Month: March 2026

Government adjusts Outbound Travel Alert for Middle East countries      
     The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation of the relevant Middle East countries. Any updates will be issued through the media, the Bureau’s mobile app and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota      
     Hong Kong residents outside Hong Kong who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD mobile application, send message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline, send message to the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form, or contact the local Chinese Embassies.
      
     Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/rotiIssued at HKT 17:15

Remarks by SLW at media session regarding adjustment of Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities 
Reporter: Good afternoon. Firstly, how would you assess the monetary impacts on the Government for the revised policy and the impact on beneficiaries who might have to take more expensive or longer routes after the policy takes effect? And secondly, any concrete timetable on when to review the policy and roll out the second phase, which would be the cap on the 240 trips per month? Thank you.
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Thank you for your questions. The estimated annual savings arising from the new measure will be around $550 million, so as to save the public monies by putting in place a new measure. If you look at the number of transport routes that will be affected, it will be around 40 per cent. Currently, if you look at the number of routes taking into account all modes of transport, around 60 per cent of them have fares of $10 or below. That means about 40 per cent will be over $10. We will step up our promotion and publicity to put across all the messages to our elderly people and the disabled to make sure that they are fully informed about the new measure.
 
     Of course, when we roll out the new measure, we will keep a very close watch over usage patterns and also all relevant statistics. I am going to share it with the public from time to time. We will also look at what is needed to make sure that all those elderly people and the disabled are fully informed about the new measure. To put it simply, the process is very simple because they do not have to apply. They do not need to do anything by themselves. What they need to know is just look at the fare. If it is $10 or below, no change. It will be $2. If it is over $10, that means they have to pay 20 per cent of the adult fare, and the rest of the 80 per cent will be fully borne by the government. Thank you very much.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Issued at HKT 15:58

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2026 Implementation Rules for Amending the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region gazetted      
     Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law provides that, when handling cases concerning offences endangering national security, law enforcement authorities of the HKSAR may take various measures that law enforcement authorities are allowed to apply under the laws in force in the HKSAR in investigating serious crimes, and may also take the measures stipulated in that article. Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law also authorises the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the National Security Committee, to make relevant implementation rules for the relevant measures. The Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Implementation Rules) made by the Chief Executive in conjunction with the National Security Committee for the first time came into effect on July 7, 2020.
      
     In the course of handling cases concerning offences endangering national security and the application of the Implementation Rules over the past several years, the HKSAR has gained some practical and implementation-related experiences. With reference to these experiences, as well as relevant court cases, the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the National Security Committee, made the Amendment Rules to enhance measures that the law enforcement authorities of the HKSAR may take and further clarify relevant legal procedures and technical arrangements, so as to strengthen the enforcement power of law enforcement authorities, prevent and investigate cases concerning offences endangering national security more effectively, and prevent and mitigate risks to national security in a timely manner.
      
     Safeguarding national security is a continuous endeavour with no end point. Given the current complex and volatile geopolitical situation, national security risks faced by the HKSAR may arise suddenly and unexpectedly. Therefore, the HKSAR Government must at all times maintain a high degree of vigilance, be always heedful of Hong Kong’s constitutional duty, continue to improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and formulate comprehensive measures to safeguard national security, in order to prevent and mitigate risks to national security in a timely manner that may arise suddenly. The Amendment Rules were made by the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the National Security Committee based on the valuable experience gained by the HKSAR in safeguarding national security, which will help enhance the HKSAR’s capability to continuously safeguard national security.
      
     Enhancements and amendments to the Implementation Rules have been made by the Amendment Rules. The HKSAR Government has proposed to the Chairpersons of the Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services and the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council that a joint panel meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services and Panel on Security be held tomorrow (March 24) for representatives of the Security Bureau and the Department of Justice to brief Members on the content of the amendments.

     The detailed provisions of the Amendment Rules can be accessed via this website      
     The spokesman added, “The offences under the Amendment Rules, which are necessary for ensuring the effective carrying out of the measures, are formulated with reference to similar offences which already exist and are common in the laws of Hong Kong. The Amendment Rules clearly define each element of the offences and make clear stipulations in respect of mental elements, exceptions or defences etc. Law-abiding persons will not contravene the law inadvertently. The Amendment Rules will not affect the lives of the general public and the normal operation of institutions and organisations.”
Issued at HKT 12:00

Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme 2027 calls for applications 
     Applicants should be registered local non-profit-making performing arts groups or artists that have been active in the performing arts scene in the past year, with experience in public performances. The Department encourages applicants to bring in young talents and set the stage for them to shine in community arts.
 
     Each applicant is required to submit one proposal with a brief description of the project theme and content. The proposal should cover one of the following five types of performing arts: Chinese opera/operatic singing, dance, music, theatre arts (including drama, mime, magic and puppetry), and multimedia. The proposed projects should mainly feature touring performances and may include other activities such as workshops, excerpts from full performances, demonstrations, talks, exhibitions, and more.
 
     Applications can be submitted online, by post or by hand to the Audience Building Office (10/F, Queen Elizabeth Stadium, 18 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai). Application forms can be downloaded from the Audience Building Office website (www.abo.gov.hk 
     A briefing session on the scheme will be held at 3pm on March 31 (Tuesday) at Room AC1, 4/F, Administration Building of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, to introduce interested individuals and arts groups to the application details of the scheme. There will also be experience sharing by previous Community Cultural Ambassadors. For registration details of the briefing session, please visit the Audience Building Office website.
 
     For enquiries about the scheme, please call 2591 1611, email amab1@lcsd.gov.hk, or visit the Audience Building Office website.
Issued at HKT 12:00

Hongkong Post to adjust principal postage rates with effect from April 13      
     “Hongkong Post is committed to providing reliable and efficient postal services to the public at reasonable prices. However, there is a need to periodically adjust postage rates in order to offset escalating operating costs, in particular increases in major cost components such as conveyance costs and terminal dues payments,” a spokesperson for Hongkong Post said.
      
     “The current postage adjustments are broadly in line with the cumulative inflation since the last adjustments in September 2022 up to January 2026. Overall, the postage increases for over 90 per cent of local mail and surface mail will be within $0.2, while those for 90 per cent of airmail will be within $0.5. The expected impact on both the general public and the commercial sectors is considered to be very mild,” the spokesperson said.
      
     The principal postage adjustments of the basic tiers for posting letters will be as follows:     “With the development of information technology, electronic communication is replacing traditional correspondence while market competition from commercial delivery services is severe. These pose great challenges to Hongkong Post’s business. Hongkong Post has been actively pursuing transformation and will continue its efforts to generate revenue through development in e-commerce business and manage its costs with a view to providing affordable and quality universal postal services,” the spokesperson said.
      
     Details of the postage rate adjustments are in the Annex. The public may refer to the Hongkong Post website (www.hongkongpost.hkIssued at HKT 11:30

Firing practice for April 2026 
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
 
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in April 2026:

San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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