Month: January 2026

HA releases risk management publications     
     ​The Hospital Authority (HA) today (January 30) published the latest quarterly issue of “HA Risk Alert” (HARA) along with the Annual Report on Sentinel and Serious Untoward Events as a risk management and communication initiative to further strengthen incident reporting and the sharing of lessons learned for safety improvements in public hospitals.
      
     In the third quarter of 2025 (July to September), there were seven sentinel events reported, comprising three cases of retained instrument/material after surgery/interventional procedure, three cases of inpatient suicide and one case of surgery/interventional procedure involving wrong body part. Moreover, all 11 reported serious untoward events were related to medication errors.
      
     “Subsequent to the incident reviews and analyses of the root causes of these incidents, important lessons for patient safety have been identified, while recommendations are made and shared in this publication to avoid similar events in the future,” the HA spokesperson said.
      
     The HA also released the Annual Report on Sentinel and Serious Untoward Events covering the 12 months from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. A total of 27 sentinel events and 76 serious untoward events were reported during the period. Among the serious untoward events, there were 73 and three events related to medication errors and patient misidentifications respectively. The Report has been endorsed by the HA Board.
      
     The Annual Report on Sentinel and Serious Untoward Events and HARA are distributed to healthcare workers and are accessible to the public through www.ha.org.hk/report/sentinel_eventIssued at HKT 16:00

Hong Kong’s Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Türkiye enters into force      
     A Government spokesman said, “Under this CDTA, companies and residents of Hong Kong and Türkiye will not have to pay tax twice on a single source of income. It will allow them to have certainty on tax liabilities and save tax when they engage in cross-border business activities, thus helping to promote bilateral trade and investment.
      
     “Hong Kong has signed CDTAs with 55 tax jurisdictions, with 51 of them already in force, including that with Türkiye.”
      
     The CDTA with Türkiye is now available on the Hong Kong e-Legislation websiteIssued at HKT 15:00

Cross-Agency Steering Group announces Strategic Priorities for 2026 to 2028     2. Develop Hong Kong’s strengths in emerging areas     Co-Chair of the Steering Group and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Eddie Yue, said, “Hong Kong’s sustainable finance market has witnessed significant development in the past few years. The 2026 to 2028 priorities will reinforce our groundwork for building a robust sustainable finance ecosystem, while positioning Hong Kong to capture the emerging opportunities in Asia’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.”

     Co-Chair of the Steering Group and the Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Ms Julia Leung, said, “These new priorities underscore our ongoing commitment to ensuring Hong Kong remains globally aligned, forward-looking, and responsive to market needs. Enhancing disclosures and scaling transition finance are essential to supporting credible outcomes, transparent and science-based pathways across the financial system.”     Established in May 2020, the Steering Group is co-chaired by the HKMA and the SFC. Members include the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Insurance Authority, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. The Steering Group aims to co-ordinate the management of climate and environmental risks to the financial sector, accelerate the growth of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong and support the Government’s climate strategies.Note 2: The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council published the Consultation on the Proposed Regulatory Framework for Sustainability Assurance in Hong Kong on December 29, 2025. The consultation marked a critical milestone in the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong.
Note 3: The HKMA published the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance Phase 2AIssued at HKT 12:00

Reappointment of Chief Operating Officer of Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority announced 
     In welcoming the reappointment, a spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, “Ms Hui joined the MPFA in 2006 and has contributed to improving the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System. Over the past three years, she helped implement the eMPF Platform and the elevation of governance standards for MPF trustees and intermediaries, thereby strengthening the protection of scheme members’ interests. We look forward to Ms Hui’s continued dedication to serving the MPFA.”
 
     Ms Hui was first appointed as an ED of the MPFA in 2008 and was appointed as COO of the MPFA in 2023.
 
     The MPFA is a statutory body established under the MPFSO in September 1998 for the regulation and supervision of the MPF System.
Issued at HKT 12:00

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HKPF holds Cyber Security Professional Awards 2025 presentation ceremony      
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, stated that with the rapid development of technology, cyber security is no longer merely an information technology issue, but a matter that directly affects social operations, economic development, and even national security. A stable, reliable, and highly resilient cyber security environment is essential to support the sustainable development of innovation and technology, smart cities, and the digital economy. Cyber security professionals are a vital force in helping Hong Kong advance steadily in this critical area.
      
     Mr Chow added that this year marks the fifth CSPA presentation ceremony since its launch in 2016. The scheme has consistently maintained a strong commitment to excellence, bringing together experts from different industries to share experience, exchange knowledge, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. It has helped raise Hong Kong’s overall cyber defense capability and professional standards. He expressed gratitude for the support and recognition the scheme has received from all sectors, and stressed that with continued collaboration among the Government, the industry, and professional community, Hong Kong’s cyber security development will continue to make solid progress.
      
     The CSPA 2025 is led by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the HKPF, with the Government Computer Emergency Response Team Hong Kong of the Digital Policy Office and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre of the Hong Kong Productivity Council as co-organisers. This year’s response was overwhelming, setting a new record with 219 nominations received from 140 organisations. Following assessment, 64 individual awards were presented to winners from various professional sectors, in recognition of their outstanding performance and continued contributions to cyber security.
      
     In addition to individual awards, the CSPA 2025 also introduced four organisation‑award categories, with a total of 19 organisation awards presented. These included the Cyber Security Core Partner Award, Cyber Defence Strategy Collaboration Award, Cyber Security Excellence Contribution Award, and Cyber Security International Contribution Award, which commend organisations for their sustained commitment and tangible achievements in supporting law‑enforcement agencies, promoting public‑private collaboration, fostering cross‑sector and cross‑regional co-operation, and strengthening the overall resilience of Hong Kong’s cyber security defences.
      
     The inauguration ceremony of the second‑term Cyber Security Action Task Force was also held today. First established in 2024 and led by the HKPF, the Task Force expanded its membership this year, bringing together a total of 12 leading local and international cyber security organisations. The new‑term Task Force will engage in swifter and deeper intelligence exchange and professional collaboration, alongside providing training, publicity collaboration and cyber security services.  It will continually enhance Hong Kong’s joint defence capability against cyber threats and translate co-operative outcomes into greater overall cyber security resilience.
      
     Officiating guests also included the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure) of the Digital Policy Office, Mr Daniel Cheung; the Commissioner of Critical Infrastructure (Computer-system Security) of the Security Bureau, Mr Francis Chan; and the Chief Digital Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr Edmond Lai.
     
Issued at HKT 18:47

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New appointment to Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board announced————
Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi————
Mr Angad Banga
Ms Sabrina Chao Sih-ming 
Mr Bjorn Hojgaard
Mr Wellington Koo Tse-hau 
Mr Lothair Lam Ming-fung (*new appointee)
Mr Timothy Lee Kwok-lam
Mr Edward Liu Yang
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Mr Alan Tung Lieh-sing 
Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming————
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
Issued at HKT 18:00

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ITC and ICAC join efforts in combating fraud under Technology Voucher Programme      
     On the joint efforts with the ICAC in combating fraud under the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP), an ITC spokesperson said, “The ITC and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, which serves as the Secretariat of the TVP, have long been rigorously reviewing the information submitted by applicants to ensure the eligibility of the applications and that the project deliverables conform to relevant requirements. The current case demonstrates the high level of vigilance perceived by members of the ITC and the Secretariat, who proactively reported the concerned cases to law enforcement agencies when there was suspicion during the vetting procedures, and worked hand in hand with the ICAC during the investigation process. With the assistance of the ITC and the Secretariat, the ICAC successfully cracked the case and brought the criminal syndicate to justice.”
      
     The TVP was launched in 2016 to subsidise local enterprises/organisations in using technological services and solutions on a matching basis, to improve productivity, upgrade or transform their business processes. The Hong Kong Productivity Council serves as the TVP’s Secretariat. As the TVP had achieved its original objectives, it had ceased to accept new applications after December 31, 2024.
      
     The ITC and the Secretariat will continue to handle remaining projects and tasks under the TVP following the most rigorous standard to ensure that the project deliverables conform to relevant requirements, and stay highly vigilant for immediate referral of any suspicious cases to law enforcement agencies for follow-up.
Issued at HKT 17:30

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52 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements 
     The offences of these 52 landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; (2) failing to produce copies of the bills and provide an account in writing when requiring the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of the apportioned water and/or electricity charges; and (3) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (including requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance).

     The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon a comprehensive investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted the landlords.
 
     A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting landlords from doing any act calculated to interfere with the peace or comfort of members of the tenant’s household, with the intention of causing the tenant to give up occupation of the SDU; or requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded  tenants of their rights under the Ordinance, including a four-year (i.e. two years plus two years) security of tenure. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether they have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance. In addition, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work to enhance public awareness about the key offences and penalties, emphasising that the RVD proactively checks whether landlords have committed the offences under the Ordinance.  
     The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. The RVD has been issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to assist them in understanding the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and to remind them about the procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy as well as their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html 
     For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.htmlIssued at HKT 17:12