SITI to attend APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting and other Digital Weeks high-level events in Chengdu
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, will depart for Chengdu this morning (July 22) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting (DMM) and other high-level events during the APEC Digital Weeks.
The theme of this year's DMM is "Digital and AI Technologies for Empowerment of the Asia-Pacific Community". Professor Sun will speak at thematic sessions, introducing Hong Kong's initiatives and achievements in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) development, digital transformation and smart upgrades, as well as sharing the city's progress in promoting digital inclusion and enhancing digital literacy and competency of the community.
Professor Sun will also attend other Digital Weeks high-level events, including the High-Level Forum on AI, the High-Level Roundtable on Data for Growth, the High-level Dialogue: Leveraging Digital and AI Technologies to Empower the APEC Community, and the Workshop on New Concepts and Approaches of AI Literacy Enhancement Actions for the Public. He will deliver speeches and participate in discussions at these events.
During his visit, Professor Sun will also meet and exchange views with senior officials responsible for information technology from other APEC member economies and local government officials, as well as visit a local university, a digital economy service platform and I&T enterprises.
Professor Sun will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon of July 26. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, Photo source: reference image
Coin Collection Programme
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (July 22) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of August 17, 2026 up to October 25, 2026. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Photo source: reference image
Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to June 30, 2026, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 509 000 transactions, collecting 1 142 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,853 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by District Councils and members of public, and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time, and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.
Coin Cart, Photo source: reference image
