Emergency relief fund for fish farmers and fishermen affected by Typhoon Noul
Local fish farmers and fishermen who suffered serious losses caused by the recent Typhoon Noul can register with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) from tomorrow (July 28) for assistance from an emergency relief fund. According to the application guideline of the emergency relief fund, the application deadline for affected fish farmers is August 5, while the application deadline for affected fishermen is September 7.
An AFCD spokesman said today (July 27) that an appropriate amount of the relief funding would be released to affected eligible fish farmers and fishermen according to established criteria.
"After each typhoon or natural disaster, AFCD staff will contact fish farmers and fishermen to assess the resultant damage to their fish rafts, fish ponds and fishing vessels. Depending on the extent of the damage, the department may launch an operation to provide some relief to affected persons," the spokesman said.
The department's preliminary investigation has revealed that some fish rafts in certain fish culture zones and some fishing vessels were affected by Typhoon Noul.
Affected fish farmers can submit their applications in person at the following AFCD offices:
1) Fisheries Licensing Section Office, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon;
2) Aberdeen Fisheries Offices, 100A Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen;
3) Tai Po Fisheries Offices, 3 Yu On Street, Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po, New Territories; or
4) Sai Kung Fisheries Office, 5/F, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories.
Affected fishermen can submit their applications at the Fisheries Supporting Services Division Office of the AFCD, 8/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
Affected fish farmers and fishermen can also submit applications online (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/fish_cap/fish_cap_techsup/fish_cap_erf.html). For enquiries, please call 2150 7109 (for fish farmers) or 3426 2010 (for fishermen) during office hours.
Source: AI-found images
HKMA launches quantum preparedness whitepaper and index to support banking sector's readiness for quantum era
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (July 27) the launch of the Whitepaper on Quantum Preparedness of Hong Kong's Banking Sector, together with the first Quantum Preparedness Index (QPI) and relevant support measures for the industry, at the eighth edition of the FiNETech series (FiNETech8)[Note 1]. The Whitepaper and the QPI were developed under the HKMA's Fintech Promotion Blueprint[Note 2], with the aim of enhancing the banking sector's understanding of the implications of quantum computing and supporting early preparation for quantum-related cyber risks.
The Whitepaper covers a survey conducted in early 2026, which suggests that awareness of quantum-related developments is building across the sector. Based on the survey findings, the HKMA released the first QPI. As a forward-looking benchmark, the QPI is assessed across four key dimensions: Awareness, Planning, Pilots and Practical Preparedness.
The initial QPI score is 2.3 on a 10-point scale, reflecting the sector is at an early stage of preparedness, and currently focused on laying the foundation for the quantum era. During the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), banks should also continuously enhance their cyber resilience, tech maturity and innovation capabilities.
Regarding the current state of play, around 68 per cent of the banks surveyed demonstrate awareness or are progressing to planning or piloting stages, while 32 per cent have not yet embarked upon their transition journey. Furthermore, preparedness for the transition to PQC remains uneven, with around half of the banks surveyed having no formal post-quantum planning in place.
The survey also indicates that, while quantum computing is still in its initial phase, some banks have started to engage with both the opportunities and implications of quantum technologies, albeit practical implementation remains limited. Around half of surveyed banks reported that quantum computing had been discussed at board level. In addition, about one-third of all surveyed banks indicated that they had already begun exploring or piloting quantum-related initiatives.
The HKMA will continue to support the banking sector's PQC transition, with the aim of achieving full sectoral readiness (a QPI score of 10) by 2030 through practical guidance, training and industry engagement. Relevant measures include:
- A PQC toolkit, to be co-developed in collaboration with the School of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the industry, designed to assist banks in identifying priorities for transition planning and enhancing cryptographic agility; and
- A series of workshops to help banks build capability, strengthen preparedness for PQC, and explore the potential future use of quantum technologies in a responsible manner.
The full Whitepaper, including detailed QPI findings and recommendations, is available on the HKMA website.
[Note 1]FiNETech8 was co-hosted by the HKMA, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Fintech Association of Hong Kong and the School of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. For details about the FiNETech series:
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2024/04/20240426-4/
[Note 2]Fintech Promotion Blueprint,HKMA (2026)
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-information/press-release/2026/20260203e3a1.pdf
FiNETech8 brought together over 300 practitioners from both the financial services and technology industries to prepare for the quantum era. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Executive Director (Banking Supervision) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Ms Carmen Chu, delivered opening remarks at FiNETech8 today (July 27), announcing the first Quantum Preparedness Index. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
