Hong Kong and Shanghai Strengthen Digital Economy Cooperation at First Annual Working Group Meeting

Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation holds first annual meeting

The Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation, which is responsible for promoting the relevant work under the Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Hong Kong on Digital Economy Co-operation (the MOU), held its first annual meeting in Hong Kong today (April 12), to continue deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai in digital government, data elements, enterprise services, and collaboration between research, academic and industry sectors.

The meeting was cochaired by the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, and the Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Mr Qian Xiao. The Working Group discussed the latest co-operation updates between Hong Kong and Shanghai regarding innovation and technology (I&T) developments as well as the digital economy, and reviewed the progress and achievements over the past year. Both sides also discussed and exchanged views on the work plan for the coming year. The following six areas of work were reviewed during the meeting, namely:

1. jointly promoting the synergistic development of the digital economy between Hong Kong and Shanghai;

2. jointly promoting digital identity authentication between Hong Kong and Shanghai;

3. jointly promoting Cross-boundary Public Services to benefit the public and enterprises;

4. jointly promoting exchanges and co-operation in digital infrastructure;

5. deepening exchanges and talent cultivation in I&T between Hong Kong and Shanghai; and

6. jointly promoting collaboration in industry spaces and communication platforms.

At the meeting, Mr Cheung stated that since the signing of the MOU in Hong Kong last April, members of the Working Group had dedicated themselves to advancing the related work items, namely the successful connection between the "iAM Smart" and the Government Online-Offline Shanghai website as well as the "Suishenban" app; the completion of the preparatory work for the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026; the Shanghai Electronic Certificate Authority's participation in the Digital Corporate Identity Sandbox Programme as well as its study on the mutual recognition arrangements for digital corporate identities between Hong Kong and Shanghai; the setting-up of businesses in Hong Kong by five enterprises under the arrangement of the Service Station for Outbound Data Ecology (Hong Kong) and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Industry Acceleration Alliance's assistance to enterprise members in exploring the Mainland and overseas markets, thus contributing to notable results in the synergistic development of the digital economy between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Mr Cheung said he hoped that Hong Kong and Shanghai could further deepen co-operation in Cross-boundary Public Services, AI+ Civil Services and the cross-boundary flow of personal information. Finally, he expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the members of the Working Group and encouraged them to make greater contributions for yielding more fruitful results in digital co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Mainland representatives who attended the meeting included officials from the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, industry representatives from Hong Kong and Shanghai, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai Data Society, Shanghai Data Group, the Shanghai Lingang Economic Development Group Company Limited, the Shanghai Information Investment Company Limited, the Shanghai New Electric Vehicle Public Data Collecting Monitoring and Research Center, the Shanghai Shibei Hi-Tech Group, the Shanghai Digital Globalization Association, and the Shanghai Data Service Provider Association.

Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation holds first annual meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation holds first annual meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation holds first annual meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detect a drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport today (April 12) and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $2.9 million.

A 21-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Penang, Malaysia, today. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 4kg of suspected heroin inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will bebrought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 13).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

Hong Kong Customs detect a drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detect a drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases