DESIGN@HKG 2026 sponsored by CCIDA launches today
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, DESIGN@HKG 2026 was officially launched today (November 10). From today until November 24, the organiser, the Hong Kong Design Centre, collaborates with over 80 local and international partners to present more than 40 thematic events across various districts in Hong Kong, extending the creative atmosphere to every corner of the city.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, remarked that DESIGN@HKG is a new brand launched this year as the city programme of the annual design flagship event, Business of Design Week. More design-themed district activities are hosted to promote cross-sectoral and cross-regional exchanges and collaborations, further demonstrating Hong Kong's innovative strength as Asia's design capital.
A series of DESIGN@HKG 2026 events will take place around the territory, including the Peak, Central, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, Sai Kung, etc, encompassing interactive installations, guided tram tours, design exhibitions, workshops and sharing sessions, which will allow the public and tourists to experience and discover the infinite possibilities for and charm of integrating design into everyday life. For more information about DESIGN@HKG 2026, please visit designathkg.com.
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, DESIGN@HKG 2026 was officially launched today (November 10). From today until November 24, the organiser, the Hong Kong Design Centre, collaborates with over 80 local and international partners to present more than 40 thematic events across various districts in Hong Kong, extending the creative atmosphere to every corner of the city. Photo shows "Breathe with Me - Soft Reset", a multisensory installation created by Swiss experience designer Annabelle Schneider. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), DESIGN@HKG 2026 held its opening ceremony today (November 10). Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (centre); the Consul-General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, Mr Daniel Freihofer (fourth right); the Chairman of the HKDC, Mr Steve Leung (fourth left), and other officiating guests attending the opening ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Sexual Offences Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted on Friday
The Government will publish the Sexual Offences Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2026 (the Bill) in the Gazette on Friday (November 13).
A spokesperson for the Security Bureau today (November 11) said, "The Bill aims to achieve two policy objectives, namely, strengthening protection for victims of sexual offences, and modernising the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong to keep pace with the times.
"At present, many of the sexual offences in Hong Kong are based on similar provisions in the laws of England enacted in 1956. Over the years, social perceptions related to sexual offences have been evolving. We also notice that there are inadequacies in the existing sexual offence provisions. For instance, some offences are gender-specific, resulting in a narrow scope; some provisions carry distinctions based on sexual orientation; some offences lack consistency on treatments across genders; the provisions and penalties of some sexual offences are not fully commensurate with the gravity of relevant acts; and some terminology used in some provisions is outdated. The Government considers it necessary to review and improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong, so as to address the inadequacies of the current provisions and respond to changes in social perceptions related to sexual offences."
The spokesperson said, "The range of legislative amendment proposals is based on the coverage and recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in its review of relevant legislation, and on the study of developments in relevant legislation in other major common law jurisdictions (including Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, Scotland and Singapore), covering different areas including non-consensual sexual offences, sexual offences involving children and persons with mental impairment, miscellaneous sexual offences, and other related amendments proposed to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences.
"We consulted the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on July 7 on the Government's legislative amendment proposal, and received its full support. We also conducted a one-month public consultation exercise from July 7 to August 5, with a total of 6228 written submissions received. Among them, 99.3 per cent (6182 written submissions) showed support and made positive comments, fully reflecting that the legislative amendment proposal has gained wide support from the community."
The spokesperson added, "Our legislative amendment proposal has also incorporated suggestions received by the Government during the public consultation exercise, including the creation of a new offence to deal with perpetrators' criminal acts of prolonged and repeated sexual abuse against children. We will also criminalise the cybercrime of 'cyberflashing' through the refinement of provisions."
The spokesperson emphasised, "We hope to improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong, the earlier the better, to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences while ensuring that the laws on sexual offences can keep pace with the times."
The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo on November 25 for First Reading and Second Reading, with the target of completing the legislative exercise within the current term of Government.
