Hong Kong's 2026 Maker in China Global Contest Now Open for Start-ups and SMEs, Enrol by August 20

2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter opens for enrolment

The 2026 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest - Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) opens for enrolment today (July 9). Hong Kong start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) intending to expand into the Mainland market are welcome to join the contest. The deadline for enrolment is August 20.

The contest focuses on frontier innovation and technology (I&T) fields that drive the development of new quality productive forces, including fintech, AI and big data, intelligent devices and robotics, smart living and smart mobility, third-generation Internet and metaverse, semiconductors and integrated circuits, biomedicine and health, low-altitude economy and aerospace, new energy and green technology, as well as new materials.

The contest allows Mainland investors and enterprises to learn more about the I&T products and solutions of the local industry, and enables local I&T SMEs to explore business opportunities on the Mainland and to integrate into the overall national development. The MiCHK 2026 Final will be held on September 24 this year, during which one-on-one business matching sessions will be arranged for the top 10 finalists to meet with investors and representatives of enterprises from the Mainland to promote financing and interfacing of businesses. In addition, the contesting teams will have the opportunity to receive support to participate in various start-up programmes and exhibition activities, and to promote their innovative projects to different regions through multiple platforms. The champion, first runner-up and second runner-up will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete in the national-level Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest Final to be held in Guangzhou in the fourth quarter of this year, when they will compete with the winning teams of other regional chapters worldwide for the championship and opportunities to gain multifaceted support in connecting with Mainland investors, setting up businesses in Mainland entrepreneurial parks, and receiving guidance on outcome transformation.

The MiCHK 2026 is jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs. It is formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and the Angel Investment Foundation. For more details about the contest, please visit makerinchina.hk/.

The official poster, Photo source: makerinchina.hk

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

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 54-year-old local female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on June 6 and seized 260 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from her. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $1,200, and the duty potential was about $860. The passenger 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).

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed around the calves of a 54-year-old incoming local female passenger that were covered by the pants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed around the waist of a 54-year-old incoming local female passenger that were covered by a T-shirt. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases