Month: February 2026

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FS meets Legislative Councillors

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today revealed that he discussed Hong Kong’s role in the 15th Five-Year Plan with legislators during this morning’s Legislative Council Ante Chamber Exchange Session.

Speaking to the media after attending the session, Mr Chan iterated that the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan were set out last October and that the final plan will be released in March during the “two sessions” meeting in Beijing.

He said that on the basis of the recommendations set out in October, the Government has been taking the future role of Hong Kong in overall national development into consideration as it prepares to unveil the 2026-27 Budget later this month. 

Referring to national development, he stated: “During the process, we will also benefit ourselves. For example, going forward, apart from being an international financial centre and international trade centre, technology and innovation will be a major driver of future economic growth.”

Stressing that aspects of the upcoming Budget will be devoted to aligning Hong Kong’s economic direction with the 15th Five-Year Plan priorities, he said these include focusing on technological self-reliance and the integration of technology with industrial development. 

Mr Chan added: “About the Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong that is to be led by the Chief Executive, this is indeed a great move because, going forward, the development of Hong Kong is counting on the strong support of the central authorities, and the competitive advantage of Hong Kong is that, being an international financial, trade and technology centre, we have a very strong hinterland, a 1.4 billion-strong market, and a very vibrant technology industry chain.

“We need to leverage on this to support our future growth. That is why, in the Budget, we will also talk about this.”

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Blaze flat owners to get subsidy

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) today announced that about 1,700 eligible owner-occupiers and elderly owner-occupiers of Wang Fuk Court (WFC) in Tai Po will receive 100% of the Operation Building Bright 2.0 (OBB2.0) subsidy from the Urban Renewal Authority.

The subsidy amounts are $40,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The HYAB said Hop On Management Company (Hop On), the appointed administrator for WFC, will facilitate the disbursement of subsidies.

The bureau outlined that Hop On has initiated a series of tasks to discharge the functions of the estate’s management committee under the Building Management Ordinance since its appointment on January 6.

The tasks include updating bank account mandates, conducting a handover with the former management company, taking possession of the WFC owners’ corporation’s (OC) records, and clarifying the legal liabilities and entitlements of the OC and owners. In addition, Hop On is following up on performance bond matters and examining the OC’s accounts.

Hop On also established an online platform to ensure effective communication with residents, the HYAB added.

At the same time, a dedicated team from the Home Affairs Department has maintained close liaison with Hop On to provide the necessary support.

Through co-ordination between the Development Bureau and the HYAB, the Urban Renewal Authority has departed from its standard practice of disbursing subsidies to an OC’s account and is releasing only 85% of the funds before confirming the discharge of relevant statutory orders.

The HYAB pointed out that under this exceptional arrangement, 100% of the OBB 2.0 subsidy will be issued directly by cheque to the eligible owner-occupiers and elderly owner-occupiers.

It added that this streamlined approach ensures that the funds reach residents more efficiently, with Hop On facilitating the distribution of the cheques.

Under the “one social worker per household” mechanism arranged by the Social Welfare Department, social workers will assist in reaching out to eligible owners. Upon obtaining the owners’ consent, the owners’ contact information will be shared with Hop On for follow-up.

Hop On will then contact the owners to explain the distribution logistics and schedule appointments for the time and location for cheque collection.

Hop On will establish multiple collection points across various districts this month. Eligible owners can collect their cheques at their prearranged time slots at designated locations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Details of the collection schedule and locations will be uploaded to Hop On’s website shortly.

For enquiries, call the OBB 2.0 hotline at 3188 1188.

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Administrator of Tai Po Wang Fuk Court – Hop On – facilitates disbursement of “Operation Building Bright 2.0” subsidies to eligible owners

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Administrator of Tai Po Wang Fuk Court – Hop On – facilitates disbursement of “Operation Building Bright 2.0” subsidies to eligible owners      
     Under the “one social worker per household” mechanism arranged by the Social Welfare Department, social workers will assist in reaching out to eligible owners. Upon obtaining the owners’ consent, their contact information will be shared with Hop On for follow-up. Hop On will then contact the owners to explain the distribution logistics and schedule appointments for the time and location for cheque collection.
      
     Hop On will establish multiple collection points across various districts this month. Eligible owners can collect their cheques at their prearranged time slots at designated locations in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories (including areas near transitional housing projects where more residents currently reside). Details of the collection schedule and locations will be uploaded to Hop On’s website shortly for viewing. For enquiries regarding the subsidy scheme, owners may call the URA’s OBB 2.0 hotline at 3188 1188.
Issued at HKT 19:10

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School Sharing and Recognition Ceremony of Whole School Health Programme showcases success stories of Health Promoting Schools (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 3) organised the second School Sharing and Recognition Ceremony of Whole School Health Programme (WSHP) to recognise 14 “Advanced Schools” for implementing health promotion measures. School representatives shared their experiences in implementing school-based health promotion initiatives for other schools to learn from. Currently, nearly 900 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong participate in the WSHP. The DH expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic support from schools and encouraged those not yet participating to join as soon as possible, working together to progressively foster the school campus into a Health Promoting School (HPS) that is beneficial for living, learning and working.

     At the recognition ceremony, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “Evidence-based international research indicates that implementing the HPS framework, as advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO), can positively impact student health, such as effectively reducing the risk of smoking among students, reducing bullying cases, and improving the body mass index of students, as well as increasing their physical activity and intake of fruits and vegetables. Students with sound physical and mental health can thrive in their studies, daily lives and interpersonal relationships. They are better equipped to tackle various challenges in their academic and personal growth.

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Interest rate for fifth interest payment of Silver Bond Series due 2026

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Interest rate for fifth interest payment of Silver Bond Series due 2026      
     According to the Issue Circular dated July 14, 2023 for the Bonds, the fifth interest payment of the Bonds is scheduled to be made on February 20, 2026, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on February 3, 2026 as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate. 
      
     On February 3, 2026, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:
      

Floating Rate:     Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the fifth interest payment is determined and announced as 5.00 per cent per annum.
Issued at HKT 16:30

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Provisional statistics of retail sales for December 2025 and Whole Year of 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest figures on retail sales today (February 3).

     The value of total retail sales in December 2025, provisionally estimated at $35.0 billion, increased by 6.6% compared with the same month in 2024. The revised estimate of the value of total retail sales in November 2025 increased by 6.5% compared with a year earlier.

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Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for fourth quarter of 2025 and whole year of 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for fourth quarter of 2025 and whole year of 2025 
     The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the fourth quarter of 2025, provisionally estimated at $27.8 billion, increased by 0.9% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 2.5% to $9.1 billion.
 
     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts remained at a similar level in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.
 
     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the fourth quarter of 2025 with the fourth quarter of 2024, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 0.3% in value, but decreased by 1.0% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 4.0% in value and 3.1% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops decreased by 0.4% in value and 1.7% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 1.5% in both value and volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 4.2% in value and 5.7% in volume.
 
     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.6% in value and 1.8% in volume in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the preceding quarter.
 
     For 2025 as a whole, the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector was provisionally estimated at $109.6 billion, increased by 0.2% in value but decreased by 0.9% in volume compared with the whole year of 2024. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases of restaurants decreased by 0.3% to $35.0 billion.
 
     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the whole year of 2025 with the whole year of 2024, total receipts of Chinese restaurants decreased by 2.9% in value and 4.3% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 4.0% in value and 3.4% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 0.8% in value, but decreased by 0.6% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 1.7% in value and 0.5% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 2.8% in value and 4.5% in volume.
 
     To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
 
     Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 3.9%, decreased by 0.6% and decreased by 0.5% respectively in October, November and December 2025, compared with the corresponding months in 2024.
 
     After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.6%, decreased by 1.8% and decreased by 1.5% respectively in October, November and December 2025, compared with the corresponding months in 2024.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of total restaurant receipts resumed an increase of 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. For 2025 as a whole, the value of total restaurant receipts rose back slightly.
 
     Looking ahead, restaurant businesses should continue to be underpinned by improving local consumption sentiment, ongoing increase in employment earnings and sustained visible growth in inbound visitors.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the third quarter of 2025 as well as the provisional figures for the fourth quarter of 2025.
 
     Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the third quarter of 2025 and the provisional indices for the fourth quarter of 2025.
 
     Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
 
     The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the fourth quarter of 2025 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html 
     The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540 
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30

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HKMA unveils Fintech Promotion Blueprint: From adoption to advancement

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

HKMA unveils Fintech Promotion Blueprint: From adoption to advancement      
     Under “Fintech 2030” (Note 1), this tactical Blueprint focuses on more sophisticated applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technologies (DLT), enabled by the infrastructural support of High-Performance Computing. With Data Excellence and Cyber Resilience being the foundational pillars, the Blueprint aims to further strengthen the banking sector’s ability to better manage risks associated with advanced technologies.
      
     The Blueprint sets out a cohesive framework of initiatives structured around tactical dimensions of Ecosystem Collaboration, Technological Advancement, as well as Talent and Outreach. In the coming months, the HKMA will launch four flagship projects, including:
           The Blueprint also introduces a series of activities to address the key challenges to further fintech advancements, as identified in the Tech Maturity Stock-take (Note 3). These initiatives include FiNETech events, responsible innovation competitions, a revamp of the Fintech Connect matching platform and practical workshops.
      
     Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA Mr Arthur Yuen said, “The future of finance will be defined by those who can harness sophisticated technology, not only to improve existing processes, but to reimagine what is possible. By embracing responsible innovation, strengthening cross-boundary collaboration, and investing in talent development, the Blueprint provides the tactical guidance we need to build a resilient and forward-looking Fintech ecosystem – one that balances the rapid evolution of both risk and opportunity.”
      
     The full report of the Blueprint is available on the HKMA websitewww.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2025/11/20251103-3/Note 2: Structured data such as transaction records and credit scores, as well as unstructured data such as email correspondence and business contracts.
Note 3: Fintech Adoption: Progress and Future Directions 
brdr.hkma.gov.hk/eng/doc-ldg/docId/getPdf/20250716-3-EN/20250716-3-EN.pdfIssued at HKT 15:47

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A dry and sunny January

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

With a dry northeast monsoon affecting Hong Kong for most of the time during the month, January 2026 was much drier and sunnier than usual. In all, 3.2 millimetres of rainfall were recorded during the month, only about 10 per cent of the normal of 33.2 millimetres for a January. The monthly mean relative humidity of 63 per cent was 11 per cent below the normal of 74 per cent, and the ninth lowest on record for January. The monthly total sunshine duration amounted to 216.1 hours, about 48 per cent above the normal of 145.8 hours. The month was also warmer than usual, with a mean temperature of 17.5 degrees, 1.0 degree above the normal of 16.5 degrees. The monthly mean maximum temperature of 20.3 degrees was 1.6 degrees above the normal of 18.7 degrees and one of the eighth highest on record.

Under the influence of the dry northeast monsoon, the weather in Hong Kong was fine during the first five days of the month, with cold mornings on January 2 and 3. With the arrival of an intense replenishment of the winter monsoon on the night of January 5, local winds strengthened from the north overnight. The local weather remained fine with cold mornings over most parts of the territory from January 6 to 10. The temperatures at the Observatory fell to a minimum of 10.9 degrees on the morning of January 7, the lowest of the month. It was also very dry during the day from January 7 to 11. The relative humidity recorded at the Observatory once fell to 17 per cent on the afternoon of January 8, the lowest on record in January since the establishment of the automatic weather station at the Observatory’s Headquarters in 1984. Under clear skies and relatively weak winds, radiation cooling was significant over inland areas. There were frost reports over parts of the northeastern New Territories on the mornings from January 8 to 10.

With the setting in of a fresh to strong easterly airstream on January 12, the local weather was mainly cloudy in the morning but turned fine in the afternoon. With the moderation of the easterly airstream the next day, winds became weak and there was haze locally. Under the influence of the dry northeast monsoon, apart from one or two showers on the morning of January 15 and some haze that night, the local weather remained fine from January 14 to 19. It was also very dry during the day on January 16 and 17. With plenty of sunshine, the temperatures at the Observatory rose to a maximum of 24.8 degrees on the afternoon of January 17, the highest of the month.

Under the influence of a replenished northeast monsoon, and with a broad band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the local weather turned mainly cloudy and dry from January 20 to 23 with cold mornings over most parts of the territory from January 21 to 23. With the thinning out of the band of clouds, it was dry with sunny periods during the day from January 24 to 26. With the moderation of the northeast monsoon, winds subsided later on January 26. There was some haze during the day of the next day, with the visibility in the harbour once falling below 5 000 metres. The temperatures at the Observatory rose to the month’s high-level mark of 24.8 degrees again on January 27. Under the influence of weak monsoon replenishments, it was slightly cooler on the mornings of January 28 and 29. Under the influence of an easterly airstream and with a broad band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the local weather was cloudy with one or two rain patches on January 29 and 30. A northeast monsoon replenishment affected southern China on the last day of the month, and the local weather became cooler gradually with a few rain patches and relatively low visibility. 

One tropical cyclone occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific during January 2026.

Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals for the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for January are tabulated in Table 2.

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Land Registry releases statistics for January

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Land Registry releases statistics for January      
Land registration    
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*   The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in January was 7 631 (-15.2 per cent compared with December 2025 but +54.5 per cent compared with January 2025)
      
*   The 12-month moving average for January was 6 950 (3.3 per cent above the 12-month moving average for December 2025 and 21.7 per cent above that for January 2025)
      
*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements of building units in January was $57.2 billion (-12.0 per cent compared with December 2025 but +55.8 per cent compared with January 2025)
      
*   Among the sale and purchase agreements, 5 669 were for residential units (-3.6 per cent compared with December 2025 but +56.3 per cent compared with January 2025)
      
*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $49.2 billion (-3.9 per cent compared with December 2025 but +84.1 per cent compared with January 2025)
      
     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.
      
     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.
      
     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
      
Land search     
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*   The number of searches of land registers made by the public in January was 426 296 (+12.8 per cent compared with December 2025 and +27.5 per cent compared with January 2025)
      
     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.
Issued at HKT 15:00

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