Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Government announced today (September 15) the appointments to the Ping Wo Fund Advisory Committee and the reappointment of Ms Lu Hai as the Chairperson. Eight incumbent members have been reappointed, and three members have been newly appointed to the Committee, namely Mr Lawrence Lam Chi-bun, Mrs Linda Lau Hung Man-yin and Miss Jessica Man Sze-wing. The two-year term of the Chairperson and members will take effect from September 16, 2025, to September 15, 2027. 
 
The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, welcomed the appointments. She said she is pleased to see that the members are from different sectors and professions and would give valuable advice to the work of the Committee. She also expressed her appreciation to the outgoing members for their efforts and contributions to the work of the Committee during their term of service.  
    
The membership list of the Committee, with effect from September 16, 2025, is as follows:
 
Chairperson
——–
Ms Lu Hai
 
Members
———————–
Mr Ko Hiu-wing
Dr Angel Lai Hor-yan
Mr Lawrence Lam Chi-bun
Mr Lam Tsz-hung
Mrs Linda Lau Hung Man-yin
Ms Janet Lee Ching-yee
Miss Li Ka-yan
Miss Li Ka-ying
Miss Jessica Man Sze-wing
Mr Cliff Tang Wing-chun
Ms Zhang Ti

​The function of the Committee is to advise the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs on the use of the Ping Wo Fund. The Fund is mainly used to finance the following measures:
 
(a) research and studies into problems and issues relating to gambling;

(b) public education and other measures to prevent or alleviate problems relating to gambling; and 

(c) counselling, treatment and other remedial or support services for gamblers with gambling disorder and those affected by them.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (September 15) the September 2025 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).
 
     Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains a feature article entitled “Analysis of Hong Kong’s Imports of Goods”.
 
“Analysis of Hong Kong’s Imports of Goods”
 
     Hong Kong is an externally oriented economy. In 2024, the value of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods amounted to $4,542.4 billion, while that of imports of goods was $4,922.1 billion. The ratio of the value of total exports of goods to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 1.4, while that of the value of imports of goods to GDP was 1.6.
 
     Goods consumed locally in Hong Kong and for exports are both largely based on imports. This feature article analyses the performance of Hong Kong’s imports of goods in recent years.
 
     For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4914; email: trade@censtatd.gov.hk).
 
     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).
 
     Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     According to the provisional results of a survey released today (September 15) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 0.9% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 0.7% in the first quarter of 2025. The corresponding producer price index increased by 4.0% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 4.8% in the first quarter of 2025.
 
     The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.8% in the first quarter of 2025. The corresponding producer price index increased by 1.6% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.3% in the first quarter of 2025.
 
     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.
 
     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the second quarter of 2025 with that a year earlier, increases in output volume were recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+2.0%), the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+1.5%), and the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (+0.2%). On the other hand, a decrease in output volume was recorded in the textiles and wearing apparel industry (-5.7%).
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the first quarter of 2025.
 
     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.
 
     Comparing the second quarter of 2025 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded for all major manufacturing industries. The metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry had the largest increase in producer price (+7.2%), followed by the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+2.1%), the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+1.1%), and the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+0.7%).
 
     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors by selected industry grouping.
 
     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors for the second quarter of 2025 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_8000.html) and relevant publications of the Department starting from October 17, 2025.
 
     Users can browse and download the reports “Quarterly Index of Industrial Production for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 2nd Quarter 2025” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070002&scode=310) and “Quarterly Producer Price Index for Manufacturing and Waste Management Sectors, 2nd Quarter 2025” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1070003&scode=280) at the website of the C&SD.
 
     For enquiries about indices of industrial production and producer price indices for manufacturing and waste management sectors, please contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) announced today (September 15) the schedule of regular press releases on statistical data in 2026 at Annex. The schedule, which covers 126 items, has been uploaded on the C&SD’s website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/press_release.html) to facilitate access by the public.
 
“We have been making continuous efforts to shorten the time lag in releasing statistics. At present, we are able to release most monthly statistics within one month and all quarterly statistics within three months after the reference period,” a spokesman for the C&SD said.
    
The press releases listed on the schedule will be issued via the Information Services Department (ISD) at 4:30pm on the release day. They will also be posted on the C&SD’s website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/press_release.html) shortly afterwards.
 
“We will adhere to the pre-announced schedule for issuing these regular press releases. Only under exceptional circumstances such as those arising from unexpected adverse weather conditions might the releases be postponed. In such events, an announcement will be made via the ISD regarding the special circumstances and the revised date for issuing the press release concerned,” the spokesman added.
 
In addition to these regular press releases, press releases on other statistical data (e.g. results of ad hoc surveys) are also issued by the C&SD from time to time.
 
All press releases issued by the C&SD in recent years are posted on its website for reference by the general public.
 
Enquiries on the schedule can be directed to the C&SD at telephone number 2582 4958.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Education Bureau (EDB) today (September 15) reminded parents who wish to apply for a Primary One (P1) place for their child in any government or aided school in September 2026 to submit their applications for discretionary places under the Primary One Admission (POA) System via the POA e-platform (ePOA) starting from this Thursday (September 18), or in paper form starting from next Monday (September 22).
 
Submission of applications for discretionary places

An EDB spokesman said, “Parents intending to apply for a P1 place of a particular government or aided primary school for their child at the Discretionary Places Admission stage under the POA System via the ePOA should first register as ePOA (epoa.edb.gov.hk) users and bind their account to “iAM Smart+”, and submit their applications via the ePOA between September 18 and 26. For details, please refer to the Parent’s Guides on the EDB website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/poa_eplatform/index.html). If parents choose to submit paper application forms, they should submit the completed application form together with all supporting documents directly to the school during school office hours between September 22 and 26. Parents who are unable to submit the application form in person may authorise in writing a representative to bring along the above-mentioned documents to the school on their behalf.
 
“Irrespective of whether the application is submitted via the ePOA or in paper form, parents should submit only one application for their child. If parents have applied to more than one government or aided primary school, their application for a POA discretionary place would be rendered void. In addition, parents should not submit duplicate applications via the ePOA and in paper form for the same child,” the spokesman added.
 
The spokesman reminded parents that schools would process the applications in accordance with the established procedures and criteria at the Discretionary Places Admission stage. As such, there is no need for parents to prepare portfolios for their child.
 
In addition, children who have accepted the offer of P1 places in Direct Subsidy Scheme primary schools would not be allocated P1 places in government or aided primary schools through the POA System.
 
Application for Central Allocation only
 
If parents are applying only for the POA Central Allocation for their child, they should submit the application to the EDB via the ePOA or in paper form on or before January 23, 2026. For submission in paper form, they should return the completed application form and supporting documents to the School Places Allocation Section (Primary One Admission) of the EDB at Podium Floor, West Block, Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong. 
 
Residential address
 
“When completing the POA Application Form, parents should fill in the actual residential address of their child. If a false address is given by parents to secure a P1 place for their child under the POA System, the application would be rendered void and the P1 place allocated would be withdrawn. If a false instrument has been used or a false statutory declaration has been made in the application, the offender is liable on conviction to imprisonment for 14 years or imprisonment for two years and to a fine respectively under the Crimes Ordinance. Suspected cases of using a false address for POA applications may be reported to the School Places Allocation Section by calling its hotline at 2832 7700,” the EDB spokesman emphasised.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Transport Department (TD) today (September 15) launched the electronic driving licence (eDL) to bring greater convenience and flexibility to some 2.5 million DL holders who can display the eDL through their smartphones, thereby advancing smart mobility.

     From today onwards, DL holders can download the TD’s “Electronic Driving Licence” mobile application (eDL app) for free and authenticate with “iAM Smart” (Hong Kong identity (HKID) card holders) or the TD’s e-Licensing Portal (e-LP) (elicensingportal.td.gov.hk/login) (non-HKID card holders) account to log in and access their eDLs, covering full, learner’s, probationary and temporary DLs, as well as the driving instructor’s licence. The eDL is an alternative to the physical DL to fulfil the statutory requirements of carrying or producing a DL for examination or inspection by law enforcement officers.

     The eDL provides data in sync with the information contained in the physical DL, including the holder’s name, the DL number, the class(es) of vehicle permitted to drive and the expiry date(s). The status of the eDL is indicated in blue, yellow or red, showing a valid, a partially valid (e.g. individual DL category being valid, but another category expired) or an expired DL respectively. The eDL can only be displayed via the TD’s eDL app in the specified form with multiple security features to avoid counterfeiting, including identity authentication, a dynamic TD logo, the disabled screen capture function and an encrypted time-limited QR code. Each DL holder can only register one eDL account, and each mobile phone can only be used to bind to one account at a time.

     A spokesman for the TD said, “The current arrangement of issuing the physical DL remains unchanged, and DL holders may use it at their preference. If applicants submit DL applications online, they can immediately access their eDLs via the eDL app conveniently and swiftly upon approval and do not need to wait for the physical DL sent by post.”

     From August, the TD has briefed representatives of the transport sector, comprising the goods vehicle, taxi, public light bus, non-franchised bus and cross-boundary coach trades, as well as driving schools, on the use of the eDL, and maintained close liaison with law enforcement agencies and relevant departments. The TD will also notify the relevant Mainland and overseas authorities or consulates in Hong Kong of the launch of the eDL.

     In the past year, the TD has introduced various e-licensing services. They include the enhanced vehicle licensing arrangement, saving the need for vehicle owners to replace the paper licence after renewal, together with the simplified application document requirements; the development of the e-LP as a one-stop online platform for managing licences; setting up International Driving Permit (IDP) Self-service Kiosks; and the launch of an E-Auction platform enabling the public to bid for their desired vehicle registration marks online. Applications for most licences and driving test services can now be submitted online. At present, about 60 per cent of IDP applications and 50 per cent of full driving licence renewal applications are submitted online.

     The eDL app supports iOS and Android operating systems. Members of the public can download and use it for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.

     The Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, passed by the Legislative Council earlier, came into effect today. The Government specified the eDL’s platform and form by a notice published in the Gazette today. DL holders may refer to the TD’s thematic webpage and the Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk) for details.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:
 
The 9th First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI) will be open for applications from today (September 15) to December 15. Production teams wishing to join the film industry are encouraged to participate.
 
The FFFI identifies new talent through a competition on screenplay and production proposals. The competition is divided into the Higher Education Institution Group (HEIG) and the Professional Group (PG), with each group being awarded a maximum of three prizes. The maximum sponsorship for each winning production team of the HEIG and the PG is $5 million and $8 million respectively. The Film Development Fund (FDF) provides funding for the winning teams to implement their film proposals and make their first commercial feature films. The winning teams are required to complete the whole film production and sales process, which involves planning, shooting and distribution, in order to acquire knowledge from the creation to practical application stages in making a feature film. The director of the participating team shall be a Hong Kong permanent resident aged 18 years or above, and should not have previously directed any commercial film of 80 minutes or more.
 
 The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong, said, “The FFFI is one of the flagship funding schemes under the FDF, and has identified 32 new directors since its inception in 2013. Their works are highly regarded by film enthusiasts, and have won numerous awards in both local and international film festivals. I encourage young filmmaking talent to take part in the scheme actively, fostering the production of high-quality films and driving the continuous development of the Hong Kong film industry.”
 
For details of the application guidelines, please visit the Hong Kong Film Development Council’s website (www.fdc.gov.hk/en/fffi), the FFFI Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HKFFFI) or Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/ccida_fffi).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region