Hong Kong Expands Charging Infrastructure Planning for Electric Public Transport
Hong Kong’s government announced expanded charging infrastructure guidelines for electric public transport, requiring new transport interchanges to reserve space and power for fast chargers. The first interchange with ten 100 kW+ chargers opened in March 2026, supporting up to 21 electric buses and 18 taxis. By the end of 2027 the city plans to install 50 fast chargers for taxis, serving roughly 300 vehicles, while a roadmap targets 10,000 fast chargers city‑wide by 2035 for half a million EVs. A new scheme will promote 240 kW chargers for commercial fleets starting in 2026.
Hong Kong Outlines Strategy To Accelerate Autonomous Vehicle Development And Trials
Hong Kong’s Transport Department unveiled a comprehensive plan to speed autonomous vehicle (AV) development, moving from pilot projects toward commercial services. A dedicated regulatory framework and a new Code of Practice, effective March 2024, set safety, data and insurance standards...
Thailand Pilots ‘Zero Burn to Earn’ Model Turning Farm Waste Into Renewable Energy
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has launched the PMUC Zero Burn to Earn pilot, beginning 5 May 2026 in Chiang Mai. The program swaps crop residues for farm equipment and renewable‑energy inputs, creating a market for agricultural waste. Pilot...
Hong Kong Mandates Electronic Payment Options in Taxis to Improve Passenger Convenience
Hong Kong’s Transport Department has mandated that all 46,000 licensed taxis offer at least two electronic payment options—one QR‑code based (e.g., Alipay, WeChat Pay) and one non‑QR method such as Octopus or credit cards—effective 1 April 2026. The rule aims to streamline...
Thailand Partners With UTAC to Strengthen Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Skills
Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has signed a cooperation agreement with UTAC Thailand to boost advanced semiconductor packaging skills. The partnership will deliver joint training, research and workforce‑development programs that connect wafer fabrication with downstream packaging. It...
Hong Kong Expands Electric Vehicle Adoption Across Government Fleet
Hong Kong’s government has mandated that all new or replacement private cars for the public sector be electric, unless specific operational constraints apply. The policy, outlined in the updated Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, also signals a possible future...
India Strengthens Defence Cooperation with Central Asian Partners at SCO Meeting
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Belarusian defence chiefs at the SCO meeting in Bishkek, emphasizing deeper security cooperation. India handed over two indigenously built Bheeshma Arogya Maitri Health Cubes to Kyrgyzstan and set up IT centres...
China Plans Reforms and Technology Investment to Expand Service Sector by 2030
China announced a plan to expand its service sector to 100 trillion yuan—about $14.6 trillion—by 2030. The strategy combines regulatory reforms, digital‑technology investment, and greater openness to foreign cooperation. Key focus areas include producer services that back high‑end manufacturing, AI‑driven software upgrades,...
Singapore: AI, Digital Innovation Reshape Student-Centred Education
Singapore's Ministry of Education unveiled the EdTech Masterplan 2030, a long‑term strategy to embed AI and digital tools in classrooms. The plan adopts a pedagogy‑first, student‑centred approach, emphasizing personalised learning, digital literacy and cyber‑wellness. It calls for upskilling teachers, building...
Vietnam: UAV Technology to Power Smart Aerial Economy
Vietnam has unveiled a national UAV strategy to build a low‑altitude economy below 1,000 metres, positioning Hanoi as a testbed for smart governance, regulatory sandboxes, and eVTOL trials. The roadmap focuses on four pillars: transport, dual‑use civilian‑defence applications, domestic design...
Malaysia: Predictive AI to Transform Disaster Response, Public Safety
Malaysia’s government is deploying predictive artificial intelligence to overhaul disaster response and public safety. The National Disaster Management Agency will use real‑time monsoon and rainfall analytics to shift from reactive to proactive operations, targeting a 30‑40% cut in emergency response...
JTC Expands LaunchPad @ One-North With New Facilities And Global Startup Partnerships
Singapore’s JTC Corporation is upgrading LaunchPad @ one‑north with new co‑working spaces, an AI‑focused hub called Kampong AI, and enhanced amenities. The upgrade includes a two‑month rent‑free period, flexible lease terms, and broader eligibility for scaling firms. JTC also signed...
RBI Issues Final Directions on Reporting of INR Foreign Exchange Derivatives
The Reserve Bank of India has issued final directions requiring Authorised Dealer Category‑I banks to report all foreign‑exchange derivative transactions involving the Indian rupee that are undertaken by their related parties worldwide. The data must be submitted to the Clearing...
India Plans Space Laboratories in Universities to Build Future Space Workforce
India will establish seven dedicated space laboratories across universities and colleges, giving students practical exposure to satellite and launch technologies. The move follows rapid expansion of the Indian space ecosystem, which has attracted more than $600 million in private investment and...
Thailand Pilots AI‑Enabled Custom Fertiliser Programme To Reduce Costs For Farmers
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Agriculture have launched a six‑month pilot that uses AI to create farm‑specific fertilizer blends. The system, built by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, combines...
India Approves Small Hydropower Development Scheme to Expand Decentralised Clean Energy
India's Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydropower Development Scheme, targeting 1,500 MW of new capacity between FY 2026‑27 and 2030‑31. The programme carries a budget of ₹2,584.60 crore (≈$311 million) and aims to catalyse about ₹15,000 crore (≈$1.8 billion) of private investment, focusing on mountainous...
Vietnam, China News Agencies Partner on Digital Media, AI
Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and China’s Xinhua News Agency signed a deeper cooperation pact focusing on digital transformation, AI‑driven journalism, and data exchange. The agreement, concluded during a VNA delegation visit to Beijing, includes joint development of AI content generation,...
Hong Kong: PolyU AI Laboratory to Advance On-Device Intelligence
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has entered a strategic partnership to launch a joint laboratory dedicated to on‑device artificial intelligence. The lab will focus on low‑precision training, inference and model‑fusion technologies that run locally on hardware, reducing reliance on...
Australia: Satellite-Enabled Communications Strengthens Disaster Resilience
Australian researchers at Swinburne University, funded by SmartSat CRC, have created a low‑power satellite‑enabled communication terminal designed for disaster zones. The system combines a minimalist beacon, software‑defined radio, and LoRa‑satellite hybrid links to deliver text and voice messages when terrestrial...
Malaysia: Integrated Data System Enhances Disaster Preparedness
The National Disaster Management Agency has launched the Malaysian Disaster Information Management System (MDIMS), a mobile app that aggregates real‑time data from multiple technical agencies. The platform delivers location‑based push alerts within a 25‑kilometre radius, live maps of evacuation‑centre capacity,...
India Launches NMBA 2.0 App to Improve Monitoring of Drug Demand Reduction Efforts
India launched the upgraded NMBA 2.0 app on 24 April 2026 to strengthen real‑time monitoring of its nationwide drug demand reduction campaign. The platform links central, state and district agencies, volunteers and treatment centres, allowing activity reporting, dashboards and public features such as...
India Prepares For First Digital Census In 2027 With Mobile Data Collection
India will conduct its first fully digital population census in 2027, deploying mobile‑based data collection, an online self‑enumeration portal in 16 languages, and real‑time monitoring via a new Census Management and Monitoring System. The government has earmarked roughly ₹11,718.24 crore (about...
Singapore: AI, Automation and Clean Energy Reshaping Maritime Sector
Singapore Maritime Week 2026 underscored a rapid shift toward digitalisation and decarbonisation in the maritime industry. AI, real‑time analytics and autonomous systems are already being deployed, with Tuas Port slated to become the world’s largest fully automated container terminal. The...
Vietnam: Legal Reform Driving Borderless Digital Public Services
Vietnam's 16th National Assembly overwhelmingly approved a revised Civil Status Law, enabling borderless, digitally enabled civil registration. The reform shifts from a request‑based to a proactive service model, decentralising authority and linking registration data with health systems. The government also...
Hong Kong: SME Index Signals AI-Driven Shift in Business Strategy
The Hong Kong Productivity Council’s Q2 2026 Leading Business Index shows Asian‑Pacific SMEs rapidly accelerating AI and digital adoption to boost resilience amid geopolitical and energy headwinds. Over half of hiring firms now prioritize AI‑savvy candidates, and many are deploying automation...
Western Australia: Digital Logistics Power Energy Security
Western Australia has added 8 million litres of diesel to its strategic reserves, bringing total state‑owned stock to 12 million litres. The expansion supports the state’s digital and industrial sectors, ensuring continuous power for data centres, automated logistics and IoT‑driven agriculture. Fuel...
Malaysia: Fostering Sustainable, Data-Driven Plantation Management
Curtin University Malaysia has partnered with a leading Sarawak plantation group to blend academic research with large‑scale palm‑oil operations. The collaboration targets data‑driven resource optimisation, environmental stewardship and the development of digital tools aligned with Malaysia’s Fourth Industrial Revolution agenda....
Singapore: Building a Smart, Connected Maritime Ecosystem
Singapore has launched the PIER71 Smart Port Challenge 2026, reinforcing its push to become a global maritime innovation hub. Since 2017, the program has attracted over $111 million in venture capital for more than 170 startups, with 26 firms presenting this year...
HKU, Nanjing University Joint AI Lab for Smart City Safety, Governance
The University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Architecture and Nanjing University’s School of Government have formalized a Joint Laboratory for AI‑Enabled City Development and Safety Governance. The lab will develop digital twins, lightweight 3D city models and AI‑driven disaster simulations...
The Philippines: Strengthening Youth Digital Safety, Information Literacy
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) held a virtual learning forum at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology to boost information literacy and digital safety among students. The event, part of...
Thailand Develops H-FAME Premium Biodiesel to Support Low-Carbon Transport Transition
Thailand’s National Energy Technology Centre (ENTEC) has created H‑FAME premium biodiesel, a drop‑in low‑carbon fuel that can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 50 % and particulate matter by up to 86 % without engine modifications. The fuel’s stability is boosted threefold...
Hong Kong Outlines Strategy To Deepen Belt And Road Integration And Expand Offshore RMB Use
Hong Kong’s government unveiled a coordinated plan to deepen its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) ties and cement the city’s status as the world’s leading offshore Renminbi (RMB) hub. The strategy aligns a new five‑year development blueprint with China’s...
Harbin Engineering University Launches Sociology and Artificial Intelligence Dual Degree Programme
Harbin Engineering University has received Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approval to launch a dual bachelor’s degree that combines sociology with artificial intelligence. The program is designed to produce graduates who can apply AI tools to social governance, public...
Hong Kong Advances Semiconductor Pilot Lines and Innovation Fund to Strengthen Greater Bay Area Collaboration
Hong Kong’s government announced a suite of measures to deepen Greater Bay Area (GBA) collaboration, centering on semiconductor pilot lines, a new manufacturing innovation centre, and a massive Innovation and Technology Industry‑Oriented Fund (ITIF). The Microelectronics Research and Development Institute...
Hong Kong Establishes Board To Advance Central Gold Clearing System
Hong Kong’s government convened the inaugural board meeting of the Precious Metals Central Clearing Company (PMCC), a wholly‑government‑owned entity tasked with building a central gold‑clearing system. The board, chaired by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, includes representatives...
Hong Kong Expands Financial Talent Pipeline Through Training, Migration and Sector Programmes
Hong Kong is bolstering its financial services workforce through overseas recruitment, local training, and sector‑specific programmes. The accounting profession was added to the Talent List in March 2025, resulting in 63 approved applications by March 2026. Parallel initiatives target green...
Thailand Launches BDS Service Catalogue to Help SMEs Access National Research and Innovation Support
Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has launched a Business Development Service (BDS) catalogue hosted by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR). The online platform lets SMEs browse and request research, testing, certification...
Hong Kong Reviews Governance and Security Frameworks for AI Agents
The Hong Kong government announced a comprehensive set of measures to govern and secure AI agents, including the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Framework and a Generative AI technical guideline. It mandated risk assessments and human‑in‑the‑loop oversight for public‑sector deployments and prohibited...
Vietnam Updates Pricing Framework for Small Renewable Power Plants
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Circular 20/2026/TT‑BCT to overhaul the pricing framework for small‑scale renewable power plants. The new rules, effective 2 June 2026, refine avoided‑cost tariff calculations, define rainy and dry seasons by power‑system region, and set a uniform definition...
Hong Kong Launches Automated Parking System at Yau Ma Tei Short-Term Tenancy Site
Hong Kong’s Transport Department has installed an automated parking system (APS) at the Hoi Wang Road short‑term tenancy car park in Yau Ma Tei. The puzzle‑stacking setup provides 117 APS slots within a 200‑space facility, the largest APS deployment at a...
Singapore: Advancing Global AI Standards to Drive Trust, Inclusion and Adoption
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority chief Ng Chee Pong opened the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42 plenary, gathering over 35 national bodies to advance AI standards. He emphasized standards as essential infrastructure for safe, interoperable AI, citing the rapid uptake of ISO/IEC 42001 since...
Vietnam: Fast-Tracking Strategic Tech List to Boost Competitiveness
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung urged an accelerated rollout of a new Strategic Technology and Product List, a legal framework designed to steer policy, incentives and investment toward high‑tech sectors. The list, split between market‑ready industries such as...
Hong Kong: AI-Driven Systems to Power a Sustainable Energy Future
The 2026 Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy concluded in Hong Kong, showcasing AI‑driven solutions for modern power grids. Participants demonstrated machine‑learning cable diagnostics, 3‑D GIS digital twins, and intelligent dispatch systems that improve reliability and integrate...
Indonesia Advances AI Governance Amid Economic Resilience
Indonesia announced a dual‑track strategy to become a partner in shaping inclusive global AI governance while the IMF praised the country as a “bright spot” in the world economy. Minister Purbaya highlighted the ICT sector’s projected 8.35% growth by 2025,...
Australia–US Research Alliance to Advance Quantum and Innovation
The University of Sydney and New York University have signed a research cooperation agreement to boost Australia’s quantum, innovation and technology capabilities. The partnership will focus on quantum computing and sensing, computational biomedicine, and environmental resilience, aligning with Australian government...
India: IITs Advance Space Science and Global Research Partnerships
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee signed an MoU with the Uttarakhand Space Application Centre to deepen collaboration on space science, geospatial technology, climate and disaster management. Simultaneously, IIT Delhi entered a partnership with the University of Liverpool to pursue...
India: 3D Semiconductor Packaging Facility to Boost AI, HPC
India has laid the foundation for a $234 million 3D semiconductor packaging plant in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, developed by 3D Glass Solutions' Indian subsidiary. The vertically integrated facility will produce 70,000 glass panels, 50 million assembled units and 13,000 advanced heterogeneous integration modules...
India Trains Over 2,500 Artisans to Use AI Tools Under PM Vishwakarma Scheme
India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has trained more than 2,500 traditional artisans under the PM Vishwakarma scheme to use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Indus and Google Gemini. The hands‑on workshops focused on product design, branding, business...
India Election Commission Steps Up Action on Illegal Social Media Content During 2026 Polls
India’s Election Commission has stepped up monitoring of social media for the 2026 state elections, flagging more than 11,000 posts as misleading, unlawful, or in breach of the Model Code of Conduct. The agency issued new guidelines requiring AI‑generated political...
HKUST Deep-Sea Research Programmes Gain UNESCO Endorsement for Climate and Ocean Science
HKUST has secured UNESCO endorsements for two international deep‑sea research initiatives—CliMetS, which studies methane seeps, and MOCSI, which investigates cold‑seep ecosystems. The programs unite more than 220 scientists from 138 institutions in 53 countries to build a global observation network...