Marine Department officers to use body-worn video cameras in discharging duties in Hong Kong waters (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Marine Department officers to use body-worn video cameras in discharging duties in Hong Kong waters.

This follows a successful six-month trial around Victoria Harbour, which demonstrated the cameras’ effectiveness in assisting investigations and recording on-site situations during major events at sea. The cameras are intended to improve the accuracy and efficiency of evidence gathering and help officers perform their duties more effectively. 

CFS announces food safety report for May

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CFS announces food safety report for May.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 30) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 6 400 food samples tested (including food items purchased online) were found to be satisfactory except for six unsatisfactory samples that were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.9 per cent.

A CFS spokesman said that about 2 000 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, and about 4 400 samples were taken for chemical and radiation level tests.

The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators; the chemical tests included testing for pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others; and the radiation-level tests included testing for radioactive caesium and iodine in samples collected from imported food from different regions.

The samples comprised about 1 600 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 500 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 600 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 1 300 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 900 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 1 500 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).

The six unsatisfactory samples comprised two mushroom samples and a prepackaged dried lily bulb sample detected with metallic contaminants exceeding the legal limit, a white radish sample and a melon sample detected with pesticide residues at levels exceeding the legal limit, and a pig ear sample found to contain Salmonella.

The CFS has taken follow-up actions on the above-mentioned unsatisfactory samples, including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items, and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.

Separately, in response to the Japanese Government’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the CFS will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food, and make reference to the risk assessment results to adjust relevant surveillance work in a timely manner. The CFS will announce every working day on its dedicated webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/daily_japan_nuclear_incidents.html) the radiological test results of the samples of food imported from Japan, with a view to enabling the trade and members of the public to have a better grasp of the latest safety information.

Ends/Monday, June 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:00
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Labour Department to hold webinar on abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Labour Department to hold webinar on abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement.

The Labour Department will hold a webinar on the abolition of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) offsetting arrangement on July 22 (Tuesday) at 3.30pm. Employers, employees and human resources practitioners are welcome to attend. The abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement took effect on May 1 to improve the retirement protection of employees. To tie in with the abolition, the Government on the same day launched the 25-year Subsidy Scheme for Abolition of MPF Offsetting Arrangement (SSA) to share out the severance payment/long service payment expenses of employers after the abolition. The key features of the abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement, the calculation of severance payment/long service payment after the abolition, and the main points of the SSA will be introduced in the briefing. The online briefing will be conducted in Cantonese via Zoom, and admission is free of charge. The quotas will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the enrolment deadline is July 15 (Tuesday). The enrolment form can be downloaded from the thematic website of the abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement (www.op.labour.gov.hk/en/pdf/EnrolmentForm_J uly_Eng.pdf). For enquiries, please call 2852 3921. Ends/Monday, June 30, 2025 Issued at HKT 11:00 NNNN

Secretary for Housing to visit Portugal and Spain

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, will depart for a visit to Lisbon, Portugal, tomorrow night (July 1). She will attend the International Forum on Urbanism on July 2 and speak at the forum on the various housing initiatives implemented by the Housing Bureau and the Hong Kong Housing Authority in recent years to enhance people’s livelihoods, encourage upward mobility, and promote innovative construction technologies, as well as the “Well-being design” guide launched last year.
 
     During her stay in Lisbon, she will meet with relevant local officials. She will also officiate at a business luncheon co-organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, to share Hong Kong’s experiences in enhancing the quantity, speed, efficiency and quality of public housing construction by embracing various innovative rapid construction technologies and construction robotics, and continuously enhancing smart public estate management to build a more pleasant living environment for its residents. She also invited over 20 construction trade representatives from Hong Kong and the Mainland, including construction companies and consultant companies participating in the construction of public housing, Light Public Housing and transitional housing, to attend the luncheon. They will share in person with the participants Hong Kong’s experience in applying and promoting innovative construction technologies, such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) and construction robots, and take this opportunity to strengthen connections between the Hong Kong and Portuguese trades and explore opportunities. Ms Ho will also call on the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Portuguese Republic.
 
     Ms Ho will depart for Barcelona, Spain, on the evening of July 3 (Lisbon time) to visit local social housing projects, meet with relevant government officials to learn about housing issues there and their policies implemented, and promote Hong Kong’s housing ladder that encourages upward mobility, as well as the application of innovative construction technologies in Hong Kong’s public housing developments and management, the concepts of the “Well-being design” guide, and more.
 
     Ms Ho will return to Hong Kong on the morning of July 6. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Housing, Mr Victor Tai, will be the Acting Secretary for Housing.

CAD reminds public of establishment of temporary restricted flying zones

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (June 30) reminded the public that temporary restricted flying zones (RFZs) will be established in the areas around East Lamma Channel, Western Anchorage, Victoria Harbour and Tathong Channel from July 3 to 7. All aircraft, including planes, helicopters and small unmanned aircraft (SUA), will be restricted from entering the areas concerned. Other flying activities will also be restricted within the temporary RFZs.

“To facilitate arrangements for special operations, the CAD will establish temporary RFZs in the areas around East Lamma Channel, Western Anchorage, Victoria Harbour and Tathong Channel (see the respective areas indicated by red dotted lines in Annex I to IV) with effect during respective periods between July 3 and 7. No aircraft will be permitted to enter the zones, except for Government Flying Service flights.

     “Other flying activities, such as the flying of model aircraft, kites and captive balloons, and mass release of small balloons, will also be restricted within the temporary RFZs,” a spokesman for the CAD said.
​
Airlines and pilots have been informed of the establishment of the temporary RFZs via the Notice to Airmen. The CAD has also announced the details of the temporary RFZs on the electronic portal for small unmanned aircraft “eSUA”.   

Appointments to Industry Advisory Committee on General Business of Insurance Authority

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Government announced today (June 30) the appointments of Mr Jacky Lio Veng-hei and Professor Hui Kai-lung as non-official members of the Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) on General Business (GB) of the Insurance Authority for a term of two years from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. 
 
Welcoming the appointments, a spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “With their rich professional knowledge, we believe Mr Lio and Professor Hui will tender insightful advice to the IAC and facilitate the growth of the insurance industry.
 
     “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the two outgoing members, Dr Fung Hong and Professor Tang Heiwai, for their unwavering support and valuable contributions to the IAC during their tenure.”
 
The IAC on GB is a statutory committee established under the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41) to advise the Insurance Authority on matters relating to general business. Members come from different lines of business with expertise within the insurance industry, as well as from related fields such as fintech, medical, legal and academia.

Process Review Panel for the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority publishes 2024 Annual Report

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Process Review Panel for the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (PRP) published its 2024 Annual Report today (June 30), covering its work from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024.
  
     The PRP Chairman, Mr Eugene Fung, SC, said, “Out of 6 557 cases closed or discontinued from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, the PRP selected 29 cases for detailed review covering the core regulatory activities of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA). The PRP is delighted to note the considerable efforts made by the MPFA to enhance the consistency and transparency in its enforcement actions, and has identified room for continuous improvement in this regard. On this front, we have made various recommendations with a view to further promoting public confidence in the MPF System.”
 
     He added, “Taking this opportunity, we would like to thank the outgoing members, Mr Allen Lau Kai-hung and Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun, for their valuable and constructive advice to the PRP during their six-year tenure.”
  
     The 2024 Annual Report has been uploaded to the website of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau at www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/en/business/prp/doc/prp_mpfa_2024_e.pdf.
 
     The PRP welcomes views from the public and market participants on its work. Comments may be sent to the PRP via email at prpmpf@fstb.gov.hk.

Government’s financial results for two months ended May 31, 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Government announced today (June 30) its financial results for the two months ended May 31, 2025.

     Expenditure and revenue from April to May 2025 amounted to HK$129.7 billion and HK$55.9 billion respectively, resulting in a deficit of HK$78.4 billion after taking into account HK$15.5 billion received from issuance of Government Bonds and repayment of HK$20.1 billion principal on Government Bonds.

     A Government spokesperson said that the deficit for the period was mainly due to the fact that some major types of revenue including salaries and profits taxes, are mostly received towards the end of a financial year.

     The fiscal reserves stood at HK$575.9 billion as at May 31, 2025.

     Detailed figures are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (Note 1)
 

  Month ended
May 31, 2025
HK$ million
Two months ended
May 31, 2025
HK$ million
Revenue 17,448.6 55,906.5
Expenditure (66,328.1) (129,774.6)
     
Deficit before issuance
and repayment of
Government Bonds
(48,879.5) (73,868.1)
     
Proceeds received from
issuance of
Government Bonds
9,435.9 15,534.8
     
Repayment of
Government Bonds*
(20,070.1) (20,120.5)
     
Deficit after issuance
and repayment of
Government Bonds
(59,513.7) (78,453.8)
     
Financing    
Domestic    
     Banking Sector (Note 2) 59,210.2 75,933.7
     Non-Banking Sector 303.5 2,520.1
External
       
Total 59,513.7 78,453.8
* Being repayment of principal on Government Bonds and does not include the associated interest and other expenses.

Government Debts as at May 31, 2025 (Note 3)
    HK$298,332 million
Debts Guaranteed by Government as at May 31, 2025 (Note 4)
    HK$123,199 million

TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES
 

 
 
Month ended
May 31, 2025
HK$ million
Two months ended
May 31, 2025
HK$ million
Fiscal Reserves at start of period 635,376.7 654,316.8
Consolidated Deficit after
issuance and repayment of
Government Bonds
(59,513.7) (78,453.8)
     
Fiscal Reserves at end of period
(Note 5)
575,863.0 575,863.0

Notes:

1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at May 31, 2025, was HK$216,896 million.

2. Includes transactions with the Exchange Fund and resident banks.

3. The Government Debts, with proceeds credited to the Capital Works Reserve Fund, comprise:

(i) the Green Bonds (equivalent to HK$177,761 million as at May 31, 2025) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$9,950 million with maturity from January 2026 to January 2053), euros (4,580 million euros with maturity from February 2026 to November 2041), Renminbi (RMB34,000 million with maturity from June 2025 to July 2054) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$22,000 million with maturity from February 2026 to October 2026);

(ii) the Infrastructure Bonds (equivalent to HK$65,900 million as at May 31, 2025) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme. They were denominated in Renminbi (RMB19,000 million with maturity from December 2025 to May 2035) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$45,230 million with maturity from November 2025 to March 2045); and

(iii) the Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$54,671 million (with maturity in October 2027 and may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders) issued under the Infrastructure Bond Programme.

     They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$168,090 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,841 million as at May 31, 2025) issued under the Government Bond Programme with proceeds credited to the Bond Fund. Of these bonds under the Government Bond Programme (including Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$96,090 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$66,959 million will mature within the period from June 2025 to May 2026 and the rest within the period from June 2026 to May 2042.

4. Includes guarantees provided under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2001, the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2008, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme launched in 2012, and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Battery Electric Taxis and the Loan Guarantee Scheme for Travel Sector launched in 2023.

5. Includes HK$250,041 million, being the balance of the Land Fund held in the name of “Future Fund”, for long-term investments up to December 31, 2030. The Future Fund also includes HK$4,800 million, being one-third of the actual surplus in 2015-16 as top-up.

2025 edition of “Hong Kong as an Information Society” now available

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

2025 edition of “Hong Kong as an Information Society” now available 
This publication presents statistics compiled from a variety of data sources relevant to the development of an information society in Hong Kong, including the recent developments in information and communication technology services, the external trade of information and communication technology goods and services, and the use and penetration of information technology in the business, household and government sectors. Analyses of the demand for manpower in the information technology field and development of relevant educational programmes are also provided.
 
Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1110006&scode=590Issued at HKT 16:30

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Government invites proposals for operation of pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government invites proposals for operation of pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution 
As announced in the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address, the Government will explore establishing a sports dispute resolution system and promote sports arbitration, leveraging the institutional advantages of Hong Kong in dispute resolution. In this regard, the Government supports the industry in launching the pilot scheme in Hong Kong within 2025.
 
The DoJ has prepared the invitation for proposals to identify a suitable administering body and a technology provider for the pilot scheme. The appointed dispute resolution institution will administer the pilot scheme and provide institutional support for the conduct of mediation and arbitration. To promote wider use of lawtech and online dispute resolution, the administering body shall partner with an online dispute resolution institution as a technology provider to provide the technological infrastructure and support required for the operation of the pilot scheme. Interested dispute resolution institutions and online dispute resolution institutions may submit joint proposals in this exercise.
 
All joint proposals must be submitted along with all necessary information and supporting documents to the DoJ no later than 5pm on July 31, 2025, by e-mail (lead@doj.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:28

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