Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
From the 2022/23 to 2024/25 school years, aided primary schools (including special schools with a primary section) are provided with more flexibility for employment of teachers having expertise in STEAM-related subjects in aided primary schools with a view to promoting school-based STEAM education. The above arrangement is implemented on a pilot basis for three years.
New
Frequently Asked Questions (Chinese version only)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
First Chest Pain Centre in Hong Kong receives national accreditation
QMH began preparations for establishing the Chest Pain Centre in 2023, aligning with the Policy Address initiative to establish Hong Kong’s first chest pain centre at QMH according to national accreditation standards, aimed at improving the diagnosis process and treatment outcomes for cardiovascular patients. QMH experts subsequently visited various chest pain centres on the Mainland to learn from their experience and processes in managing cardiac patients. Mainland experts were also invited to Hong Kong to exchange insights in preparation for developing operational procedures. Hong Kong’s first chest pain centre at QMH commenced operations in November 2024. Following national accreditation standards, the centre has improved the diagnosis process for acute high-risk cardiac patients, including those with acute myocardial infarction, while promoting national chest pain centre certification as an international standard. These standards encompass standardised management, treatment efficiency improvement, and interdepartmental collaboration.
The Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, said, “QMH’s successful accreditation according to national standards validates its professional expertise in acute cardiac care and strengthens the HA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing cardiac services in public hospitals. The HA maintains a patient-centred approach, continuously improving healthcare service quality through multidisciplinary collaboration, streamlined treatment processes, and innovative technology adoption.”
Dr Ko added that QMH Chest Pain Centre’s successful experience will serve as an important reference for developing similar services across other HA clusters. The HA will continue to invest resources to enhance service efficiency and quality, providing better healthcare services for the public.
The China Chest Pain Centre Accreditation Committee recently sent experts, including the Chairman of the China Chest Pain Centre Expert Committee, Professor Huo Yong, and the Chairman of the China Chest Pain Centre Executive Expert Committee, Professor Xiang Dingchen, to conduct an on-site evaluation at QMH. The experts affirmed QMH Chest Pain Centre’s appropriate timing control for patient examinations and treatments, standardised and efficient overall processes, and reasonable patient care pathways, reflecting that the centre meets all certification requirements for proper handling of acute cardiac patients.
The Hospital Chief Executive of QMH, Dr Theresa Li, thanked the Mainland expert team and the Health Bureau for their support in establishing Hong Kong’s first chest pain centre and obtaining national accreditation. Dr Li said, “Every step in the treatment process is interconnected and affects patient outcomes. The accreditation standards strictly regulate each component, requiring close cooperation between different departments to ensure smooth implementation. With the completion of QMH’s new building, both hardware and software capabilities have been enhanced, which we believe will help patients secure golden treatment time and improve survival rates and post-operative recovery.”
Dr Li also expressed gratitude to the various hospital teams for their efforts in establishing and achieving accreditation for the Chest Pain Centre.
The HA will continue to optimise services and, drawing from QMH’s experience, establish a second chest pain centre at Prince of Wales Hospital according to national accreditation standards. The goal is to build a chest pain treatment network in Hong Kong to improve diagnostic efficiency, enhance treatment effectiveness, and increase patient survival rates.
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) Convention 2025 begins today for three consecutive days (May 26 to 28) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, in both in-person and online formats. This marks the first time the convention has been extended to three days, making it the HA’s largest-scale event to date. Approximately 190 overseas, Mainland and local distinguished speakers will exchange expertise on various healthcare topics with over 8,000 participating healthcare professionals and academics, achieving record-high participation levels.
The HA Convention this year is focusing on the HA’s core values, namely People-centred Care, Professional Service, Committed Staff and Teamwork. Topics include healthcare development, smart hospitals, artificial intelligence, organ transplantation, cancer management, and innovation technology in support of staff training. The HA convention aims to promote the sharing of knowledge and experience on clinical advances and approaches to modern healthcare service, and facilitate exploration and discussion of contemporary concepts among healthcare professionals and stakeholders.
The convention was officially opened this morning by Vice-Minister of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China Professor Cao Xuetao; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the HA Chairman, Mr Henry Fan; and the HA Chief Executive, Dr Tony Ko.
In his address, Mr Chan said that the HA has been continuously reforming and enhancing service efficiency and quality through its professional team and robust management system. Notably, the Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence (IMACE), which brings together different areas of expertise from Hong Kong’s healthcare sector, was formally established this May.
“The HA will be very much involved in the IMACE’s research work, collaborating with other major public and private healthcare institutions to collect data and cases for detailed deliberations on clinical practices in the screening, diagnosis, treatment and management of various diseases, evaluating the efficacy of various medical options, and devising clinical guidelines and standards for healthcare professionals. This collective effort aims to enhance Hong Kong’s healthcare service standards for the benefit of patients throughout Hong Kong.”
In his welcome address, Mr Fan said that 2025 marks the commencement of an era of reformation at the HA. A key initiative is supporting the Government’s public healthcare fees and charges reform aimed at rationalising public hospital services, reducing wastage and misuse, and enhancing support for patients with financial difficulties.
Mr Fan said, “2025 is a crucial year for the HA’s reform initiatives. Facing challenges such as an ageing population, an increase of chronic diseases, and rising medical costs, the HA needs to undergo fundamental reforms to meet public needs, enhance service efficiency, and maintain the sustainability of the public healthcare system while building a public healthcare system that meets the needs of the community that enhances the well-being of citizens.”
Additionally, the HA established the Review Committee on the Management of the Public Hospital System last year, proposing 31 recommendations to strengthen governance, enhance accountability, and foster a culture of safety. Building on this foundation, in order to advance reform, the HA further established a high-level Governance and Structure Reform Committee (Reform Committee) last year to provide strategic guidance, oversight, and reform advice to promote the sustainable development of healthcare services.
Mr Fan continued, “Among the many topics that the Reform Committee will be looking into, remuneration structure, financial management and clinical management are particularly crucial. This includes introducing the concept of ‘more contribution, more gain’, with remuneration commensurate with performance and contributions to provide motivation for colleagues, reviewing the financial management system to achieve cost savings, and utilising modern technology to optimise clinical outcomes.”
Delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony, “Advancing Sustainable Excellence”, Dr Ko reviewed the HA’s 35 years of experience and shared his vision for a sustainable, patient-centred public healthcare system.
“With a rapidly ageing population, swift medical technological advancements, and unpredictable threats of global pandemics, we must remain proactive in driving bold reforms. Digital transformation is central to our strategy in addressing rising healthcare demands. The HA is committed to enhancing digital innovation, integrating big data and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve service efficiency and performance while enhancing both patient and healthcare staff experiences,” Dr Ko said.
He said that the HA Go mobile application continues to stand as a transformative patient empowerment platform, significantly improving patient experience through technology. “HA Go now has over 3.1 million registered users, empowers patients with easy access to self care and direct interaction with healthcare services. HA Go streamlines the patient journey through offering seamless features such as outpatient appointment management, registration, payments, digital queuing updates, all accessible within a few clicks. The platform also provides patients with options for medication delivery services, which embodies our patient-centred service mission”, Dr Ko said.
He emphasised, “While technology advances, staff remain the irreplaceable core of quality healthcare services. We are committed to providing our staff members with opportunities for personal growth and professional development. The HA sponsored more than 2,600 staff members to participate in training programmes in various places in 2024/25. Through immersive exchange and training initiatives, our healthcare professionals have gained valuable exposure to diverse clinical practices and perspectives. Such experiences foster mutual learning and encourage broader horizons for all staff.”
In addition to retaining and cultivating existing personnel, Dr Ko said that it is equally important to reach out to new talent from outside. The HA actively recruits non-locally trained doctors and nurses. As of mid-March this year, nearly 300 non-locally trained doctors have joined the HA team, nearly double in comparison to last year. Following the Nurses Registration (Amendment) Ordinance 2024, more than 100 non-locally trained nursing candidates have also been employed, further reinforcing Hong Kong’s clinical capabilities. Over 240 individuals have taken part in expanded clinical exchange programmes, while more than 100 Chinese Medicine practitioners in the HA received training from Mainland experts.
Dr Ko stressed that the HA must highlight the deep collaboration with counterparts in the Mainland, which is vital to the growth and evolution of the local healthcare landscape. A key area of collaboration is enhancing services for major diseases such as cardiac illnesses and strokes. To drive integrated and high-quality care, the HA is establishing chest pain centres and national stroke centres, harmonising treatment protocols and elevating outcomes through national accreditation. The first chest pain centre in Hong Kong at Queen Mary Hospital has been established according to national accreditation standards, further optimising treatment options for cardiovascular patients.
“In line with the Chief Executive’s policy direction to enhance Hong Kong’s healthcare standards, the first batch of public hospitals, including Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, have been awarded accreditation status under the China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version). To ensure consistent quality improvement across hospitals throughout the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, three additional acute hospitals will embark on their accreditation journey in 2025-26, further strengthening their international presence and raising the quality and safety of healthcare services.”
In conclusion, Dr Ko said, “We are living in an era of profound transformation. Let us uphold the spirit that ‘reform is an ongoing journey’, embrace technological innovation, sustain healthcare excellence, optimise resource allocation, and enhance service efficiency and quality to swiftly respond to the community’s evolving needs.” He expressed confidence that with the determination of all members of the HA and the support from the community and partners, the HA will collectively shape a brighter, more sustainable future for in public healthcare.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Housing Bureau awards two operation and management contracts of Light Public Housing projects
The third contract covers the operation and management of the LPH project at Tsing Fuk Lane, Tuen Mun (i.e. Tuen Mun Area 3A), providing about 1 900 units. The fourth contract covers the operation and management of the LPH project at Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak (Phase 1), providing about 3 000 units. Both projects are anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. The operating organisations will need to work at full capacity to carry out the pre-management works effectively, so as to ensure the smooth handling of LPH applications and intake arrangements, and to provide various services and ancillary facilities for the residents and local communities immediately upon intake.
The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, said, “Under the steer of the HB, the first LPH project at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, is progressing towards full intake, while the project at Choi Hing Road, Ngau Tau Kok, will commence intake in phases by the end of next month. With the appointment of the third and the fourth operating organisations for LPH today, this social project has further taken a significant step forward, and more citizens in need will benefit from the LPH.”
“I look forward to working closely with various operating organisations in the coming years to ensure effective operation and management, thereby allowing the residents and nearby communities to benefit from the projects’ ancillary facilities and community services. We are also inviting tenders for two other operation and management contracts, covering the four school conversion projects and the Sheung On Street project in Chai Wan. I would like to appeal to other organisations that are interested in operating LPH projects to actively participate in the tenders and work together with the Government to improve the living environment of the grassroots and help them in their pursuit of happiness,” she added.
In addition to providing accommodation, the LPH projects will also offer various services and facilities for the residents and the local community. Therefore, unlike general property management contracts, the requirements for LPH’s operation and management services, not only cover occupant management, property management, and daily maintenance, but also a range of social services, as well as the management and operation of ancillary facilities.
To ensure service quality, the HB has, in the assessment process, carried out a technical assessment based on a series of criteria including the management capability and relevant experience of the tenderers, as well as the proposed modes of operation and management, social services to be provided, exit plan and the use of innovation and information technology. The tender price was then comprehensively evaluated to decide on the most suitable operating organisation.
The Chief Executive announced the construction of about 30 000 LPH units by 2027-28. The HB and the Architectural Services Department have been working at full steam to take forward the related works. The LPH Phase 1 and Phase 2 applications, covering about 4 400 and 5 060 units respectively, have received an overwhelming response, with about 21 900 applications received by the end of May this year.
Issued at HKT 18:30
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $6.9 million at airport (with photo)Issued at HKT 18:00
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens related to China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation LimitedIssued at HKT 17:22
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Source: Republic of China Taiwan
President Lai Ching-Te led a delegation on April 11 to the Taichung Industrial Park under the Bureau of Industrial Parks(BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs(MOEA) as part of the “Industry Listening Tour.” Accompanied by Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-An, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-Hsin, Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-Huei, Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China Chairman Tai Teng-shan, and other MOEA officials, President Lai held in-depth discussions with central Taiwan enterprises leaders to understand firsthand the challenges and needs arising from recent changes to U.S. tariff policy.
On April 10, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause and reduction of reciprocal tariffs to 10%. President Lai emphasized that this presents a crucial opportunity for Taiwan to engage in strategic negotiations and adjustments. He reassured the industry that the government would seize this opportunity and work side-by-side with enterprises to secure Taiwan’s best benefits. President Lai noted that Taiwan was among the first countries globally to respond with concrete actions, including launching industry consultations and proposing specific measures. These include pursuing tariff negotiations, increasing procurement and investment in the U.S., removing trade barriers, and combating country-of-origin misrepresentation. Addressing the impact of the reciprocal tariff, President Lai stated, “When the roots of the tree are stable, there’s no fear of the typhoon shaking its branches,” and outlined a new strategy: “rooted in Taiwan, expand global presence, strengthened ties with the U.S., and market worldwide.” He emphasized a dual transformation approach-smart and global-to enhance Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness.
The MOEA explained that the government had launched an NT$88 billion support program for export supply chains in response to the U.S. tariff policy. The plan targets nine key areas and includes 20 measures such as enhanced export credit guarantees, enhanced SME financing, transformation R&D subsidies, and overseas market expansion, aimed at strengthening industry resilience and adaptability.
During the session, company representatives actively shared insights and suggestions, covering topics such as international trade shows, logistics arrangements for U.S. shipments, financing needs, mechanisms to prevent origin fraud, and tax credit incentives for Taiwan-based operations. The President and officials responded directly and promptly to each concern, underscoring the government’s determination and responsiveness.
President Lai concluded by noting that Taiwan is already included in the U.S.’s first list for tariff negotiations. He assured attendees that the government is fully prepared to engage in talks. This “listening tour,” he emphasized, is not only about hearing from the industry-it also marks the start of concrete government action, backed by targeted policies and resources to support businesses amid global change.
Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw
Contact Person: Chi, Shih-Tsung (Director of Taichung Branch, BIP)
Contact Number: 886-4-26581215, 0905287377
Email: chist@bip.gov.tw
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Speech by SCST at Luxury Symposium 2025 (English only)
Mr Alain Li (President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. It is truly my pleasure to be here at Luxury Symposium 2025, where leaders, experts and innovators from the global luxury industry gather together in the metropolitan city of Hong Kong to explore the future of luxury. And indeed, my activities today are intertwined. I met with the Hong Kong Retail Management Association just now, then I came to this Symposium, then I will go back for a meeting to prepare for our next peak of visitor arrival. This pretty much shows the importance of tourism and luxury spending and luxury sales on my radar screen.
This year marks the 10th anniversary and this is the ninth edition of the Luxury Symposium series. Since its inception in 2016, the Symposium has established itself as a renowned platform for exploring the evolution of luxury and fostering meaningful dialogue. I’m most pleased to welcome distinguished speakers, world-class brands and passionate participants, many of you would be our old friends while some may have come our way for the first time. For this special milestone, the return of Luxury Symposium 2025 to Hong Kong is a firm testimony of Hong Kong’s unique position as Asia’s Events Capital, an international hub for arts and culture, and a shopper’s paradise.
Hong Kong has a long and rich East-meets-West historical legacy. And with the strong support of the Central People’s Government, Hong Kong is striving to further develop this unique asset for the benefit of fostering deepened international cultural co-operation. Specifically, our role is the “super-connector” between our motherland and the rest of the world. 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for Hong Kong’s cultural and creative scene. We have successfully hosted iconic international events like Art Basel and Art Central, which were warmly received by over 100 000 participants, including artists, galleries, art collectors and enthusiasts, and about 50 per cent of them were from outside of Hong Kong.
Indeed, in the last couple of years, and indeed even right now, our M+ museum in West Kowloon and our Museum of Art have been staging exquisite exhibitions with modern and unique curation of Yayoi Kusama, I M Pei, Pablo Picasso, Renoir and Cézanne. These exhibitions are primarily in the area of visual arts, and an ability for Hong Kong people and our visitors to appreciate, and an instinct to achieve beauty and awe, is the fundamental driver for the creation and acquisition of sublime art pieces, many of which actually take the form of luxurious goods. Hong Kong has long been aware of the importance of, and actively fosters, the development of arts, culture and creative industries. Last year in November, we have introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. And “Develop Diverse Arts and Culture Industries with International Perspective” was one of the four strategic directions. I’m glad to see that Luxury Symposium 2025, by applying a unique perspective from global leaders of the industry, will generate innovative and inspirational ideas that benefit the long-term development of the luxury and relevant industries here in Hong Kong and globally.
Apart from showcasing brilliant arts talent, we have also brought world-class fashion to our shores. An iconic example was the unforgettable Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Pre-fall fashion show in Hong Kong in end November 2023, which was the first ever runway show to stage against our iconic Victoria Harbour and the spectacular skyline along the Avenue of Stars. With the Government’s full facilitation, the event reached over 560 million views worldwide, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique allure to a global audience. Another one would be Chanel’s Cruise 2024/25 Show which creatively took place in the Hong Kong Design Institute in November 2024. The event not only successfully drew a big crowd of celebrities and fashion icons to Hong Kong, but also connected cinema lovers through film-related talks and happenings at Shaw Studios, taking note of the fact that cinema has always been at the heart of the brand. The event reaffirms the brand’s commitment to the city through celebrating the heritage and spirit of the collection, all the while paying tribute to the culture of Hong Kong.
We certainly welcome more mega events, including luxurious brand events, with open arms and will be most happy to act as a strong facilitator. Of course, apart from government action, it takes joint efforts and collective wisdom from both local and international stakeholders, to cultivate an organic ecosystem for the development of arts, culture and creative industries on Hong Kong’s fertile soil.
Luxury should not just be about expensive art pieces or goods that are beyond the reach of ordinary people. Everyone needs and deserves a bit a luxury, be it peace of the mind, ample me-time, tranquil lifestyle, a super fine culinary experience, or just a bit of glitter once in a while. It is more about things in life that bring a joy so special or satisfying that it cannot be replaced by much else, so that one feels a desire to own it, to touch it and to come to it. It can mean different things to different people. And some of the things might be ultra expensive, but some are simply one of a kind, treasurable, without being overly costly.
The theme of this year’s Symposium is “Hong Kong Zoom in, Zoom out – The Asia edition”. Let us now zoom in a little bit and zoom out a little bit to see what Hong Kong has to offer.
Zooming in, Hong Kong is dedicated to advancing our infrastructure and enriching the content of our offering to drive new experiences and visitor engagement. The newly opened state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park which hosted world-class events like Coldplay concerts and the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens provide unforgettable excitement while fresh tourism initiatives announced last week like Hong Kong Industrial Brand Tourism, in-depth travel in Kowloon City and Old Town Central, rejuvenation of the Former Yau Ma Tei Police Station etc. There is no shortage of fun and nostalgia of Hong Kong’s cultural legacy.
Zooming out, we are strengthening global connections by actively initiating, supporting or participating in platforms for arts and cultural exchange, to name a few, the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum where cultural administrators exchange views of cultural policies, and the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo newly launched in 2024 that brought together global arts institutions and practitioners for business partnerships and promotion of the industry all in one go. The Luxury Symposium is another precious piece in this puzzle – it is a platform for Hong Kong to connect with international peers, exchange ideas, gain experience, and explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation. These initiatives are introduced not only by the Government, but also the industries and various institutions.
Ladies and gentlemen, rapid and vigorous changes have been taking place in our current world, and definitely to the luxury industry. It has come to my attention that a specific part on tackling talent challenges will be presented in our Symposium later today. Apart from talent, shifting market trends and customer preference, as well as technological advancement, all pose challenges to the luxury industry, particularly in this volatile age of geopolitical tension. Faced with evolving challenges of changing spending patterns and tourist behaviours every day, I always advocate an active approach to discover the opportunities that come with the challenges. At this year’s Luxury Symposium, we all have the privilege to learn about insightful thoughts on the future of luxury from leaders of the industry, academia and a wide range of related sectors with diversified backgrounds. When rivers of thought converge, civilisations bloom in shared moonlight, and the potential of the industry can then be fully unleashed. It is through collaboration, creativity, and shared wisdom that we can unlock one another’s potential as a vibrant, global industry.
Before I close, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong for your unwavering dedication in organising the Luxury Symposium year after year. Your effort continues to strengthen the bond between Hong Kong and France while enriching cultural exchange on a global scale. My special thanks also go to the distinguished speakers, participating brands, collaborating organisations and amazing attendants like every one of you here and online. I wish Luxury Symposium 2025 a resounding success and all of you a fruitful journey of discovery, innovation and luxury in Hong Kong.
Thank you.
Issued at HKT 17:06
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Import of poultry meat and products from Kidder County of State of North Dakota in US suspendedIssued at HKT 16:45
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EMSD releases latest lift maintenance cost information of private residential and commercial premises
| Lift travel levelPrivate commercial buildings |