Month: April 2025

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2024 Beach Water Quality Report published today (1 April 2025)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

This report presents the water quality status and bacteriological Water Quality Objective (WQO) compliance rate for all 42 gazetted beaches in Hong Kong.  As a result of the Government’s untiring efforts to implement various pollution control and environmental improvement measures, the overall water quality of the bathing beaches continues to improve.  All gazetted beaches have fully complied with the bacteriological WQO for 15 consecutive years since 2010.  The report can be viewed at the EPD website.

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Packaging Reduction Charter

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Table of content
Seminars and workshops will be organised to support participants and facilitate knowledge sharing.  

Contact Us

For further inquiries, please contact us via:

We invite all businesses to join us in creating a more sustainable future by embracing packaging reduction practices. Sign up today and be part of the solution for a greener Hong Kong!

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Practical Guides on Packaging Reduction And Management

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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Packaging has been playing its indispensable role in business activities and our daily lives. Yet, many of these packaging are intended to be used only once or a limited number of times before disposal. In Hong Kong, environmental problems caused by excessive packaging have been a growing concern, of which consumers are demanding more for products with simple packaging.

Therefore, it is high time to rethink how business could balance various environmental criteria of packaging with other functional and commercial considerations, and look at ways of tackling packaging and reducing the amount of materials.

To facilitate the trade in kick-starting their journey on packaging reduction and management, the Environmental Protection Department (“EPD”) has developed a set of “Practical Guides on Packaging Reduction and Management” (“Guides”) for specific sectors to provide practical tips and experience sharing on how to avoid and reduce packaging consumption and achieve sustainable packaging management in their daily operations. In addition, in response to the requirements of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (“HKEX”) on the Environmental, Social, and Governance Report (“ESG Report”) of the listed companies for financial years commencing on or after 1 July 2020, these Guides also offer guidance and reference for trade to prepare packaging reporting and disclose packaging data in a harmonised structure so as to identify areas of improvement beyond their current practices.

You may view the guides by clicking above links.

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“Smart Parent Net” Recommendation: (Video)Let’s get a good night’s sleep! ─ Tips to sleep healthy(Chinese version only)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) will subsidise a total of 2 276 places under 32 sub-degree programmes offered by seven post-secondary institutions, including Caritas Bianchi College of Careers, HKCT Institute of Higher Education, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College, Hong Kong College of Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (including Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education), Saint Francis University and Tung Wah College, for the cohort to be admitted in the 2025/26 academic year. The programmes and number of subsidised places, which fall under seven disciplines with keen manpower demand, namely Architecture and Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Industries, Health Care, Sports and Recreation, Testing and Certification, and Tourism and Hospitality, are determined by the Education Bureau in consultation with relevant policy bureaux and departments.

In the 2025/26 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for non-laboratory-based programmes and laboratory-based programmes are up to $23,390 and $40,730 respectively. The subsidy amounts are applicable to both new and continuing eligible students. The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned. Subsidised students will pay a tuition fee with the subsidy applied. Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable.

The subsidised places are allocated according to existing admission arrangement of the self-financing sub-degree programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions. Students can apply for admission to the designated sub-degree programmes directly through the institutions concerned. The subsidy for sub-degree programmes under SSSDP is applicable to local students who have attained (a) Level 2 or above in five subjects, including English Language and Chinese Language, in the HKDSE Examination; (b) Diploma of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin; or (c) Diploma of Foundation Studies awarded by the Vocational Training Council. The participating institutions are allowed to admit local students with other relevant qualifications, subject to a ceiling of 50% of the subsidised places of the designated programmes.

For details of SSSDP, please visit www.cspe.edu.hk/sssdp.

 

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Should parents let their children go to school under inclement weather conditions?; Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors – Sub-degree programmes

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) will subsidise a total of 2 276 places under 32 sub-degree programmes offered by seven post-secondary institutions, including Caritas Bianchi College of Careers, HKCT Institute of Higher Education, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College, Hong Kong College of Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (including Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education), Saint Francis University and Tung Wah College, for the cohort to be admitted in the 2025/26 academic year. The programmes and number of subsidised places, which fall under seven disciplines with keen manpower demand, namely Architecture and Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Industries, Health Care, Sports and Recreation, Testing and Certification, and Tourism and Hospitality, are determined by the Education Bureau in consultation with relevant policy bureaux and departments.

In the 2025/26 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for non-laboratory-based programmes and laboratory-based programmes are up to $23,390 and $40,730 respectively. The subsidy amounts are applicable to both new and continuing eligible students. The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned. Subsidised students will pay a tuition fee with the subsidy applied. Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable.

The subsidised places are allocated according to existing admission arrangement of the self-financing sub-degree programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions. Students can apply for admission to the designated sub-degree programmes directly through the institutions concerned. The subsidy for sub-degree programmes under SSSDP is applicable to local students who have attained (a) Level 2 or above in five subjects, including English Language and Chinese Language, in the HKDSE Examination; (b) Diploma of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin; or (c) Diploma of Foundation Studies awarded by the Vocational Training Council. The participating institutions are allowed to admit local students with other relevant qualifications, subject to a ceiling of 50% of the subsidised places of the designated programmes.

For details of SSSDP, please visit www.cspe.edu.hk/sssdp.

 

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Bulletin updated at 04:50 HKT 26/Apr/2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Automatic Regional Weather Forecast in Hong Kong & Pearl River Delta RegionClimatological information for {2}-{3}{1} on {0} at {2} :

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0.5m depth:{3}°C

    1. This middle 50% range (between 25th and 75th percentiles) is calculated based on the maximum/minimum temperature and relative humidity data within a 5-day period centred on that day in the 30 years from 1991 to 2020.
    2. “9-day Weather Forecast” provides general indications of the trends in weather for the coming 9 days. For detailed description of today’s weather forecast, please refer to “Local Weather Forecast“.
    3. The Probability of Significant Rain (PSR) forecast provides users with additional reference on rainfall amount and forecast trend for the coming 9 days. The PSR forecast on each day indicates the probability of the accumulated rainfall generally over Hong Kong reaching 10 mm (i.e. around the mean daily rainfall in rainy season) or more on that day. There are 5 categories of probability as follows:
  1. The accuracy of forecast generally decreases while the error generally increases with forecast period. For forecast elements in “9-day Weather Forecast” other than PSR, the average accuracy for the next one to three days, four to seven days, and eight to nine days are about 90%, 85% and 80% respectively. The errors of PSR forecast in the next one to six days are within around 10% and those in seven to nine days are within around 20%.
  2. The accuracy and error of forecast also vary for different weather systems in different seasons. Generally speaking, weather in spring and summer such as fog, tropical cyclone and severe convective weather is more changeable, resulting in higher uncertainty of forecast.
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CSD holds passing-out parade (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CSD holds passing-out parade  
At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the abbreviation of the Department, “CSD”, and a heart pattern during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising their devotion to Hong Kong and readiness to shoulder the CSD’s mission of guarding the last element of the criminal justice system.
 
Speaking at the parade, Reviewing Officer Mr Tang said that the CSD shoulders the missions of safeguarding national security and social stability. The CSD has long been committed to adopting a secure, safe and humane approach in detaining persons in custody (PICs), and has introduced a number of measures to optimise management effectiveness and bring convenience to the public, such as the implementation of the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service which enables visitors to order approved hand-in articles for PICs through an online platform. The Service reduces the time for visitors to source the articles in the market and the inconvenience of carrying the articles to correctional institutions, as well as enhances the operational efficiency of correctional institutions.
 
Mr Tang commended the CSD for actively launching new initiatives in the area of rehabilitation work to assist PICs to turn over a new leaf and reintegrate into society, including organising a two-year full-time Associate Degree programme for graduates of the Ethics College, extending the Ethics College to Pik Uk Prison and launching Project JET to provide one-stop training and career development opportunities for PICs. Moreover, the Department has actively promoted crime prevention education. Through the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project and the Captain Gor Union, the CSD is committed to instilling in young people correct values and nurturing them into a new generation of law-abiding young people with an affection for the country.
 
He mentioned that the CSD has actively fostered collaboration with Mainland and overseas correctional institutions. The Department hosted the 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators last year, playing the role of an international link. The Department organised the first Greater Bay Area Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition in January this year and plans to provide tactical skills training courses at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Base for correctional officers on the Mainland and overseas, with a view to deepening exchanges among correctional institutions, making its best endeavours to tell good correctional stories and to tell good stories of Hong Kong.
 
Furthermore, the CSD is committed to the community and cares for the vulnerable. The Correctional Services Department Sports Association launched an online gift sales platform for charity called Made in Prison early this year to sell handicrafts made by PICs. All proceeds from the sale, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to local registered charitable organisations, thereby providing PICs with opportunities to contribute to society.
 
Mr Tang encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to become new forces of correctional officers who are staunchly devoted to their duties and who contribute wholeheartedly to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as to the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems”.
 
During the parade, Mr Tang presented the Principal’s Shield to Officer Mr Chu Yan-ching; and the Golden Whistle to four Assistant Officers II, namely Ms Lee Wing-yan, Mr Tsang Hou-sing, Mr Mok Pak-kin and Mr Ng Chiu-kit, for their outstanding performance in recruit training.
Issued at HKT 19:35

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CS chairs interdepartmental working group meeting on festival arrangements (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 25) chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements to holistically co-ordinate and steer the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, and representatives from other relevant government departments also attended. 

     Mr Chan said, “We estimate a notable increase in visitor arrivals during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will make good preparations for receiving visitors, as well as maintaining close liaison with relevant organisations and the travel trade to prepare well for crowd management, information dissemination and arrangements of public transportation and boundary control points (BCPs), with a view to responding promptly to various kinds of emergencies and ensure the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving visitors and offering a high-quality experience to them.”

Estimated visitor flow and preparatory work 

     According to the Immigration Department (ImmD)’s estimate, around 5.71 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points during this year’s Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland (i.e. from May 1 to 5), among which 4.90 million passengers will pass through land control points.

     The ImmD estimates that the peak period of outbound passengers using land BCPs is expected to be May 3 (Saturday) with around 590 000 passengers; whilst the peak period of inbound passengers using land BCPs is expected to be May 5 (Monday) with around 580 000 passengers. Passengers are advised to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at BCPs are available on the ImmD website at www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, residents and passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP at any time or place via the Immigration mobile app. They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points. 

     In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, it is estimated that around 840 000 passengers will visit Hong Kong via various sea, land and air control points during the five-day Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. Compared with last year’s Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland and this year’s Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, the daily average visitor arrivals are expected to increase by 10 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Major tourist spots have formulated special arrangements to handle the estimated increase of people flows. The Hong Kong community is expected to become more vibrant and highly patronised during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, bringing opportunities to various sectors.

The Travel Industry Authority (TIA) has also reminded travel agents receiving Mainland inbound tour groups to adopt appropriate diversion measures to enable proper management of visitor flows and tour buses, with a view to offering a pleasant travel experience to visitors. In addition, District Offices will closely monitor the flow of visitors within their respective districts and notify relevant departments having regard to the actual circumstances with a view to strengthening management of the relevant spots.

Co-ordinate control points, traffic and public transport facilities

     Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable flexible deployment of manpower and operation of additional counters and channels, with a view to diverting passenger and vehicular flows. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by the Police, the ImmD, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), and other relevant departments will be activated from May 1 (Thursday) to May 5 (Monday) to monitor the real-time situations at various control points. The Joint Command Centre will maintain close liaison with the Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanisms, and take timely contingency actions as necessary to flexibly deploy manpower at BCPs to ensure smooth operation of the land control points. 

     For transport arrangements, the Transport Department (TD) has co-ordinated with relevant operators to enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to less than one minute during peak hours, and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to about two minutes at its highest frequency, as well as increasing the quota of cross-boundary coaches to strengthen services; and formulating a contingency plan by providing a dedicated passage for public transport vehicles at the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Shenzhen Bay Port when necessary to ensure smooth public transport services. In addition, Zhuhai’s traffic management department will also arrange a dedicated lane at the HZMB for the use of the Gold Bus, cross-boundary coaches and large vehicles when necessary. Regarding local public transport services, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance their capacity, and reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 1 to May 5 to provide convenience for the travelling public and visitors. During these periods, the train frequencies to and from Lok Ma Chau will increase to approximately every 7.5 to 10 minutes, while services to Lo Wu will be enhanced to approximately every five minutes. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the TD will continue to operate 24 hours a day to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services in all districts, BCPs, and major stations across Hong Kong, and take prompt measures to address service demands and disseminate the latest traffic updates through various channels. 

Protection of visitors

     The TIA will conduct inspections in districts where relatively more registered shops for inbound tour groups are located during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, and offer assistance to visitors and tourist guides to protect inbound tour group visitors’ rights. Additionally, the Police will continue to step up enforcement actions against any illegal acts of taxi drivers including overcharging and refusing hires. The C&ED will also step up inspections of shops serving visitors to combat unfair trade practices. 

Weather forecast

     It is expected that the weather will be hot from May 1 to May 4 with sunny periods apart from isolated showers. The weather may become more unstable, with more showers towards the latter part of the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The chances of being affected by tropical cyclones are relatively low. The above forecast is a preliminary assessment, and the Hong Kong Observatory will update the forecast depending on the latest change in weather. 

Information dissemination

     To assist visitors in planning their itineraries, the Government will strengthen information dissemination including the latest inbound visitor arrivals, the situation at various BCPs, transport arrangements, latest weather forecasts, etc to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

     The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also launched a dedicated webpage (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan/traveller-info/goldenweek-special-info.html ) to consolidate useful information during the Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland. The webpage includes information about the opening hours of major sightseeing attractions, public transportation, boundary-crossing services, and other events during the period, including the drone show at the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries more conveniently.

     

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CBIC introduces several trade facilitative measures relating to transhipment and air cargo

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 25 APR 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

In line with the announcement in the Budget Speech 2025-26 by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, on facilitating upgradation of infrastructure and warehousing for air cargo including high value perishable horticulture produce and streamlining the cargo screening and customs protocols and making it user-friendly, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced several trade facilitative measures in Air cargo in particular and transhipment movement in general.

For logistical convenience or other business decisions, Logistics operators sometimes undertake movement of imported cargo during the customs clearance between Customs areas (Ports/Container Freight Stations/Inland Container Depots etc.) without payment of duty by following transhipment procedure under The Customs Act, 1962. Since old times, transhipment permit fee is required to be paid for every transhipment permit. Over a period of time, due to increase in volume of trade, including transhipped cargo, some experienced delay in the process. As a measure for ease of business, CBIC has examined this matter and with effect from 24th April 2025, CBIC has decided to waive transhipment permit fee henceforth for all the transhipment movements. Changes to the Regulations has been issued vide Notification No. 30/2025-Cus (N.T) dated 24th April 2025 (https://www.cbic.gov.in/f2d0927b-945d-411c-8c34-65d272a6d047) in this regard.

Further, with increase in the volume of air cargo, need was felt by the trade for temporary removal of Unit Load Devices (ULD) outside Customs Area in certain cases of high-value or perishable cargo. Currently, the cargo is being off-loaded in the Air cargo Complexes from ULD before the clearance. As a first step towards streamlining Customs Protocols, and aligning with the international best practices for movement of Unit Load Devices (ULD) outside Customs Area, CBIC has stipulated simplified and harmonised procedure for temporary import of ULDs on the lines of procedure already stipulated for marine containers being handled through the seaports since 2005.

With this simplified procedure, ULDs/air containers could also be imported temporarily outside the Customs area on execution of a Continuity Bond by the air carriers/air console agents, who take responsibility to export back within the specified time period. Earlier, it required the importer of the goods to under the responsibility of exporting the ULDs/air containers back, in case of such temporary import. It is clarified that, the option of importer taking up the responsibility for re-export still exists, if he opts so.

It is further to inform that, the facility of ‘All-India National Transhipment Bond’ at air cargo complexes is operational since 2022.  This facility has been intended to avoid multiplicity of the bonds that are submitted by airlines at multiple Customs stations for transshipment of import cargo. In addition, Online filing of Transhipment application has also been enabled in ICEGATE, obviating the need for visiting Service Centre at the Air cargo.

Board Circular No. 15/2025-Customs dated 25th April 2025 may be referred to, for more information.

Above measures are aimed easing of compliances and facilitating trade at Air cargo complexes. The Airlines, Console Agents or other stakeholders are encouraged to use the above facilities. 

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(Release ID: 2124318) Visitor Counter : 49