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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Banking: RBI Bulletin – July 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Today, the Reserve Bank released the July 2025 issue of its monthly Bulletin. The Bulletin includes four speeches, four articles and current statistics.

    The four articles are: I. State of the Economy; II. Revisiting the Oil Price and Inflation Nexus in India; III. Determinants of Overnight Uncollateralised Money Market Volume- An Empirical Assessment; and IV. Household Inflation Expectations in India: Emerging Trends, Determinants and Impact of Monetary Policy.

    I. State of the Economy

    The global macroeconomic environment remained fluid in June and July so far amidst geo-political tensions and tariff policy uncertainties. Domestic economic activity held up, with improving kharif agricultural season prospects, continuation of strong momentum in the services sector and modest growth in industrial activity. Headline CPI inflation remained below 4 per cent for the fifth consecutive month in June driven by deflation in food prices. System liquidity remained in surplus to facilitate a faster transmission of policy rate cuts to the credit markets. The external sector remained resilient, backed by ample foreign exchange reserves and a moderate external debt-to-GDP ratio.

    II. Revisiting the Oil Price and Inflation Nexus in India

    By Sujata Kundu, Soumasree Tewari and Indranil Bhattacharyya

    In the backdrop of volatile global crude oil prices and a less regulated petrol and diesel prices regime, this paper reassesses the impact of international crude oil price movements on headline inflation in the Indian context.

    Highlights:

    • Since the pandemic, the global economy has experienced large gyrations in crude oil prices. India, being a net oil importer, has remained susceptible to the vagaries of global crude oil prices and has been actively intervening in the domestic fuel market to contain the adverse fallout of higher oil prices on domestic inflation and output.

    • Empirical estimates suggest that a 10 per cent rise in global crude oil prices could increase India’s headline inflation by around 20 basis points on a contemporaneous basis. In the post-pandemic period, the impact on inflation, although largely contained, has been statistically significant with the surge in crude oil prices owing to the post-pandemic demand revival, which further intensified due to the supply chain disruptions caused by the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022.

    • While Government measures have limited the impact of global crude oil price fluctuations on headline inflation, increase in oil import dependency warrants measures not only to contain the spillovers to domestic prices but also to gradually transit towards alternative sources of fuel for more efficient management of domestic fuel prices in the long run.

    III. Determinants of Overnight Uncollateralised Money Market Volume – An Empirical Assessment

    By Srijashree Sardar and Alqama Pervez

    The uncollateralised money market holds a pivotal position in India’s monetary framework, serving as the principal avenue for the exchange of central bank reserves. Its significance is further underscored by the fact that the weighted average call rate (WACR) functions as the operating target of the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy. Against this backdrop, the article seeks to empirically examine the factors influencing trading volumes in the unsecured interbank segment of the Indian money market.

    Highlights:

    • The temporal distribution of trades in the call money market exhibits skewness within the day. The bulk of the trades occur in the first hour of any given day which may be attributed to the fact that primary dealers, the major borrowers in the segment, tend to fulfil their funding needs early in the day.

    • System liquidity conditions, spread of the weighted average call rate over the policy repo rate, divergence of overnight forward premia from interest rate differential, inflows to and outflows from government accounts, trading volume of the collateralised segment and market trading hours are found to have a significant impact on call volume during the period of the study (2019-2024).

    • Divergence of overnight forward premia from the interest rate differential has a positive impact on call volume, indicating arbitrage by banks during times of such divergence.

    • Co-operative banks participation in call money market decreased significantly after the Reserve Bank’s directive for mandatory membership on NDS-CALL trading platform for call money market activity. It has, however, rebounded in the recent months, following an increase in membership of co-operative banks.

    IV. Household Inflation Expectations in India: Emerging Trends, Determinants and Impact of Monetary Policy

    By Ankit Ruhi, Kanupriya Sharma and Subhadhra Sankaran

    Household inflation expectations rose in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, and have remained largely elevated since. In view of these developments, this article analyses the evolving trends in household inflation expectations. It proposes alternative methods for adjusting higher values of expectations reported in Inflation Expectations Survey of Households and identifies the key macroeconomic factors influencing these expectations. Finally, the impact of policy interventions, especially since the adoption of flexible inflation targeting (FIT) regime, is also examined.

    Highlights:

    • Households’ inflation expectations exhibit systematic upward bias compared to those of professionals and businesses, even in periods of stable or low inflation.

    • Median inflation expectation and the disagreement across demographic groups is gradually moderating since 2023-24.

    • Perceived past inflation expectations add to stickiness in household expectations even as influence of realised inflation dynamics becomes stronger when expectations are adjusted for extreme values.

    • Transition to the FIT regime has successfully aided in stabilising inflation expectations. Monetary policy actions are found to effectively anchor inflation expectations.

    • While headline inflation is more influential than food inflation, volatile and broad-based food inflation may keep overall expectations elevated, underscoring the importance of continued policy emphasis on headline inflation.

    The views expressed in the Bulletin articles are of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/769

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • India has 8.52 million tonnes reserves of rare earth elements: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth elements oxide (REO) contained in 13.15 MT monazite (a mineral of Thorium and Rare Earths) occurring in the coastal beach, teri and red sand and inland alluvium in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra, while another 1.29 MT rare earths are situated in hard rocks in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, is carrying out exploration and augmentation of minerals of rare earth group elements along the coastal, inland and riverine placer sands as well as in hard rock terrains in several potential geological domains of the country, said Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

    Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 MT resources of rare earth elements (REE) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects, the minister informed. The quantum of rare earth minerals exported during the last 10 years is 18 tonnes, while there have been no imports of rare earth minerals, he further stated.

    The minister also said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders to alleviate the challenges arising from export restrictions on rare earth magnets imposed by certain countries.

    “There have been continued engagements at bilateral and multilateral level to increase cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including in rare earth minerals and related technologies. These efforts aim to mitigate disruptions in the supply chain and safeguard the interests of Indian importers,” said the minister.

    The Ministry of Mines has entered into bilateral agreements with the governments of a number of countries such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D’Ivoire and International organisations such as International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr Singh said.

    The Ministry is also engaging on various multilateral and bilateral platforms such as Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) for strengthening the critical minerals value chain, he explained.

    He further stated that the Ministry of Mines has set up Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), a joint Venture company with the objective to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets that hold critical and strategic significance, specifically targeting minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, and others.

    KABIL has already signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with CAMYEN, a state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina for Exploration and mining of Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina. KABIL is also having regular interactions with Critical Mineral Office in Australia with the primary objective of acquiring critical and strategic mineral assets.

    Further, the Ministry has initiated the process of entering into government-to-government (G2G) MoUs with Brazil and Dominican Republic for developing cooperation in the field of rare earth minerals and critical minerals. The broad objectives of these MoUs are to provide an overarching framework for cooperation in research, development and innovation in mining, with a particular focus on REE and critical minerals, the minister pointed out.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Challenge Wraps, Student Teams Complete Space Suit Challenges

    Source: NASA

    After months of work in the NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (SUITS) challenge, more than 100 students from 12 universities across the United States traveled to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to showcase potential user interface designs for future generations of spacesuits and rovers.  
    NASA Johnson’s simulated Moon and Mars surface, called “the rock yard,” became the students’ testing ground as they braved the humid nights and abundance of mosquitoes to put their innovative designs to the test. Geraldo Cisneros, the tech team lead, said, “This year’s SUITS challenge was a complete success. It provided a unique opportunity for NASA to evaluate the software designs and tools developed by the student teams, and to explore how similar innovations could contribute to future, human-centered Artemis missions. My favorite part of the challenge was watching how the students responded to obstacles and setbacks. Their resilience and determination were truly inspiring.”

    Students filled their jam-packed days not only with testing, but also with guest speakers and tours. Swastik Patel from Purdue University said, “All of the teams really enjoyed being here, seeing NASA facilities, and developing their knowledge with NASA coordinators and teams from across the nation. Despite the challenges, the camaraderie between all the participants and staff was very helpful in terms of getting through the intensity. Can’t wait to be back next year!”

    “This week has been an incredible opportunity. Just seeing the energy and everything that’s going on here was incredible. This week has really made me reevaluate a lot of things that I shoved aside. I’m grateful to NASA for having this opportunity, and hopefully we can continue to have these opportunities.”  
    At the end of test week, each student team presented their projects to a panel of experts. These presentations served as a platform for students to showcase not only their technical achievements but also their problem-solving approaches, teamwork, and vision for real-world application. The panel–composed of NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham, Flight Director Garrett Hehn, and industry leaders–posed thought-provoking questions and offered constructive feedback that challenged the students to think critically and further refine their ideas. Their insights highlighted potential areas for growth, new directions for exploration, and ways to enhance the impact of their projects. The students left the session energized and inspired, brimming with new ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for future development and innovation. Burnham remarked, “The students did such a great job. They’re all so creative and wonderful, definitely something that can be implemented in the future.” 

    NASA SUITS test week was not only about pushing boundaries; it was about earning a piece of history. Three Artemis Student Challenge Awards were presented. The Innovation and Pay it Forward awards were chosen by the NASA team, recognizing the most groundbreaking and impactful designs. Students submitted nominations for the Artemis Educator Award, celebrating the faculty member who had a profound influence on their journeys. The Innovation Award went to Team JARVIS from Purdue University and Indiana State University, for going above and beyond in their ingenuity, creativity, and inventiveness. Team Selene from Midwestern State University earned the Pay it Forward Award for conducting meaningful education events in the community and beyond. The Artemis Educator Award was given to Maggie Schoonover from Wichita State University in Kansas for the time, commitment, and dedication she gave to her team.
    “The NASA SUITS challenge completes its eighth year in operation due to the generous support of NASA’s EVA and Human Surface Mobility Program,” said NASA Activity Manager Jamie Semple. “This challenge fosters an environment where students learn essential skills to immediately enter a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career, and directly contribute to NASA mission operations. These students are creating proposals, generating designs, working in teams similar to the NASA workforce, utilizing artificial intelligence, and designing mission operation solutions that could be part of the Artemis III mission and beyond. NASA’s student design challenges are an important component of STEM employment development and there is no better way to learn technical skills to ensure future career success.”
    The week serves as a springboard for the next generation of space exploration, igniting curiosity, ambition, and technical excellence among young innovators. By engaging with real-world challenges and technologies, participants not only deepen their understanding of space science but also actively contribute to shaping its future. Each challenge tackled, each solution proposed, and each connection formed represents a meaningful step forward; not just for the individuals involved, but for humanity as a whole. With every iteration of the program, the dream of venturing further into space becomes more tangible, transforming what once seemed like science fiction into achievable milestones.
    Are you interested in joining the next NASA SUITS challenge? Find more information here.
    The next challenge will open for proposals at the end of August 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor – News Release – Gov. Green, First Lady, DHS Director Urge Families to Apply for SUN Bucks

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 22, 2025

    HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., First Lady Jaime Kanani Green and Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Ryan Yamane, gathered today to raise awareness about the SUN Bucks Summer EBT program and encourage families to apply before the fast-approaching August 3, 2025 deadline.

    SUN Bucks is a new and permanent program that provides $177 per eligible child in food benefits to help families during the summer months when access to school meals is limited. The program is a joint effort between the state of Hawai‘i and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that aims to bridge the summer nutrition gap for keiki across the islands.

    “Today is about something simple, but incredibly important — making sure our children have enough to eat,” said Governor Green. “SUN Bucks is a reminder that when we invest in our keiki, we invest in the future of our state. These benefits don’t just help families — they strengthen our local economy by putting dollars directly into our grocery stores, farmers markets and food systems.”

    First Lady Green, who has championed the effort since its launch in 2024, emphasized her commitment to ending childhood hunger across Hawai‘i.

    “In Hawai‘i, we care for one another — we mālama our keiki, our kūpuna and our ‘ohana,” she said. “SUN Bucks reflects those values. It’s about ensuring every child has what they need nutritionally to grow and thrive — not just during the school year, but all year long. No child in Hawai‘i should ever go hungry and this program helps us live up to that kuleana.”

    According to DHS, more than 80,000 children statewide have already received benefits, representing over $14 million in food assistance. However, thousands more may still be eligible.

    “We’re proud of the progress so far — but we also know many families still need support,” said DHS Director Yamane. “If your child was approved for free or reduced-price meals, or your family received SNAP or TANF, you’re already eligible and don’t need to apply. But if you’re not sure, don’t wait — visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov or call 1-888-975-7328. We’re here to help.”

    Eligible families that don’t automatically qualify have until August 3, 2025, to submit an application. Cards are mailed to qualifying households and can be used anywhere EBT is accepted, including local farmers markets through the Da Bux program.

    For more information or to apply, visit sunbucks.dhs.hawaii.gov or call 1-888-975-SEBT (7328).

    Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.
    Video footage from today’s news conference can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Opening statement by President von der Leyen at the EU-Japan Summit

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Statement Tokyo, 23 Jul 2025 Prime Minister,

    Thank you for hosting us at the 30th Japan–EU Summit, it is good to be back in Tokyo. Yesterday’s visit to the Osaka World Expo was a real highlight. The Japanese pavilion stood out; it is a wonder of craftsmanship. Its wooden elegance offered a sense of serenity and safety. To me, it also captures the essence of our partnership: calm, resilient, and deeply rooted. And this is so valuable in a turbulent world. Europe and Japan are close and trusted friends. We share values: fairness, openness, and respect for rules. And together, we have the scale not only to defend our interests, but to shape global outcomes. Together we represent a fifth of the world’s GDP. Our Economic Partnership Agreement is solid, and it delivers. This Summit is our chance to take the next steps: To strengthen our joint competitiveness, enhance our common security, and set global standards aligned with our values. I look forward to our discussions.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • India to be third-largest economy by 2028: Morgan Stanley

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028 and more than double its GDP to $10.6 trillion by 2035, according to a Morgan Stanley report released on Wednesday.

    The report estimates that three to five Indian states — including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka — could each approach the $1 trillion mark, placing them among the top 20 global economies by 2035.

    “Based on the latest data, the top three states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana,” the report said. It also highlighted Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh as the states that have shown the most improvement in rankings over the last five years.

    According to the report, India is likely to contribute 20% of global growth over the next decade and emerge as a key driver of earnings for multinational companies.

    Morgan Stanley’s economists underlined the crucial role played by India’s 28 states and eight Union Territories in achieving this growth trajectory. “States not only manage their own finances but also compete for investments by designing policies and easing business conditions. Ultimately, every factory or business is set up in a specific state,” the report said.

    The success of India’s “competitive federalism,” it added, will determine whether the country can become a global manufacturing hub, double per capita income within seven years, and sustain the momentum in capital markets.

    States are expected to play an increasingly important role as India moves toward becoming a $10.6 trillion economy. Their legislative and political autonomy enables them to shape industrial policy and attract investment.

    Over the past decade, the report said, infrastructure spending has seen a major push. The Centre’s capital expenditure has doubled to 3.2% of GDP in FY25 from 1.6% in FY15. As a result, highway networks have expanded by 60%, airports have doubled, and metro rail systems have quadrupled.

    Key central schemes — including PM Gati Shakti, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and UDAN — have been implemented in tandem with state-level initiatives. States also lead investments in sectors such as power, water, and urban development.

    “The Centre and states must continue to collaborate closely to meet India’s economic ambitions,” the report said.

    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Promoting meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions tourism

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Tang Fei and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

         It is reported that the Singapore Government is actively developing the meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry, having set a clear target of tripling related tourism revenue by 2040. Through measures such as policy support, financial assistance, and cross-departmental collaboration, the Singapore Government has successfully attracted numerous international event organisers to establish a presence there, significantly enhancing Singapore’s competitiveness in the global MICE market. However, Hong Kong’s ranking in the international MICE market is relatively behind, having ranked only 33rd globally in terms of the number of MICE events held in 2023. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether comprehensive and regular evaluations of the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s existing MICE policies have been conducted, including performance in areas such as recent international rankings, market competitiveness, economic gains and spillover benefits to related industries; if so, of the details and how the authorities will adjust future development strategies for the MICE industry based on the evaluation results; if not, the reasons for that and whether consideration will be given to initiating such evaluations as soon as possible to more effectively promote the long-term development of the MICE industry;

    (2) as there are views that Hong Kong’s current image at international MICE events is primarily associated with traditional trade exhibitions and lacks high-end international summits with global influence, whether the Government will consider re-examining and adjusting its current MICE promotion strategies, which could involve actively pursuing the hosting of internationally renowned summits with decision-making influence, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s image as an international city, attracting high-end visitors and driving economic growth; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as there are views that resources for the MICE industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are dispersed, and with Hong Kong being the most internationalised city in the region, how the Government will assume a leading role in promoting MICE development; whether it will, through policy advocacy, resource integration, cross-city collaboration and other means, guide the Mainland cities in the GBA to jointly develop a co-ordinated MICE development strategy, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness of the entire GBA in the international MICE industry?

    Reply:

    President,

         We have consulted the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau on the part involving the promotion of meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, and the consolidated reply is as follows:

         Hong Kong is the world’s seventh-largest trading entity in merchandise trade and also the region’s premier convention and exhibition (C&E) hub. Many well-known international organisations and businesses have chosen to host C&E events in Hong Kong. C&E events, in particular international ones, have attracted numerous participants (including exhibitors and buyers), not only benefitting the C&E industry but also bringing in high-spending business travellers that drive economic activities in such related sectors as accommodation, catering, retail, entertainment etc., thereby benefitting various industries and bringing important contributions to Hong Kong’s economy.

         In 2024, Hong Kong’s two dedicated venues for mega C&E events (viz. the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE)) hosted over 350 C&E events, attracting 9.17 million participants. In terms of attracting visitors, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been striving to attract different types of visitor segments. Among others, the HKTB seeks to encourage those visitors coming to Hong Kong to participate in MICE-related business activities as well as stay and travel in the city through promoting Hong Kong as a destination for MICE tourism. In 2023 and 2024, there were about 1.3 million and 1.42 million overnight MICE visitors respectively. Their per capita spending was about 30 per cent and 40 per cent higher than that of the overall overnight visitors in the respective years.

         In view of the contribution of C&E events to Hong Kong’s overall economy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government launched the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) in July 2023 to subsidise venue rentals of eligible exhibitions organised by private organisers. The ISRE was very well received, supporting more than 200 eligible exhibitions by the end of June this year. To further promote the development of the C&E industry and the mega event economy, thereby generating overall economic benefits for Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government has just launched the ISRE 2.0 on July 1, 2025, by allocating an additional provision of $500 million, focusing on attracting new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale.

         Since the resumption of tourism in Hong Kong starting from February 2023, the HKTB has stepped up its efforts to promote the recovery and development of MICE tourism. So far, the HKTB has successfully bid, assisted in successful bidding, or subsidised the staging of over 2 500 international MICE events in Hong Kong, which span across various fields including innovation and technology, financial services, medical science, luxuries, community services, aviation, etc. Among these events, there are high-end international summits of global impact, including the Fortune Innovation Forum 2024 held in March 2024, the Leaders of Luxury Summit 2024 held in November 2024 and the Consensus Hong Kong held in February 2025. Meanwhile, scheduled international MICE events include the Routes World 2025 to be held in September 2025, as well as the Lions International Convention and the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly to be held in 2026 etc. It is estimated that the MICE events supported by the HKTB in 2025-26 will attract more than 183 000 high value-added overnight MICE visitors to visit Hong Kong, generating a total spending of about $1.4 billion based on the per capita spending of $7,800 by MICE visitors in 2024.

         In respect of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the HKTB will extend the scope of its promotion work under the theme of “Meet Hong Kong ‧ Meet GBA” to explicate the opportunities within the GBA so as to attract the staging of overseas MICE events in Hong Kong. In addition, the C&E industry will also explore the inclusion of GBA elements in suitable events. Among others, the UFI Global Congress 2025 will be held in the AWE in November 2025. As the host of the event, the AWE has incorporated GBA itineraries (Zhuhai and Macao) for participants from all over the world with a view to showcasing Hong Kong’s strategic advantage of being located in the centre of the GBA.

         Looking ahead, the HKSAR Government and the HKTB, in collaboration with the C&E industry and relevant organisations, will continue to support the staging of international MICE events of different scales and types in Hong Kong, so as to help consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international MICE capital and attract more high value-added overnight visitors.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ8: Combating illegal rental activities

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Shang Hailong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that the Police neutralised a rental fraud syndicate several months ago, involving at least 150 victims and approximately HK$13 million in losses. Through an apartment management company, the syndicate recruited local individuals as agents (“principal tenants”) with high commissions on websites or social media platforms, luring talent admitted to Hong Kong under talent admission schemes and students that were “drifters in Hong Kong” to prepay one year’s rent before defrauding the victims of their rent using fake tenancy agreements. There are views that the incident highlights gaps in the current regulatory framework for the property rental market. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will consider improving the current regulatory framework for domestic tenancies in response to the aforementioned case in which “principal tenants” allegedly defrauded tenants through illegal means, so as to protect the rights and interests of landlords and tenants;
     
    (2) whether it will require the Estate Agents Authority to strengthen random inspections of property rental advertisements on Mainland and local social media platforms to root out advertisements containing fraudulent or misleading content;
     
    (3) whether the authorities will collaborate with the relevant Mainland authorities and Hong Kong’s higher education institutions to develop “guidelines on fraud prevention in the local rental market”, which will be distributed to relevant individuals after the Immigration Department issues visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and before students’ arrival in Hong Kong;
     
    (4) whether the Police will strengthen co-operation with social media platforms to promptly remove and follow up on residential property rental advertisements containing fraudulent content; and
     
    (5) how the Police will strengthen efforts to combat activities where lawbreakers entice students to participate in rental scams using high commissions; whether penalties be increased to serve as a deterrent?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government has noted recent illegal rental activities perpetrated by fraud syndicates targeting new arrivals in Hong Kong. Through the social media, criminals impersonating owners of residential units contact new arrivals searching for rental units. The criminals falsely claim that they can sublet the units to the new arrivals at a discounted price and lure them into paying rent. Unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s tenancy system and ways of seeking help, the new arrivals are prone to fall victims to the fraudsters.
     
         The Government has paid close attention to these rental-related scams. In this connection, the Government combats these activities through a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening monitoring work to ensure compliance of property rental advertisements, conducting targeted law enforcement actions and stepping up publicity and education.
     
         In consultation with the Housing Bureau, the reply to the Member’s question is as follows:
     
    (1) The Government’s policy on the private residential rental market is to maintain a stable environment and minimise unnecessary intervention, with a view to facilitating free operation and steady development of the market. The Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) provides a framework for legal tenancy matters. Part IV of Cap. 7 is applicable to general domestic tenancy, where landlords and tenants may draw up the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreements as mutually agreed, and execute the tenancy arrangements in accordance with the spirit of the contracts. The “principal tenants” mentioned in the question, who deceived the sub-tenants by illegal means, may have committed fraud-related offences, which are regulated under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210) and the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455). Furthermore, the Estate Agents Ordinance (Cap. 511) regulates companies and individuals engaged in the estate agency trade. Estate agents and salespersons must comply with Cap. 511 and its subsidiary legislation. They should also comply with the Code of Ethics and Practice Circulars issued by the Estate Agents Authority (EAA). Persons who fail to do so may be liable to disciplinary action. If a licensee is convicted of a criminal offence, the EAA may suspend or revoke the licence of such a person.
     
    (2) The EAA has all along been conducting cyber patrols to closely monitor online advertisements on the sale and letting of properties in Hong Kong (including those posted on social media platforms in the Mainland and Hong Kong), and examine whether they comply with the provisions of the Estate Agents Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, such as whether the advertisements contain any false or misleading information. The EAA has stepped up these efforts in recent years. A total of 862 random checks on online property advertisements were conducted in the first half of 2025, representing an increase of 21 per cent compared to the same period last year. In case of any suspected non-compliance, the EAA will conduct follow-up investigations. Cases involving criminal elements (such as suspected fraud) will be referred by the EAA to law enforcement agencies for follow-up actions.
     
    (3) To raise the vigilance of new arrivals to Hong Kong against rental-related scams, the Police and the EAA work jointly with relevant Mainland authorities and local stakeholders (including tertiary institutions) to provide new arrivals with online and offline information on rental-related fraudulent activities both before and after their arrivals, so as to help them identify and guard against the scams.
     
    Pre-arrival information
     
         To enable new arrivals to learn about Hong Kong’s tenancy system and the fraudsters’ common deception tactics as early as possible, the Police have disseminated anti-fraud promotional materials specifically tailored for new arrivals through social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin. In addition, the Police have produced a video clip in collaboration with the National Immigration Administration, the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security and the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). Adopting a first-person perspective of the new arrivals, the video clip demonstrates the modus operandi of fraudsters, with a view to raising the awareness of the new arrivals. The National Immigration Administration will also arrange for the viewing of these videos by the prospective new arrivals during their visa application process. Meanwhile, these videos are disseminated across border control points, exit-entry service halls in the Mainland as well as social media platforms including Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
     
         To strengthen protection of students who newly arrive in Hong Kong, the Police, in collaboration with the National Anti-Fraud Center, have organised both online and offline sharing sessions specifically for Mainland students coming to Hong Kong for studies and their parents. Additionally, anti-fraud information, including details on rental-related scams and ways of seeking help, has been distributed to parents.
     
    Post-arrival information
     
         To ensure that new arrivals stay vigilant after arriving in Hong Kong, the Police distribute anti-fraud booklets and leaflets to them through the six regional public service counters of the ImmD, the Labour and Welfare Bureau and major tertiary institutions across Hong Kong. These materials include methods to prevent rental scams.
     
         Additionally, to broaden the reach of the information, the Police collaborate with relevant industries, including the real estate sector, the banking sector and telecommunications service providers, to distribute anti-fraud promotional packages to new arrivals. These promotional materials are updated from time to time, so as to remind new arrivals to be aware of the latest scam tactics, including rental-related scams.
     
         Furthermore, the EAA is committed to educating consumers on the salient points pertaining to renting and purchasing properties. In view of the fraudulent cases relating to property purchase or rental encountered by new arrivals in recent years, in addition to the promotional measures jointly rolled out with the Police, the EAA has, since the beginning of 2025, been actively collaborating with the Hong Kong Talent Engage, Economic and Trade Offices in the Mainland, the Consumer Council, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations supporting new arrivals and local media to provide new arrivals with information on renting and purchasing properties in Hong Kong. An online public seminar, which was broadcast live on local and Mainland social media platforms, was also organised to enhance new arrivals’ knowledge on the procedures for renting and purchasing properties in Hong Kong as well as fraud prevention. The EAA has put up a number of online advertisements through the Mainland’s media network, and has participated in a seminar organised by the Hong Kong Talent Engage, reminding consumers that they should appoint licensed estate agents to better protect their own interests. In this connection, the EAA website provides the Licence List (www.eaa.org.hk/en-us/Licence-list), through which the public can input the full name or licence number of an agent to ascertain whether the agent is holding a valid licence. Moreover, the EAA distributes booklets such as “A Guide to Tenancy” and “Tenancy Guide for Non-local Students in Hong Kong” to various collaborating units. The public may also download these publications from the EAA website (smart.eaa.org.hk/publications) for reference. In future, the EAA will continue with its proactive publicity and education efforts through various channels and means, including preparing the launch of a new educational website, with a view to enhancing publicity on the steps and points to note when renting and purchasing properties in Hong Kong, so as to raise the anti-fraud awareness amongst the general public and new arrivals.
     
    (4) The Police have been maintaining close collaboration with social media platforms. Should suspected fraudulent (including rental-related) content be found, the Police will request the platforms concerned to immediately remove the content and take appropriate follow-up actions. During the period between January and May this year, the platforms concerned have reviewed and removed over 33 000 items of fraudulent content at the request of the Police.
     
    (5) As mentioned in the introduction of our reply, the Government has been paying close attention to the above-mentioned rental-related scams and adopting a multi-pronged approach, which includes enhanced targeted enforcement actions, to combat these activities. For example, in February this year, the Police carried out the Operation Black Fire, during which a criminal syndicate manipulated by triads involving “fake estate agents” was smashed. A total of 14 persons, including a syndicate mastermind, a licensed estate agent and 12 syndicate members, have been arrested so far. The fraud syndicate was involved in over 270 cases, with crime proceeds amounting to approximately HK$30 million. While the Police are continuing with their investigation, one of the arrested persons has already been charged with one count of “conspiracy to defraud”, and more of them may be charged.
     
         Lawbreakers enticing students to participate in rental scams using commissions may have committed fraud-related offences, including the offence of “fraud” under section 16A and the offence of “obtaining property by deception” under section 17 of the Theft Ordinance, and are liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years and 10 years respectively. In addition, under section 159C of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), a person who has committed the offence of “conspiracy to defraud” is liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 14 years, while a person charged with “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence” under section 25 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance for proceeds of deception is liable to maximum penalties of 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million. Depending on the nature and gravity of the case, the Police may also apply to the court for invocation of section 27 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance to seek enhanced sentences and thus strengthen deterrence. Members of the public are urged not to commit the offence out of greed.
     
         In conclusion, the Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to stringently combat rental scams, and raise the new arrivals’ vigilance against related scams through enhanced publicity and education.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BFAC appreciates Consumer Council’s committed efforts in encouraging continuous improvement in product standards

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:

         The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 57th meeting today (July 23). At the meeting, the Consumer Council briefed members on its mechanism and procedures regarding comparative product testing.

         To safeguard consumer’s interests and enable informed consumption choices for a better quality of life, one of the important tasks of the Council is to conduct tests, surveys and research on consumer products to provide objective and unbiased information to consumers. The Council has adopted a structured and transparent process for conducting product testing and research. The evaluations are designed from user’s perspectives, focusing on performance, safety and/or sustainable consumption, etc. The results are published in “CHOICE Magazine” and other media of the Council, reaching more consumers through media coverage. In addition, the Council shares the findings and recommendations with relevant traders before publishing the report and invites them to provide comments in regard to the findings. This mechanism provides an effective communication platform for the Council and traders, while also serving as a reminder to manufacturers to prioritise quality and safety when optimising the overall production process, thereby strengthening consumer protection and also building a better reputation. 

         The Committee appreciated the Council’s ongoing efforts in building a safe and sustainable consumption environment, and strengthening communication and liaison between consumers and traders. 

         The Committee also received the work reports of its three task forces:

    Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF)
    ——————————————-
     

    • The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) briefed the WRTF on the common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes (PRSs) and the initial proposal of the PRS on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons. The EPD stated that the common legislative framework would set out the general operational mechanisms for PRSs, the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, and the associated regulatory control measures, etc. This framework would facilitate the future inclusion of more regulated products into the PRSs progressively, taking into account actual circumstances and expanding the waste-to-resources capacities. Regarding the initial proposal of the PRS on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons, the WRTF agreed that all sectors of society should share the responsibility to protect the environment, and suggested the EPD continue to communicate with the trades, ensuring various factors are thoroughly considered before implementing the Scheme.
    • The Customs & Excise Department (C&ED) briefed the WRTF on the operation, procedures and advantages of the Mainland-Hong Kong “Single Submission for Dual Declaration” Scheme. The C&ED launched the Scheme in November 2024, currently covering all cargo passing through land boundary control points between the two places. Cargo information submitted by Mainland enterprises to the Mainland platform will be encrypted and automatically sent to the Hong Kong platform, from which Hong Kong enterprises can retrieve relevant cargo information for completing a local Customs declaration. The WRTF welcomed the “Single Submission for Dual Declaration” Scheme, and considered that it would facilitate Customs declarations for local enterprises.

    Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF)
    ————————————————————
     

    • The Fire Services Department (FSD) consulted the FRSTF on the new requirements for the installation of fire extinguisher cabinets in outdoor seating accommodation (OSA) of licensed food premises. The FSD proposed that all new licensing applications of food premises shall impose a requirement of installing a fully enclosed, dedicated fire extinguisher cabinet within the OSA of food premises to prevent fire extinguishers from being adversely affected by dust, moisture and other environmental factors, thereby ensuring their prompt and effective operation in the event of a fire. The FRSTF noted the proposal and suggested that the FSD to provide clear requirements for fire extinguisher cabinets to facilitate the trade’s compliance.
    • The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) briefed the FRSTF on the Digital DIY (DDIY) Portal to facilitate the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s food and beverage industry. The DDIY Portal is designed to facilitate local enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in identifying suitable digital transformation solutions and connecting them to reputable service providers for implementation, enhancing operational efficiency and creating business opportunities. The FRSTF welcomed the business facilitation services provided by the HKPC and suggested the HKPC to consider performing the role of project manager to assist trades in successful implementation of digital solutions.

    Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF)
    —————————————————
     

    • The HKPC briefed the BLGTF on the main services of the SME ReachOut and other popular government funding schemes. SME ReachOut helps SMEs identify suitable funding schemes, answers application inquiries and provides form-review advisory services. Currently there are more than 40 government funding schemes targeting SMEs, covering areas such as business expansion, upgrading and transformation, research and development, fostering technology talent, and promoting new industrialisation, along with a number of industry-specific funding schemes. The HKPC briefed the BLGTF on details of some popular funding schemes and provided information on their application eligibility, funding amount and funding scope. The BLGTF thanked the HKPC for the briefing.

         The Committee also expressed appreciation for the commitment and achievements of the bureaux and departments in continuously implementing the business facilitation measures under the Be the Smart Regulator Programme to enhance their business licensing services. 

         Papers for the Committee meeting are available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ9: Improving labour importation policy

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Chau Siu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:

         Regarding the improvement of labour importation policy, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) as it has been reported that some employers have engaged in “bogus recruitment” (e.g. rejecting suitable local job seekers after interviews on the grounds that they do not meet the requirements) in order to create the false impression of difficulties in local recruitment, so as to justify applications to the Government for labour importation, while some unscrupulous employers have exploited the imported labour they employed through various means, resulting in the issue of “cheap imported labour”, and there are views pointing out that such non-compliant practices severely undermine employment opportunities for local workers, whether the Government will consider establishing a blacklist system to regularly publish information on companies involved in substantiated cases of violation of labour importation regulations (including company names, the industries to which they belong, nature and dates of violations, the labour importation schemes involved, and follow-up actions taken by the authorities), so as to enhance monitoring and increase deterrence;
     
    (2) whether it will study the feasibility of introducing an administrative penalty system to impose heavy fines on employers who violate regulations related to imported labour (including reducing the working hours of local employees or dismissing them after recruiting imported labour) in order to enhance deterrence;
     
    (3) as there are views pointing out that the median monthly wages for some job categories (particularly those in the catering industry) on the List of Common Posts under the current Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme are below market levels, which may bring down the wages for local workers in related job categories and even discourage employers from recruiting local workers, whether the authorities will review and refine the methodology for determining the median wage levels on the List to better align them with market levels;
     
    (4) as there are views that local labour market statistics (including size of labour force, unemployment rate, underemployment rate and monthly employment earnings of employed persons) regularly published by the Census and Statistics Department do not process data on imported labour separately, making it difficult for such statistics to effectively reflect the impact of labour importation policy on the local labour market (including the employment and wages of local workers), whether the authorities will consider regularly compiling and publishing relevant labour market statistics that exclude the factor of imported labour; and
     
    (5) whether the authorities will consider proactively and regularly publishing statistics on imported labour (including the numbers of applications, approvals and arrivals to Hong Kong for work, broken down by labour importation scheme, industry and job category, as well as the number and names of enterprises employing imported labour, the industries involved, and the number of local employees and imported workers), so that society can better understand the implementation of the labour importation policy?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         To cope with the challenges brought by manpower shortage and on the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers, the Government suitably allows employers to apply for importation of workers. Apart from launching sector-specific labour importation schemes for the construction sector, transport sector, and residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities, the Labour Department (LD) has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) since September 4, 2023 to suspend the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts from labour importation under the previous Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years.
     
         In consultation with the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the reply to the Member’s question is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) To safeguard employment priority for local workers, applicant employers of the ESLS must undertake a four-week local open recruitment and accord priority to employing qualified local workers to fill the job vacancies at a salary not lower than the prevailing median monthly wage of a comparable position in the market. Upon completion of the local recruitment procedures, employers shall report the results and submit recruitment advertisements to the LD for verification. The LD will contact each of the unsuccessful local job seekers to verify the interview details and confirm if the reasons for not employing the job seekers as reported by the employers are consistent with the facts and reasonable, so as to assess whether the employers have sincerity in recruiting local workers. If there is evidence showing that an employer has violated the requirements of local recruitment or refused to employ qualified local job seekers without reasonable grounds, the LD will terminate the processing of the relevant application. The LD will also impose administrative sanction on the employer and refuse to process any other application(s) submitted by the employer concerned in the following year. In parallel, employers approved to import workers are required to sign a Standard Employment Contract (SEC) with imported workers, and shall pay a salary not lower than the median monthly wage of a comparable position to prevent the imported workers from becoming “cheap labour” and undermining the employment opportunities of local workers.

         Since June 17 this year, the LD has implemented a series of new measures to strengthen the protection of the employment priority for local workers, including launching an online complaint form on the ESLS dedicated webpage to enable local employees and imported workers to lodge complaints against employers for suspected breaches of the requirements of the ESLS, displaying the names of applicant companies when publishing job vacancies for local recruitment under the ESLS on the Interactive Employment Service website to increase the information transparency of local recruitment, launching a special inspection campaign to check whether establishments employing imported workers have continuously met the manning ratio requirement of full-time local employees to imported workers of 2:1, requiring employers to report information on full-time local employees and imported workers as well as the relevant manning ratios based on a risk-based approach, and refusing to process other application(s) submitted by the same employer within six months after the employer submitted an application under the ESLS. Besides, the LD launched additional measures in July to strengthen monitoring of employers’ local recruitment arrangements to ensure fairness and authenticity in the local recruitment process.
     
         The ESLS also requires employers not to displace local workers with imported workers. In the event of redundancy, imported workers should be retrenched first. If there is sufficient evidence substantiating violation of the relevant requirements, the LD will impose administrative sanction, including withdrawal of approvals for importation of labour previously granted to the employer and refusal to process applications for labour importation submitted by the employer in the following two years.
     
         With regard to the treatment of imported workers, the Government attaches great importance to protecting their employment rights and benefits. Imported workers also enjoy the protection of labour laws in Hong Kong. The Government adopts a multi-pronged strategy, including requiring employers and imported workers to sign the SEC, requiring that wages be paid directly into imported workers’ bank accounts in Hong Kong by automatic payment, conducting surprise inspections to workplaces of imported workers, and organising briefings on employment rights to ensure imported workers understand their employment rights and benefits. For cases of suspected exploitation of imported workers, the Government has set up an inter-departmental task force to follow up and investigate whether criminal elements are involved. If there is sufficient evidence, law enforcement agencies will take out prosecution. In addition, the LD launched the Imported Workers Support Scheme in January this year to strengthen support for imported workers who are suspected of being exploited, including case consultation, follow-up and guidance, as well as assisting imported workers whose employment has been terminated by their employers to arrange temporary accommodation and apply for relevant subsidies.
     
    (3) In consultation with relevant government bureaux/ departments/ training bodies/ professional organisations and making reference to details of the applied posts commonly processed under the ESLS, the LD complies the List of Common Posts under the ESLS (including the scope of duties, academic requirements, years of experience, normal working hours per day, and median monthly wages of relevant posts). Among others, the median monthly wages are mainly determined by the C&SD’s data of wages earned by relevant employed labour force in the specified survey reference month. The LD will continue to closely monitor the local labour market and relevant statistics, and continuously review the operation and implementation arrangements of the ESLS, striving to safeguard the employment priority for local workers.
     
    (4) To reflect the latest conditions of the overall labour force (including imported workers in Hong Kong), the C&SD conducts regular sample surveys to compile and disseminate statistics on the labour force, employment, unemployment and underemployment, etc, in Hong Kong. As imported workers in Hong Kong only constitute a very small proportion of the labour force, the relevant breakdowns will have significant sampling error. Taking into account the accuracy of the statistics, it is difficult to segregate the factor of imported workers and publish the statistics separately.
     
    (5) The Government reports regularly to the Labour Advisory Board on the implementation and relevant statistics of the labour importation schemes, and will continue to closely monitor changes in the local labour market and the manpower situation of different industries, and from time to time review the operation and implementation arrangements of the sector-specific labour importation schemes and the ESLS to ensure measures for safeguarding employment priority for local workers are implemented.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Heritage Museum welcomes its 15 000 000th visitor and launches its 25th anniversary exhibition (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Established in 2000, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department enters its 25th anniversary this year. Today (July 23), the HKHM welcomed its 15 000 000th visitor since its inauguration. The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, presented a gift pack to the visitor. The HKHM has also launched a commemorative exhibition to celebrate its silver jubilee.

    The 15 000 000th visitor of the HKHM is Ms Sun from Guangzhou, who is visiting the HKHM for the first time with her husband and daughter. She is a fan of Jin Yong’s novels and Hong Kong television dramas, so she specially came to visit the Jin Yong Gallery. The museum arranged special souvenirs for them.

         In celebration of the silver jubilee, “Together We Inspire: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum” will be held from today until February 23 next year, providing visitors with the background of HKHM’s establishment, its past exhibitions and core collections.

         The exhibition features around 20 items/sets of exhibits selected from the museum’s collection, showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural diversity. The exhibits include the 120-year-old Hakka wedding palanquin that portrays the marriage customs of Hakka villagers in the New Territories; the Haiqing costume with hand-painted peony and peacock patterns in the 1910s to 1920s, which is a masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship among early Cantonese opera costumes; and the ceramic work “Yuanyang Café” that creates a nostalgic atmosphere of traditional-style cafés. The trophy posthumously presented to Anita Mui for the Timeless Artistic Achievement Award of the 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards, which is one of the essential collections in the field of Hong Kong pop culture at the museum, will also be displayed.
     
         In addition, the HKHM will organise the 25th anniversary fun day on November 15 and 16, offering a series of free programmes, including a night at the museum with Cantonese music, a pre-show sharing session on “Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way”, treasure hunt games, ink art improvisation workshops, patterned band weaving workshops, and a talk on the development and history of public museums in Hong Kong, to provide visitors with an extraordinary museum experience.

         As a comprehensive museum, the HKHM has organised more than 200 exhibitions over the years, spanning history, art, and local culture. In recent years, the museum has also focused on presenting exhibitions and programmes related to Hong Kong pop culture, such as special exhibitions about legendary stars like Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, which have been well received. Apart from local visitors, the HKHM also attracted tourists. In the year, around 30 per cent of the visitors were from the Mainland and overseas.

        The HKHM will present a series of exciting exhibitions and events in the second half of the year. These include an exhibition commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Professor Chao Shao-an, the master of Lingnan School of Painting, as well as performances and activities celebrating the 85th anniversary of the birth of Bruce Lee, the internationally famous martial arts superstar. For details of the latest exhibition information, please visit the website hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/highlights.html, or the Instagram page www.instagram.com/heritagemuseum.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ11: Mechanism of direct issue of Hong Kong full driving licence

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by Dr the Hon Dennis Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    Under the existing legislation, a person holding an overseas driving licence issued by a recognised country or place may be directly issued with a Hong Kong full driving licence without taking a local driving test (direct issue of driving licence). It has been reported that queuing gangs have recently been blatantly offering facilitation service for direct issue of driving licence in the vicinity of the Hong Kong Licensing Office of the Transport Department (the Licensing Office) and on social media platforms (such as Xiaohongshu, etc), and some individuals have been transferring their same-day queue tickets after waiting in line early in the morning at the Licensing Office, raising suspicions of abuse of services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether the aforementioned facilitation service is illegal;

    (2) whether it has reviewed if the existing legislation is adequate in combating the suspected abuse of services and transfer of queue tickets as mentioned above; if so, of the details;

    (3) of the measures the Government will adopt to combat the suspected abuse of services and transfer of queue tickets as mentioned above, including whether it will consider conducting decoy operations on social media platforms (such as Xiaohongshu) or at the Licensing Office; if so, of the details; and

    (4) given the current significant demand for direct issue of driving licence, whether the authorities will consider optimising the existing ticket distribution mechanism or application process (including the existing system of online appointment booking for services), so as to shorten applicants’ waiting time and enhance overall efficiency?

    Reply:

    President,

    The Transport Department (TD) implements direct issue of a Hong Kong full driving licence without test (“direct issue”) in accordance with regulation 11(3) of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374B) (the Regulations), which allows a person holding a driving licence issued by one of the 32 countries and places specified in the Fourth Schedule to the Regulations (recognised countries or places) to be directly issued with a Hong Kong full driving licence without taking a local driving test for driving private cars, light goods vehicles, motor cycles and/or motor tricycles, provided that specified conditions are met.

    According to the Regulations, to apply for “direct issue”, the driving licence issued by the relevant recognised country or place must still be valid or expired for not more than three years, and be obtained by the applicant after successful completion of a driving test conducted in the issuing country or place. Also, the applicant must be aged 18 years or above and meet one of the following requirements: (1) the driving licence held was issued during a period of the applicant’s residence of not less than six months in the issuing country or place; or (2) the applicant has been holding the driving licence issued by the recognised country or place for not less than five years immediately prior to the application; or (3) the applicant is the holder of a passport or other equivalent travel document issued in the country or place in which the driving licence was issued.

    A consolidated reply to the various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Dennis Lam is as follows:

    (1) to (3) For the convenience of the general public, the TD, as in the case of other licensing services, allows applicants for “direct issue” to choose to submit their applications and supporting documents in person or by authorised persons (including family members, friends, etc) based on their own needs. To meet the eligibility criteria of “direct issue” under the Regulations, an applicant or his/her authorised person should, when submitting an application, produce the relevant original copies of various supporting documents which are authentic and accurate (including a valid driving licence issued by the recognised country or place, the applicant’s passport/other travel document, proof of address or Certificate of Driving Licence Particulars, etc) for on-site inspection by TD staff. The TD has been processing the applications in a stringent manner to ensure that all applications are correctly approved.

    Currently, applicants for “direct issue” may use counter services and submit application documents through making online appointments or obtaining same-day queue tickets at the Licensing Offices. As regards obtaining same-day queue tickets, in order to maintain the good order of queuing, the TD has further stepped up staff patrols, set up additional barriers to separate those queuing up for the tickets for “direct issue” and those for the tickets for general driving licensing services, and demarcated designated areas for queuing. In addition, in relation to “direct issue”, the TD will specify the sequence of queuing tickets to prevent situations such as queue-jumping. The TD has been posting notices and deploying staff and security guards to provide on-site assistance as appropriate. Any acts found to be disrupting public order will be reported to the Hong Kong Police Force for follow-up.

    To strengthen verification of the identity of queuers, the TD has enhanced the queue ticketing system for same-day queue tickets to ensure that a person using the same identification document (ID) can only obtain one queue ticket for each time slot. The counter staff will conduct strict checking of the ID number of the user and ascertain that the queuer is the one who uses the counter services, so as to curb transfer of queue tickets. Once an unauthorised transfer of queue ticket is found, all relevant queue tickets will become void immediately and the applications will not be processed.

    To address the issue of individuals touting facilitation services after obtaining same-day queue tickets, the TD will further enhance the queue ticketing system from mid-August 2025, whereby all queuers will be required to input both the ID numbers of their own and those of the applicants for “direct issue”, which will then be printed on the tickets. When a ticket holder uses the counter services, the counter staff will verify his/her ID numbers and those of the applicant. If either of these ID numbers does not match with those printed on the ticket, the ticket will become void and the application will not be processed. This enhanced arrangement will deter individuals from touting with the same-day queue tickets obtained. The TD will publicise the latest operational arrangement of the queue ticketing system on its website and announce the relevant information through social media. The TD staff will post notices on-site and provide assistance to members of the public at the venue.

    (4) The TD has been highly concerned about the situation of queue ticketing and online appointments, and has implemented targeted enhancement measures. Apart from the aforementioned enhanced arrangements for same-day queue tickets, in terms of online appointments, the TD will strengthen its co-operation with the relevant issuers of driving licences. For example, starting from September 2025, applicants’ information in relation to Mainland driving licences provided via online appointments will be checked. If the information is found to be untrue, the relevant online appointment will be cancelled and the quota will be reopened for appointment by other applicants. The relevant measures will ensure the enhancement of effective operation of the system.

    The TD will keep in view of the effectiveness of the aforementioned enhancement measures and make timely adjustments to the relevant arrangements, as well as continue to promote the digitalisation of licensing services, thereby allocating more counters for processing applications which require counter services such as “direct issue”.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ2: Increasing Government revenue from land premium

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Rock Chen and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:
     
    Land premium is one of the major revenue sources of the Government. However, there are views pointing out that the current high inventory of new private residential units has reduced developers’ willingness to bid for land, apply for payment of land premium and redevelop old buildings. This has led to significant fluctuations in public finances. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will consider introducing targeted measures to lower the initial investment costs for developers’ projects, e.g. enhancing the additional conditions for land sales and splitting up sites for sale, etc, as well as stepping up publicity to attract more local and overseas developers to invest in land, thereby increasing the revenue from land premium; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) whether it will re-launch the “Application List” system (i.e. the Government puts land up for sale hinges on whether there is any developer triggers a certain piece of land) in order to strike a balance between market demand and the Government’s dominant position; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) apart from lowering the application threshold for compulsory sale for the redevelopment of old buildings, will the Government consider adjusting the upper limits of plot ratios in various districts to attract developers to participate in the redevelopment of old buildings by raising the plot ratios of sites earmarked for redevelopment; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The Government land revenue primarily comes from premium generated from land sales, private treaty grants and lease modifications. The market sentiment can be affected by economic and property market conditions, resulting in fluctuations in land revenue. The Government’s policy objective is to maintain a sustained and stable land supply to support society and industry development in Hong Kong. The Government will continuously create land and roll out such land to the market in an orderly manner in light of the latest situation.
     
    Regarding various parts of the Hon Chen’s question, the Development Bureau (DEVB)’s reply is as follows:
     
    Firstly, regardless of external environment or property market conditions, the Government will strive to enhance the attractiveness of land sale sites. When formulating the annual land sale list and deciding when to dispose of individual sites to the market, the Government has been closely monitoring market conditions and listening to the views of the industry and potential investors. In recent years, the Government has introduced smaller-scale residential sites located in mature neighbourhood with simple tender terms. The market response has been positive, with all four residential sites successfully tendered out in the previous financial year (2024-25).
     
    Apart from individual land sale sites, we are mindful of the need to alleviate the financial pressure on developers participating in projects of larger scale. Last December, the Government conducted an expressions of interest exercise for three pilot areas under large-scale land disposal in the Northern Metropolis (NM). We have invited the market to provide views on, among other things, various financial arrangements including payment of premium by instalment with certain interest rate. We would liaise with the banking sector on any facilitating arrangements for developers to finance the NM projects. To enhance development incentives of the developers, we will consider allowing land owners to voluntarily surrender land planned to be resumed by the Government in the NM to offset the premium payable for in-situ land exchange or large-scale land disposal in new development areas. In addition, we are exploring wider application of the “pay for what you build” approach, which allows developers to pay premium for lease modifications that is determined based on the actual floor area and actual use, thereby reducing their development costs.
     
    On publicity, we held the Enterprise Participation in Northern Metropolis Development Event last November. Over 80 enterprise representatives attended and signed a Memorandum of Understanding about supporting and participating in the NM development. During the ceremony, 35 enterprise representatives also signed agreements among them to collaborate in the NM development, with a total investment of over $100 billion, demonstrating strong confidence and interest in the NM.

    We also joined hands with other bureaux, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) in promoting the NM and facilitating the development of various industries therein. In particular, OASES is tasked with attracting high-potential and representative strategic enterprises from around the globe, and has announced four batches of 84 strategic enterprises that have set up or expanded their businesses in Hong Kong, many of which have also expressed interest in establishing their presence in the NM. InvestHK, on the other hand, is committed to assisting Mainland and overseas enterprises to set up and expand in Hong Kong by providing one-stop support services. Last year, InvestHK assisted over 500 enterprises to set up or expand in Hong Kong, including those which have expressed interest in the land for industries in the NM. OASES, InvestHK and the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office under the DEVB will further collaborate to follow up on the needs of those enterprises interested in setting up businesses in the NM.
     
    Secondly, under the prevailing system, the Government will announce the Land Sale List in advance on a yearly basis, and also the land tender programme on a quarterly basis based on considerations such as policy needs, market conditions and other sources of supply. We consider that the current system enables the Government to assume the lead in land disposal, thereby ensuring that it can increase the supply of land in a stable and prudent manner. At present, the Government has no intention to re-launch the “Application List” system, nor does it have any plan to implement a dual-track approach of land sale and adopting the “Application List” system, so as not to cause disruption to the Government’s strategy and pace regarding land disposal and send confusing signals to the market. If developers are interested in particular sites, they may express their interest to the DEVB through various channels for its reference.
     
    As one of the Government’s measures to encourage the private sector to participate in the redevelopment of old buildings, the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the Amendment Ordinance) was implemented last December to lower the compulsory sale application thresholds and facilitate multiple adjoining-lot compulsory sale applications. Since the implementation of the Amendment Ordinance, the Lands Tribunal has received four compulsory sale applications.
     
    The Government has also implemented other measures in recent years to incentivise the private sector to participate in the redevelopment of old buildings, so as to expedite the pace of urban renewal. For example, we have been progressively implementing the recommendations proposed in the District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok completed in 2021, including piloting the transfer of plot ratio within the same district and permitting interchangeability of domestic and non-domestic plot ratio, with a view to enhancing the financial viability of redevelopment projects. For the ongoing district studies for Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan being undertaken by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), we would explore the feasibility of adjusting the maximum plot ratio of individual district, as well as increasing the maximum plot ratio of individual old building site upon redevelopment. The URA will submit the Master Renewal Plans to the Government in the second half of this year. Moreover, the DEVB is studying the use of newly developed land to drive large-scale urban redevelopment projects, including considering cross-district transfer of unutilised plot ratio be allowed from old districts to new development areas, and reducing the density of old districts. We will complete the relevant study and put forward preliminary recommendations within this year.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Flexi-trip Arrangement for High Speed Rail

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Gary Zhang a reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) launched in August 2023 the Same-day Flexi-trip Arrangement (Flexi-trip) for passengers travelling between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Futian Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The service has been extended to include train trips running to and from Shenzhenbei Station since March 18 last year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it knows the current number of Flexi-trip-applicable train trips, its percentage in the total number of train trips running via Futian Station and/or Shenzhenbei Station, and the average proportion of passengers utilising Flexi-trip among such train trips;

    (2) whether it knows the average occupancy rates of Flexi-trip-applicable train trips during weekdays, weekends and public holidays respectively from August 2023 to March 17 last year, and from March 18 last year to the present; and

    (3) as it is learnt that the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway fully implemented the electronic ticket “valid once throughout the ticketed date” services in March this year, allowing passengers who have purchased their tickets to travel on trains of the same direction and of the same class throughout the ticketed date without having to alter tickets, whether the Government will require MTRCL to study applying this ticketing model to Flexi-trip so as to facilitate passenger travel; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    Since the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) on September 23, 2018, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the operator of the XRL Hong Kong Section, i.e. the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), have all along been committed to enhancing the services and operational arrangements of the XRL, with a view to fully realising its socio-economic benefits and the advantages of interconnectivity with the national high-speed rail network. The XRL Hong Kong Section connects with the national high speed rail network, which currently spans over 47 000 kilometres. The number of Mainland destinations directly accessible from West Kowloon Station has more than doubled from 44 in the initial commissioning to 96, including 11 short-haul destinations and 85 long-haul destinations. The number of train trips operated per day has also increased from 166 in the initial stage to at least 208 currently. Apart from gradually introducing more destinations, the MTRCL has been actively exploring the provision of diversified XRL train services and products with the Mainland railway authorities, with a view to providing convenience to passengers and meeting their different needs. Of these, there are Same-day Flexi-trip Arrangement (Flexi-trip Arrangement) that provides greater flexibility in journey planning for short-haul travellers; multiple journey tickets, such as the 30-day Ticket and 20-ride Ticket, for frequent travellers commuting between the two places; and sleeper train service running in the mode of evening departures and morning arrivals that provides an alternative travelling experience to long-haul travellers. The XRL caters for the different needs of travellers ranging from short-haul and long-haul trips to business, leisure, and family visits, facilitating more frequent flow of people between the two places.

    In consultation with the MTRCL, my consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Gary Zhang is as follows:

    (1) and (2) The Flexi-trip Arrangement, first introduced on August 14, 2023, was a new ticketing arrangement, allowing passengers travelling between West Kowloon Station and Futian Station to flexibly alter their train trips on the same day. Apart from altering their tickets once for free before train departure through the General Ticket Alteration arrangement, passengers are also allowed to alter their train trips for up to three times on the day of travel through the Flexi-trip Arrangement. Since March 18, 2024, the arrangement has been extended to cover direct trains running between West Kowloon Station and Shenzhenbei Station, and trains departing from or terminating at Shenzhenbei Station that call at Futian Station. “Non-reserved Seats” are also available for train trips covered by the Flexi-trip Arrangement to provide more room and flexibility to passengers in altering their train trips.  

    According to the information provided by the MTRCL, starting from July 1, 2025, there is a daily total of 109 train trips at West Kowloon Station calling at, departing from or terminating at Futian Station, with 74 of these train trips open for the Flexi-trip Arrangement, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total; and 167 trains calling at, departing from or terminating at Shenzhenbei Station, with 60 of these trains open for Flexi-trip Arrangement, accounting for about 40 per cent of the total. Overall, Flexi-trip Arrangement is applicable to a total of 98 train trips.

    Based on the MTRCL’s assessment, after the introduction of the Flexi-trip Arrangement, the overall patronage of the relevant train trips has increased, suggesting that Flexi-trip Arrangement is one of the factors attracting more passengers to take the XRL. The average loading of the Flexi-trip Arrangement-applicable train trips was about 40 per cent for the first phase, and remained at similar level after the extension of the arrangement to Shenzhenbei Station in the second phase, among which the related loading was nearly 60 per cent on average during weekends and public holidays. Of the train trips applicable for Flexi-trip Arrangement, passengers using Flexi-trip Arrangement account for an average of nearly 10 per cent of the total patronage of these trips.

    (3) With the increasingly frequent flow of people between Hong Kong and the Mainland, the commissioning of the XRL Hong Kong Section has realised the “one-hour living circle” in the Greater Bay Area. The Flexi-trip Arrangement further facilitates the flexible travel of visitors, marking a significant breakthrough in the services of the XRL Hong Kong Section. The HKSAR Government and the MTRCL have been actively reviewing how to further bring greater convenience to visitors. 

    As we understand, the China Railway Guangzhou Group Company Limited introduced the “Same-day One-time Valid” electronic ticket service on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway running between Guangzhou and Shenzhen in March 2025. In short, passengers with a “Same-day One-Time Valid” ticket can choose to take any train of the same direction and class on the same day according to their travel needs. This arrangement saves passengers the hassle of altering their train ticket, enabling more flexibility in choosing different trains and bringing greater convenience to passengers.  

    Upon introduction of such ticketing arrangement at the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway, the MTRCL approached the relevant Mainland authorities to explore the feasibility of introducing a similar arrangement in the XRL Hong Kong Section. The HKSAR Government supports the MTRCL to continue exploring various measures to facilitate passengers’ travel. We understand that the MTRCL has recently been actively studying the details of the relevant arrangements with relevant Mainland authorities, with due consideration to factors such as the clearance procedures, ticketing arrangements, train operation safety involved in the XRL Hong Kong section, etc.

    The HKSAR Government and the MTRCL will maintain communication and co-ordination with the Mainland railway authorities and the relevant departments to continuously enhance the services of the XRL Hong Kong Section, with a view to providing convenient and comfortable services to passengers.

    Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ12: Smoking cessation support services and tobacco control education

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Lillian Kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

         There are views pointing out that among the many tobacco control measures implemented by the Government in recent years, smoking cessation support services and education are of great importance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it knows the number of persons served by the smoking cessation clinics under the Hospital Authority in each month of the past three years, as well as such persons’ success rate of quitting smoking;

    (2) whether it has compiled statistics on the relapse rate for the persons who successfully quit smoking as mentioned in (1), and whether it has provided them with follow-up and support services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) of the following information on the provision of community-based smoking cessation services by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) subvented by the Department of Health in the past three years: the names of such NGOs, the types of services provided, the number of participants in the smoking cessation services and, among them, the numbers of those who completed the smoking cessation service programme and successfully quit smoking, as well as those who failed to complete the entire service programme;

    (4) whether it has conducted survey on the levels of satisfaction of smoking cessation service users with the various smoking cessation support services (such as smoking cessation counselling services, medications, and smoking cessation services with Chinese medicine and acupuncture) and collected relevant feedback; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (5) whether it has compiled statistics on the ratios of different smoking cessation treatments used in Hong Kong at present;

    (6) whether it has compiled statistics on and assessed the relationship between the allocation of public resources and the effectiveness of smoking cessation services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (7) whether it has studied and analysed the reasons for smoking among minors and adults respectively; if so, of the details, and how its future tobacco control education and publicity strategies will tie in with the findings of the relevant studies; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         Having consulted the Hospital Authority (HA), the consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Lillian Kwok is as follows:

    (1) to (6) Promoting smoking cessation is an important pillar under the tobacco control strategy. The Department of Health (DH) is responsible for co-ordinating smoking cessation services in Hong Kong. In addition to operating the Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline that handles general enquiries and provides professional counselling on smoking cessation, the DH also collaborates with local universities for setting up hotlines to provide telephone-counselling services especially for young smokers. From 2022 to 2024, the Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline of the DH handled 7 404, 9 684, and 9 297 enquiries respectively. Satisfaction survey results revealed that over 90 per cent of the service recipients interviewed were satisfied with the service in general. 

         On smoking cessation service, the DH collaborates with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in providing free and accessible community-based smoking cessation services including counselling service and consultations by doctors (with free postal services of smoking cessation medication) or Chinese medicine practitioners, and designated services for smokers from different ethnicities, as well as immigrant, teenager and workplace smokers. The DH arranges referrals for smokers to access various local smoking cessation services, including the aforementioned community-based smoking cessation services or those provided by clinics under the HA. The smoking cessation clinics under the HA will also assist HA’s patients (especially those with chronic diseases) in quitting smoking. Smoking cessation service providers provides smokers receiving smoking cessation treatment with 52-week follow-up services to assess their quit status. The DH also launched the “Quit Smoking App”, through which smokers can assess their nicotine dependence level, set quit plan, record quitting progress and get tips on how to deal with smoking craving, which would help maintain a smoke-free life.

         From 2022 to 2024, 20 389, 27 709, and 28 559 smokers received smoking cessation services respectively through HA’s smoking cessation clinics or community-based smoking cessation services (see Annex). The quit rates of service users (i.e. the percentage of service users who self-reported to have stayed quit in the past seven days) at 52 weeks after the quit date ranged from 20 per cent to 60 per cent (Note), which are comparable to those in overseas countries. The DH and HA do not maintain relevant data on the relapse rates among successful quitters.

         The Government announced in June last year “10 measures for tobacco control”, which include strengthening smoking cessation services. Currently, smoking cessation services have been extended to cover all District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses across 18 districts in Hong Kong with a view to facilitating quitters in finding the most suitable and convenient way to quit smoking. The DH has also subvented three more Chinese medicine smoking cessation service providers (from one to four in total) starting from this year to operate smoking cessation clinics with an emphasis on counselling and acupuncture. The available service quotas for Chinese and Western medicine smoking cessation services under the community-based smoking cessation services are expected to increase to approximately 2 600 and 4 000 per annum respectively.

         Smoking cessation is a dynamic process, and its effectiveness is influenced by social and environmental factors. For example, past experience from increasing tobacco duty shows that the greater the tax hike, the larger the number of calls received by the smoking cessation hotline. On the other hand, publicity and educational efforts are critical to assisting smokers to quit smoking successfully. Therefore, it is recommended under the “10 measures for tobacco control” to also strengthen publicity and education. The DH is committed to promoting a smoke-free culture, including promoting smoking cessation through mass media and promotional campaigns. The DH has launched the Quit in June campaign since 2021, and subsequently started distributing one-week trial packs of smoking cessation drugs (nicotine replacement therapy) to smokers for free with a view to encouraging smokers to attempt quitting and increasing the success rate, as well as introduced a trial programme on the use of Chinese medicine ear-point patches for smoking cessation. Most of the smokers who have tried the ear-point patches consider them useful in relieving the withdrawal symptoms. Following the Quit in June campaign each year, the number of calls to the smoking cessation hotline has significantly increased, indicating an uptick in smokers’ intentions to quit.

         Smoking cessation is beneficial to smokers of any age. There is a wide range of smoking cessation therapies that have been proven effective. Studies show that counselling and pharmacotherapy can boost the quit rate substantially. Through personalised and targeted smoking cessation services, healthcare professionals can better assist smokers in quitting smoking, and at the same time help the Government to promote smoking cessation more precisely. The Government will continue to support smokers intending to quit smoking and allocate resources as needed to strengthen smoking cessation services as well as publicity and promotional efforts, thereby safeguarding public health.

    (7) The results of the Thematic Household Survey (THS) in 2023 showed that among the daily smokers of conventional cigarettes aged 15 and above in Hong Kong, over 90 per cent started smoking due to the influence of family, friends, or others. As such, the Government has actively engaged in public education for promoting a smoke-free environment. The DH, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, NGOs and healthcare professionals, have targeted young people on promoting anti-smoking messages, including organising smoking cessation competitions, health talks, training programmes and theatre programmes with local service groups; and through interactive teaching materials and mobile classrooms, revealing to students the tactics used by the tobacco industry to promote tobacco products and equipping them with the skills to resist picking up smoking habit when under peer pressure.

         The findings of the THS showed that the younger the age group, the higher the rate of smoking flavoured cigarettes, and nearly 70 per cent smoked flavoured cigarettes when they first smoked. Scientific evidence shows that flavoured cigarettes, such as menthol or fruit-flavoured cigarettes, reduce the awareness of the hazards of tobacco and increase the chances of non-smokers (especially teenagers) to start smoking, as well as making them more vulnerable to continuing with the smoking habit and harder to quit. Besides, the findings of the school-based surveys on smoking pattern of students as commissioned by the Health Bureau and conducted by the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong in 2023 revealed that the ratio of secondary school students who currently smoke electronic cigarettes to those who smoke conventional cigarettes was similar (1.1 per cent each), indicating that e-cigarettes, among other smoking products, are particularly popular amongst the younger generation. Research suggests that e-cigarettes can serve as a gateway to smoking conventional cigarette. In this connection, the “10 measures for tobacco control” include banning flavoured conventional smoking products, banning the possession of alternative smoking products (ASPs), as well as prohibiting the provision of conventional smoking products and ASPs to persons aged below 18.

         The Government will continue to step up the work on smoking cessation and explore various tobacco control measures in the medium and long term in order to eliminate the hazards posed by tobacco products on the society in all aspects and protect the health of the community under a progressive and multi-pronged approach with a view to moving towards a tobacco-free Hong Kong.

    Note: The quit rates recorded by different smoking cessation programmes vary due to differences in target groups and treatment methods (for example counselling, pharmacotherapy and Chinese medicine and acupuncture). Smokers should choose the smoking cessation service/method that best suits their personal needs in order to quit smoking successfully.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ3: Village land and Small House Policy

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Junius Ho and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:
     
    Article 40 of the Basic Law stipulates that the lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the “New Territories” shall be protected by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. According to the Court of Final Appeal’s judgment in 2021, all components under the Small House Policy are lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories. However, there are views that the existing Small House Policy, which has been in force for over 50 ‍years, has become outdated in terms of its implementation and details. Regarding village land and the Small House Policy, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it has recently reviewed the Small House Policy for indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) given that according to the paper submitted by the Government to the Panel on Development of this Council in December last year, the Government has commenced a consultancy study on how to promote urban-rural integration in the entire Northern Metropolis, which will include formulating guidelines on implementation of urban-rural integration, of the progress of the relevant work and the specific measures in place to promote village participation in development, so as to unleash land potential; and
     
    (3) given that some members of the community have put forward a proposal for “ding” buildings, which involves pooling the rights and interests of various indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories in building small houses (commonly known as “ding” rights) to develop modern apartment buildings, whether the Government will take this proposal into consideration?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    The New Territories Small House Policy has been implemented since 1972, to allow a male indigenous villager aged 18 years old or above who is descended through the male line from a resident in 1898 of a recognised village in the New Territories to apply for permission to erect, for once in his lifetime, a small house for himself on a suitable site within his own village.
     
    In response to the respective parts raised by Dr the Hon Ho, our reply is as follows:
     
    (1) The Court of Final Appeal (CFA) ruled on the judicial review of the Small House Policy in 2021, confirming that all components under the Small House Policy, namely Free Building Licence, Private Treaty Grant and Land Exchange, are lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitants of the New Territories within the meaning of Article 40 of the Basic Law. In view of the historical background of the Small House Policy, having been in operation for many years, and that the CFA has upheld its lawfulness and compatibility with the Basic Law, we currently have no plans to review the relevant policy.
     
    That being said, we appreciate the needs for eligible New Territories indigenous villagers to build small houses. Since 2021, the Government has streamlined the procedures for processing small house applications with a view to expediting approvals under the existing policy framework, including processing procedures under various aspects in parallel, simplifying the procedures for handling objections and conducting face-to-face meetings with applicants for direct discussion.
     
    The above measures have gradually shown results. The average number of small house applications processed by the Lands Department (LandsD) each year increased to more than 2 500 cases in the years from 2022 to 2024, surpassing its performance pledge of 2 300 cases, while the number of applications approved per year also increased from over 500 in 2022 to over 800 in 2024, representing an increase of more than 55 per cent.
     
    In addition, to expedite the development of small houses, the LandsD implemented in January this year, on a pilot basis, a self-certification scheme at the District Lands Office (DLO), Yuen Long, which allows lot owners to appoint registered professionals at their own expense to prepare and submit the relevant documents for self-certification of compliance of relevant approval requirements, thereby leveraging the resources in the industry and expediting the approval process. The LandsD will also streamline and expedite the approval process for applications submitted under the scheme with the target of completing the processing of cases within 10 weeks upon receipt of all required documents. The LandsD has extended the coverage of the scheme to DLO, North in July this year.
     
    (2) The Northern Metropolis (NM) possesses many historical and traditional rural townships and precious natural ecology, which are embedded with rich historical and cultural resources. “Urban-rural integration” is one of the key focuses in the development of the NM. In planning new development areas, we will preserve the layout and appearance of traditional villages. Through proper planning to soften the urban-rural interface, we can integrate new development areas and the rural areas in harmony. The villagers will also benefit from new transport and other infrastructure and facilities, as well as new and diverse employment opportunities. With a view to bringing new business opportunities to villages and facilitating visitors to experience the rural culture, we are exploring further facilitation measures under the prevailing Small House Policy to encourage an appropriate provision of village shops, restaurants and home-stay lodging facilities. We will also appropriately conserve and revitalise historical buildings and provide venues for carrying out traditional activities to promote cultural heritage. By combining tourism resources such as natural ecology and historical buildings, we can promote “tourism is everywhere” and enrich the rural living experience.
     
    The Government has engaged a consultant to formulate the policies and approaches to further promote “urban-rural integration” in the development of the NM. During the process, various stakeholders including the villagers would be consulted. We will report the progress to the Legislative Council at an appropriate juncture.
     
    (3) The intent of the Small House Policy is to enable the habitation of indigenous inhabitants in low-density village environments. The permission of “ding” buildings or high-density development is not compatible with the policy intention. The existing legislation has also set out clear rules regarding development of small houses. In accordance with the Buildings Ordinance (Application to the New Territories) Ordinance (Cap. 121), a small house shall neither contain more than three storeys nor exceed a height of 8.23 metres (27 feet) and the maximum roofed-over area of the house shall not exceed 65.03 square metres (700 square feet). From a planning perspective, land originally planned for low-rise and low-density development may not be suitable for high-rise and high-density development.
     
    Hence, whether seen from either the policy, legal or planning perspective, the “ding” building proposal will represent a significant deviation from or change to the prevailing arrangements for small houses. Separately, the Government is taking forward the development of the NM in full force. The NM closely relates to the overall public interest and, upon its full development, will supply 3 000 hectares of land with 500 000 new housing units for members of the public from all walks of life, and provide substantial land for industry development and create diverse employment opportunities. Development of the NM is both a consensus of our society and the priority of the Government. Given its controversy, we therefore do not consider it appropriate to consider the “ding” building proposal at this juncture, as doing so will invariably spark discussion and divert the Government’s efforts and resources.
     
    Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Online auction of vehicle registration marks to be held from August 7 to 11

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Transport Department (TD) today (July 23) said that the next online auction of vehicle registration marks (VRMs) will be held from noon on August 7 (Thursday) to noon on August 11 (Monday) through the auction platform E-Auction (e-auction.td.gov.hk). Interested bidders can participate in the online auction only after they have successfully registered as E-Auction users.
     
         A spokesman for the TD said, “A total of 200 Ordinary VRMs will be available at this online public auction. The list of VRMs (see Annex) has been uploaded to the E-Auction website. Applicants who have paid a $1,000 deposit to reserve the Ordinary VRM for auction should also register as an E-Auction user in advance in order to participate in the online bidding, including placing the first bid at the opening price of $1,000. Otherwise, the VRMs reserved by them may be bid on by other interested bidders at or above the opening price. Auctions for VRMs with ‘HK’ or ‘XX’ as a prefix, special VRMs and personalised VRMs will continue to be carried out through physical auctions by bidding paddles and their announcement arrangements remain unchanged.”
     
         Members of the public participating in the online bidding should take note of the following important points:
     
    (1) Bidders should register in advance as an E-Auction user by “iAM Smart+” equipped with the digital signing function; or by using a valid digital certificate and an email address upon completion of identity verification. Registered “iAM Smart” users should provide their Hong Kong identity card number, while non-Hong Kong residents who are not “iAM Smart” users should provide the number of their passport or other identification documents when registering as E-Auction users.
     
    (2) Bidders are required to provide a digital signature to confirm the submission and amount of the bid by using “iAM Smart+” or a valid digital certificate at the time of the first bid of each online bidding session (including setting automatic bids before the auction begins) to comply with the requirements of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance.
     
    (3) If a bid is made in respect of a VRM within the last 10 minutes before the end of the auction, the auction end time for that particular VRM will be automatically extended by another 10 minutes, up to a maximum of 24 hours.
     
    (4) Successful bidders must follow the instructions in the notification email issued by the TD to log in to the E-Auction within 48 hours from the issuance of email and complete the follow-up procedures, including:
     

    • completing the Purchaser Information for the issuance of the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark (Memorandum of Sale); and
    • making the auction payment online by credit card, Faster Payment System (FPS) or Payment by Phone Service (PPS). Cheque or cash payment is not accepted in the E-Auction.

    (5) A VRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. Relevant information on the Certificate of Incorporation must be provided by the successful bidder in the Purchaser Information of the Memorandum of Sale if the VRM purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
     
    (6) Successful bidders will receive a notification email around seven working days after payment has been confirmed and can download the Memorandum of Sale from the E-Auction. The purchaser must apply for the VRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser within 12 months from the date of issue of the Memorandum of Sale. If the purchaser fails to do so within the 12-month period, in accordance with the statutory provision, the allocation of the VRM will be cancelled and a new allocation will be arranged by the TD without prior notice to the purchaser.
     
         The TD has informed all applicants who have reserved the Ordinary VRMs for this round of auction of the E-Auction arrangements in detail by post. Members of the public may refer to the E-Auction website or watch the tutorial videos for more information. Please call the E-Auction hotline (3583 3980) or email (e-auction-enquiry@td.gov.hk) for enquiries.
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EPD convictions in June

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Thirty-six convictions were recorded in June 2025 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.
     
         One of the convictions was under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, seven were under the Noise Control Ordinance, seven were under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation, six were under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, 14 were under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and one was under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.
     
         A company was fined $30,000, which was the heaviest fine in June, for importing controlled waste without a permit.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hongkong Post to issue “24 Solar Terms – Autumn” special stamps (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Hongkong Post announced today (July 23) that a set of special stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of “24 Solar Terms – Autumn” will be released for sale on August 7 (Thursday).
     
         The 24 Solar Terms collectively refer to a knowledge system of time and social practices progressively developed by Chinese people through observation of the sun’s periodic motion, changes of seasons and phenological cycles. This system was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2016.
     
         As a continuation of the “24 Solar Terms” series subsequent to the special stamps themed on “24 Solar Terms – Spring” and “24 Solar Terms – Summer” issued in 2020 and 2023 respectively, Hongkong Post will issue a set of six stamps and associated philatelic products on the theme of “24 Solar Terms – Autumn”, depicting the scenes of the six solar terms of autumn, namely “Autumn Commences”, “End of Heat”, “White Dew”, “Autumnal Equinox”, “Cold Dew” and “Frost”, in a myriad of colours.
     
         Official first day covers for “24 Solar Terms – Autumn” will be on sale at all post offices and Hongkong Post’s online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from tomorrow (July 24). This set of special stamps and associated philatelic products will be on sale at all post offices and ShopThruPost from August 7, while serviced first day covers affixed with the special stamps will be available at philatelic offices only.
     
         A hand-back date-stamping service will be provided on August 7 at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
     
         Information about this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS to attend press conference on preparations for 15th National Games in Beijing

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will depart for Beijing tomorrow afternoon (July 24) to attend the press conference on preparations for the 15th National Games organised by the Information Office of the State Council on July 25.

         The Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), Mr Yeung Tak-keung, will join the trip.

         Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong at night on July 25. During his absence, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ16: Conservation of geopark in Sai Kung

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Stanley Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    There are views that the geopark in Sai Kung (geopark), as part of Hong Kong’s precious natural and geological heritage, has ecological conservation, scientific research and tourism education values. However, it has been reported that with the increase in the number of tourists recently, the pollution problem of the geopark has been worsening, posing challenges to the natural environment and the sustainable development of scenic areas. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the current numbers and distribution of litter bins and waste separation facilities in the geopark, as well as the frequency of waste removal and conveyance at such facilities; in view of the waste disposal pressure arising from the surge in the number of tourists, whether the Government has specific plans to increase the number of temporary cleansing facilities, optimise the waste conveyance routes or introduce smart waste monitoring equipment to enhance the efficiency of disposal; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (2) whether it has launched publicity and educational measures on the conservation of the geopark (such as by placing publicity notices in the geopark and producing guidebooks); whether it will make use of multimedia to step up multilingual publicity and introduce interactive environmental education experience projects, and publicise “Leave No Trace” tourism through travel agencies and at the entrances of scenic areas; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) regarding littering in the geopark, of the relevant law enforcement manpower and frequency of inspections at present, as well as the number of relevant prosecutions instituted in the past three years; whether it will consider installing additional surveillance devices at the key areas where littering is often detected; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (4) whether the Government will establish an interdepartmental working group (comprising the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, etc) to co-ordinate the geopark’s waste management; whether it will promote tripartite co-operation among the Government, environmental groups and local villagers/business operators in handling refuse in the geopark, such as by encouraging business operators in neighbouring areas to take part in the cleaning work, recruiting community volunteers to go to the geopark for cleaning on a regular basis, or introducing an “Environmental Contribution Award Scheme” to attract the input of community resources; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (5) in the light of the ecological sensitivity of the geopark, whether the Government has plans to assess its visitor carrying capacity, and formulate measures such as booking of time slots or limiting visitor flows to strike a balance between visitor demand and environmental conservation; whether the Government will, in the long run, devise a Development Strategy for Hong Kong Geopark and incorporate waste management into its contents, while formulating systematic improvement proposals by combining ecological restoration, low-carbon tourism facilities (e.g. setting up distribution points for degradable rubbish bags) and the environmental impact assessment mechanism; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Hong Kong Geopark) consists of two geological regions, the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region and Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region. Most of the geopark attractions are located within country parks and special areas, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is responsible for the regular management work. In response to the question raised by Hon Stanley Li, a detailed reply is provided as follows:

    (1) The AFCD has been committed to keeping the country parks clean and educating the public to cherish nature. Since 2015, through the “take your litter home” campaign, visitors have been encouraged to cultivate a sense of stewardship towards the natural environmental. To tie in with this initiative, litter bins and recycling bins along hiking trails have been removed since the end of 2017, while litter collection facilities are retained at recreational sites (e.g. barbecue sites and campsites) for use by visitors if needed. The AFCD collects litter from recreational sites, hiking trails and public toilets. The litter is then either transported to landfills or handed over to recycling service contractors for processing. The AFCD would flexibly adjust the arrangement for and frequency of litter collection and handling according to actual needs at different locations in country parks, as well as the usage and hygiene conditions of popular sites. In particular, during long holidays and weekends, the AFCD would strengthen relevant cleaning work. In response to the recent upsurge of visitors at some popular Hong Kong Geopark attractions, the AFCD has enhanced cleaning and management efforts, and the environmental conditions at these sites remain generally good.

    (2) In regard to the issue of countryside litter, it is crucial to promote the message of reducing waste at source and caring for nature to the public. The AFCD has organised a variety of education activities, such as roving exhibitions, nature interpretation services, etc, to raise public awareness on responsible hiking practices. These messages have also been disseminated through multimedia, such as online videos (website: www.youtube.com/@HongKongCountryParks) and social media channels (Hong Kong Country Parks Facebook: www.facebook.com/hongkongcountryparks), in a lively manner to continuously raise the public’s awareness. Posters, promotion banners and signages have been displayed at suitable locations in Hong Kong Geopark and at the entrances and exits of hiking trails to remind visitors to take their litter away and observe hiking etiquette. In collaboration with the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, seminars and field trips have been organised for tourist guides to enhance their understanding of Hong Kong Geopark attractions, and the message of “take your litter home”. The AFCD has also co-operated with the Economic and Trade Offices in the Mainland and the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province to publicise relevant messages through social media channels in the Mainland, and will continue to promote the relevant messages of “leave no trace” through various channels and initiatives.

    (3) According to the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations (Cap. 208A), anyone who litters in country parks or special areas commits an offence and is liable to prosecution. Upon conviction, the offender may be fined up to $10,000 and imprisoned for three months. In addition, under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570), any person who violates the above offence may be subject to a fixed fine of $3,000. Currently, about 150 AFCD staff conduct regular patrols and law enforcement actions in country parks and special areas over the territory. Patrols and law enforcement are part of the regular management work of country parks, and there is no detailed breakdown of the manpower and the number of patrols conducted at each country park and special area for combatting littering offences. The number of patrols conducted, prosecution instituted and fixed penalty notice issued for littering by the AFCD in country parks and special areas across the territory over the past three years are tabulated as follows:
     

    Year Number of patrol Number of prosecution (within Hong Kong Geopark) Number of fixed penalty notice (within Hong Kong Geopark)
    2022 13 024 1 (0) 13 (0)
    2023 13 891 0 (0) 8 (0)
    2024 14 266 0 (0) 7 (1)

    In light of the recent upsurge of visitors at Hong Kong Geopark Sai Kung High Island Reservoir East Dam, the AFCD has been enhancing efforts in reminding visitors to keep countryside clean by displaying banners at suitable locations, including entrances and exits of hiking trails, and using local and Mainland social media platforms (e.g. Xiaohongshu), as well as taking law enforcement actions against littering and other offences within country parks. The AFCD will continue to review and adjust the patrolling arrangements in country parks from time to time in the light of actual circumstances, and arrange special operations or utilise technology such as smart surveillance when necessary to strengthen law enforcement work against illegal activities within country parks.

    (4) Most Hong Kong Geopark attractions are located within the country parks, and the cleaning work is conducted by the AFCD. When litter is identified in public areas outside the country parks, it will be referred to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for cleanup. The AFCD has been working closely with various stakeholders to conserve the geological heritage and natural environment of Hong Kong Geopark. This includes assisting villages around the attractions of the park to follow up on environmental hygiene issues. To raise awareness among the youth about protecting the natural environment, the AFCD has invited students to collect litter during field trips to Hong Kong Geopark. In addition, the AFCD has encouraged and co-ordinated volunteer cleanup activities in Hong Kong Geopark. Since last year, over 20 such activities have been organised.

    (5) Important geological and ecological sites of Hong Kong Geopark are protected under legislation including the Country Parks Ordinance and the Marine Parks Ordinance. The main objectives of Hong Kong Geopark are nature conservation, education and sustainable development. When planning and establishing Hong Kong Geopark in the early years, the Government formulated guiding principles to avoid the construction of facilities that would adversely affect the environment. The planning of suitable facilities depends on the actual conditions of different attractions, including their capacity to accommodate higher number of visitors and their ecological sensitivity. For example, sites with higher visitor carrying capacity such as the High Island Reservoir East Dam and Sharp Island, visitor facilities to facilitate visit and education purposes are provided therein; for areas that require preservation in their natural state, such as the coastline along Fa Shan of High Island, the Ung Kong Group and the Ninepin Group, visitor facilities like public piers or trails are avoided, and visitors are encouraged to enjoy sightseeing there by boat tours instead.

    In response to the recent surge in visitor numbers at popular attractions within Hong Kong Geopark, the AFCD is reviewing the carrying capacity of these popular sites and will develop management strategies, such as co-ordinated traffic control measures with relevant authorities, and enhanced visitor management measures when necessary to prevent overcrowding. During peak hiking seasons, the AFCD will also increase the frequency of patrols, enhance cleaning and management efforts, and strengthen the promotion of hiking etiquette to ensure visitor safety and protection of nature, thereby achieving the co-existence of ecotourism and nature conservation. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH investigates incident of RCHE and RCHD administering COVID-19 vaccines beyond recommended use-by date

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH investigates incident of RCHE and RCHD administering COVID-19 vaccines beyond recommended use-by date 
    Upon reviewing the vaccine orders and vaccination records, the DH found that the doctor concerned visited Oi Tak Old People’s Home Limited, an RCHE in Yuen Long, on June 14, July 7 and July 9 to provide vaccination services. During these visits, he administered Spikevax JN.1 COVID-19 vaccines that were beyond the recommended use-by date to 18 residents. According to the manufacturer’s recommendation, the vaccine should be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius after thawing and should be used within 30 days.
     
    Upon further investigation, the DH found that the doctor concerned had also provided vaccination services at an RCHD, named Quality Rehabilitation Home, in Kwai Tsing District on March 26. During the visit, he administered Spikevax JN.1 COVID-19 vaccines that were beyond the recommended use-by date to a resident and two staff members.
     
    The DH is highly concerned about the incident and has taken immediate actions to follow up on the health conditions of the affected persons. It has been confirmed that none of the affected residents or staff at the RCHE or the RCHD suffered from adverse events as a result of the vaccination. The DH has sought information from the vaccine manufacturer on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine under the above circumstances. Taking into account the history of COVID-19 vaccination and infection of the affected persons, the DH advised that there is no need for the affected individuals to be revaccinated. The DH has instructed the doctor in question to monitor the health conditions of the affected residents. At the request of the DH, the visiting doctor will explain the incident to the affected persons or their relatives and discuss subsequent arrangements.
     
    Meanwhile, the DH has inspected the RCHE and the RCHD concerned to check the storage of vaccines and vaccination procedures. To avoid the recurrence of similar incidents, the staff have been urged to follow the requirements of regular checking of the recommended use-by date of the vaccines, separate storage of vaccines with different recommended use-by dates, and timely disposal of expired vaccines in accordance with the guidelines of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
     
    The DH has suspended the vaccination service of the doctor concerned under the Vaccination Schemes and will continue to follow up on whether the two institutions concerned have complied with the relevant guidelines of the DH. If any person is found to have breached the guidelines or the terms and conditions of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, the DH will handle the case according to established procedures.
    Issued at HKT 18:07

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Correctional officer stops person in custody from committing suicide by hanging

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    A correctional officer stopped a 35-year-old female person in custody from committing suicide by hanging in Lo Wu Correctional Institution today (July 23).

    At 3.05am today, the correctional officer found the person in custody attempting suicide by hanging with a bedsheet tied to a door hinge of her dormitory. The officer immediately called for reinforcement to rescue and provide first-aid treatment to her. The person in custody was found conscious at the time and was subsequently sent to a public hospital for further treatment.

    A clinical psychologist of the Department will follow up on the case.

    A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, “The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, improvements of institution facilities, staff training and first-aid services.”

    The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of taking employment after landing in Hong Kong unlawfully and remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration in June 2025.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ22: Waste reduction measures in sports stadiums

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by the Hon Doreen Kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    The 15th National Games (NG) will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in November this year. One of the key highlights of the Games is the thorough implementation of green initiatives in organising the event, and the endeavour to make it the first carbon-neutral event in the history of NG. However, there are views that the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), which is a newly-opened international flagship stadium, still has room for improvement in its waste reduction measures. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) given that the KTSP previously prohibited audience from bringing any containers into sport events for security reasons and declined to provide reusable cups, but it has been reported that various types of prohibited containers were found in the corporate boxes and VIP seats during several major sport events held in the Park, whether the authorities have reviewed why there were such inconsistencies in the standards, and how they will ensure the fairness and consistency in the relevant requirements in the future;

    (2) as there are views pointing out that while the KTSP allowed audience to bring plastic or silicone water bottles and cups into the venue during concerts held in April this year, relevant arrangements were not made for sport events which had left local and overseas audience at a loss, (i) of the reasons why the aforesaid arrangements were not implemented consistently for different types of events, and (ii) whether the Government will request the KTSP to clearly define the types of events for which the aforesaid arrangements are to be implemented and the specific justifications;

    (3) as there are views that Hong Kong has mature experience in reusable container systems, and that the arrangement of “reuse instead of disposal” has been successfully implemented in many large shopping centres, restaurant chains and major events (e.g. the Hong Kong Sevens held at the Hong Kong Stadium in the past), which are effective in reducing the amount of waste, and it is learnt that the KTSP has also adopted “sustainability” (i.e. striving to integrate operational solutions conducive to sustainable development, and optimising resource usage) as one of its core values, of the reasons for not implementing the reusable container systems in the KTSP so far; and

    (4) how the stadiums in Hong Kong (including the KTSP and other competition venues) will specifically implement the element of green initiatives under the principles of “green, inclusive, open and clean” during the 15th NG, so as to create exemplary venues for the 15th ‍NG in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area?

    Reply:

    President,

    The Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is the largest sports infrastructure in Hong Kong’s history and is crucial for the Government’s promotion of the development of sports and mega event economy. With its official commissioning on March 1 this year, the KTSP has quickly established itself as a new hub for hosting major sports and entertainment events.

    The Kai Tak Sports Park Limited (the Operator) is committed to providing an enjoyable experience for visitors attending major sports and entertainment events at the KTSP. While ensuring proper implementation of areas of importance such as event arrangements and venue security, the Operator is also dedicated to optimising the daily management and operations of the KTSP, including promoting environmentally friendly and low-carbon measures.

    In consultation with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), my reply to the questions raised by the Hon Doreen Kong is as follows:

    (1) To ensure safety and order when staging large-scale events, all visitors entering the venues of the KTSP must comply with the venue rules set out by the Operator, as well as the conditions of entry stipulated in response to the requirements of event organisers. For instance, outside food and drinks, long umbrellas, glass or metal containers etc, are prohibited from being brought into the venues. All spectators, including those in suites and VIP areas, must adhere to the same rules and conditions.

    Depending on the nature and arrangements of the event, individual organisers may arrange for special catering services for their guests in designated areas, subject to the Operator’s approval. The Operator will consider such requests provided that they do not affect the safety of the events. Such special catering services will apply to designated areas only. For example, the use of glass containers is only allowed inside the suite area. When enjoying the event at the balcony seats of the suite, suite users still need to follow the same venue rules, including the prohibition on using glass containers.

    (2) In view of the varying nature and risks between sports and entertainment events, the Operator has established different venue rules for the two event categories.

    The essence of sports events is competitiveness. When competing teams are battling against each other, especially in intense situations, the interaction among the fans could more easily lead to confrontations. Therefore, spectators at sports events are generally not allowed to bring water bottles or containers of any size (whether capped or not) into the venues so as to prevent such bottles or containers from being thrown at other spectators or players, thereby ensuring the safety of everyone inside the venue. In fact, another major sports venue in Hong Kong, namely the Hong Kong Stadium, as well as other international sports stadiums also stipulate similar requirements during sports events for security reasons.

    For entertainment events (such as concerts), since there is no competition between battling teams, the likelihood of conflict among the audience is lower. The Operator and event organisers generally allow spectators to bring empty plastic or silicone reusable bottles/cups not larger than 600 millilitres with bottle/cups caps and liquids removed.

    The Operator will disseminate relevant rules and conditions of entry through its website and other channels (such as social media, press releases, or event guides from the organisers) before the staging of large-scale events to ensure that spectators are well-informed to facilitate their preparation in advance. The Operator has indeed explained the details and considerations of different rules and entry conditions in past events.

    (3) The Operator is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. While ensuring safety, hygiene and effective operations, the Operator has been collaborating with the Government to promote environmental protection through a multi-pronged approach.

    Adhering to the objectives of “Use Less, Waste Less” and resources circulation, the KTSP has placed waste separation and recycling facilities as well as installed a waste decomposition system to convert food waste, paper cups, and other paper containers into compostable materials. All the compost produced can be used as fertiliser for plants within the precinct, showcasing the concepts of green management and resources circulation. To further promote environmental protection, all paper cups used by the Operator in the KTSP are certified biodegradable. This promotes a plastic-free culture, reducing the use of plastic tableware by spectators on one hand, while helping to maintain hygiene standards and enhance audience experience on the other.

    The Operator has conducted research and made reference to practices in Hong Kong and other regions when formulating the above venue management measures. On the suggestion of using reusable plastic containers, after careful consideration, the Operator concluded that the processes involved in transporting and cleaning these reusable containers would generate additional carbon emissions and consume other resources. In addition, as reusable plastic containers are not biodegradable, they do not support the plastic-free initiative and undermine the KTSP’s efforts in promoting carbon reduction and resources circulation. In contrast, the use of biodegradable paper cups aligns well with and makes good use of the above-mentioned waste decomposition system at the KTSP, leading to a better overall carbon reduction outcome.

    The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the EPD will continue to maintain close communication with the Operator to further promote environmental protection work at the KTSP, while ensuring that spectators attending major events continue to have an enjoyable experience.

    (4) To adhere to the principle of “simple, safe and wonderful”, and the philosophy of being “green, inclusive, open and clean” in organising the Games, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao will make joint efforts in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympics Games. The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) has formulated a “Green National Games” action plan and engaged a professional carbon auditing agency to carry out the related works such as establishing a carbon-neutral framework and collaborative initiatives, conducting comprehensive carbon emission measurement and accounting, promoting public participation in green initiatives and managing carbon offset and certification. The green and carbon-reduction measures in Hong Kong include using existing sports facilities and venues for the Games; implementing energy-saving strategies and increasing renewable energy use at competition venues (for example, applying electricity-free cooling coating and installing solar panels); advocating green transportation and securing new energy vehicles for shuttle services through sponsorship; promoting environmentally friendly accommodation; strengthening the use of digital publicity and document sharing to minimise paper use; enhancing waste separation and recycling; and setting up green exhibitions and games at competition venues to promote the concept of “Green National Games”.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ15: Off-school STEAM courses

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Following is a question by Professor the Hon William Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    It is learnt that many parents have enrolled their children in STEAM (i.e. ‍Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) courses conducted outside of school, hoping to cultivate their children’s interest in these relevant disciplines. However, there are views pointing out that, in order to increase enrolment within the same class sessions, certain course providers overlook the differences in learning abilities among students of varying ages and employ identical teaching materials for pupils from Primary One to Primary Six. Such practices call into question the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Furthermore, it has been reported that, in recent days, a three-year-old child participating in a STEAM interest class at an external organisation sustained scald injuries from hot milk in the course of an experiment. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the number of requests for assistance or complaints received by the authorities regarding off-school STEAM courses/interest classes over the past three years; the main subject matters of such requests and complaints, and the specific follow-up measures taken by the authorities;

    (2) whether the authorities will formulate a safety management protocol for off-school STEAM courses by drawing reference from guidelines such as the Safety Handbook for Primary Science and the Handbook on Safety in Science Laboratories; if so, of the specific standards of such a protocol and the timetable for its implementation; if not, whether the authorities will expeditiously commence a study to enhance the safety standards for off-school STEAM courses so as to prevent further accidents; and

    (3) whether the authorities have finalised an accreditation system for teachers, teaching materials and curricula to be established for off-school STEAM courses, and delineated the appropriate age ranges for students to participate in such courses; if so, of the specific accreditation standards and the implementation timetable; if not, whether the authorities will expeditiously commence a study to establish an accreditation system for off-school STEAM courses, with a view to assisting parents in choosing suitable courses for their children?

    Reply:

    President,

    According to sections 3(1) and 10 of the Education Ordinance, any institution, organisation or establishment which provides for 20 or more persons during any one day or 8 or more persons at any one time, any nursery, kindergarten, primary, secondary or post secondary education or any other educational course by any means is required to be registered or provisionally registered as a school. Private schools which offer educational courses such as tutorial, commercial, computer, language courses and courses for repeaters are all categorised as private schools offering non-formal curriculum (PSNFCs). Subject to compliance with specified conditions under the Education (Exemption) Private Schools Offering Non-formal Curriculum) Order, PSNFCs are exempt from certain requirements of the provisions of Education Ordinance and Education Regulations relating to fees, employment of teachers and teachers’ qualifications, principals, holidays and hours of instruction.

    In response to Professor the Hon William Wong’s questions, the reply is as follows:

    (1) In the past three years, the Education Bureau (EDB) has not received any requests for assistance or complaints relating to participation in off-school STEAM courses provided by schools other than those offering formal curriculum.

    (2) and (3) The Safety Handbook for Primary Science and Handbook on Safety in Science Laboratories, issued by the EDB, provide references and guidelines for safety matters of Primary Science and secondary science laboratories respectively. They assist schools, when arranging science learning activities and experiments, in aspects such as safety management, risk assessment, equipment storage, etc, so as to ensure the safety of teachers and students. In addition to schools implementing the Primary Science curriculum and secondary science subject curricula, other registered schools offering non-local/non-formal curricula may also refer to these guidelines.

    PSNFCs mainly provide tutorial services to students receiving formal school education, which constitute an optional rather than mandatory service. For this type of school, the main role of the EDB is to ensure its compliance with the requirements on school premises safety, hygiene, accommodation, teachers’ qualifications, and collection of fees under the Education Ordinance. In this connection, the EDB has no intention to set up a certification system for the STEAM courses offered by these PSNFCs.

    It should be noted that all schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant ordinances and regulations when arranging science activities and experiments, including the Education Regulations (particularly regulations 21, 24, 26, 27, 31, 32 and 33), the Education Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, and regulations related to dangerous goods and disposal of chemical waste.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LD holds online exhibition on Employment Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Labour Department (LD) is holding an online exhibition from 9am today (July 23) to 6pm on July 25 on the LD’s website disseminating information about the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance to enhance the public’s understanding of employment rights and benefits.

    Consolidating the content of physical exhibitions held by the LD, the online exhibition features the main provisions of the Employment Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance, employment rights and benefits for foreign domestic helpers, as well as good human resource management measures. The relevant hyperlink is www.labour.gov.hk/common/Online_exhibition_EO_MWO/index_en.html.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu hosted the Sydney Preliminary Forum for the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) General Assembly

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu hosted the Sydney Preliminary Forum for the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) General Assembly, joined by OCAC Director Chia-Hui Chiang and Council Members Johnson Hsiung and Shirley Chen. Together, they listened to our community’s voices and responded to questions and feedback.
    DG Wu expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from our community—ranging from Taiwan’s efforts in international participation, such as the WHA and CPTPP, to cultural diplomacy through events like the 2025 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisines. He also emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its “Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience” in the face of growing geopolitical challenges. This year’s Han Kuang Exercise—the longest, largest, and most extensive mobilization of reservists to date—demonstrates to the world Taiwan’s unity and resolve in self-defense.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TECO Sydney Worked with TCCA to Host Taste of Taiwan- 2025 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine at Prefecture 48

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Tawan in Sydney had the pleasure working with Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia to host Taste of Taiwan- 2025 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine at #Prefecture48.
    We’d like to thank the parliamentary friends- the Hon Rod Roberts MLC and Matt Cross MP, colleagues from consular corps & community leaders for attending.
    Amb Douglas Hsu remarked that Taiwan is recognized as a culinary paradise, and he is delighted to have the opportunity to share Taiwanese cuisine with friends around the world. He trusted that through food and culture mutual understanding can be greatly enhanced.
    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu pointed out that Taiwanese food is rich in variety, which reflects the unique history, profound culture background & our colourful life. It has incorporated different gourmet cultures and formed such a harmonious & diverse feature.
    We also kicked off 2025 Soft Power 3 Episodes thru Taste of Taiwan on that day, and Episode Two & Three will be Taiwan Film Festival in Australia Premiere on July 24 at Event Cinema and performance of Cutural Goodwill Mission formed by Formosa Melody Music Centre on Sep 22 at Chatswood Concourse.
    NSW members of Parliment mentioned the close ties between #Taiwan & #Australia, expressed gratitude for the outstanding contributions of the Taiwanese community, recognized the resilience & strength of Taiwanese people and affirmed that NSW & Taiwan will always stand shoulder to shoulder in mutual support. They also praised Taiwan’s cuisine, noting that Australia—also being a multicultural society—blends culinary traditions from around the globe.
    Big thanks go to the organizer TCCA & its President Peter Huang, Ms. Sonia Chen, and the owner of P48 Michael Wu for allowing all the guests to enjoy themselves and experience charm of Taiwan.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu Joined the Learning Delights Book Club’s Urban Exploration Event

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were delighted to join the Learning Delights Book Club’s urban exploration event, engaging with the street art of Sydney’s Inner West.
    Not to be outshone by Melbourne’s famous street art, Sydney’s Inner West is also a vibrant hub of creativity and culture. Suburbs like St Peters, Newtown, and Enmore each showcase a unique character through a wide range of mural styles.
    Why not take a leisurely stroll here over the weekend? You’ll discover a whole new side of Sydney — full of character-filled cafés, eateries, and charming indie shops.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: EU-Japan Summit in Tokyo: Cooperation built on security and trade

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    During the EU-Japan Summit on 23 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with important Japanese stakeholders to further foster the relationship with Japan and the EU. The focus of the summit will be the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement which includes topics such as digital partnerships, green alliances or security cooperation.

    Follow live events and access media content here:
    https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/

    Stay updated — follow us on X: https://x.com/EC_AVService

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    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSx4gDVZlok

    MIL OSI Video –