Digital Policy Office strengthens co-operation on digital economy with Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data
The Digital Policy Office and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data signed the Memorandum of Understanding between Shanghai and Hong Kong on Digital Economy Co-operation (the MoU) in Hong Kong today (April 13)to jointly promote and deepen co-operation in areas such as digital economy, digital transformation and data element development between the two places.
At the Kick-off Ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2025 and the Signing Ceremony of the MoU held during the period of InnoEX, the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, and the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Dr Shao Jun, signed the MoU. Both sides will strengthen collaboration on various fronts, including the promotion of the synergistic development of Hong Kong and Shanghai in digital economy, data element market collaboration and digital identity authentication; jointly taking forward the cross-boundary public services for the convenience and benefit of the public and businesses, co-operation in digital infrastructure, industrial spaces and communication platform; and deepen exchanges and talent cultivation in innovation and technology between the two places.
"The signing of the MoU will further deepen co-operation in innovation and technology between Hong Kong and Shanghai, explore more collaboration opportunities and promote joint development of the digital economy in both places, thereby opening up broader prospects for the development of innovation and technology industries between the two places," said Mr Wong.
Digital Policy Office strengthens co-operation on digital economy with Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Digital Policy Office strengthens co-operation on digital economy with Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Private car drivers urged to choose suitable Child Restraining Device under mandatory requirements
The Transport Department (TD) today (April 22) reminded parents, guardians or private car drivers to choose and use a suitable Child Restraining Device (CRD), such as a child safety seat, that is appropriate for children's body size and complies with relevant standards to reduce the risks of being killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents, thereby enhancing protection for children and passenger safety.
Starting from November 1, 2025, unless child passengers aged below 8 reach a body height of 1.35 metres, they must use a CRD in private cars, regardless of whether they are sitting in the front or rear seats. Passengers aged 8 or above, or those with a body height of at least 1.35m, must either use a CRD or wear an adult seat belt. Otherwise, the driver must not drive the car on any road.
A spokesman for the TD said, "When choosing a CRD, parents, guardians or private car drivers carrying a child passenger should accord top priority to the height and/or weight range for which the product is suitable. They should also look for any markings indicating compliance with national or international standards recognised. For enquiries, they should consult the manufacturer or retailer on the product standards to meet legal requirements."
Of note, after a collision such as a traffic accident, CRDs may show no visible signs of damage on the surface, but their internal structure may have been damaged, reducing their protective effectiveness, and they should not be used again. In addition, when purchasing second-hand CRDs, it is difficult to guarantee that the product has not been hit. For those used by relatives or friends, one should ascertain whether they have been dropped or bumped.
Apart from conventional types of child safety seats, there are various types of portable CRDs, such as seat belt adjusters, wearable safety restraint vests and foldable boosters, available in the market for selection. Yet, as portable CRDs do not have protective pads and seat backs on both sides, their protection capabilities in side-impact collisions are in general not as good as those of child safety seats.
The TD has launched a designated page on CRDs (www.td.gov.hk/en/road_safety/crd) coupled with infographics on the Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk) to set out details of the legal requirements and standards concerned. The TD will continue to work with the Police, the Road Safety Council and the Consumer Council to step up relevant publicity and public education. Members of the public may call the TD's hotline (2804 2600) for details.
Private car drivers urged to choose suitable Child Restraining Device under mandatory requirements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
