Second-day highlights: digital finance, international trade, aerospace development

HONG KONG, May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The two‑day Global Prosperity Summit 2026 (GPS 2026) successfully concluded today following three fruitful panel discussions. The second day's agenda focused on digital finance, international trade and aerospace development, bringing together global leaders and experts to exchange insights on issues critical to Hong Kong's future and global prosperity. The successful staging of GPS 2026 further underscores Hong Kong's role as a leading platform for cross-disciplinary exchange, showcasing the city's soft power in Track II Diplomacy and its extensive network of international expertise.

GPS 2026 was jointly organised by the Savantas Policy Institute, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies ("SIIS") and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Mrs Regina Ip, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Savantas Policy Institute, said, "We are very grateful to Ambassador Han Zhiqiang for attending in person and for explaining China's Global Governance Initiative. In addition, the summit's discussions focused on several important topics, including Hong Kong's positioning as a hub for innovative drug development and as a center for culture, sports, and entertainment. The summit also discussed international trade and the future development of digital finance and explored whether Hong Kong can play an important role in the space economy. The speakers at the summit were of a very high calibre, and the in-depth discussions provided Hong Kong with valuable insights into how it should position itself in the future."

She added: "One of my takeaways from the summit is that the urgency of Hong Kong to establish a 'Space Office,' so that Hong Kong can play a key role in the space economy. This is something Hong Kong can do, because we have strong foundations and a well-established services system to support the development of the new aerospace economy. Hong Kong can provide services in multiple fronts, including financial services, legal services, arbitration services, and conduct analysis on satellite data for emerging aerospace companies."

The summit hosted a panel on the evolving landscape in digital finance, where speakers shared perspectives on market developments, regulatory considerations, and emerging trends shaping the sector.

The panel discussion on "International Trade in a Changing World Order" was timely and a highlight of the summit, underscoring the topic's relevance to current global economic and geopolitical developments. Experts from Asia, Europe and the US offered valuable insights on this pressing issue. Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Strategic & International Studies ("ISIS"), Malaysia, said, "Speaking on behalf of how we look at trade from think tanks and Track II Diplomacy, Hong Kong will have to be one of the major drivers in promoting regional growth."

Mr Mark Boris Andrijanič, Member of the Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology ("EIT"), said, "There's an opportunity for a broader partnership between the EU and China across a variety of issues – be it climate change, where we think pretty much along the same lines, or in the area of U.N. reform, because both the EU and China are very committed to the U.N. and other international organizations. And obviously, trade should be on the top of all issues."

Professor Kaisheng Li, Vice-President of the SIIS, said, "Hong Kong knows the West very well, and, of course, the Mainland. It is indeed a bridge to minimize cultural gaps between China and the rest of the world."

Another focal point was the development of the space economy, explored through two dedicated sessions: "Fireside Chat: Progress on The New Space Economy since GPS2025" and the panel on "Hong Kong as a Facilitator of Aerospace Development", where speakers discussed the role that Hong Kong could play and the expertise, particularly in financial, legal and logistical services, that it could contribute to the emerging space economy.

Summit organisers expressed gratitude to all their distinguished guests, noting the valuable participation of experts and scholars from the Chinese Mainland and across the world whose contributions fostered in‑depth exchanges of ideas and inspired forward‑looking perspectives. Looking ahead, they added that the Global Prosperity Summit will continue to reinforce Hong Kong's position as a leading global hub for cross-disciplinary exchange while fostering collaboration, driving innovation and advancing sustainable prosperity worldwide.

About Global Prosperity Summit

The Global Prosperity Summit was initiated by a group of business leaders, academics and experts in Hong Kong to provide a platform for frank, objective and rational discussion of key issues shaping global prosperity. The inaugural Summit was held in Hong Kong in 2024.

About Savantas Policy Institute

The Savantas Policy Institute (SPI) was established in 2006 by a group of Hong Kong residents with international experience who are committed to the city's future development. SPI's mission is to support Hong Kong's transition into a knowledge-based economy through public policy research, strategic recommendations, and the promotion of public understanding and participation in economic and social development.

About Shanghai Institutes for International Studies

Established in 1960, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) is a leading think tank dedicated to research on international politics, economics and security. It plays an important role in providing policy recommendations and advancing understanding of global affairs and is widely recognised as one of China's most influential research institutions.

About European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong

Established in 1997, the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham) is a non-governmental business interest group comprising 16 European chambers based in Hong Kong. Representing over 1,600 European companies operating in the city, EuroCham promotes European business interests and strengthens economic ties between Europe and Hong Kong. Europe is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner after the Chinese Mainland.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2984378/Group_photo_of__International_Trade_in_a_Changing_World_Order__panel.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2984377/Mrs_Regina_Ip__Chairperson_of_the_Board_of_Governors_of_the_Savantas_Policy_Institute__said__the_spe.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2984376/Logo_final_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/twoday-global-prosperity-summit-2026-concludes-successfully-302777822.html

Österreich zieht angesichts steigender Unfallzahlen bei E-Scootern und E-Bikes die Regeln an. Mit 1. Mai tritt eine Novelle der Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) in Kraft, die vor allem Jugendliche stärker in die Pflicht nimmt. Kernpunkte sind eine ausgeweitete Helmpflicht für junge Lenkerinnen und Lenker sowie technische Vorgaben und ein niedrigeres Alkohollimit für E-Scooter. Das Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit (KFV) sieht in den Änderungen einen Schritt zu mehr Sicherheit, fordert aber über die gesetzlichen Mindeststandards hinaus das Tragen von Helmen in allen Altersgruppen.

Die Helmpflicht wird nach Fahrzeugkategorien und Alter differenziert. Auf herkömmlichen, muskelbetriebenen Fahrrädern bleibt es bei der bekannten Regel: Bis zum vollendeten zwölften Lebensjahr ist ein Helm verpflichtend. Für E-Bikes mit Pedalen steigt die Altersgrenze nun auf 14 Jahre, für E-Scooter gilt ab Mai eine Helmpflicht bis zum 16. Geburtstag. Wer sich nicht daran hält, muss mit saftigen Strafen rechnen: Für 14- oder 15-Jährige ohne Helm am E-Scooter sind theoretisch bis zu 726 Euro Geldstrafe vorgesehen, in der Praxis rechnen Experten mit Beträgen zwischen 50 und 100 Euro. Das KFV verweist zugleich darauf, dass die Mehrheit der Verunfallten deutlich älter ist als die nun gesetzlich erfassten Altersgruppen.

Parallel zu den Altersvorgaben verschärft der Gesetzgeber die technischen und alkoholrechtlichen Bestimmungen für E-Scooter. Künftig müssen die elektrischen Roller mit Blinkern und einer Klingel ausgestattet sein. Zudem sinkt die Promillegrenze für E-Scooter-Lenker von bisher 0,8 auf 0,5 Promille und liegt damit unter jener für Rad- und E-Bike-Fahrer, für die weiterhin ein Limit von 0,8 Promille gilt. Die Anpassungen verstehen sich als Reaktion auf eine hohe Zahl von Unfällen mit E-Scootern, etwa knapp 2.100 Vorfälle in einem Bundesland innerhalb eines Jahres. Eine weitere StVO-Anpassung ist für 1. Oktober angekündigt, sie soll unter anderem E-Mopeds betreffen, die derzeit noch als Fahrräder gelten.

Verkehrssicherheitsexperten und Medizinerinnen mahnen, die neuen gesetzlichen Mindestvorgaben nicht als Obergrenze zu verstehen. KFV-Direktor Christian Schimanofsky betont, dass in Österreich pro Jahr rund 1.000 schwere Kopfverletzungen verhindert werden könnten, würden alle E-Bike- und E-Scooter-Nutzerinnen und -Nutzer einen Helm tragen. Laut KFV sind beim E-Bike 97 Prozent der Verletzten 14 Jahre oder älter, bei E-Scootern sind 82 Prozent der Verletzten 16 Jahre oder älter – also Gruppen, für die keine Helmpflicht vorgesehen ist. Die Anästhesistin und Notärztin Rebana Scherzer verweist auf Schädel-Hirn-Verletzungen als eine der häufigsten Todesursachen nach Unfällen und warnt vor schweren Langzeitfolgen, insbesondere bei älteren Menschen. Das KFV startet daher begleitend zur StVO-Novelle eine Informationskampagne und empfiehlt altersunabhängig das Tragen eines Helms.