Month: July 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session today (July 11) on the quarterly land sale programme for July to September 2025:
 
Reporter: Why is the Tsuen Wan land plot rolled out this time and what are the Government’s expectations on this quarter’s land sales? And secondly, what is the Government’s strategy in terms of this fiscal year’s land sales, given that only two plots are rolled out in the first two quarters? Is the Government confident in terms of the land-buying appetite of the private market and reaching the initial revenue goal?
 
Secretary for Development: First of all, we are rolling out this site in Tsuen Wan in the second quarter of this year because it is a readily available site. We have recently completed the resuming process for this site, and we have taken into account the fact that this is not a particularly large site, and it is relatively still small in scale and located in a mature urban area with good transport connections. So we think this kind of site will be of interest to the developers in the current climate of the property market.
 
As regards your second question regarding the overall supply for the second quarter, taking into account this Tsuen Wan site and together with six other cases involving lease modifications, we should be able to turn out land capable of supplying close to 5 000 flats, to be more exact, it is 4 950 units in this quarter. So it is a pretty good figure, actually, counting by a quarter. If we take into account also the supply from the first quarter, together it will reach about 6 000 units, about 45 per cent of our annual target for this year. So as a mid-term anticipated outturn, I think it suggests that we are moving in a stable manner towards our annual target.

Reporter: What is the likelihood of seeing some small and medium developers in Hong Kong facing loan defaults amid a downward trend in both the residential and commercial real estate market? And how will that affect the property market and also the sentiment in land bidding?
 
Secretary for Development: You have two questions. On the first one, about the financial situation of the SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) or the developers which are SMEs, I think I am not in a position to comment on the financial position of our developers in general. But looking at the lease modification figures that I have announced just now, we do have six lease modification cases, and not all are what we call major developers, some are small scale. So we can see that the market is actually still moving in quite a healthy manner, with some lease modifications taking place and some other processing. So I would not take a too-pessimistic attitude towards the financial situation of our SME developers.
 
On your second question, I think the property market has picked up a bit, if we look at the volume of transactions registered in the Land Registry. But again, I have to emphasise that, for the Development Bureau, we are rolling out land for the future development and the future needs of Hong Kong. So we cannot just look at the current movements in the property market. We also have to look ahead. And I think that overall, we are taking a prudent approach for our land sale programme.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (July 11) the appointment of Mr Ip Yik-nam as a member of the Fight Crime Committee. His term of appointment is from July 15, 2025, to July 14, 2027.

The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the Committee, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, welcomed Mr Ip and looked forward to working closely with him.

The Fight Crime Committee is responsible for drawing up plans to reduce crime, co-ordinating efforts in fighting crime and monitoring the results, and determining ways in which the public can be encouraged to contribute to the fight against crime.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force arrested four men, aged between 15 and 47, on July 9 and laid charges against three of them jointly with one count of “Conspiracy to Secession” today (July 11).

The case will be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.

Another arrested man has been released on bail pending further enquiries and is required to report back to Police in early August.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government gazetted today (July 11) the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill (the Bill) to fulfil the positive obligation of the Government under Article 14 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights (BOR14) as declared by the Court of Final Appeal in the case of Sham Tsz Kit v Secretary for Justice (FACV 14/2022), whereby an alternative framework will be established through legislation for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, while providing for appropriate rights and obligations attendant on such recognition.

The Bill aims to establish a registration system for same-sex partnerships, so that same-sex partners can apply for registration of their same-sex partnerships. The content of the Bill covers the setting up of a same-sex partnership registry, the conditions for registration of same-sex partnerships, the mode of application for registration and revocation of registration, and the offences and penalty related to the registration mechanism. The Bill also amends related provisions in certain enactments to provide for rights and obligations attendant on the recognition of same-sex partnerships.

A spokesman for the Government said, “The Government respects the court’s judgment, and will proactively fulfil the related obligation under BOR14 by establishing the relevant alternative framework through legislation. The current proposal has fully taken into account the actual situations and overall interests of Hong Kong, and strived to achieve an appropriate balance. The Government will continue to actively maintain close communication with the Legislative Council (LegCo) to implement the Bill. We reiterate that establishing the alternative framework to introduce a registration system for same-sex partnerships will not compromise the Government’s established position on upholding the monogamous and heterosexual marriage system.”

The Bill will be introduced into the LegCo for first reading on July 16.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs on June 13 seized about 800 suspected counterfeit mobile phones with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port.

Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the HZMB Hong Kong Port. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit mobile phones inside the cargo compartment of the lorry. A 62-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.

An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit mobile phones would have been transhipped to overseas regions.

The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (July 11) invited interested parties to submit proposals to become a partner to organise the cultural and creative arts bazaar at Victoria Park (Victoria Park Bazaar).

     The Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, announced nine hotspot projects on May 20, 2025, including setting up a Victoria Park Bazaar. The bazaar will operate from mid-December 2025 to November 2026, featuring about 30 stalls and a variety of thematic activities to enhance community vibrancy and enrich visitor experience, as well as developing as a vibrant, tasteful, and appealing tourism hotspot. 

     The LCSD is inviting interested registered companies, organisations, and non-governmental organisations providing youth services or possessing experience in operating bazaars to attend a briefing session to be held at 11am on July 23, 2025 (Wednesday), at the Press Room of Victoria Park Swimming Pool (details in annex (Chinese version only)), at which the detailed arrangements for the Victoria Park Bazaar and the requirements on proposals will be explained.

     For further information, please contact Mr Lo (2890 4298) or Mr Chan (2890 4204) of the Victoria Park Management Office.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Banking (Capital) (Amendment) Rules 2025, the Banking (Disclosure) (Amendment) Rules 2025 and the Banking (Exposure Limits) (Amendment) Rules 2025 (collectively referred to as “the amendment rules”) were gazetted today (July 11) to implement the new prudential standard promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in Hong Kong.

     The amendment rules seek to implement the capital standards and the associated requirements on disclosure and exposure limits promulgated by the BCBS in relation to the prudential treatment of cryptoasset exposures, which are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, in accordance with the BCBS timeline.
 
     The opportunity is also taken to include certain amendments in the Banking (Capital) Rules (Cap. 155L) and Banking (Exposure Limits) Rules (Cap. 155S)  for better aligning the capital framework with international practices, as well as ensuring the effective operation of the exposure limits framework as informed by implementation experiences, industry feedback and regulatory developments.
 
     A Government spokesperson said, “The amendment rules aim at providing a robust and prudent regulatory framework in line with international standards for banks’ exposures to cryptoassets that promotes responsible innovation while preserving financial stability.”
 
     A Hong Kong Monetary Authority spokesperson added, “In formulating the amendment rules, we have conducted several rounds of consultations with the industry and taken local circumstances into account.”
 
     The amendment rules will be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 16, 2025. They will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (July 11) announced that the tender period for the design, build and operate contract for the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 2 (I∙PARK2) (Contract No. EP/SP/312/24) has been further extended to noon on October 10, 2025.

The EPD invited tenders for the contract on December 20, 2024. The tender period was originally scheduled to expire at noon on June 27, 2025. It was announced on June 6, 2025, to extend the tender period to noon on July 18, 2025.

The further extension of the tender period was gazetted today. Details of the tender notice are available on the EPD’s website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/business_job/business_opp/tender.html).

The EPD has commissioned Binnies Hong Kong Limited as the project’s engineering consultant. For enquiries, please contact the person-in-charge, Mr Colin Chan (Telephone: 2601 1000; Fax: 2601 3988; E-mail: BinniesHK@binnies.com).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Development Bureau said today that it has issued a notification to the contractor involved in a fatal industrial incident at a non-governmental construction site in Chek Lap Kok on July 10 suspending it from tendering for public works contracts in the roads and drainage category with immediate effect.

The contractor involved was on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works. As the body responsible for procuring services for public works, the bureau stressed that it attaches great importance to site safety at all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the list.

It explained that the contractor has been instructed to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system, submit an improvement action plan based on the audit, and then implement measures with a view to demonstrating that its safety management system is effective. A lifting of the suspension will be considered once these steps are taken.

The suspension from tendering is not limited to future tender exercises – it is also applicable to tender exercises which have been initiated but not concluded.

The Labour Department is investigating the industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law.

Subject to the findings of the department’s investigations, the bureau may carry out further regulating actions against the contractor. These may include extending the suspension period or even removal from the list.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

From July 17, individuals can apply via SmartPLAY to enjoy free use of a number of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department’s fee-charging facilities on Sport For All Day due to be held on August 3.

The free sessions will be allocated via SmartPLAY through a balloting process. Each user can submit a total of three choices of sessions in one application. Choices must be submitted by July 23.

The computer balloting results will be announced on July 26. Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system.

Individuals who have not been allocated any free session via ballot or did not apply through the ballot, can book the remaining free sessions via SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis from July 28.

The department appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities.

No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. People may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The department will also organise a series of free recreation and sports programmes from 2pm to 6pm on August 3 at designated sports centres across the 18 districts.

To tie in with Sport For All Day, a number of organisations will open up their facilities for free use or roll out free recreation and sports programmes on the day for the public.