Hong Kong’s leading researchers have been recognised with the 2022 BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize. The HK$2 million award, a certificate and a trophy are open to scientists who have contributed to Hong Kong’s scientific innovation in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Life and Health, New Materials and New Energy, Advanced Manufacturing and FinTech. There should be no more than five recipients for each award field.
A controversial film about the future of Hong Kong won the top prize at a local film awards ceremony, after being a hit at the city box office and angering Beijing over its depiction of the semi-autonomous territory. Ten Years, which was screened for only a short time in cinemas, tapped into residents’ worst fears about the territory’s future under tighter Chinese control. It also antagonised Beijing, with the state-run Global Times newspaper saying the film was “totally absurd” and a virus of the mind.
The South China Morning Post’s city desk journalists took home 12 prizes at this year’s Hong Kong News Awards, including two in the Best Scoop category for their work exposing unauthorised structures added to luxury homes. Senior reporter Edith Lin and City editor Jeffie Lam were jointly awarded in the Investigative Reporting category, together with colleagues Kahon Chan and Natalie Wong, for exposing a Dubai prince’s decision to abandon plans to set up a family office in Hong Kong.
Hundreds of Hong Kong people have been arrested or charged over the protests that rocked the city during the spring and summer of 2019, with many residents being attacked by anti-government rioters. Many public facilities, shops and banks were vandalised. In total, around 3,000 police officers were deployed to contain the riots. The rioters included some from mainland China, but most were Hong Kongers. The riots were widely condemned in China, with one online commentator calling them an attack on democracy.
In a move to boost the quality of racing in Hong Kong, the Jockey Club has announced that it will increase prize money for all races in the territory from 2022. It will also offer a HK$1 million bonus to owners of horses who win their first race in Class Three, as well as doubling the amount of prize money in the 6th and 7th divisions of each Mark Six draw.
The HK Global Development Prize is a platform for individuals and organisations to showcase their innovative ideas on establishing an Official Development Assistance programme (ODA) in Hong Kong, in order to support Hong Kong’s international development efforts and shape its role on the world stage. The prize is supported by Generocity, a Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation. The winner will receive HK$20,000 and a trophy, with the runners-up receiving HK$10,000 each. The winning proposal will be selected by a panel of judges comprising members from the community, academia and business sector. Submissions are open until 28 February 2020. The winner will be notified in late May.