Hong Kong Teams Shine at 2026 HSODC in Shanghai, Winning Three Awards

Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy visits Shanghai

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, attended the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge (HSODC) 2026 in Shanghai today (August 25) as a Grand Award judge and extended his congratulations to the Hong Kong teams for winning three awards.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Cheung said, "The competition has become an important platform for Hong Kong and Shanghai to advance open data innovation and deepen exchanges in digital technology. It not only fully leverages the multiplier effect of data elements, but also demonstrates the strategic value of data collaboration." He also conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams and encouraged all participants to keep striving for breakthroughs in data innovation, thereby jointly creating a new chapter of digital economy co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The Final Judging and the Awards Presentation Ceremony were held in Shanghai yesterday (August 24) and today respectively. The Hong Kong delegation, comprising 12 teams from various enterprises, organisations and institutions, excelled with outstanding performances. Among them, the Lands Department/AECOM Asia Company Limited/China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co, Ltd garnered the Grand Award and the Best Smart Environment Award with their solution "Underground Utilities Information System", while FAITH (Frankie and Apple Intelligence Technology HK) claimed the Best Smart Mobility Award with their solution "Cross-border Self-drive Transportation Trusted Data Service Platform (HK Drive Safe)". Some outstanding entries may be nominated to compete for the Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Alliance Awards to further demonstrate Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) strengths on the regional stage.

Jointly steered by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, the HSODC 2026 marks the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between the two cities. Themed "Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities", this year's competition leveraged open data from both cities to align with emerging urban development needs. Focusing on four key areas, namely smart mobility, smart living, smart environment, and smart economy, the contestants created innovative projects and developed frontier applications to foster synergy in the digital economy development of both cities. With more international elements incorporated this year, some Hong Kong and Shanghai teams explored global application scenarios, thereby promoting the global advancement of digital technologies and innovation capabilities of the two cities.

In addition, Mr Cheung called on the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data today and co-chaired the 2026 mid-term meeting of the Working Group on Shanghai and Hong Kong Digital Co-operation with the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Dr Shao Jun. Both sides had a detailed exchange on collaboration in cross-boundary connections of public services, integration of artificial intelligence into public services, technical integration of cross-boundary identity authentication of enterprises, as well as enhancement of service capabilities for digital enterprises going global. Mr Cheung expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the Working Group members. He said that he looks forward to both sides seizing national development opportunities during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, continuing to deepen co-operation in the digital economy between Hong Kong and Shanghai, and thereby promoting the digital economy of the two places to a new level.

Mr Cheung concluded his two-day visit today and returned to Hong Kong in the evening.

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (fourth left), visits the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data in Shanghai today (August 25) and calls on the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Dr Shao Jun (fourth right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (front row, sixth left), offers his blessings to the Hong Kong teams at the Final Judging of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 in Shanghai yesterday (August 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (second left), attends the Grand Award judging of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 in Shanghai yesterday (August 24). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (front row, seventh right), attends the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 in Shanghai today (August 25) and is pictured with the teams, judges and supporting organisations of the competition. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, attended the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 in Shanghai today (August 25). Mr Cheung (centre) is pictured with the winner of the Best Smart Mobility Award, FAITH (Frankie and Apple Intelligence Technology HK), from the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (centre), attended the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 in Shanghai today (August 25). He is pictured with the winner of the Grand Award and the Best Smart Environment Award, the Lands Department/AECOM Asia Company Limited/China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co, Ltd, from the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, speaks at the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 in Shanghai today (August 25). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 7) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 44-year-old Mainland female passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 6) and seized about 26,800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $134,000 and a duty potential of about $88,600 from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases