Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Japanese second-hand fashion retailer opens first outlet in Hong Kong (with photo)Issued at HKT 14:30
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Marine Department hosts seminar to promote water sports safety (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Marine Department hosts seminar to promote water sports safety
Speaking at the seminar, the Deputy Director of Marine, Mr Shi Qiang, urged the public to prepare well before participating in water sports activities to ensure safety. He also reminded the public to comply with requirements of the Marine Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Ordinance, which came into effect on January 1 this year, and advised members of the public not to operate vessels or perform specified duties on vessels underway while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in order to safeguard maritime safety.
The MD also reminded coxswains and vessel operators to make adequate preparations before setting sail, including planning their trips and inspecting the vessel’s structure and its safety equipment onboard. There should also be a sufficient number of qualified crew members on board to guide passengers in following safety guidelines for water sports activities. Coxswains and vessel operators should also familiarise themselves with all safety precautions and contingency measures, obtain sufficient weather forecast information and closely monitor weather conditions and relevant warning signals.
When operating recreational craft in shallow waters, speed-restricted areas or waters where people are engaged in water sports activities, coxswains must take extra care, strengthen lookouts and take appropriate safety measures to avoid danger.
The MD also reminded the public that they should check the list of pleasure vessels endorsed by the MD to be let for hire or reward by scanning the QR code posters displayed at public piers and popular marine tourism spots. TV and radio announcements in the public interest will be broadcast on various platforms to assist the public in identifying endorsed pleasure vessels.
As well, swimmers should swim at beaches where lifeguards are on duty, avoid swimming away from the bathing beach area and avoid swimming near anchored vessels. Swimmers should understand their physical abilities, take care of accompanying children, and avoid swimming alone or unaccompanied. They should also refrain from swimming immediately after eating, drinking or taking drugs. To prevent accidents, divers should follow the relevant guidelines and maintain safety awareness at all times. When surfacing, divers should pay particular attention to their surroundings and the movement of vessels in the vicinity, and display proper buoyancy signals.
As the typhoon season approaches, the MD particularly calls on owners, coxswains and persons-in-charge of local vessels to take appropriate precautionary measures prior to the onset of a typhoon to ensure the safety of persons on board and the vessels.
The MD will continue to promote safety awareness among the public through education and publicity. The MD distributes leaflets to the public, such as “Observing the safety advice, Enjoying the fun at sea”, which provide safety advice for various water sports activities to prevent accidents.
Officers of the MD and the Marine Police will strengthen their patrol operations in speed-restricted zones, waters in the vicinity of popular beaches and water sports sites, while taking action against illegal or reckless boating activities. Lifeguards from the LCSD will also monitor boating activities at various beaches and adjacent waters. They will inform the MD and the Marine Police if law enforcement actions against offenders are required.
The MD hopes that the industry and the public will work together to promote water sports safety so that everyone can enjoy pleasant leisure water sports activities.
Issued at HKT 17:15
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LCQ6: Northern Metropolis University Town
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Kwok-fan and a reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):
Question:
The Government has reserved sites in the Northern Metropolis for the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT) and plan to publish the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework in the first half of 2026. According to the current plan, NMUT will be spread over three sites, namely, about 46 hectares in Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area, about 40 hectares in New Territories North New Town and about five hectares in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the development timeline, infrastructure details, and estimated commencement date for the three aforesaid sites; given the positive response from local and overseas institutions towards NMUT, how will the Government expedite the development, including advancing the publication of the Northern Metropolis University Town Development Conceptual Framework within this year to meet demand;
(2) given that there are views pointing out that the development of HSK/HT NDA is ahead of the other two sites, and that the MTR Hung Shui Kiu Station is expected to be completed in 2030, will the Government give priority to the development of the site for education purpose in that area; if so, of the specific plans; if not, the reasons for that; and
​
(3) as the area of the site for education purpose in HSK/HT NDA is only five hectares, will the Government, in the light of the latest developments, dynamically plan and consolidate the site and expand it to a size comparable to the other two sites (i.e. over 40 hectares); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Education is the key to nurturing talent. Hong Kong’s post-secondary education is highly internationalised and diversified. As the only city with five universities in the world’s top 100, Hong Kong is an international hub for exchange and collaboration among high-calibre talent. For two consecutive years, the Chief Executive has put forward in the Policy Address the goal of developing Hong Kong into an international education hub and a cradle for future talent, and making good use of the Northern Metropolis (NM), with new land, new population, excellent connectivity, development opportunities of different industries and close connections with the Mainland, to provide space for the post-secondary education sector to develop and enhance its quality and capacity.
At present, the Government has reserved about 90 hectares (ha) of land in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA), the Ngau Tam Mei New Development Area (NTM NDA) and the New Territories North New Town (NTN New Town) in the NM for developing the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT). The Government will encourage local post‑secondary institutions to introduce more branded programmes, research collaborations and exchange projects on a self-financing basis with renowned Mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner. The Government will also progressively take forward the NMUT development in accordance with four objectives and strategies, including:
(1) industry-led;
(2) supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international post-secondary education hub;
(3) aligned with the national development strategies; and
(4) industry-driven, step by step.
The Education Bureau (EDB) plans to release the NMUT Development Conceptual Framework in the first half of 2026.
In consultation with the Development Bureau (DEVB), our consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Lau Kwok-fan is as follows:
(1) About five ha of land within the HSK/HT NDA has been planned for the NMUT, which can be made available for the development of a new campus for self financing post-secondary institution(s), with a view to supporting the parallel development of the self-financing and publicly-funded post-secondary education sectors. The statutory town plan for the HSK/HT NDA has been formulated, and the first stage of site formation works commenced in 2020. The Stage 2 works, including those for the NMUT land, have commenced progressively from the first half of 2024. It is expected that the NMUT land will be formed within 2026 at the earliest for the construction of a campus.
As for NTM NDA and NTN New Town, the NMUT land currently under planning is about 46 ha and 40 ha in size respectively. In end-2024, the DEVB announced the development proposals for these two NDAs. Upon completion of the statutory planning procedures, the DEVB will accord priority to the delivery of the NMUT land within these two NDAs. It is anticipated that government-led site formation works in NTM NDA can commence in 2027 at the earliest, with the first batch of land for the NMUT formed in 2029 at the earliest. The NMUT land in NTN New Town is proposed to be included in the Priority Development Area thereof, and government-led site formation works therein can commence in 2028/29 at the earliest, with the first batch of land for the NMUT formed in 2030/31 at the earliest.
(2) and (3) Land is a valuable social resource. With respect to the overall framework and planning for the development of post-secondary education in the NM, we have made reference to the preliminary development intentions on the NMUT submitted by relevant institutions. To take forward the development in a pragmatic and steady manner, having holistically considered various factors and development priorities, the Government has increased the site area of the NMUT from about 60 ha initially to about 90 ha at present to meet the needs of the post-secondary sector. Moreover, the EDB will continue to adhere to the principle of “industry-led, step by step” and take forward the planning of the NMUT in phases in accordance with the development strategies and paces of different zones in the NM.
As indicated in the Approved Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen Outline Zoning Plan and the NM Action Agenda, which were formulated by relevant departments after conducting extensive consultation and consolidating various policy considerations, the Government has reserved about five ha of land in the HSK/HT NDA for the development of a new self-financing post-secondary institution campus, with a view to supporting the parallel development of the self-financing and publicly-funded post-secondary education sectors. Since the relevant site formation works are expected to complete in 2026, it is anticipated that the relevant site can be ready for launch earlier than the ones in the NTM NDA and the NTN New Town. We are discussing planning matters with relevant bureaux/departments, including the specific location, area, use and density of the reserved land, and will invite eligible self-financing post-secondary institutions to submit expressions of interest for the site in due course, depending on the planning progress.
The approved Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen Outline Zoning Plan was promulgated in October 2018, which sets out the uses, such as domestic, industrial and government/community facilities uses, and development parameters of different land parcels in the area. The DEVB will conduct a timely review of planning matters, such as land uses and development parameters, in the light of the latest social and economic developments. It will propose amendments to the plan where necessary and will take into account the views of various sectors in the process. If the development plan of an institution requires a site area of more than five ha and meets the relevant criteria for consideration, such as feasibility, cost-effectiveness and making good use of existing campus facilities and public resources, the EDB will assess with relevant bureaux/departments whether there is room for revising the land use planning for the HSK/HT NDA so as to accommodate the development plan of the institution.
Thank you, President.
India Showcases SVAMITVA as Country Champion at the Ongoing World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington DC
Source: Government of India
India Showcases SVAMITVA as Country Champion at the Ongoing World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington DC
Sessions on “Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure” & “Securing Land Rights for a Billion People” to Foster Dialogue on Inclusive Land Governance
Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi
India, took center stage at the prestigious World Bank Land Conference 2025, held in Washington D.C., reaffirming its global leadership in inclusive land governance and grassroots empowerment. Participating as a Country Champion in the Plenary Session on 6th May 2025, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, delivered an address during the High-Level Plenary on “Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform”, articulating India’s leadership in land rights, tenure reforms, and technology-driven spatial planning.
At the World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington D.C., Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, shared insights on the #SVAMITVA Scheme’s success in scaling across India. He emphasized the challenges posed by India’s vast population, strong regional identities, and the… pic.twitter.com/gt4fBhw7El
— Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India (@mopr_goi) May 7, 2025
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s pioneering SVAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) has emerged as a transformational initiative in rural land governance. Shri Bharadwaj shared deep insights into the scheme’s journey – beginning with onboarding States, amending State laws and survey rules, and establishing critical technological infrastructure like Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) to enable accurate drone-based mapping. He explained how India’s federal structure requires strategic cooperation, coordination, and community involvement to drive reforms on a national scale.
In his address, Shri Bharadwaj mentioned the Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto’s observation about the untapped economic potential locked in informal land holdings. He emphasized that India has surveyed 68,000 square kilometers of rural land under SVAMITVA, unlocking $1.16 trillion worth of assets, thereby offering millions of rural families legal title, dignity, and access to credit and opportunity. Through anecdotes of individuals like a dairy farmer in Madhya Pradesh who expanded his business, or a mother in Rajasthan who funded her daughter’s overseas education, he highlighted how land ownership is being converted into real empowerment.
At the World Bank Land Conference 2025, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, eloquently highlighted India’s achievements in land governance under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Referring to economist Hernando de… pic.twitter.com/hZj9sqDp0X
— Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India (@mopr_goi) May 6, 2025
The Special Event scheduled on 7th May 2025, titled “Securing Land Rights for a Billion People,” is set to further amplify India’s model of inclusive and technology-driven land governance. Led by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the session will open with welcome and opening remarks by Dr. Klaus W. Deininger, Lead Economist, World Bank, followed by an introduction by Mr. Somik V. Lall, Senior Advisor, DECVP, World Bank. The event will spotlight the design, impact, and scalability of the SVAMITVA Scheme, with presentation by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj. An interactive Q&A session will follow, reflecting the growing global interest in India’s transformative approach to rural land governance. The side event will be attended by all delegates of the World Bank Land Conference 2025, including Advisors and Senior Advisors to seven Executive Directors representing regions across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Central Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia, offering a valuable opportunity for cross-regional dialogue and exchange. The side event will provide a focused platform to discuss the implementation methodology and transformative benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme with countries that share similar land administration systems. The objective is to explore avenues for collaboration, enabling the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to support and partner with these nations in adopting and adapting similar models in their respective contexts.
On 8th May 2025, the focus will be on Gram Manchitra, India’s advanced GIS-based spatial planning platform. Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will present how the platform is facilitating spatially informed decision-making at the Panchayat level, showcasing the integration of cutting-edge technology with grassroots governance to foster sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant villages.
India’s interventions across these sessions aim to serve not only as a model for participatory and technology-enabled land governance, but also as a call to action for other nations striving to achieve SDG Target 1.4.2 which aims to ensure legal ownership and control over land for all, especially vulnerable communities. Through its presence at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, India has been positioned as a global thought leader in land tenure reforms, rural development, and inclusive governance demonstrating that a data-driven, people-centric approach can effectively bridge centuries-old land insecurity and usher in a new era of legal recognition, dignity, and prosperity for rural citizens.
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Aditi Agrawal
(Release ID: 2127523) Visitor Counter : 30
Fraudulent websites related to Octopus Cards Limited
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Fraudulent websites related to Octopus Cards Limitedhttps[:]//floatingasia[.]com/RBgbKYBH
https[:]//maxigatest[.]com/ZnZxHC8L
https[:]//cendeadeiza[.]com/FGLhjys4
https[:]//www[.]facebook[.]com/share/1BHqsrpBCi/Issued at HKT 18:40
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FEHD takes enforcement action against sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD takes enforcement action against sale of chilled or frozen meat disguised as fresh meat Issued at HKT 18:30
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ECI crosses milestone of training over 2,300 field-level election functionaries at IIIDEM
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 3:52PM by PIB Delhi
The Election Commission of India has now taken another unprecedented step of training field-level election functionaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in Tamil language. 293 participants comprising 264 BLO Supervisors, 14 EROs, 2 DEOs and other officials are part of this mixed-batch training programme at IIIDEM, Delhi.
2. In his inaugural address Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar said that the BLOs are the first interface of the Election Commission of India with the voters and have a vital role in ensuring correct and updated electoral rolls. With this, nearly 2,300 participants have benefited from intensive training programmes being organised at IIIDEM during the past few weeks. This 2-day training programme is in line with the expansive training programme to train election functionaries at all levels including over 1 lakh BLOs in the country in next few years.
3. The BLO supervisors are being trained through interactive sessions, role plays, to ensure accurate filling of various forms including Form 6, 7 & 8. The module includes practical training in the use of IT solutions. These BLO supervisors are being equipped as Assembly Level Master Trainers to train other BLOs.
4. The participants were also familiarised with the provisions of first and second appeals against the final published electoral rolls with the District Magistrate (DM or an officer of equivalent rank) under section 24(a) of RP Act 1950 and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State/UT under section 24(b) respectively.
5. It may be recalled that no appeals were filed from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after the completion of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise as of 6th-10th of January 2025.
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PK/GDH/RP
(Release ID: 2127514) Visitor Counter : 24
Sotheby’s Hong Kong Postpones the Auction of Piprahwa Buddhist Relics Following Intervention by Ministry of Culture
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 07 MAY 2025 3:45PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has successfully secured the postponement of the auction of the sacred Piprahwa Buddhist relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, which was scheduled for May 7, 2025.
The Piprahwa Relics, comprising bone fragments of the Historical Buddha, along with soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones, were excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé. An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan. The majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899 and are classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, prohibiting their removal or sale. A portion of the bone relics was gifted to the King of Siam, while a selection of funerary gems retained by W.C. Peppé’s great-grandson, Chris Peppé, was listed for auction.
Upon learning of the auction through media reports, the Ministry of Culture immediately initiated the following actions:
- On May 2, 2025, the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) wrote to the Consulate General of Hong Kong, requesting the immediate cessation of the auction.
- During a bilateral meeting on the same day, Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat raised the matter with Rt Hon Lisa Nandy, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, emphasizing the relics’ cultural and religious significance and urging immediate action.
- On May 5, 2025, the Secretary, Ministry of Culture, convened a review meeting to discuss next steps.
- A legal notice was issued to Sotheby’s (through representatives Ms. Ivy Wong and Julian King) and Chris Peppé on the same day, demanding the auction’s halt.
- The Ministry of External Affairs was requested to follow up through its Europe West and East Asia Divisions with embassies in the UK and Hong Kong to ensure the auction’s stoppage.
On May 5, 2025, Sotheby’s Hong Kong acknowledged the legal notice via email, assuring that the matter was under consideration and a written reply would be submitted.
On May 6, 2025, a high-level delegation led by the Secretary, Ministry of Culture, including the Joint Secretary (East Asia Division, MEA) and the Consul General of India to Hong Kong, held discussions with Sotheby’s representatives. The delegation highlighted that the relics were not ordinary artifacts but held sacred significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide. It was further emphasized that the relics rightfully belong to India, from where they were taken during the colonial era.
Late on May 6, 2025, Sotheby’s Hong Kong informed via email that the auction of the Piprahwa relics was being postponed and proposed further discussions. The auction page was subsequently removed from Sotheby’s website.
The Ministry’s efforts were supported by – The Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, Krista Pikkat, Director, UNESCO, Buddhist organizations from India, Sri Lanka, and other countries, Prof. Naman Ahuja, who filed a representation with the Prime Minister’s portal and national and international media.
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the ASI and MEA, will now engage all stakeholders to advance discussions on the repatriation of the relics to India.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
(Release ID: 2127516) Visitor Counter : 25
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Ma On Shan (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Ma On Shan Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.Issued at HKT 18:05
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Temporary closure of park located east of Fan Kam Road
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (May 7) that the park located east of Fan Kam Road (i.e. area of holes 1-8 of the Old Course of the Fanling Golf Course) will be temporarily closed from May 12 to 15 and May 23 to 30 for organising golf competitions. The fee-charging carpark and the 5-a-side hard-surface soccer pitches in the park will not be affected and will remain open for public use.
Upon completion of the event, the LCSD will reopen the park facilities after inspection and maintenance. For enquiries, please contact the venue staff at 2295 3118.