New E-Payment Requirement for Taxis Launches Smoothly, Enhancing Passenger Convenience

C for T observes implementation of new taxi e-payment requirement

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment (e-payment) means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth.

Miss Tse said, "We noted that taxi drivers have complied with the new requirement by providing at least two types of e-payment means, including one each of QR code and non-QR code. Whether scanning a QR code or tapping a payment card, passengers now have additional options to pay fares. Passengers and drivers no longer need to worry about insufficient cash or change, making taxi services more convenient and efficient, and enabling tourists to travel in Hong Kong more conveniently. Clear transaction records also help passengers plan their journeys better."

She thanked e-payment service providers and the taxi trade for their joint efforts with the Transport Department (TD) over the past six months or so in stepping up publicity and public education, and deepening taxi drivers' understanding of the statutory requirement so that they register for e-payment means early. The TD's dedicated service counters set up at three government carparks at Rumsey Street in Sheung Wan and in Kwai Fong and Tsuen Wan will continue to operate until April 4 to facilitate drivers' registration.

The TD reminded passengers to check the stickers on taxi windows or ask drivers before boarding to understand the available e-payment means. Under the new requirement, taxi drivers should note that, if e-payment devices are out of order, they must be repaired promptly or replaced by alternative e-payment means to meet the mandatory requirement, before drivers can continue to carry passengers.

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment (e-payment) means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth. Photo shows a passenger paying the fare via a non-QR code e-payment option. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth. Photo shows Miss Tse (fourth right) meeting the media. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment (e-payment) means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth. Photo shows Miss Tse (fourth right) and representatives of e-payment platforms and the taxi trade. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth. Photo shows Miss Tse (centre), a driver and a passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, today (April 1) visited a taxi drop-off point in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the new requirement for taxi drivers to provide electronic payment means on the first day. She was pleased to note that the overall operation was generally smooth. Photo shows Miss Tse (front row, centre), a driver and a passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Business of Innovation and Technology Week in April gathers global innovation and technology elites to showcase cutting-edge innovations

The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) are jointly organising the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week) in April. A series of mega innovation and technology (I&T) events will be held, including the flagship event InnoEX, which will return with great acclaim, concurrently with the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit.

The fourth InnoEX, co-organised by the ITIB and the HKTDC, will be held from April 13 to 16 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). This annual I&T event, themed "Innovate • Automate • Elevate" this year, will bring together I&T enterprises, industry elites and buyers from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas to jointly promote the application of cutting-edge technology solutions in five key areas, namely AI+, robotics, the low-altitude economy, property technology and retail technology, while exploring global collaboration opportunities. The "RoboPark" zone will also be held concurrently, showcasing over 100 robots from technology enterprises in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.

Another highlight of InnoEX is the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion set up by the Digital Policy Office. This year, themed "AI+ Hong Kong", the pavilion will showcase over 100 I&T solutions, including those developed by the Government that benefit the public and businesses, as well as award-winning I&T projects by local industry and students, demonstrating Hong Kong's achievements in I&T and smart city development.

The third Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference and the Xiangjiang Nobel Forum will also be held from April 12 to 16at the HKCEC. The event is organised by the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities with full support from the ITIB. Top I&T talent from around the world including Nobel Prize and Turing Award laureates, academicians, renowned scientists, etc, will gather in Hong Kong to discuss frontier developments and co-operation in areas such as AI, embodied robotics, biomedicine, quantum technology and green energy, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's international standing in the global scientific arena.

In addition, the International Academicians Hong Kong Forum to be held on April 14by the International Alliance of Academicians has joined the BIT Week this year. The forum has invited a Fields medallist and over 10 globally renowned experts and academicians in the fields of medicine, AI and higher education as speakers to jointly promote the translation of academic achievements from research to application.

Meanwhile, the 2026 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit will be held April 13 and 14at the HKCEC. Under the theme "Digital and Intelligent Empowerment for Innovative Development - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", the summit is expected to attract more than 1 000 government and business leaders, representatives of international organisations, experts and scholars from around the world to Hong Kong. They will engage in in-depth exchanges on Internet frontier topics to strengthen regional digital collaboration and jointly create new momentum and advantages for the development of the Asia-Pacific region.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "Under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong is the only open economy in the world that simultaneously benefits from the strengths of both China and the global community. Through flagship exhibitions and a wide range of activities, the BIT Week in April will bring together over 3700 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions. This demonstrates Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as its best bridging role of 'bringing in' and 'going global', thereby helping Hong Kong proactively seek development breakthroughs, actively integrate into the National 15th Five-Year Plan, accelerate its development into an international I&T centre, and deepen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas markets."

Other major industry events during the BIT Week include the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Smart Lighting Expo, as well as the Hong Kong Web3 Festival. Details of the BIT Week can be found at bitweek.hktdc.com/en.

Source: AI-found images