Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (April 15) that it registered 17 lease modifications and four land exchanges in the Land Registry during the quarter ending March 2025, of which four were modifications of a technical nature involving nil premium.
Among these 21 land transactions, nine are located on Hong Kong Island, five are in Kowloon and seven are in the New Territories. The transactions exclude Small House cases.
A further two lots were granted by private treaty during the period. One was granted for the development of innovation and technology park and the talent accommodation in the Loop; and the other one was granted for an electricity substation in Yuen Long.
There were no lot extensions registered during the quarter.
The above land transactions realised a total land premium of about $2,069.406 million.
Transaction records of the lease modifications, land exchanges, private treaty grants and lot extensions, including those registered recently, are uploaded to the LandsD website (www.landsd.gov.hk/en/land-disposal-transaction/land-transaction.html) on a monthly basis. Details of the transactions may be obtained by searching the registered documents in the Land Registry.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HAD opens temporary heat shelters The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
The heat shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island: ———————
Central and Western – Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall 3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex 2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern – Causeway Bay Community Centre 3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern – Lei Tung Community Hall Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai – Wan Chai Activities Centre LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon: ——————
Kowloon City – Hung Hom Community Hall 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong – Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre 71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po – Shek Kip Mei Community Hall G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Wong Tai Sin – Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong – Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre 60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories: ————————–
Islands – Tung Chung Community Hall G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing – Cheung Fat Estate Community Centre 6 Tam Kon Shan Road, Tsing Yi
North – Cheung Wah Community Hall Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung – Hang Hau Community Hall G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin – Lung Hang Estate Community Centre Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po – Tai Po Community Centre 2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan – Lei Muk Shue Community Hall G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun – Butterfly Bay Community Centre Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
Yuen Long – Long Ping Community Hall Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Yuen Long – Tin Yiu Community Centre Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SFST welcomes London Metal Exchange’s approval of first batch of approved warehouses in Hong Kong Mr Hui said, “The LME included Hong Kong as an approved delivery point within its global warehousing network in January this year, and began accepting applications from warehouse operators to become approved storage entities of LME-registered brands of metals. The approval of the first batch of applications in merely a few months indicated the efforts of the Government and the industry in exploring new growth areas, and allowed LME-approved warehouse operators and local warehouse operators to begin the process of establishing operations early.”
He added, “In his 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Executive emphasised the need to explore new growth areas, and the establishment of a commodity trading ecosystem is a new growth point to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. The establishment of LME-approved warehouses in Hong Kong will provide convenient, cost-effective and safe delivery channels for metals trading in the region. This will not only attract relevant enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong, turning our city into an operation centre for international commodity trading, storage and delivery, shipping and logistics, risk management, but also promote the development of related financial transactions such as futures, thereby injecting new impetus into consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. I hope the approved warehouses will commence operations as soon as possible, and I look forward to seeing more successful cases of approval for operators to become approved warehouses to foster the growth of local commodity trading-related services.”
The Government understands that other operators are applying to become approved warehouses of the LME. Relevant bureaux and departments will continue to maintain communication with relevant industry players and provide assistance on technical matters as appropriate.
Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda presides over 5th Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh Convocation ceremony is a special occasion which marks recognition for the achievements made by students: Shri JP Nadda
“The government is focused on providing healthcare which is not only curative but also preventive, palliative and rehabilitative”
“1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the country. In the last 10 years, medical colleges have seen an increase of 101%. There has been a 130% increase in MBBS seats while PG seats have seen an increase of 138% in the last 10 years”
Inaugurates several healthcare facilities including Integrated Medicine in the Ayush Department, a PET scan machine in the Nuclear Medicine Department, PACS facility in the Radiology Department and a Centre for Advanced Pediatrics in Pediatric Care
AIIMS Rishikesh is providing advanced medical treatment like robotic surgery, neuro surgery and radiation therapy to patients: Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami
434 Students Awarded Degrees during the convocation
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 2:29PM by PIB Delhi
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda presided over the fifth convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh, today. He was joined by Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand; Shri Dhan Singh Rawat, Health and Education Minister, Uttarakhand; Members of Lok Sabha, Shri Ajay Bhatt, Shri Ajay Tamta and Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat; and Smt. Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.
Addressing the gathering, Shri JP Nadda stated that “convocation ceremony is a special occasion which marks recognition for the achievements made by students.” He said providing affordable and quality healthcare to every poor person in the country is a priority of the central government.
Shri JP Nadda highlighted the achievements of AIIMS institutes across the country in medical education and services. He stated that “till the advent of this century, India only had on AIIMS in the country. Today, there are 22 AIIMS operating in the country.” He stated that AIIMS Rishikesh has carved a unique identity among healthcare institutes due to its superior services.
He reiterated the central government’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare for the citizenry. “The government is focused on providing healthcare which is not only curative but also preventive, palliative and rehabilitative”, he stated.
Highlighting the achievements of the Union Government in the health sector, Shri Nadda stated, “today, 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the country providing a range of services pertaining to healthcare and wellness. In the last 10 years, there has been a 101% increase in medical colleges, totaling 780 across the country. There has been a 130% increase in MBBS seats while PG seats have seen an increase of 138% in the last 10 years”. “Similarly, to cater to the paramedics, 157 nursing colleges are also being established, to be co-located with the medical colleges”, he further stated.
The Union Health Minister appreciated AIIM Rishikesh for effectively utilizing the helicopter and drone services by rescuing 309 critical patients using the services. He also congratulated AIIMS Rishikesh for being one of the best institutes in the country for using digital services like telemedicine (eSanjeevani) to serve the remote and underserved areas of the state.
Shri Nadda concluded his address by encouraging students to approach their work with compassion, integrity, and dedication. Emphasizing that the government spends between Rs. 30-35 lakh for every MBBS student, he urged the new doctors to shoulder more responsibilities as they embark on their professional careers.
During the event, Shri Nadda inaugurated several healthcare facilities to enhance the institute’s medical services, including Integrated Medicine in the Ayush Department, a PET scan machine in the Nuclear Medicine Department, PACS facility in the Radiology Department, and a Centre for Advanced Pediatrics in Pediatric Care.
During the ceremony, Shri Nadda awarded gold medals and degrees to 10 medical students from MBBS, DM, MSc Nursing, BSc Nursing, and BSc Allied Health Sciences programs. A total of 434 students received degrees during the convocation including 98 MBBS students, 95 BSc (Hons) Nursing students, 54 BSc Allied Health Sciences students, 109 MD/MS/MDS students, 17 MSc Nursing students, 1 MSc Medical Allied student, 12 Master of Public Health students, 40 DM/MCh students, and 8 PhD students.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami said that India’s healthcare sector has seen a significant uplift in the last decade with the launch of initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and establishment of new AIIMS and medical colleges.
He stated that AIIMS Rishikesh is providing quality and affordable healthcare services and facilities to people from across the state. He stated that the institute is providing advanced medical treatment like robotic surgery, neuro surgery and radiation therapy to patients. He also highlighted the inauguration of Heli-ambulance services in AIIMS Rishikesh.
Shri Dhami also highlighted that today more than 5,000 Gram Panchayats in Uttarakhand are TB free. He stated the government is working to set up a medical college in every district of the state and expand the network of Jan Aushadi Kendras in the state.
The event was also attended by AIIMS Rishikesh President, Prof. Samiran Nandy; Executive Director, Prof. Meenu Singh; Dean Academics, Prof. Jaya Chaturvedi; Medical Superintendent, Prof. B. Satya Shri; Deputy Director (Administration), Col. Rajiv Sen Roy; Dean Examinations, Prof. Prashant Patil; Financial Advisor, Lt. Col. S. Siddharth; Organizing Committee Chairperson, Prof. Latika Mohan; heads of various departments, faculty members, officers, and medical and nursing students.
*****
MV
HFW/ HFM AIIMS Rishikesh Convocation/15 April 2025/1
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Volume and Price Statistics of External Merchandise Trade in February 2025 Due to the difference in timing of the Chinese New Year holidays, it is more appropriate to analyse the trade figures for January and February taken together in making year-on-year comparison.
Comparing the first two months of 2025 with the same period in 2024, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 4.6% and 3.6% respectively.
In February 2025, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 13.8% and 9.9% respectively over February 2024.
Comparing the three-month period ending February 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 6.5% and 1.8% respectively.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
As regards price changes in the first two months of 2025 over the same period in 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods both increased by 1.8%.
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, the prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods increased by 1.5% and 1.6% respectively.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2024, the index decreased by 0.2% in February 2025 and 0.1% in the first two months of 2025.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, increases were recorded for the total export volume to Vietnam (112.0%), Taiwan (63.4%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (28.7%). On the other hand, the total export volume to the USA (-19.6%) and India (-27.2%) decreased.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to Taiwan (5.7%), the USA (1.5%), Vietnam (1.0%) and the Mainland (0.8%) increased. On the other hand, the total export prices to India decreased by 2.5%.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, increases were recorded for the import volume from Taiwan (38.1%), the Mainland (19.3%) and Singapore (1.3%). On the other hand, the import volume from Japan (-3.5%) and Korea (-37.3%) decreased.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Korea (9.6%), Singapore (2.6%), Taiwan (2.2%) and Japan (0.2%) increased. On the other hand, the import prices from the Mainland decreased by 0.3%.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
April 2025 issue of “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” now available Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains a feature article entitled “An Overview of Water Supplies in Hong Kong”. Statistics presented in the “An Overview of Water Supplies in Hong Kong” article are based on the data source from the Water Supplies Department.
“An Overview of Water Supplies in Hong Kong”
Water is the lifeblood of mankind. Our community’s survival and prosperity depend on it. In Hong Kong, the provision of water supply services falls under the ambit of the Water Supplies Department of the Government. This feature article briefly describes selected major aspects of water supplies in Hong Kong. These include a general profile of the water supply system and its service coverage, consumption of fresh water, and supply of raw water.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit today (April 15):
Honourable Governor Maurizio Rasero of Asti Province and Mayor of Asti City, Italy, Honourable Executive Vice Chair Sima Hong of the World Tourism Cities Federation Council and Vice Mayor of Beijing, Honourable Deputy Director Qi Bin of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Honourable Deputy Commissioner Pan Yundong of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, honourable city mayors, vice mayors and institutional leaders from around the world, distinguished guests and friends from the global tourism community, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Welcome to Hong Kong, and to the 2025 World Tourism Cities Federation Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit.
Fragrant Hills, as you would all know, is a scenic area in Beijing, where the World Tourism Cities Federation is headquartered. “Fragrant hills” also makes me think of Hong Kong as a “fragrant harbour” – the Chinese name of Hong Kong can literally be translated as “fragrant harbour”.
“Fragrant”, let me add, because of Hong Kong’s redolent history as a major trader for incense, particularly agarwood incense and the wood’s varied byproducts.
Over the centuries, the sweet aroma of agarwood, of incense, drifted from harbour to city – and all around the world. From incense and fragrance, to merchandise and capital, Hong Kong has always been a bridge between cultures, cities and continents, bringing out the best of our products on the global arena.
Today, Hong Kong remains a major global trading centre, a centre of free trade. That’s thanks, too, to the Hong Kong Port in our harbour, to the Hong Kong International Airport, and to our varied and seamless transport links to China, our country.
These seamless links, and our singular status as the city where East has long met West, are not going to change. In a world beset by trade woes and geopolitical crises, Hong Kong is determined to continue its dedication to free and open trade.
That has also led us to become one of the world’s greatest centres for tourism. So it is an honour that the World Tourism Cities Federation has chosen Hong Kong for this year’s Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit. The Federation, after all, is the world’s first international tourism organisation to focus its mission and mandate on cities.
Not surprising, then, that this Summit welcomes city mayors, vice mayors and other city officials and delegations from over 40 cities from the Mainland and around the world. Together, we embody the spirit of collaboration beyond geographical boundaries. Together, we unite for the future of tourism.
The theme of this year’s Summit, “Innovate City Branding to Elevate Tourism Excellence”, gives us a good start to discuss how our cities could, through collaboration, achieve high-quality development in tourism and more.
For Hong Kong, long an international metropolis, one key development opportunity certainly comes from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
This cluster city development brings together Hong Kong, Macao and nine southern cities in the Guangdong province, and boasts a population of over 86 million. It also has a combined GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that rivals that of the world’s 10th largest economy.
What it means is a consumer market, and source of tourists, that is over 10 times as large as our own city. What it also means, with our country’s facilitation measures for travellers, is that visitors who choose to visit this part of the world have much more cities to add to their itinerary. We are fast developing in multi-destination tourism for an interconnected world. From a six-day visa for visitors in tour groups led by a Hong Kong travel agent, to the visa-free policy for cruise ship travellers along the country’s coastline.
That said, you can well begin in Hong Kong, where there’s something happening everywhere you look – and at our Victoria Harbour. You need only to see for yourself how open, welcoming and endlessly amazing our city is, to a world of tourism – to you.
Start with Victoria Harbour, and enjoy the refreshing views with our skyline and green hills rising from both sides of the harbour. And do take the Star Ferry. For more than a century, it’s been one of the world’s most unforgettable harbour passages. Leisure travel, timeless memories – in Hong Kong – and for well under US$1 a trip. It’s really good value for money.
Hong Kong, after all, is the world’s mega event city. Last week, UK (United Kingdom) band Coldplay performed four sold-out concerts at our brand-new, state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park. And through next Monday, it’s the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Art lovers will want to catch the exhibition “Picasso for Asia: a Conversation”, at M+ museum, in the West Kowloon Cultural District – one of the world’s largest cultural developments. More than 60 masterpieces by Picasso are shown alongside artworks by Asian artists. Also there, is the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which is now showcasing an exhibition that brings together treasures from Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles in Paris.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Hong Kong is where cultures meet and thrive, where creativity is well and alive. And you can also count on hills and sea coasts alive with fabulous hiking, and biking trails. After all, country parks make up some 40 per cent of Hong Kong’s total land area.
And when you’re all hiked and biked out, settle into one of our nearly 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, do yum cha (tea and food) with half of Hong Kong, then toast your good fortune at a local brew pub, or get cozy with milk tea at a classic dai pai dong, our traditional cooked food stalls. And don’t leave Hong Kong without a sky-high cocktail, or two, at hotel and city lounges rising from either side of Victoria Harbour. From dim sum dreams to boozy nights, our food paradise glows with true delights.
Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure this year’s Fragrant Hills will bring about global thrills. My thanks to the World Tourism Cities Federation, and this Hong Kong Summit. I’m confident we’ll find a wellspring of innovative and inspiring ways to work together, to reimagine travel for this 21st century packed with promise for global tourism – and for each and every one of our proud and magnificent cities.
IAS OFFICERS OF THE 2023 BATCH CALL ON THE PRESIDENT THE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WELFARE WORK DONE BY YOU AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL WOULD HELP IN ACHIEVING THE NATIONAL GOALS: PRESIDENT MURMU TO IAS OFFICERS
Posted On: 15 APR 2025 1:49PM by PIB Delhi
A group of IAS officers from the 2023 batch, currently serving as Assistant Secretaries in various Union Ministries and Departments, called on the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre today (April 15, 2025).
Addressing the IAS officers, the President said that they had become IAS officers through extraordinary determination and hard work. This has brought about a transformative change in their personal lives. Now with even more determination and dedication, they have the opportunity to bring about transformative changes in the lives of countless people. Their area of service and authority are so vast that they can make the lives of many fellow citizens better in their first posting itself. She advised them to make special efforts for the upliftment of the underprivileged. She also advised them to visit the places of posting during their career journey after some time and see the far-reaching results of their work.
The President said that officers should keep in mind the rights and duties of civil servants. The duties of a public servant are their responsibilities and their rights are the means to fulfill those duties.
The President told officers that their real career story would be created by their work, not by increasing the number of followers on social media. Their real social net worth would be determined by their good work.
The President said that every public servant should work with honesty of purpose. We all face the challenges of environmental pollution and climate change. Pollution of immorality and erosion in values are also very serious challenges. There should be no need to say anything else about being devoted and honest. The people who move ahead following life values of honesty, truth, and simplicity are happier. Honesty is the most desirable policy in public service. It is expected from the public servant that they would present examples of integrity and sensitivity in every sphere of life.
The President said that in the digital era, people’s aspirations are rising. They are becoming aware of the accountability of administrators. She advised officers to develop closeness with their fellow citizens and increase their participation in local efforts. She also advised them to resolve public interest issues raised by people’s representatives. She said that the development and public welfare work done by them at the local and state level would help in achieving national goals.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong’s Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Armenia in force “Under the CDTA, companies and residents of Hong Kong and Armenia will not have to pay tax twice on a single source of income. The CDTA will allow them to have certainty on tax liabilities and save tax when they engage in cross-border business activities, thus helping to promote bilateral trade and investment. To date, Hong Kong has signed CDTAs with 51 tax jurisdictions,” a Government spokesman said.