Month: June 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Government announced today (June 13) that the Chief Executive has appointed the Chairman and members to the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board (HKMPDB). The appointments will be effective from July 1, 2025, for a term of three years.

The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the existing Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) will be reconstituted into the HKMPDB. To be chaired by a non-official member and with other members largely from the maritime sector, this high-level advisory body will assist the Government in formulating policies and long-term development strategies. The HKMPDB will be underpinned by dedicated staff and provided with additional funding to enhance its research capabilities, strengthen its Mainland and overseas promotional work and step up manpower training, with a view to supporting the Government in policy implementation more effectively and promoting the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s maritime industry.

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan said, “Consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre is the top priority of the Government as well as the strategic objective of our country, hence particularly important for Hong Kong’s economic development. The establishment of the HKMPDB is a key step in this institutional reform. It is hoped that the new Board will adopt an innovative and change-embracing spirit in supporting the Government to lead the maritime and port industry to further leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages and enhance the industry’s global competitiveness in the midst of geopolitical challenges. Under the leadership of Dr Moses Cheng, I am confident that Board members will make valuable contributions to the work of the HKMPDB with their respective expertise and experience, and continue to advance side by side with the industry.”

Moreover, four committees will be formed under the HKMPDB to focus on specific areas of work, namely the Port Development Committee, the Maritime Services Development Committee, the Promotion and External Relations Committee and the Manpower Development Committee. The four committees will be formed by broad inclusion of industry stakeholders, including ad personam and institutional members. The appointments will be announced later this month.

Ms Chan also expressed gratitude to the outgoing HKMPB members for their valuable contribution in the past, remarking that the substantive progress made in various areas of maritime and port development is a testimony to their dedicated effort.

The terms of reference of the HKMPDB are at the Annex. The membership of the HKMPDB is as follows:

Chairman
————
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi

Members
————
Mr Angad Banga
Ms Sabrina Chao Sih-ming
Mr Bjorn Hojgaard
Mr Wellington Koo Tse-hau
Mr Timothy Lee Kwok-lam
Mr Edward Liu Yang
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Mr Alan Tung Lieh-sing
Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming

Ex-officio Members
————
Secretary for Transport and Logistics or representative
Commissioner for Maritime and Port Development
Director of Marine
Director-General of Investment Promotion
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OSNS) and the Police Force’s National Security Department (NSD) conducted a joint operation today in respect of a suspected case of “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security”.

The joint operation was conducted pursuant to the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the Safeguarding National Security (Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Regulation.

In the case, six people and an organisation were suspected of having committed the offence of “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security” under the Hong Kong National Security Law between November 2020 and June 2024.

The OSNS, with the approval from its Director, requested assistance and support from the NSD, including arranging interviews with the people involved in the case for the OSNS, pursuant to the Safeguarding National Security (Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Regulation.

The NSD, with warrants issued by the court under the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, searched the places of residence of the six people and the office of the organisation involved in the case in a commercial building in Kwai Chung and seized exhibits, including bank documents and devices, for further investigation.

The NSD also conducted interviews with the people involved in the case and, pursuant to the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, required those people, by notices issued by the court, to surrender their travel documents.

The case is still under investigation, and the NSD will continue to provide assistance and support to the OSNS in accordance with the law.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The International Conference on Roads and Railways 2025 opened today.

Themed on “Building Smart and Green Transport Infrastructure”, the conference takes place on two consecutive days at the Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

Over 30 Mainland, overseas and local experts in road and railway development and industry leaders leading nearly 700 participants to jointly explore the latest worldwide practices and technological advancements of smart and green transport infrastructure, as well as the development direction of future major transport infrastructure in Hong Kong.

Officiating at the ceremony, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in the era of rapid technological advancement and growing climate urgency, the infrastructure has to be built smarter and greener, and the key strategy amidst is the planning approach of transit-oriented development which integrates high-density urban development with efficient public transport systems.

Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong is happy to share the experiences on professional knowledge and expertise in transport infrastructure with the world. Taking the Northern Metropolis as an example, he mentioned that the development of this future major innovation and technology hub of Hong Kong with a projected population of 2.5 million and over 650,000 new jobs will be infrastructure-led and capacity-creating.

He indicated that Hong Kong is committed to making the transport systems smarter and greener, and the Government also invests heavily in technology areas, including Artifical Intelligence (AI) and robotics, new energy and new materials, and more; they will contribute to enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the transportation system.

The finance chief also pointed out that Hong Kong is Asia’s leading green bond market, accounting for nearly half of the region’s total issuance. The city is also pioneering innovative financing models to unlock capital for global infrastructure development.

In her keynote speech, Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said that the vision of the Government is to be committed to establishing a diverse and highly efficient public transport and road system, and promoting cross-boundary integration with the Greater Bay Area through the planning principles of infrastructure-led and capacity-building.

She emphasised that the Government adopts a policy innovation and technological innovation dual-innovation mindset and approach in actively reviewing the regulatory frameworks, administrative procedures, design standards, guidelines, etc to enhance the efficiency and quality of transport infrastructure, and applying advanced technologies to reshape road and railway development, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of transport infrastructure development, with a view to realising the vision of building a livable, competitive and sustainable Hong Kong.

During the conference, Ms Chan also had an interaction session with young engineers to understand the visions and expectations of the new blood in the industry regarding infrastructure development in Hong Kong, and share with them experiences on formulation of related policies.

She also visited industry booths at the venue to understand the application of the latest technologies in construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure.

Furthermore, visits to the works sites of the Central Kowloon Route and the MTR Tung Chung Line Extension will respectively be arranged for the participants on June 14 to understand the unique challenges and solutions on planning and construction of major roads and railway systems.

Click here for the conference details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Executive John Lee today expressed sorrow over the passing of Ho Tsu-kwok and extended his deepest condolences to Mr Ho’s family.

He said Mr Ho was a successful entrepreneur who made contributions to the media industry over the years and described him as benevolent.

“He has served as a Standing Committee member and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, actively involving in national affairs and providing insights on the long-term development of Hong Kong. A man of benevolence, Mr Ho donated to and supported a wide range of charitable causes.”

He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2014.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Mr Ho Tsu-kwok, a former Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and extended deep condolences to his family.

     Professor Lo said today (June 12), “Mr Ho will be remembered for his unreserved commitment to the country and to Hong Kong, as well as his outspokenness. Even though he suffered from a critical illness caused by tobacco, he generously and courageously shared his own experiences to raise public awareness on tobacco hazards. He made every effort to support the Government in promoting tobacco control and urged members of the public to stay away from tobacco hazards, in particular to protect young people from being enticed by ‘sugar-coated poison’ to try smoking. His sincere words have inspired many people. May he rest in peace and free from the suffering caused by tobacco. He will be sorely missed.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today officiated at the opening ceremony of the “5th Anniversary of Promulgation & Implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law Thematic Exhibition” at the Museum of History.

Mr Lam reiterated the three “must-nots” – must not forget history, turn a blind eye to reality and stand idly by.

He said traditional Chinese wisdom has it that “history, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future”.

“We all surely remember the 2019 legislative amendment turmoil, which posed a grave threat to national security and severely undermined the peaceful and stable environment we took for granted.”

Mr Lam also stated that “remain vigilant in times of peace” is another traditional Chinese wisdom.

“Although Hong Kong society has restored stability and national security, threats are often not immediately visible. It is obvious that hostile states and forces continue to try to suppress our country’s development.

“Since national security is closely related to individuals’ well-being, people must naturally take concrete steps and shoulder responsibilities in safeguarding national security.”

Mr Lam pointed out that a robust legal system has long been the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success. It is the prerequisite for the city to thrive as an international financial, trade, and shipping centre.

On the foundation of three “must-nots”, Hong Kong must uphold the rule of law in safeguarding national security, he added.

Also officiating at the ceremony, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests is not only a constitutional duty of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, but also a fundamental obligation of every citizen.

Mr Tang further stated that hostile forces have not given up and he reminded citizens to remain vigilant against the risks.

The security chief explained that external hostile forces continue to attempt to undermine national security through smears and “sanctions” while anti-China destabilising elements in the city who have fled overseas continue to engage in activities and behaviours that threaten national security.

Local terrorism and “soft resistance”, where individuals with ulterior motives exploit fake news and misinformation to divide society and incite hatred are the other risks, Mr Tang added.

The exhibition is now open, with the aim to facilitate the public’s understanding of and appreciation for the hard-won situation that Hong Kong is now enjoying, and to motivate all to work together to help the city shine on the global stage.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region