Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced today (June 7) that lifestyle community Xiaohongshu has opened an office in Hong Kong. This marks Xiaohongshu's first office outside the Mainland, facilitating enhanced services for cross-border brands and users.

     Xiaohongshu held an opening ceremony today for its Hong Kong office, with the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, officiating and delivering a speech. He said: "We warmly welcome Xiaohongshu to establish an office in Hong Kong. Xiaohongshu's presence in Hong Kong carries significant values. First, it fosters closer connections with the Hong Kong community, offering new perspectives and channels for local businesses in product design, marketing and promotion. Second, as an international finance, trade and innovation and technology centre, Hong Kong can help Xiaohongshu grow its business and expand its global footprint. Third, leveraging Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West cultural characteristics and our global networks, Xiaohongshu can promote Chinese culture and products to the world, sharing the good stories of China. We also look forward to strengthening our collaboration with Xiaohongshu to enhance the experience of Mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong, enhance the visibility of Hong Kong's tourism, retail, dining and creative industries, and allow visitors to have an enjoyable experience that makes them want to return."

     InvestHK actively attracts digital economy and cultural and creative enterprises from both the Mainland and global markets to establish their presence in Hong Kong. In the '2025-2026 Budget', the Financial Secretary proposed that the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) will also strategically bring in more innovation-driven cultural and creative businesses to the city.

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "We are delighted to welcome Xiaohongshu's first office outside Mainland in Hong Kong, which fully demonstrates the city's strategic role as a 'super-connector'. As a leading lifestyle community from China, Xiaohongshu's presence will foster creative collaboration among local content creators, brands and organisations, and promote East-meets-West cultural exchanges and content marketing development among Hong Kong, the Mainland and the global markets."

     Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Mr Peter Yan, said: "Xiaohongshu's rapid establishment of its Hong Kong office demonstrates the speed of China's business adaptability. As a leading enterprise in creative industries and technology, Xiaohongshu is expected to integrate innovative technologies to accelerate the growth of the local creative industries ecosystem."

     Xiaohongshu is not just a highly engaged lifestyle community; it has become users' major hub for consumption decision-making. Through images, texts and short videos, users share and discover inspirations related to fashion, beauty, travel, food and more, creating a seamless experience from product discovery to purchase.

     The Chief Marketing Officer of Xiaohongshu, Ms Zhiheng, stated, "When Xiaohongshu was first founded in 2013, it established a deep connection with Hong Kong. Among the first seven guides on cross-border shopping we released, one was dedicated to Hong Kong. If we say Xiaohongshu has crafted a narrative of the era for the development of online communities, Hong Kong marks the beginning of this story."

     The General Manager of Global Business Solutions at Xiaohongshu, Ms Qianyue, said, "By establishing our office in Hong Kong, we aim to better serve more clients, while accelerating the development of our brand marketing businesses."

     Ms Qianyue added, "Hong Kong is not only an important market for us but also a vital bridge. The global business solutions team plays a dual role – helping overseas brands connect with Chinese consumers, while also supporting Mainland Chinese brands to expand into Hong Kong and global markets. In addition to serving local users, some team members will take on regional responsibilities to support business development across Asia and beyond. We are also partnering with local universities to offer job and internship opportunities, nurturing young talent with cross-cultural marketing expertise."

     For more information about Xiaohongshu, please visit: www.xiaohongshu.com.

     To download photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326653416.

        

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 6) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 13 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $5.3 million, as well as 69 sticks of illicit cigarette.

     A male passenger, aged 18, arrived in Hong Kong from Brussels, Belgium via Dubai, the United Arab Emirates yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 13 kg of suspected ketamine in his check-in suitcase and 69 sticks of illicit cigarette from his carry-on bag. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of dutiable goods. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on June 9.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

  

     The Home Affairs Department is opening 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (June 7).
      
     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Island:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Kennedy Town Community Complex
1/F, 12 Rock Hill Street, Kennedy Town
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
 
    In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     Co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) and Boao Forum for Asia, the International Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (ISTIF) of the Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Hong Kong Conference was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for two consecutive days (June 6 and 7). Under the theme of
"Transitioning Towards the Future: Powered by Science, Technology and Innovation", the conference attracted some 800 leading experts, academics and political and economic leaders from the Mainland and overseas to gather in Hong Kong for an in-depth exchange and sharing of experience, and to explore how to capitalise on Hong Kong's unique advantage of being connected to the Mainland and the outside world and how to foster global co-operation in the field of innovation and technology (I&T).

     Fully recognising Hong Kong's advantage of being highly internationalised and as the gateway to both China and the world, the ISTIF was held in Hong Kong for the first time. 

     In the Opening Plenary held today (June 7), presided by the Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Mr Zhang Jun; Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the President of the ISTIF, Mr Edmund Ho; the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia Board of Directors, Mr Ban Ki-moon; former Prime Minister of Finland and the Honourary Chairman of the ISTIF, Mr Esko Aho; former President of Slovenia, Mr Danilo Türk; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Liu Guangyuan; and former Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Mr Don Pramudwinai, delivered speeches to unveil the Hong Kong Forum which was held right after the plenary. 

     Speaking at the plenary, Mr Lee stated that under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is the only world city that enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He said that Hong Kong would take full advantage of its established tradition of the rule of law, world-class universities and robust intellectual property protection regime in its development into an international innovation and technology centre. 

     Mr Lee added that the world stands at the consequential crossroads in human history, and the convergence of artificial intelligence and health technology will not only serve as tools, but also lead to humanity's evolution into the next era of development. He remarked that the thriving of innovation must be rooted in international co-operation, and the open and free exchange of knowledge, talent and ideas.

     The Hong Kong Forum was held under the theme of "Leveraging the Advantages of Connecting with Both the Mainland and the World to Foster Global Innovation and Technology Collaboration". With the participation of renowned Hong Kong experts and political and business leaders in various fields, including the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Sunny Tan; the Vice-Chancellor and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Dennis Lo; the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, Ms Clara Chan; Professor of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Li Zexiang; and the Chairman of the Board, Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Insilico Medicine, Dr Alex Zhavoronkov, the forum explored how Hong Kong can fully leverage its unique advantages of internal and external connectivity to promote efficient collaboration among the government, industry, academia, research and investment, with a view to fostering global collaboration and I&T development.

     Delivering at the Hong Kong Forum, Professor Sun said that the Government has launched a series of robust policies to solidify Hong Kong's research capabilities, accelerate the transformation of research and development outcomes, and promote the development of the technology industry, with the aim to build a complete I&T ecological chain encompassing the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors while promoting interactive collaboration across government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors, turning breakthroughs into impact, and ideas into global solutions.

     A total of 10 sessions of sub-fora, cutting-edge dialogues and roundtables were held and joined by former foreign heads of state and leaders, senior representatives of international organisations, renowned scientists and university academics, entrepreneurs and start-ups from Hong Kong and abroad, as well as youth leaders from various countries. They exchanged insights on a wide range of topics, including global science and technology governance, sustainable development, innovation clusters, life sciences, future mobility, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, financial innovation and youth leadership, contributing to the enhancement of international co-operation and global governance in science, technology and innovation.

     For details of the conference, please visit www.bfa-istif.cn.

        

     The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) continued to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas by conducting another enforcement operation, codenamed "Pipepurge", in Central last night (June 6) and issued a total of five fixed penalty notices (FPNs). 

     During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one bar in Central, and issued a total of five FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action.

     Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.

     In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

     "The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement action against illegal waterpipe smoking. Last year (2024), TACO conducted 162 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 162 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 89 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences," the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam said.

     Dr Lam reminded the public that waterpipe is a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

     A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.  

     He cautioned against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.