Hong Kong Showcases Digital Innovation at UnitedXR Europe 2025 in Brussels

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, from December 8 to 10 (Brussels time).

Sponsored by CCIDA, the Hong Kong Pavilion at UnitedXR Europe showcased Hong Kong's innovative capabilities of 20 Hong Kong digital entertainment companies in extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across gaming, training and education, animation, art-tech, and immersive experiences. During the exhibition period, CCIDA also organised a series of exchange activities, business meetings and company visits to enable the exhibiting Hong Kong companies to explore business and collaboration opportunities with their international counterparts and to enhance their understanding of the European XR market and industry development trends.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion on December 9 (Brussels time), the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to supporting local creative talent in applying leading XR technologies to Hong Kong's creative industries, as well as engaging and collaborating with XR ecosystems worldwide. The Hong Kong Pavilion at UnitedXR Europe not only presents Hong Kong's cutting-edge technologies and creative applications in digital entertainment but also demonstrates its commitment to advancing creative technologies and strengthening Hong Kong's connections with Europe and the global community.

The Hong Kong Pavilion is also supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels. The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, also attended the opening ceremony.

UnitedXR Europe this year combines the Augmented World Expo EU and Stereopsia for the first time to launch Europe's leading XR event. For more information about UnitedXR Europe 2025 and the Hong Kong Pavilion, please visit unitedxr.eu/ and www.hkpavilion.com/respectively.

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency leads industry delegation to participate in UnitedXR Europe 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 29 days of imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 58-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 22) and seized 1 981 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $8,100, and the duty potential was about $6,500. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases