Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
London ETO supports Hong Kong designers at London Fashion Week A/W2026
Fashion Hong Kong is a series of international promotional events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote Hong Kong fashion designers and labels on the global stage. This year’s London edition featured the collections of ANGUS TSUI, Bettie Haute Couture, selfFab., and HARRISON WONG, followed by an after-show reception. The event attracted over 300 guests from across the fashion industry.
The Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Fiona Chau, met with the designers ahead of the event to offer her encouragement and commend their sophisticated and distinctive collections. She noted that their work vividly demonstrates Hong Kong’s creative dynamism and underscores the city’s unique position as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
Issued at HKT 22:30
NNNN
Nat’l plan preparatory group set up
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the establishment of a high-level preparatory group for aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan and convened the group’s first meeting today.
The preparatory group is chaired by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and vice-chaired by Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan. Members include the Law Officer (Civil Law), the Solicitor General, the Law Officer (International Law), and the Director of Administration & Development of the DoJ. The secretaries of the group are the Principal Government Counsel of the Legal Enhancement & Development Office and the Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office.
In its first meeting, the preparatory group discussed the DoJ’s key areas of development, staffing and resource allocation under the 15th Five-Year Plan.
Once the contents and details of the 15th Five-Year Plan are released, the preparatory group will be converted into a working group to advance various tasks of proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan.
As directed by the Chief Executive, Hong Kong’s five-year blueprint in aligning with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan will be completed within this year, further promoting Hong Kong’s better integration into and contribution to the overall national development.
Mr Lam said that as the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan begins, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, which set out Hong Kong’s strategic position as the “three centres and a hub”, to consolidate and enhance the city’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and to support Hong Kong in building itself into an international hub for high-calibre talent.
In promoting the development of the rule of law, the recommendations include accelerating the development of a foreign-related legal system and capabilities, and improving mediation, arbitration and litigation mechanisms for international commercial disputes.
Mr Lam highlighted that in the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong can strive to play its role by showcasing its strengths in internationalised, high-standard and highly credible legal and dispute resolution services, and by actively contributing to the training of international legal talent.
The Secretary for Justice noted that by proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will further contribute to the country’s efforts in promoting the foreign-related rule of law and in building a higher-level of rule of law in China.
DoJ establishes high-level preparatory group for aligning with 15th Five-Year Plan
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announced today (February 20) the establishment of its high-level preparatory group for aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan. The preparatory group will commence preparatory work for the upcoming release of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, making more comprehensive, precise and detailed strategic arrangements for the 15th Five-Year Plan and proactively leveraging the role of Hong Kong’s legal and dispute resolution services in national development.
The preparatory group is chaired by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and vice-chaired by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan. Members include the Law Officer (Civil Law), the Solicitor General, the Law Officer (International Law), and the Director of Administration and Development of the DoJ. The secretaries of the Group are the Principal Government Counsel of the Legal Enhancement and Development Office and the Director of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Office.
The preparatory group convened its first meeting today to discuss the DoJ’s key areas of development, staffing and resource allocation under the 15th Five-Year Plan. Once the contents and details of the 15th Five-Year Plan are released, the preparatory group will be converted into a working group to advance various tasks of proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan. As directed by the Chief Executive, Hong Kong’s five-year blueprint in aligning with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan will be completed within this year, further promoting Hong Kong’s better integration into and contribution to the overall national development.
Mr Lam said that as the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan begins, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, which set out Hong Kong’s strategic position as the “three centres and a hub”, to consolidate and enhance the city’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and to support Hong Kong in building itself into an international hub for high-calibre talent. In promoting the development of the rule of law, the recommendations include accelerating the development of a foreign-related legal system and capabilities, and improving mediation, arbitration, and litigation mechanisms for international commercial disputes. In the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong can strive to play its role by showcasing its strengths in internationalised, high-standard, and highly credible legal and dispute resolution services, and by actively contributing to the training of international legal talent. By proactively aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will further contribute to the country’s efforts in promoting the foreign-related rule of law and in building a higher-level of rule of law in China.
New York ETO marks Year of the Horse in New York
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) welcomed the Year of the Horse at its annual Hong Kong Spring Reception in New York on February 18 (New York time), attended by more than 400 guests from the academic, business, cultural, government, media, non-profit and think tank sectors.
In her welcoming remarks, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted the steadfast economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the United States. In 2025, the number of American companies in Hong Kong has increased by 11 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the city’s open and dynamic business environment. The latest survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong also showed rising optimism, with most firms planning to maintain or expand their investment in the coming year.
Ms Ho noted that Hong Kong’s economy has demonstrated resilience, with advance estimates projecting GDP growth of 3.5 per cent in 2025. The city continues to attract global business and investment. In 2025, Hong Kong ranked first worldwide in IPO fundraising, raising US$37.4 billion across 119 listings, including two of the five largest IPOs globally. As at end-2025, Hong Kong was home to over 3 380 single-family offices, an increase of more than 25 per cent over two years.
Building on its strong economic momentum, Hong Kong is pressing ahead with the development of the Northern Metropolis to drive innovation-led growth. At the same time, the city is reinforcing its position as an international education hub – attracting outstanding students and global talent, while showcasing our world-class universities and research excellence.
To further deepen engagement across New York and the eastern United States, Ms Ho said the New York ETO will continue working closely with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council through the Economic and Trade Express platform. Together, they will step up joint trade and investment promotion activities, identify new market opportunities, and support both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland enterprises in expanding their global footprint.
“The horse symbolises vitality, resilience and momentum,” said Ms Ho. “Galloping into the Year of the Horse, Hong Kong embraces new opportunities with agility and determination. We will continue to transform ourselves amid global shifts, while maintaining our competitive edge as a premier hub for business, finance, trade and innovation, and foster partnerships and global connections worldwide.”
The reception featured a musical programme blending elements of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse and Western instruments. The pieces were composed by renowned Hong Kong composer Elliot Leung and performed by New York-based young musicians from Hong Kong. Mr Leung’s work will also be featured in the upcoming New York Philharmonic’s Lunar New Year Gala, showcasing Hong Kong’s creative contributions on the international stage.
24 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
24 landlords of subdivided units under regulated tenancies convicted of contravening relevant statutory requirements
The offences of these 24 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; (3) failing to provide the tenant with a rent receipt; and (4) 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 16:30
NNNN
Unemployment and underemployment statistics for November 2025 – January 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Unemployment and underemployment statistics for November 2025 – January 2026
Comparing November 2025 – January 2026 with October – December 2025, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large. Increases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) were mainly seen in the insurance sector, construction sector and financing sector while decreases were mainly seen in the transportation sector and cleaning and similar activities sector.
Total employment decreased by around 1 100 from 3 667 000 in October – December 2025 to 3 665 900 in November 2025 – January 2026. The labour force in November 2025 – January 2026 was 3 804 300, about the same as that in October – December 2025 (3 805 200).
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in November 2025 – January 2026 was 138 400, about the same as that in October – December 2025 (138 200). The number of underemployed persons in November 2025 – January 2026 was 65 100, about the same as that in October – December 2025 (64 800).
Commentary
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, “The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding three-month period to 3.9% in November 2025 – January 2026. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.7%. The labour force was broadly on a par with the level in the preceding three-month period. Over the same period, total employment saw a marginal decrease.”
Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, “The sustained growth momentum of the Hong Kong economy should help buttress the overall labour market. Nonetheless, the employment situations in some sectors may continue to be under pressure amid their challenging operating environments.”
Further information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
The survey for November 2025 – January 2026 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 67 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of November 2025 to January 2026.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html
For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
NNNN
Special traffic arrangements for Chinese New Year Cup 2026
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Police announced today (February 20) that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in So Kon Po and Causeway Bay tomorrow (February 21) to facilitate the holding of the Chinese New Year Cup 2026 at the Hong Kong Stadium. Members of the public are urged to make use of public transport services as far as possible when travelling to areas subject to traffic control.
A. Traffic arrangements before the start of the event———————— Part of the traffic lane of Caroline Hill Road between Eastern Hospital Road and Cotton Path;
– Westbound Hysan Avenue between Yun Ping Road and Hoi Ping Road;
– Stadium Path; and
– Lee Garden Road between Lan Fong Road and Hysan Avenue, except for green minibuses (GMBs).
Traffic diversions
———————————— Eastern Hospital Road between Stadium Path and Tung Lo Wan Road will be rerouted one way northbound;
– Two traffic lanes on Caroline Hill Road between its western junction with Leighton Road and Link Road will be designated for traffic entering Caroline Hill Road from Hoi Ping Road;
– Hysan Avenue between Leighton Road and Hoi Ping Road will be rerouted one way eastbound;
– Two traffic lanes on eastbound Hysan Avenue will be designated for traffic turning right to Hoi Ping Road;
– Vehicles leaving the private driveway of Lee Garden One must turn left to eastbound Hysan Avenue;
– Traffic along Yun Ping Road cannot turn left to westbound Hysan Avenue, and vehicles will be diverted to Lan Fong Road and Pak Sha Road;
– Traffic along northbound Link Road downhill to northbound Caroline Hill Road may need to turn left to westbound Leighton Road; and
– Vehicles travelling along Lan Fong Road may not be allowed to turn left to southbound Lee Garden Road, and will be diverted to northbound Lee Garden Road, Foo Ming Street and southbound Percival Street, except for GMBs.———————————————– Northern kerbside of Cotton Path; and
– Southern kerbside (taxi drop-off zone) and northern kerbside (private car drop-off zone) of Eastern Hospital Road near the main entrance of the Hong Kong Stadium.———————— Eastern Hospital Road between Caroline Hill Road and Cotton Path;
– Northbound Link Road (downhill), except for vehicles heading for No. 1, 3, 5 and 7 on Link Road (if necessary);
– Hoi Ping Road;
– Sunning Road, except for vehicles leaving the car park of Lee Garden Three;
– Cotton Path and Leighton Road (if necessary). ———————————— Before the end of the event, vehicles leaving buildings on Eastern Hospital Road may be permitted to turn right to northbound Eastern Hospital Road;
– Traffic along westbound Leighton Road cannot enter Caroline Hill Road for Link Road, and vehicles will be diverted via Wong Nai Chung Road and Broadwood Road; and
– When Leighton Road is closed, traffic along westbound Causeway Road will be diverted via Irving Street; traffic along eastbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted via Canal Road West; traffic along southbound Percival Street must turn right to westbound Leighton Road; and traffic along southbound Canal Road East cannot turn left to Leighton Road.——————————–
– Westbound Leighton Road;
– Percival Street south of Hennessy Road;
– Caroline Hill Road;
– Link Road;
– Stadium Path;
– Cotton Path; and
– Eastern Hospital Road.—————————-
All on-street parking spaces on the following roads will be suspended from noon to 7pm:- Northbound Caroline Hill Road between Stadium Path and Cotton Path;
– Hoi Ping Road;
– Sunning Road; and
– Eastern Hospital Road.———————————————–
Total lunar eclipse in Hong Kong on evening of March 3
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Total lunar eclipse in Hong Kong on evening of March 3