regulation of ride-hailing services and meeting public expectations.
"We would like to thank the LegCo Members for their support for the Government to take forward the legislative work on regulating ride-hailing services at full speed. We will actively co-operate with the LegCo in its scrutiny work and strive to have the Bill passed before the end of the current-term LegCo," the spokesperson added.
The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo on September 10 for first and second readings.
Source: AI-found images
Speech by SITI at 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit today (January 16):
Professor Sun Dong, Photo by Bastille Post
Ms Qiu (Vice President of DLG Exhibitions & Events Co Ltd, Ms Qiu Haoming), Hendrick (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, Mr Hendrick Sin), Terry (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Terry Wong), Duncan (Member of the Legislative Council, Mr Duncan Chiu), Alex (President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, Dr Alex Chung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. I am delighted to join you at the 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit.Today's theme, "Wake Up More!", is a call not only for any single company, city, or country but also a timely reminder for all of us to embrace a new era of intelligence, possibility, and shared responsibility.
A big thank you to the organiser for choosing Hong Kong as a destination for this remarkable Summit. This is another testament to Hong Kong's unique position as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" that thrives on global connection and creativity. We are delighted to see that world-class academics, industry experts and leading entrepreneurs from around the world gather here today to explore the future of AI and the opportunities it brings to us.
AI has become a core engine driving global technological and economic progress, and all economies recognise its strategic importance.Under the unique advantages of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is also seizing this AI moment.With a focus on "strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach", Hong Kong is steadily advancing a series of AI initiatives.
In terms of R&D (research and development), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is working to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute within this year, which is a new engine for discovery, translation, and real-world impact.Through our AIR@InnoHK research cluster, we have funded the establishment of 16 R&D laboratories focusing on AI and robotics technologies.Notably, the "HKChat" AI chatbot developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center has already launched its public version.
Hong Kong's total computing power has now reached 5 000 PFLOPS, with the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre contributing 3 000 PFLOPS. This centre is a critical hub that supports Hong Kong's AI development, and its capacity will continue to expand to meet growing demand. The upcoming data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge in North District will further provide advanced computing power facilities, promoting the development of data and AI-related industries in Hong Kong.
And at the heart of all progress is talent. We recognise that people, not algorithms, will shape the future of AI. Our strategy is simple yet powerful: "Promote technology with talent, lead industries with technology, and attract talent with industries". To this end, we have included in the Talent List a number of professions in the I&T (innovation and technology) segment, including experienced AI Specialists, to facilitate global experts, like all of you here, in developing your careers in Hong Kong.
Looking ahead, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to foster strong collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors. The future of AI cannot be built by anyone or any place alone. It requires a global community that is awake, aware, and aligned.I am confident that this Summit will spark new ideas and inspire us to wake up more for high-quality AI development.
I wish the Summit great success. Thank you.
The 2026 WAIC UP! Global Summit, Photo by Bastille Post
