Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 Promotes Collaborative Development of Smart City Construction in Two Cities

Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 promotes collaborative development of smart city construction in two cities

The kick-off ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 (HSODC 2026) jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data was held at the InnoEX on April 13. Themed "Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities", this year's competition is based on open data of the governments of the two places and their latest urban development needs. It reflects the search for open data resources that drive social development while exploring collaborative models for open data and industry data, thus promoting the collaborative development of smart city construction between the two cities. This year's competition incorporates more international elements, encouraging Hong Kong and Shanghai teams to explore global application scenarios, thereby promoting the advancement of digital technologies and innovation capabilities in both cities towards the global stage.

Addressing the kick-off ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, stated that the HSODC 2026 provides a platform for young people, research teams and enterprises from both places to showcase their creativity within the national strategic framework, driving high-quality development of the digital economy. In recent years, the HKSAR Government has actively improved open data, data sharing and flow by optimising data governance, thereby promoting data applications within the Government and across various industries. The development and use of data elements is a long-distance journey. With Hong Kong and Shanghai joining forces, the two cities will contribute significantly to the high-quality development of the country's digital economy.

The Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation Pavilion (the Pavilion), staged at the InnoEX, showcased the data application achievements of last year's competing teams in four major areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, and Smart Economy. The Pavilion highlighted how these teams utilised data to solve real-world problems and create social value. Furthermore, a forum titled Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation was held on April 14 under the theme "Research Data Platforms". During the forum, data experts and research institution practitioners from both Hong Kong and Shanghai shared various case studies, including the integration of industry, academia, and research; the development and application of open datasets for new energy vehicles; the core advantages and industrial practices of data intelligence; and compliant data-sharing agreements for scientific research.

The HSODC 2026 is now open for registration until June 15. This year's competition continues to focus on four key areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, and Smart Economy, encouraging participants to leverage open data resources from both cities to build innovative projects and pioneer frontier application solutions. Participants will be offered professional training to gain an in-depth understanding of the unique characteristics and advantages of urban data resources in both cities. Shortlisted teams will receive technical training from late June to August, with the opportunity to attend the grand finale to be held in Shanghai in August, showcasing their innovative and unique data technology solutions in front of judges. For more details, please visit the website: hkshadata.org.

The DPO organised a series of innovation and technology (I&T) events in April to showcase Hong Kong's vibrant I&T ecosystem. These include the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion at the InnoEX, the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, organised by the HKSAR Government and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, and the HSODC 2026.

The Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 set up the Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation Pavilion at the InnoEX held from April 13 to 16. Photo shows the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (front row, fifth right), the Acting Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Ms Cari Wu (front row, fourth right), and other guests visiting the Pavilion on April 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 held the forum titled Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation at the InnoEX on April 14. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (fourth left), the Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Mr Qian Xiao (fourth right), and other guests attend the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 kick-off ceremony on April 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, speaks at the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 kick-off ceremony on April 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Four co-owners fined nearly $130,000 for not complying with removal order

Four co-owners were convicted and fined $128,720 in total, of which $118,720 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday (April 14) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts, Kwun Tong Law Courts Building

The case involved unauthorised building works (UBWs) encroaching a common corridor and portion of a front and rear staircase landing of a composite building on Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei. As the works were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (April 16), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Source: AI-found images